Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16

Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3 16 (W201) ‘1987
VIN: WDB2010341F372804
2.3 liter, 16 valve 185 hp four-cylinder engine, matching numbers
Getrag 5-speed dogleg manual transmission
Blue-Black Metallic paint
Black Recaro leather upholstery
Refurbished & serviced 2024 & 2025.
Original owner’s manuals, service and history documents, Classic Data historic vehicle certificate.

The Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3 16 was designed for the World Rally Championship as a Group B classification version and was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1983. However, Audi had already introduced the four-wheel drive Quattro designed for Group B and Mercedes decided to stay away of rallying. But the racing car was not designed in vain. Mercedes decided to aim for the track races and the car was classified in Group A.

Mercedes had signed a cooperation with the British Cosworth, who had succeeded not only as a pioneer of F1 engines, but also as a pioneer of four-valve technology. The cooperation resulted in a naturally aspirated 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with an aluminum cylinder head, two overhead camshafts, forged pistons and four-valve technology. The engine, equipped with electronic-mechanical fuel injection, produced a peak power of 185 horsepower at 7,000 rpm. The top speed for a car weighing only 1,220 kilograms was promised to be 230 kilometers per hour.

The engine alone was not advanced. It was followed by a 5-speed dog-leg manual transmission manufactured by Getrag. The rear differential was equipped with a lock and the standard equipment was an automatically adjustable rear suspension, 15 mm lower than the standard model. The aerodynamic sill skirts and bumpers and the tailgate spoiler were designed in a wind tunnel.

Before the premiere in Frankfurt, no less than three FIA ​​average speed records were set for 190 E 2.3 16, the most impressive of which was a continuous 50,000 kilometer distance at an average speed of 247.939 km/h. The fastest lap time for a four-door sedan was recorded at the Nürburgring, 8 minutes, 46 seconds.

In 1984, the new GP track at the Nürburgring opened. The opening ceremony featured the “Race of Champions” competition, in which F1 legends Hunt, Prost, Moss, Rosberg and Lauda competed, among others. All drove identical Mercedes 2.3 16 stock cars. The race was won by a young Brazilian named Ayrton Senna.

The 190 E 2.3 16 paved the way for Mercedes in motorsport far into the future. From the late 1980s to the present day, the Mercedes C-Class has become the most successful car of all time in the DTM – 159 races and 85 wins.

This example was completed in May 1987 and sold new from a Mercedes dealer in Hanover. Later, the car was taken to Belgium, where it was registered in the Oldtimer register. The last owner in Belgium was P.Deboseere, who has maintained the car with Mercedes – in addition to regular maintenance, the fuel pump has been replaced, for example. The car was brought to Finland from Belgium as a moving car by O.Bystedt in 2021 and we bought the car from him in the fall of 2024.

During the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, the car has been comprehensively maintained and renovated by our partner Grips Garage:

The brake calipers and hoses have been renewed, the ABS rings and sensors have been cleaned, and the brake fluids have been changed. The fuel system has been overhauled and the fuel filter has been renewed. The electrical system has been renovated: the instrument cluster lights have been renovated, the overload protection relay, the airbag contact ring and the carbon brushes with their connections have been renewed. The heater fan motor has been renewed. The engine oils and filter have been renewed.

The car’s original matching numbers engine runs smoothly and revs wonderfully, offering raw exhaust sounds and an impressive amount of power. The original 5-speed Getrag transmission with rear differential lock works precisely without any extra noises. The odometer reading is 171 thousand kilometers, but the instrument cluster may have been renewed and the actual mileage is not completely certain.

The car has been repainted in Belgium and its Blue Black metallic paint finish is still in excellent condition with the exception of minor defects. According to the historical information, the left front door has been renewed, apparently due to parking damage. The car is in very good condition in terms of body and chassis, and there are no rust problems.

The black, original factory 2.3 16 model leather upholstery with Recaro seats has been upgraded to replace the Karo fabric upholstery and is in neat and tidy condition.

The car has been registered as a museum vehicle by Classic Data and inspected in January 2025. The inspection is valid until 2029.

A magnificent and very good condition matching numbers example of a rare, significant car model in terms of motorsport, ready to be enjoyed.

Cosworth-Mercedes is located in Vantaa, 25 minutes from Helsinki–Vantaa Airport. Views by appointment.

Worldwide shipping with generous rates.