zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
For $6,500, This 1989 Mercedes 190e 2.6 Could Restore Your Faith
For $6,500, This 1989 Mercedes 190e 2.6 Could Restore Your Faith-August 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:10:03

The seller of today's 190e says he's the second owner, and that no expense was spared in the car's rebirth as an AMG-looking badass. It will have to be seen if the result is with expending what he's asking to be number three.

Ain't life Grand? Well, it certainly is for the seller of yesterday's after he won a respectable 71% Nice Price win for his pricing acumen and astute choice of car to sell. Let's see if today's contender proves equally as fortuitous.

Is your name Richard Petty? No? Well, that must mean that you're not the King. That doesn't mean…

When Mercedes first introduced their new smaller car, the W201, or 190 series to the motoring world, L.J.K. Setright spent half a column in CAR magazine marveling over the elegance of its origami-like boot shape. He spent the other half in incredulity over its new 5-link rear suspension, as it seemed to defy physics in its range of motion. Maybe it was two separate columns, but regardless, the 190e, especially in 2.6-litre six cylinder form, was one of Setright's all-time favorite cars.

I wonder, were he alive today, what the English wordsmith would have to say about this ? Probably about twenty-five hundred words that are at once elegant, erudite and smattered with quotes from the Latin. I can't hold a candle to Setright's prose, but I'll strive to do my best.

The ad for this little Benz claims that the seller is the 2nd owner. I can't tell however if he or that previous owner undertook the extensive refresh that has resulted in its present condition. The car is presently advertised in Akron Ohio, but several of the pics show it touring New York City. That's no big deal because after all, who wouldn't want to try and make it in the Big Apple? It still makes me wonder the age of the work in the other pics though.

That work is a full respray in what's said to be Mercedes White and the addition of a 'one-of-a-kind' AMG body kit, whatever that is. It all looks super '80s custom, although it should be noted that the gorgeous gold BBS baskets shown in most of the pics are a $2,500 extra. without paying that, it comes with a set of Benz alloys.

The interior looks appreciably clean and has been treated to some carbon fiber trim on the dash and door panels. The rest seems pretty stock although the typically humongous Mercedes wheel has been traded for a smaller MOMO three-spoke unit.

Mechanically, the car's 2.6-litre, 160-bhp M103 has been treated to a spate of new consumables, although the engine itself has the same 105K on it as does the rest of the car. This is an automatic - the 4-speed 722 box being the standard bearer for the model. Yes a Cosworth with a dog-leg row-yet-own would be nice, but that's not what the gods have given us here.

What we have is a six cylinder 190e that's been shown some love by someone who - like Setright -obviously really likes this model. What we need to determine is whether or not this Benz's price can garner an equal amount of love. The ad is asking $6,500 for this refreshed car, or $9,000 with its fancy pants wheels.

What do you think about this cool old Benz - according to L.J.K. one of the last of the REAL cool old Benzes - and its price? Is $6,500 a fair deal? Or, would that make you do a 180 on this 190?

You decide!

Akron OH , or go if the car disappears.

Help me out with NPOCP. Click to send a me a fixed-price tip, and remember to include your Kinja handle.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
For $3,250, Be A Fox - Even If You’re A Dude
For $3,250, Be A Fox - Even If You’re A Dude
When it comes to news outlets you don't get much more conservative than FOX. In a similar vein, today's Audi Fox is a pretty traditional take on the family sedan, but will you find its price to be fair and balanced? You know, I think that the builder of yesterday's...
Aug 5, 2026
For $15,000, This Is NOT A Gutless Cutlass
For $15,000, This Is NOT A Gutless Cutlass
Today's Olds is named for a small sword that was once considered to be the sailor's weapon of choice. This Cutlass wagon's weapon happens to be a Buick V6, but will its price prove it to be a good choice as well? Okay, I'm going to end the suspense up...
Aug 5, 2026
For $5,500, It’s Lonely At The Top
For $5,500, It’s Lonely At The Top
Today's Summit is an Eagle whose turbo twin cam will likely let you soar. Will you find its price however, keeps it firmly grounded? When I climbed into the new Audi A3 sedan at last fall's LA Auto Show, the first thing I noticed was that it was a tight...
Aug 5, 2026
2014 Porsche Panamera 4S: The Jalopnik Review
2014 Porsche Panamera 4S: The Jalopnik Review
Some people believe Porsche should offer one car and you get to choose the color. Porsche, well, they don't think that way. And even though the Panamera isn't much of a looker, it's a hell of a driver. (: Porsche loaned me a Panamera after driving to take to Sweden....
Aug 5, 2026
The Sadomasochistic Joy Of Driving A $300K Aston Martin In New York
The Sadomasochistic Joy Of Driving A $300K Aston Martin In New York
Every onlooker gawks with obvious jealousy at the curvy rolling statue Aston Martin created and then, for some reason, loaned to me for a weekend. Jealous of what, exactly? I'm frankly terrified of having to dodge a million ankle-deep potholes and trying not to scratch the carbon fiber bumper against...
Aug 5, 2026
Tesla Rules And Ford SYNC Drools, According To Consumer Reports
Tesla Rules And Ford SYNC Drools, According To Consumer Reports
Huzzah! It's time again for normal person car-buying Bible Consumer Reports to put out their annual list of best and worst picks for the new year. is looking good! Ford is not! Based on factors like safety, reliability, quality, owner satisfaction and performance, , saying essentially that it's high-tech, great...
Aug 5, 2026
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved