To answer some of your questions, Zack: US 2.3-16s had only 3 options available (sunroof, which was no charge, heated front seats, and rear headrests.) They came fully loaded with A/C, climate control, power seats etc and weighed 3030 lb (Mercedes' figure. The test cars from the magazines were right around there.) Euro cars had no "packages" - they were built a la carte. So this car isn't actually "missing" any items, it was just ordered without. And for perspective, the outside temp gauge the owner was talking about cost DM 180 for early 1985 models. Sunroof was DM 1290, rear dome light was DM 80. Regular A/C was DM 3330 (automatic climate control like the US got wasn't available on the Euro 2.3-16. On other models, it was a staggering DM 4000. All of these prices are plus tax, which was 14% in Germany then. So think: A/C was DM 3800 on top of a car that cost DM 55,150 already. The US car cost $38k the next year when it debuted. Insanely expensive stuff...

God damned..Mercedes made a handsome car back then...

Damn, the exhaust note is really nice right at the start :o

I've got a 93 300e on air ride currently. I've owned nearly 100 cars/ trucks in my life and my Benz is no doubt the funnest most reliable and surprisingly snappy car I've owned. I drive 40ish miles one way to work up and down some serious canyons and have never had to do a single thing other than fluid changes and tires... Truly underrated cars!

Props to the owner for a well sorted car with thought out modifications

9:08 still waiting for that queued drive by.

Man I want a 190E Cosworth Evo II

Lovin' that interior.

for me THIS is the most iconic Mercedez-Benz car that represents the badge ! Perfection !

The 190E 2.3-16, like the E30 M3, are incredible gems. It's the car that Mercedes chose to officially return to circuit racing; was famously driven by a young guy named Senna to victory over legendary F1 champions; and set world endurance records at Nardo. Congratulations to this owner for showing that 80's four cylinder technology can still be relevant today.

Damn that thing is clean.

thats probably the best sounding 4 cyl ive seen on the channel.

