Just bought (pics)
Discussion
A lovely 1990 H-reg 2.5-16v cosworth Mercedes 190E with 90k. 205bhp non-catalyst model, 5-speed manual dog-leg box.
It will be the weekend alternative to my daily 2.0 190E, which is a lovely car but the 16v does everything an extra 15%. I have been building up to this purchase for literally years after winning a car in the young driver of the year thing, and now I've ended up buying the same car as I already have
. But maybe that's how good the bog 190E is 
.
Initial impressions are it's quick, in a Civic type-R/Corrado VR6 kind of way rather than a 6-cylinder BMW M3 kind of way. But the power is useable absolutely 100% of the time, it is never scary. After just a few days I find myself driving it in a fashion I would have considered lunacy to do on the public road a few days previously. Massively confidence inspiring despite only ABS and an LSD (and I've never really driven a powerful rear-driver before), loads of grip, perfect ride/handling combination, yet a very solid, reliable relaxed cruiser too. <br/> <br/>Plus the transmission, throttle response, strong 4000-7000 revband and awesome sound make it great to just floor it in a straight line, if you're so inclined.
Not great to take to the shops though due to occasional drivetrain shunt and annoying gearbox.
Huge grins as you run rings around today's big fat cars feeling like you're in a 4-seat Lotus Elise (it only weighs 1300kg); yet safe in the knowledge it was made in Stuttgart not Norfolk. It's everything a modern Mercedes isn't (OK so it lacks the torque and straight line speed....).
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<br/> <br/> <br/>It's as it was when I bought it cosmetically <br/> <br/>Russell
>> Edited by pentoman on Monday 14th November 22:49
>> Edited by pentoman on Monday 14th November 23:09
It will be the weekend alternative to my daily 2.0 190E, which is a lovely car but the 16v does everything an extra 15%. I have been building up to this purchase for literally years after winning a car in the young driver of the year thing, and now I've ended up buying the same car as I already have
. But maybe that's how good the bog 190E is . Initial impressions are it's quick, in a Civic type-R/Corrado VR6 kind of way rather than a 6-cylinder BMW M3 kind of way. But the power is useable absolutely 100% of the time, it is never scary. After just a few days I find myself driving it in a fashion I would have considered lunacy to do on the public road a few days previously. Massively confidence inspiring despite only ABS and an LSD (and I've never really driven a powerful rear-driver before), loads of grip, perfect ride/handling combination, yet a very solid, reliable relaxed cruiser too. <br/> <br/>Plus the transmission, throttle response, strong 4000-7000 revband and awesome sound make it great to just floor it in a straight line, if you're so inclined.
Not great to take to the shops though due to occasional drivetrain shunt and annoying gearbox.
Huge grins as you run rings around today's big fat cars feeling like you're in a 4-seat Lotus Elise (it only weighs 1300kg); yet safe in the knowledge it was made in Stuttgart not Norfolk. It's everything a modern Mercedes isn't (OK so it lacks the torque and straight line speed....).
<br/>
<br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/>It's as it was when I bought it cosmetically <br/> <br/>Russell >> Edited by pentoman on Monday 14th November 22:49
>> Edited by pentoman on Monday 14th November 23:09
Vipers said:
Yep, a good looking car, probably got it for a song, but hey, they are robust cars. May it give your many miles of happy motoring.....
Not sure how much a 'song' is..? It was pretty cheap compared to the modern cars you can compare it against, but also they only made 4,700 2.5s worldwide and they do fetch strong money for an old Merc saloon.
still smilling Russell
t rear ended me at 50mph. 
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