1988 Mercedes-Benz 190 E Cosworth review from UK and Ireland

Rear shock absorber,£150 each.

Hydraulic pipes for the suspension corroded.

Front spring.

Two engine mounts £80.

Front and rear discs.

Exhaust £850 for full system.

LSD & ABS sensors renewed £80.

Timing chain (my choice, but needed) £250.

Full handbrake system £150

Two tyres £130 each.

I'm sure to have left something out.

Although this seems like a lot of money to spend maintaining my car you've got to remember that this car has been around for 14 years and had 130,000 hard driven miles, things are bound to go wrong.

It's not the quickest car off the lights, certainly not as fast as my 5 Turbo I had, but get past 60mph and it goes and goes hitting 145+MPH(so I'm told officer).It definitely gives you smiles per miles.

They can be a bit of a handful in wet, (as I found out the first day I bought it) a little bit too much acceleration on a roundabout or bend and you'll be going sideways.

The engines on the 2.3 and 2.5 both sound noisy, a rattle hear and there, so don't let this put you off buying one.

The body work on mine is in excellent condition, no rust, dents or scratches the paint work still has a deep shine and I think its original. To the untrained eye this car could be mistaken for being quarter its age.

They are a well built car made to last and bomb proof. Buy one now before they become a classic, you can't loose.