Originally developed for rally racing, the Cosworth developed 190E was the right car at the wrong time. Set to compete against the dominant Audi Quattros, Cosworth switched its sights to DTM (German Touring Car) racing. This was probably the best outcome for Cosworth, Mercedes-Benz and car enthusiasts the world over, as Mercedes-Benz now had to build road going versions of the 190E Cosworth to meet the requirements for competing in the DTM championship.
With help from Cosworth, the 190 went from an economy sedan to a rocket ship for the streets. The M102 2.3-liter 8-valve, received the Cosworth treatment resulting 167 hp and 162 lb·ft. The power was put to the rear wheels by a Getrag 5-speed that featured a ‘dog-leg’ first gear, and a limited slip differential.
This low mileage Cossie for sale in Fort Lee, New Jersey is a well preserved example of ’80s motorsport history.
1987 Mercedes 190E 2.3 16v Cosworth on eBay.com
Classic 1987 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth
Up for sale is a special 1987 Mercedes Benz 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth with low mileage and vivid history. The car belonged to the Automobile Magazine editor Jason Camissa featuring in 2008 Feb. issued article “Second Hand Thrills”.
http://www.automobilemag.com/features/great_drives/0702_1988_bmw_m3_vs_1987_mercedes_benz_190e_23_16/viewall.html
The motor is strong and the 5 speed dog-leg shifts well. The interior is very clean and no wear on the leather. All original paint except the grill and hood resprayed to the body color code 199 and mirrors painted to BMW Imola Red color code 405. The Evo II wheels condition is 9/10. I will include the 4 Pilot Sport all season’s 235/40/ZR17s and 500E front pads and rotors with the asking price.Hella European headlights, Evo II wheels, Bilstein HD shocks and Vogtland springs in the front. The original front struts and springs are included in the sale. Rear Self Leveling System retained and lowered 1 inch by adjusting the linkage/ arms.
The factory Evo I front bumper/lip/splitter sold separately.
The rear wheels starting to squeak noise; the rear wheel bearings may need to be replaced. The small cover on the front bumper is missing A/C need to be served.Contact me if you have any questions.
This is a car that I’ve always wanted to own. After driving one a few years back, I fell in love. With 45,000 miles this is the ideal condition to buy one of these in, not so pristine that you’re afraid to drive it, but not so many miles that it needs too much. In my eyes, this is the perfect compromise for a car to add to a collection. While the car has a few great upgrades, like the Evo II wheels and upgraded suspension, the painted mirrors, grill, and other bits simply need to go.
Seeing this car listed at $8,950 is refreshing. It seems as though many Cossie owners are trying to ride the wave of E30 M3 pricing and price these cars in the stratosphere when they’re just not there yet. This car with the mileage and the condition is a bargain at this price and a good opportunity to get in to one of these on the ground floor, as they will only appreciate in the years to come.
-Brian
I’m not seeing this on eBay and the link seems to direct me to eBay’s front page. =[
Greg, thank you for the heads up, I have fixed the link.
The 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth was a pretty neat piece of Mercedes history – a great alternative the now crazy pricing on E30 M3’s.
However, it really bothers me when a seller shows items on a car for sale, but expects you to negotiate for them separately, over and above the selling price of the car. (“The factory 1989 Evo I front bumper/lip/splitter sold separately. It is considered one of the rarest Mercedes parts, only 500 made worldwide for this specific model. It was a special order from Germany that cost $2500. I think $1250 is a fair price to go with the car.”) Was he planning on removing it, and selling it to one of the other few hundred Mercedes Benz 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth owners out there?
One factor that might be influencing the price quite a bit is a title that states “not actual miles.” The seller doesn’t address how many miles this car actually has. I’d want to know what’s going on there.
Then there’s the article the seller referenced. Previously owned by an Automobile editor – cool, right? Well, maybe. That editor states, “It it had been in a little bit of trouble: it turned up at a police auction in Pittsburgh, where it had been confiscated in a narcotics raid and then used by the police in prostitution stings.” So it has a colorful history…maybe that appeals to you, maybe not.
But then there’s this: the seller is willing to “include the 4 Pilot Sport all season’s 235/40/ZR17s and 500E front pads and rotors with the asking price.” Was he planning to sell the car without tires and brakes? If you negotiate the price down a bit below asking, is he considering putting the old tires and brakes back on the car?
So I guess the “mirrors painted to BMW Imola Red color code 405” are the least of my questions about this seller.
Pass. So many issues that it’s not worth discussing.
I agree with Larry’s points – lots of questions to be answered. I also agree that saying “XYZ is extra” when it’s already bolted to the car is a lame way to sell a car and immediately turns me off as a buyer. My biggest “Huh?” are the red side mirrors and red lower lip. If I bought this, the first thing I’d do would be to put those back to black. I love these 190E Cosworths…such a cool car that I have on my must-drive list. I’ve seen one at our local cars & coffee and am thinking I need to arrange a driving swap with the owner…
lol I remember the Top Gear episode where they picked up track day cars and one of the guys got one of these, forget who. I think Jeremy Clarkson called it the slowest sports sedan of all time.
I don’t have anything against these cars myself, they look nice and drive good and have a 5 speed and RWD. All you need for fun. However this particular model doesn’t look like a very good example to me. I agree with KevinR
I’d find a better example and turbo it for the lulz.
Including brakes and wheels? Oh how GRACIOUS of you!
“Not actual miles” kills this completely.
Parting cars out is not an uncommon practice but, as Larry points out, there isn’t exactly a huge market for those splitters. Better to just sell them with the car and be done with it.