Mercedes-Benz 190 2.5/16 E

This 1989 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 is one of 502 Evolution I examples built and spent time in Germany before being brought to the Netherlands in 2008. It is powered by a 2.5-liter Cosworth inline-four that has reportedly been fitted with an Evo II cylinder head paired with a dogleg five-speed manual transmission. The car is finished in Blue Black Metallic over black leather, and equipment includes a limited-slip differential, a self-leveling suspension, 16″ Evo I alloy wheels, an electric sunroof, a rear wing, heated front seats, a Clarion CD stereo, and air conditioning. This W201 Evolution I shows 178k kilometers (~111k miles) and is now offered in the Netherlands by the selling dealer with the owner’s manual, service records, and Dutch registration.

Mercedes-Benz introduced the 190E Evolution as a limited-production homologation variant for the 1989 model year. Just 502 examples were built, each featuring revised front and rear valances, a rear wing, and pronounced fender flares. This example is finished in Blue Black Metallic (199) and has reportedly been repainted apart from the roof. The seller notes the front bumper was refinished and the headlights and grille replaced following an accident. The rear bumper has a repaired crack and rock chips are present on the front end.

The 16″ Evo I alloy wheels are mounted with 225/50 Bridgestone Potenza S-03 tires. The Evolution I was lowered by 19mm compared to the standard 2.5-16, and its track width was increased by 14mm in front and 24mm at the rear. An adjustable self-leveling suspension was equipped from the factory, and braking is handled by four-wheel ventilated discs with ABS. The self-leveling suspension spheres were reportedly replaced in 2017 and the left front brake caliper replaced in 2022.

The bolstered sport seats are upholstered in black leather and feature heaters up front. Amenities include a Clarion CD stereo, rear-seat headrests, an electric sunroof, and air conditioning. The seller notes damage on the right rear door panel. The lap timer in the center stack is inoperative.

The leather-wrapped steering wheel frames a 260-km/h speedometer and a tachometer with a 7,200-rpm redline as well as gauges for coolant temperature, oil pressure, fuel level, and instant fuel economy. Auxiliary gauges located in the center stack display oil temperature and voltage. The six-digit odometer shows 178k kilometers.

The 2.5-liter M102 inline-four was developed by Cosworth and features a shorter stroke and larger bore than the standard 2.5-16 model. This example was reportedly fitted with an Evo II cylinder head in 2015 and a replacement head gasket in 2017. The fuel pressure sensor was replaced in 2022.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a Getrag five-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential

Options:
240: Outside temperature gauge
412: Electric sliding/tilting roof
430: Rear head restraints
466: Central locking
511: MB radio
531: Automatic telescopic aerial
591: Heat-insulating glass all round with reverse-heating
620: Catalytic converter
682: Fire extinguisher
812: Speakers placed in the back
873: Heated front seats
876: Lights in the rear doors and lamp above the right rear window