Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.0 Automatic

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Dubbed ‘the Baby Benz’, the W201-based 190 was launched in 1982 and was the most affordable model in the marque's history.

Some £600 million was spent researching and developing this car with Mercedes acutely aware that a failure of such an entry level model could easily bring down the rest of the range and the entire company’s reputation. Indeed so concerned were they to get it just right that they later admitted that the 190 was 'massively over-engineered'.

Amongst the items that were a first for Mercedes was the 190's patented five-link suspension at the rear, used in subsequent E- and C- class models, and developments used today in Mercedes road cars. It had front and rear anti-roll bars and anti-dive, anti-squat geometry and a range of engines from a 1.8-litre four-cylinder unit to a 2.6-litre straight-six.

The 190 was available with airbags, ABS brakes, seatbelt tensioners and other advanced safety features and is now regarded as one of the best Mercedes-Benz cars ever made. It was finally replaced by the much less impressive C-Class in 1993.

First registered in June 1986, this Barola Red 190E Automatic has the 122bhp 2-litre engine and has had only four owners, the vendor acquiring it just over three years ago. It has covered some 94,500 miles to date with a good history comprising eight M-B stamps in the service book plus numerous supporting invoices and 20 old MOTs. Recent expenditure includes new brake discs, pads, exhaust and four new tyres. There is also an invoice for a replacement gearbox which was fitted in June 2016 at a cost of £665.

Fitted from new with a factory Sportline bodykit, it also has electric front windows, an electric steel sunroof, walnut trim inserts and the original Blaupunkt radio. Said to run and drive well with an MOT until June 2017 and two keys, it is perfectly usable as is but would benefit from some cosmetic attention to the bodywork here and there and a repair to the driver’s seat bolster.

AMENDMENT: The vendor did not have time to get an MOT on this car. The last MOT expired 3rd July 2016 with no advisories.