Mercedes-Benz 190e Cosworth: World’s Rarest 16V Monster
Greatest M-B sport sedan of the 1980s, less than a thousand examples were sold in 1987.
While the modern high performance Mercedes-Benz models pack monster power, but in the 1980s, the 190e Cosworth 2.3 16V secured its place in automotive history with 167 horsepower and 162-lb-ft of torque. When coupled with the suspension, braking, interior and exterior upgrades of the Cosworth-tuned 190, this high-revving engine made the 2.3 16V one of the greatest sport sedans of the era and that has made them hot collector’s items today.
Unfortunately, with just 962 sold for the United States market for the 1987 model year, these sport sedans are hard to find, but there is one available in the MBWorld Marketplace for $14,500.
Introduction
When cosworth1987 posted his 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190e Cosworth 2.3 16V for sale in the forum marketplace, he didn’t include any information on this exact car, instead copying and pasting an entire article about the model from Hemmings. It is a long story in which they talk about the model, speaking with an owner of several examples of the Cosworth-tuned 190. You can read that whole piece, which includes a long list of information on the model and its history, in the original piece.
Cosworth Package Features
The 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190e Cosworth 2.3 16V started with the unique four-cylinder engine, which features a twin-cam, four-valves-per-cylinder head, a high-flow intake manifold, an exhaust header and a free-flowing exhaust system. The package also added a close-ratio Getrag five-speed manual transmission, a limited-slip rear differential, a sharper steering ratio, larger brakes and an elaborate suspension setup that featured stiffer shocks, thicker anti-roll bars, firmer springs and a multi-link rear setup.
Finally, the exterior had a sportier body kit and a low profile rear spoiler while the inside benefits from leather-wrapped Recaro sport bucket seats and VDO gauges.
While the power output is low by today’s standards, the 190e Cosworth was one of the greatest European sport sedans on the road in its day, making it the most desirable Mercedes-Benz collectable today.
Little Issues
There is no information on the car being sold, but if you look through the pictures, there are some good points and some bad points on this classic Mercedes-Benz sport sedan.
The bad points are a dent on the roof above the windshield and another further back, near the roof ditch. There is also a pretty significant scuff on the passenger’s side rear corner that appears to have bent the metal around the taillight along with scratching deep into the paint on the metal body and the composite trim. A paint job and a little body work would make this car just about perfect.
The good point is that in every other area shy of those mentioned above, this Cosworth 2.3 16V appears to be flawless. The majority of the body is very clean and the engine bay looks spotless. The interior looks great, from the black leather on the seats and door panels to the wood trim around the shifter to the carpeting, the cabin looks incredible in these pictures.
Nice Price
In the article posted in the sale listing, the information towards the bottom from Hemmings states that these cars sold in the price range of $3,500 to $14,000, with an average selling price of $7,500, but that was back in 2010. The OP mistakenly listed the car for $1,450, but in the replies, he points out that it was meant to be $14,500. He also points out that the engine and transmission work great, that the car is all-original and that he is just the second owner.
Everything else aside, this is one of only 962 examples of the Cosworth 190e sold in the United States back in 1987 and for a car that is nearly 30 years old, it is in great shape. These cars don’t come up for sale every day, so if you have been dreaming of owning one of the great European sport sedans from the 1980s, this is your chance to grab a rare Mercedes-Benz 190e Cosworth 2.3 16V.
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