1990 Mercedes-Benz 190 Cosworth from UK and Ireland - Comments

Air conditioning keeps loosing its gas.

Doesn't like ticking over in the cold.

Does need regular changes of spark plugs & must be twin headers to make it perform.

Other than that, trouble free!

This car although old is still highly regarded in the trade. It is well built, sought after, & performs well, even by today's standards.

It needs a Cosworth badge on the boot (as I've done) so people appreciate the car in front, plus a nice set of new alloys help its dated looks.

Still an M3 equal, and gradually getting appreciated as such by the younger generation, this is not that fast away from the lights (0-60 in 7 secs) but a real motorway stormer once you wind it up.

Hi there, just to congragulate you on this wicked website. I recently got a Mercedes Cosworth, 2.3 16v, 1986. It needs a little work though but it's a lovely car.

One question, what's the maximum size alloys I can put on the car without causing damage, also, the choke doesn't work, any ideas?

Much appreciated, my mail address is sirarmen@hotmail.com

I am about to purchase my second cosworth-benz next week. Its an 86' silver (well, after polishing), with AMG 17' & Pirelli 7000 (117K miles.)

Back in 96' I had a 85' cosworth 190, german spec (euro headlights, etc...) in a pearl blk. smoke color. What an impressive car!

I've had my share of versatility with unique cars (88'anniv. modified Rx-7, 96' SVT Cobra), and I will say that I was mostly impressed with the little benz, even though it's apples & oranges, for its class it's a sweet ride with potential.

I would like to keep this one for down the road and perhaps return to SCCA racing (I used to race the RX-7) with it.

Does anyone know how Mercedes ended up hooking up with cosworth to make this vehicle?

Hello from the other side of the pond. I stumbled on your 16 valve commentaries and as I've been seeking and researching one for a while, I can respond to the Cosworth connection. MB wanted a rally car to replace the SLC and opted for the 201 chassis (190). At the time, 16 valve technology was rather novel, though Cosworth had already perfected it. MB decided that instead of doing their own 16 valve twin cam head, they'd contract Cosworth. Initially MB actually sent the 2.3 blocks over to Cosworth for installation of the head. Later, MB stated making the head in house.

Hey, the headlights you get on the 201 are far superior to the ones we got over here. What would a good set of used headlights cost in the UK? I'd need the whole unit, including the lense?

Cheers from Kurt in TX. 1986 16 valve.

Hi to all you 190e Cosworth fans. I purchased my 190e 2.3-16v two years ago and just luv the car. In the two years that I have owned it I've had no problems what so ever with the car except normal wear and tear such as an exhaust, brake pads etc. It's a 1986 model in smoke silver, full leather, 16" AMG alloys. The car has now covered 176,000 miles and is still going strong. Believe it or not, the car is still running on the original clutch. I bought the car from a friend who owned it from new. The car is still immaculate and that's the way I intend to keep it.

Take care Dave/Scotland.

With regards to fitting a Cosworth badge on the boot I take it you are referring to a Ford Sierra Sapphire item? If you don't mind me saying so, I think this is a very tacky effort as the back of the car looks fine as it is without adding a Ford accessory. If you wish to show the car behind you what you are driving then I suggest you put your right foot on the floor and show them the hard way.

The Merc 190e Cosworth is descreet as Mercedes intended the car to be. Don't go ruining a perfectly good car, especially by adding somthing that Ford designed.

Sorry if you think I am wrong,

Regards Dave/Scotland.

E, mail Address- dave_irl_cobh@yahoo.co.uk.

I take it you aren't counting the engine then...lol.