1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16

Built in conjunction with British engineers Cosworth to rally before the Audi Quattro debuted (and siphoned instead into the DTM when Mercedes realized it stood no chance), the 190E 2.3-16 marries the handsome lines and tank-like build quality of the W201 chassis with a race-tuned four pot engine and a muscular and aerodynamically purposeful bodykit. We’ve featured a number of 16 valvers on the site lately and I’m beginning to wonder if there has (finally) been an uptick in the market for these cars. It does seem as though there are more nice examples out there for sale with every passing year, in contrast to the raft of rotted out and abused ones that used to dot Craigslist not too long ago.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 on Hemmings.com

Year: 1986
Model: 190E 2.3-16
Engine: 2.3 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 155,227 mi
Price: $23,900

Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49512
Stock #: BW0594
VIN #: WDBDA34D7GF156264
Mileage: 155227
Transmission: Manual
Condition: Excellent
Exterior: Black Pearl Metallic
Interior: Black
Seller’s Description:
Mercedes wished to take the 190 E rallying and asked British engineering company Cosworth to develop an engine with 320 bhp for the rally car. This project was known as project ”WAA’ by Cosworth”. With a continued desire to compete in a high-profile motor sport with the 190, and also now an engine to do it with. Cars racing in this championship, however, had to be based on a road-going model. Mercedes, therefore, had to put into series production a 190 fitted with a detuned version of the Cosworth engine. This high-performance model was known as the 190 E 2.3-16, and debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September 1983, after its reputation had already been established.

GR Auto Gallery is pleased to present this one owner believed to numbers matching rare and fun Mercedes Benz 190 E 2.3-16 Valve, or just the 16-Valve as it is known. This 16-Valve is loaded and remains in as good of shape as it was in ’86. The exterior in a beautiful Black Pearl Metallic which had a complete exterior restoration in 2005, there are photos documenting every step of the restoration that come with the sale of the car as well as lots of maintenance receipts and the original window sticker and articles about the car collected over the years. Included with the car comes the believed to be an original brochure from 1986. The standard features that are still functioning great include the 5-speed manual transmission, like new Ricaro bucket leather seats, extended sports instrumentation with wood accents, leather-covered steering wheel and gear shifter, automatic climate control, fully independent suspension, light alloy wheels, not to mention the Mercedes first aid kit. This car is really a special car for Mercedes because it brought them back into another form of racing, as this car is perfect for rally racing with its 5-speen transmission and 7000rpm red line. There are not many of these 16-valves around and approximately 3000 were imported in the United States. Such a fun and unique car this would be great for one and all!

To see over 80 photos of this car, including under carriage please visit our website www.grautogallery.com

Gr Auto Gallery, LLC and our sister company, Wheelz Sales and Leasing Inc. makes every effort to represent each vehicle accurately and with integrity. We also welcome third party inspections when necessary. Although we try to do our very best to be accurate in our description writing we are human and do make mistakes. Unless otherwise noted, All vehicles are sold AS IS, No Warranty Expressed or Implied. All sales final.

This particular example comes in the best color combination of blue-black over black leather. The paint looks to be in excellent, glossy condition (though I’d want to see more pics in natural light to be sure), most likely as a result of the restoration said to have been undertaken in 2005. The ad copy doesn’t explicitly state that it was a repaint, but I’m guessing that it was. As an ’86 model it comes with the even more hideous-than-usual, early US-spec headlamps, but these are easily swapped out for neater, Euro-spec glass models. On the inside, the anthracite leather interior looks to be in equally impressive condition, as does the dash and wood trim.

At $24k this is a top-of-the-market example priced well above what we usually see these cars trading for (though it is also fair to say that examples in this condition are quite rare and therefore hard to value).  I doubt it will sell for that, especially since the mileage, at 155k, is rather high. I suspect it will go for somewhere in the $15k-18k range if it stands up to an in-person inspection.

– Craig