1989 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo I

When the Mercedes-Benz 190E arrived on the scene in the early 1980s, the notion of such a small car from the house of the Three Pointed Star seemed far fetched. Even more so was when the Cosworth-tuned 190E 2.3-16 debuted. Here was a car that was originally designed for rallying but wound up competing in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) series, equipped with a twin cam four cylinder engine, available 5-speed manual gearbox with dog leg first gear and a full on bodykit. Quite un-Mercedes like.

The US market would see the 190E 2.3-16 for just a few years, but the evolution of the breed would continue on in Europe right up to the end of the production run, with a 2.5 liter engine and Evolution models. This 190E 2.5-16 Evo for sale in The Netherlands was brought to our attention by our reader Walker and is now legal to import to the US. Just over 500 were produced to comply with DTM homologation regulations, with and engine that revved higher and had improved top end power. While not as aggressive as the Evo 2 that would follow up this act, those who know about these special 190Es will recognize this car’s awesomeness in an instant.

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1989 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evo 1 on autoscout24

Year: 1989
Model: 190E Evo 1
Engine: 2.5 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 148,000 km (~ 91,962 mi)
Price: €47,500 (~ $60,816 USD)

Mercedes
Type: 190E Evolution I W201 195 hp
Fuel: petrol
Number of doors: 4
Gearbox: manual
Color: Blue black metallic
199 Km. position: 148,000 Year: 04-1989 VAT / Margin: Margin Status: in stock Price: 47.500,00 euro

Details:

Coming from a private collection this immaculate 190E Evolution has 148,042 original km. Only 502 units were built and there are very few left. It is a two owner, German vehicle, owned by a collector who has had the car in his collection since 1999. This is a rare find. This is a real one!

Maintenance schedule followed:

On 13/04/1989 at 0 km to 1600 km 02.05.1989 08.11.1989 to 06.11.1989 at 11,852 km 19,817 km 02/26/1990 at 28,286 miles on 05/14/1990 at 40,292 miles on 08/24/1990 at 49,252 km 19/11/1990 at 60,955 miles on 21/05/1991 at 77 825 km to 92 539 km 28.03.1992 04.15.1993 04.10.1994 at 100,564 km at 111 525 km on 01/07/1996 at 121,100 km 129,750 km on 17.02.1998 at 07:12 .1999 at 143 215 km, the current state is 148 042 km

Present:

Stamped service book
Car stereo
Book containing warranty information
Original leaflet
Two original keys

Options & Accessories:

blue black metallic
black leather

Equipment:

ASD 211-240-260-meter outdoor wegval type designation
412-electric sliding / tilting headrests
430-442-fold leather steering wheel and central locking
466-470-583-ABS electric windows front and rear
591-tinted glass and windshield with green job
620-630-catalyst warning triangle
682-extinguisher under driver seat
751 2000 Becker Europa stereo
812-rear speakers
873-seat
876-extra interior

Also equipped with 4 new 225/50 R16 Continental Conti Premium Contact 5 tires, 16 inch wheels, rear armrest, 5-speed, adjustable stand 3-position, power steering, electric mirrors, tool trunk complete, mats, unused connection package, unused spare wheel, plates with letters imposed.

If you are used to seeing the 190E 2.3-16s for sale here at GCFSB, the asking price on this particular car might be shocking at first. Considering the mileage, the price seems a bit high, as I’ve seen a few lower mileage examples for sale in the past year that have been hovering in the $40,000 to $50,000 range. That’s of course outside of the US market, so external economic forces can be at play. If a few of these make it stateside, they won’t come cheap, if that other DTM darling, the E30 M3, is any indication.

-Paul