SOLD FS: 1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16, Blauschwartz, 72k mi, Wash DC/VA area

[ace10]

This little gal is hopefully going to find a new home this year.

1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16 "Cosworth"
4 speed auto

VIN WDBDA34DXGF187511
Data card

Mercedes VIN Decoder | Decode Your Mercedes-Benz VIN

Datacard for 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16 (201.034) - WDBDA34DXGF187511

www.lastvin.com

I am the 3rd owner. Purchased in 2018. Showing 72K miles, currently. All records back to original sale in late 1985. Clean Title in hand.

$22,500
That's what I have into her. If she sells, that'll be the number.

Posting a few pictures prior to fully getting her out a spot deep in the big garage. Hoping for better pics next week, if I can rearrange everything and the weather cooperates.

Thanks for looking. She's a wonderful example of the 16V Cosworth. I just need to simplify my fleet and eliminate a marque or two in order to concentrate on my Toyotas and whatever my dear wife chooses to burden me with.

 

[ace10]

Placeholder for punch list

 

[Duh_Vinci]

That is the cleanest, nicest engine bay on Cossie I've seen in years!!!

 

[mercepor]

engine bay: please turn a little more the oil filler cap
nice car btw
GLWS

 

[gerryvz]

We need cascade and The Emperor to chime in on this one, definitely.

 

[nocfn]

don't forget @lowman

 

[ace10]

Pulled her out for some quick, definitely-not-glamour shots.

Last two photos are of the most significant body issues. Rock impact to hood and a rub on the passenger side between the front and rear doors. Obviously, there are signs of use on the body, with the paint being in-place since mid 1985.

 

[ace10]

Last year, when I was toying with the idea of selling the Cossie, someone asked me about whether the windshield glass was original.
Does anyone know if these are the correct stickers and etching for the period?
The glass is nearly pristine, no noticeable chips or cracks. Barely any sandblast texturing felt by hand

 

[gerryvz]

That Daimler-Benz sticker is 100% stock/standard for cars of that vintage.

The other sticker looks authentic. I have seen them on other cars (non-Cossie).

Sekurit logo and etching look correct.



My 1989 560SEC has its original windshield. Here is the etching (and yes it has the Daimler sticker on the passenger side).

 

[ace10]

Trunk pics that were requested. I don't think I've ever opened it prior to taking these.

 

[ace10]

Hood pad is newer, but not done on my watch.
Battery is a new Duracell AGM which has been always hooked to a maintainer.
Wheels are the typical-upsized 15"ers with 2015-dated Dunlops.
In addition to the Coco mats, I have a set of period-correct W201 floor mats with the star logos, in excellent condition.

 

[northNH]

Bee-utiful.
This inquiring mind would like to know:
Did you opt for, or settle for, the automatic?

 

[ace10]

Bee-utiful.
This inquiring mind would like to know:
Did you opt for, or settle for, the automatic?

Thank you very much.
I was open to either, since the parts for Auto to dogleg conversion are out there for not crazy money. I was probably willing to spend +50% more for a comparable 5 speed, but they simply don't exist.
Condition was the primary driver. One of this forum's members actually did a visual inspection for me down in Tampa when I was considering the purchase of this car. I knew it was the right one.
The 4 speed drives nicely, it's just not quite as engaging as a hand shaker.
What I didn't know at the time was that local service options had become non-existent. So this purchase turned out to be a bad fit, in general. My intention was to buy the W201 and an 036 and then possibly expand out from there. It just never happened. I missed out on a couple of really nice 500s back in 2018-19 before they rose again in value. And so the Cossie become a bit of an orphan. I don't like to admit defeat, but here I am. I love all of my fleet and they were all acquired for good reasons and with good intentions. BUT. Keeping up with American muscle, Japanese offroaders and everything in between isn't awesome. And I don't have Jay Leno's resources. So....

 

[gsxr]

What I didnt know at the time was that local service options had become non-existent. So this purchase turned out to be a bad fit, in general.

Why not DIY repairs? The W201 is pretty simple. Even the 036 is DIY'able today with 15+ years of forum info archived.

My intention was to buy the W201 and an 036 and then possibly expand out from there. It just never happened. I missed out on a couple of really nice 500s back in 2018-19 before they rose again in value. And so the Cossie become a bit of an orphan. I dont like to admit defeat, but here I am.

You giving up on the 036 and MB ownership entirely?

 

[ace10]

Why not DIY repairs? The W201 is pretty simple. Even the 036 is DIYable today with 15+ years of forum info archived.

You giving up on the 036 and MB ownership entirely?

I know that I'm not going to acquire enough W201 knowledge to dig into the car and then keep it going over the long run.
The primary forum, 190REV is dead. Farcebook killed it, and I'm never going to use that platform. Ain't. Gonna. Happen.

Chasing unobtanium parts is misery. I know some people enjoy that aspect and want to hoard, but that's not what I'm looking for in a collector car. Mercedes has done a shit job supporting the owners of the marque's valuable, newer classics, IMO.

I enjoy working on the things I want to work on and farming out the stuff that is either too technical or too time consuming or just not engaging enough.

It's simply too many factors against owning older Mercs for me in my particular situation.

Trust me, I would LOVE to, but I'm pulled in too many directions. After the Cossie sells, I'm going to ask/tell/demand that my wife unloads one of her random vehicles that is not being used/enjoyed. Probably a pristine '96 Ford Bronco. Final year, 351W, triple blue.

 

[RicardoD]

Must resist temptation to purchase and convert to dog-leg manual. Chasing NLA parts sucks. Beautiful car. My mother owned a 1990 six cylinder version of this car. Loved driving that thing.

 

[ace10]

Bumping this thread.
I've been totally negligent in this sales effort. Hoping to get it back on track.

I drove her quite a few times in April and May. She's a sweetheart.

 

[gsxr]

Bring Hearst A Trailer?

 

[gerryvz]

PunchList candidate?

 

[ace10]

SOLD

 

[Duh_Vinci]

SOLD

So, what's next?

 

[gsxr]

So, what's next?

Pretty sure Ace has an eye on the latest & greatest BEV! He LOVES those things!