Mercedes 190E 2.6 Cosworth Auto (Factory Cosworth Body)

Well here she is again, thanks to a complete timewaster (ibo$123....bid then said "sorry mate, lost all my money on a game of roulette"...still, E bay will deal with him). 3 day auction with a lower start price, over 4000 views last time and nearly 200 watchers...Genuine E bayers only please for what is a very good project on a very rare car. Sound investment for the future. Good luck and happy bidding! All original info below, any more questions, please mail. Thanks

Mercedes 190E Cosworth Body 2.6 Automatic . 

Astral silver/grey cloth interior, factory fitted Cosworth body from new. Running restoration project-car is in every day use and very reliable, needs paint and some small jobs doing to finish.

1991 (H Reg), 122,000 miles with some service history. Just passed MOT and with only advisories of jacking points slightly corroded, so had them all plated (professional job). Sills and underside in very good condition.

I have owned this car for 5 and a half years, bought as non runner (had fuel injection system issues) and as a project. I had always wanted a Cosworth but didn’t want the tappety Cosworth engine/manual gearbox (Merc boxes of that era were notoriously notchy/bad!). The straight six 2.6 and auto box was (in my opinion) much better- simpler, more reliable engine and switchable auto box (160 BHP as opposed to 190 BHP, not far behind). Bulletproof and simple. The 190E 2.6 is a good example of 80’s small saloon/big engine thinking. It doesn’t hang about…fuel economy reasonable, 25-30mpg no problem.

Fuel injection system completely overhauled, (metering head), new fuel pumps, (this car has 2, completely over engineered the way they were back then). Injectors tested/cleaned, new fuel filter, new oxygen sensor, new catalytic convertor/exhaust system from manifolds back. Cylinder head gasket was also leaking oil into coolant system, so head gasket replaced, along with water pump/all rubber hoses/new radiator/new oil cooler/heat exchanger, new expansion tank. New alternator also (old one was fine but looked old..!) At same time, timing chain/chain guides/tensioner and oil pump chain/tensioner assembly replaced. Front timing chain area completely oil leak free which is rare for these engines. Discs/pads (all round) replaced some 6k miles ago. All four shocks replaced, along with front top mountings. Front wings were rusty (as they are normally are) but I found (at great expense) a pair of genuine good ones (genuine Cosworth with the holes for the wheel arches).

The good

This is a very very rare car, 190E 2.6’s are not common, factory Cosworth kit cars even less, and Astral Silver (rather than the awful champagne silver so many of them seem to be) makes it even rarer. Also, the 2.6 has the larger radiator plus the bolt on front cross member above the radiator, meaning this shell is a better proposition for the 3.2 24 valve conversion (or if you are really daring, get a 3.6 24 valve AMG lump).    

Areas requiring attention

Needs a total re-spray, sunroof does not work (motor packed up, but easy job, motors on E bay for about £40). Rear door cards have expanded (common problem). Rest of interior fine (actually had a complete new interior in about 2005 due to a dog chewing it up!) Exhaust could do with re-hanging.

Good 190’s and 190 Cosworth’s are on the up value wise, don’t forget that the 190 is the first “small” Mercedes they did back in the 80’s, and engineered at no expense. Spend a couple of grand on a good paint job, refurbish the wheels, and this is a genuine (and incredibly rare) example worth £7-8K plus all day long.

Selling due to work commitments and not having the time/money to devote further, plus for me the finish of this project would be a 3.6 AMG engine and full black leather interior. I wish to pass on the torch to someone who will do her justice.

Any questions-please mail, auction will run to end and I will not end early. Bidding starts at what car owes me. Genuine E bayers/car people only, I am not interested in breaking the car for its very valuable components (factory Cosworth kit for a start). Viewing welcome, but only to view and not buy before auction ends. Keeps it fair for everyone.

Cash/bank transfer (no pay pal), car must be collected and paid for within one week of auction end (as I probably wont sell it otherwise!) Thanks for looking, good luck and happy bidding. 

Thanks for all the interest(over a thousand views and 70 watchers), too many questions to answer individually, so heres some common answers...

Many thanks for all the interest, good to know there are so many old buggers out there (like me!) that appreciate a good old Merc...really don't want to sell the 190 but needs must (an E55 Kompressor!). Genuine buyers only please for what is a really lovely rare car, contact to be made within 24 hours of auction ending and a £100 deposit paid by paypal, rest of funds paid and collection of car within one week of auction end please. If you cannot adhere to these reasonable terms, please do not bid. Non contact after auction will result in car being offered to next highest bidder. Good luck!  

More photos uploaded (interior/dash/boot, please note boot interior is with the car but removed as this will need to be removed prior to painting-to remove and refit the rear bumper/side trims, but its all there). Left hand side of car, small dent in nearside front door but will pop out no trouble. All 4 windows work and work well. Central locking works perfect, rear door cards have expanded and need either replace or re-trim. Thanks for all the interest. 

Forgot to say-this car also has the lowered (approx 25mm from factory) suspension, but not the awful hydraulic rear self levelling set up, just conventional shocks. New german sports shocks(gas) fitted all round with new top mounts last year. Correct 7x15 Cosworth rims with 205/55 VR 15 tyres, good tread all round (one just replaced). In short, everything Cosworth apart from the engine and box, factory supplied.

Nearly 3000 views and 158 watchers, please don't leave your bids till the last minute! Thank you all for the interest. And no again, i will not end auction early...Good luck!!

Due to the amount of timewasters on E Bay, bidders with less than a feedback score of 20 must message me before placing a bid, otherwise your bid will be automatically cancelled.