I'll make a proper driving video of mine when it comes back from the ECU modernization next week, which should be looking at around 280hp, up from about 230 with the 80s spec KE-Jet. Mine's based on the 2.6/M103 instead of the Cossies, obviously not even remotely stock anymore but at the same time it's not technically modified except for a cam swap, the rest is just machining of stock for track days. So yeah, big power locked up by old tech in these extremely well made motors. In fact the stock head flows so good on a bench there wasn't much more than a clean up to do for "more power than a track n/a setup is even capable of achieving out of 3.1 litres" as the racebuilders put it, despite my efforts to throw as much money as they wanted at it if it would make a single horsepower more. Nope, it already does was the response, spend the money elsewhere to get it, already flows more than you could want. A completely stock 2.6 with nothing but the ECU modernization kit (to allow fuel/spark mapping), returned around 30hp increase following a dedicated dyno retune so that's roughly how much power is locked up in real terms by a Commodore 64 era ECU and lacking of modern sensors. I don't think it was just the W201 project Daimler was busy over-engineering at the time, they were kind of doing it with everything mid-80s, motors too. I read an article about the Cosworth M102 contract by Daimler and why pedants mention it's not a Cosworth engine or even a Cosworth design, it's pure Daimler based upon a Cosworth proposal using a detuned version that was more closely based upon the vanilla M102. That would be because in the article they mentioned the motor Cosworth gave back to Mercedes was a 280bhp fire breathing monster which was completely undrivable on the road, a pure track engine. Mercedes said no thanks but cheers for the idea and went and made a severely detuned version they could put in road cars. The Evo 190E motor is more reflective of the Cosworth design, which has the fuel cut off rev limiter set at 8500rpm and is designed to never really get below about 7000rpm during track work, although in delivery specification actually has paper performance identical to a regular 2.5-16, but it isn't, not even remotely the same engine. I mean it doesn't even have the same bore/stroke despite the same displacement. Vanilla 16v have of course the standard CIS-E fuel cutoff for any DOHC motor at 7200rpm (whilst all SOHC CIS-E are 6200rpm), and this goes for VW, Ferrari, Audi, Mercedes, any that use the system (a popular mod on SOHC CIS VWs for track work was simply swapping out the ECU for a DOHC one to raise the rev limiter and popping a more aggressive cam grind in, the closed loop narrowband just accommodated the AFR requirements all by itself so it was literally a bolt in 70% horsepower increase you won't see in any other kind of stock engine). The piston/rod tolerances for all 102/103/104 engines is actually 7200rpm continuous among the lot, rev limiter is purely breathing related by single/double cam. Evos of course, well, think 9000rpm before you're ever going to actually grenade a piston and on the track these were actually putting out a reliable 280bhp all day long. I think the best AMG tuned pro track 2.3-16 got somewhere around 230bhp and I've heard of vanilla 2.5-16 with EFI conversions getting 240, keeping in mind those older CIS versions are tech restricted by modern standards, so have further untapped power sitting around. The trick about the CIS-E3 they use is the end user lockout of the period, no OBD plug and operator retuning or anything like that, they were given a set tune at the factory and this was never altered and can only be repaired. As for the ECE as opposed to exports (whether NAM or PacRim), the dial to allow various spark maps for different fuel octanes is like a precursor to the knock sensor and self adjusting spark that allows different fuel grades in modern EFI motors and will simply compensate via the knock sensor. The engine is still designed for a specific baseline grade for best tune, which for all period M102/103/104 engines is German pump premium 96RON as commonly available there during the 1980s. The chambering, cam lobe shaping, exhaust excavation, the entire mechanical tune, all fuel/spark mapping aside is optimized for this premium grade unleaded, which is equivalent to modern 95RON (metric countries) or IIRC American 91 pump grade. Back in the 80s higher grade unleaded was also available but harder to find at the pump, hence Daimler engineers zeroed in on the most commonly available premium for best performance as a design baseline for the best flame-fronts and thus volumetric efficiency. Now you could dial up the ECE for 98RON or even 102RON (Shell Ultra) for more aggressive spark, mainly affecting low-mid range spark advance for heavy loading. One characteristic of all W201 era Daimler engines is that they do not wake up in terms of breathing until well beyond 4000rpm, all of them do it, not just the Cossies. The M103 is just as bad and so is the SOHC M102. It's a Euro character of the period, lazy town performance with a mechanical rather than electronic sport mode for highways, again like a precursor to a modern technological feature, what you do, instead of pressing a sport mode button on EFI is select your gearing to keep engine speed above 4000rpm and it's a sporty engine in terms of breathing, but for fuel conservation and best emissions you keep it well below this, drive it like a granny but don't expect any kind of throttle response below that 4000rpm, none of them have any at all although they still have a relatively high VE for the period down low, kept stoich by the closed loop narrowband. This duality is most obviously reflected in the throttle body, bigger than an 85 Mustang 5.0 litre on the vanilla 2.6 M103 for example. Oh yeah, it wants rpm to get some decent intake airspeed. But the real reason for the ECE fuel dial is for driving across Europe in the 1980s. Go to Czechoslovakia and velcome to Russia mein comrade, pump grade is now 89RON and I hope you brought a spare Mercedes engine, you'll need it if you didn't have a switchable fuel grade feature they decided to build in for just such an occasion. The ECE allows settings for 91RON standard unleaded and 89RON low quality fuels you find in countries that have oil/fuel import or distribution issues, some of Asia at the time, Eastern Europe, etc. For the exports they did something else, which was delete the fuel selector switch and some sealed wiring to accommodate it and make it work up near the ECU. Reason for that is the tune was set for the available fuel grade in the export country, set by 3 resistor variations depending on the country. NAM and Japanese exports got the 740ohms resistor for 95RON, Oz and Burma or places like that had 89RON "standard" unleaded sold alongside Super Leaded fuel at the pump in those early days of unleaded so they got a different resistor, 0ohms IIRC, whilst a couple of years later Oz got better quality "standard" at 91RON and got a 260ohms resistor for that fuel. Those countries didn't get Cossies or AMG variants (which were pre-merger but dealer optioned), because these can't be run safely for long periods on grades lower than 95RON and had to be "grey imported", then you'd have to go find fuel for them or use additives. So firstly, despite the ECE switchable fuel grades a Cossie (or AMG/Brabus/etc. tuner engines), should not be run for long periods on any grade less than 95RON (91 pump American) or it'll cause problems. It's more like an emergency feature because the design fuel isn't available, whilst for the vanilla motors in the same cars a lesser grade isn't ideal but they're not likely to be always operated up around 5500rpm as an average engine speed 100% of the time you drive them, typical loading and engine speed is far lower. That said, you modify even a vanilla 102/103 and then drive it north of 4500rpm for good throttle response all the time and you'll want to be running premium even if its base tune is for standard grade like an Oz import. Well there's so much more to be said but I'll leave it there. Can't wait to get mine back. It was just sort of equivalent to a series 1 AMG A45, more power feel but probably less actual performance (stock CIS was way out of tune). Now I'll be expecting to hand one its arse and keep with a C43.

I like this new presenter's tendency to start nerding a little deeper about whats in these cars...

Compare this 4 cylinder sound and the new ones :)

I love the car! Always had a sweet spot for the 190E, great build quality and racing heritage. Those wheels look perfect in my opinion. Wonder how much he spent overall on this build....It would be great to see a full modification list as well. Such a cool example of old Mercedes :)

Thou shalt not slander the E30 good sir! PS: I do want a 190E also.

It's dope watching you bomb through the canyons and that old-school MB star floating over the hood.

I just picked up a Euro spec 190e 2.0 5speed manual. I learned a lot about these the past few months but this video had a lot I didn't know. Starting to rebuild mine now on my channel and can't wait to get it back on the road.

What a unique car. Very knowledgeable owner. Those harnesses though 🙄

Awesome video ... I really liked the casual chit chat after the drive was done...it felt like the kind of discussion that i would've had if i was sitting there, well at least the Petrol head in me ... well done

To be fair, very few people under the age of 60 have ever ridden in a Mercedes in the US with roll-up windows.

My mom had a 2.6 190E 1991 and I absolutely loved the car. It was quick for what it was and felt like a tank. Really reliable too.

This thing is fire. However I have been under a rock my whole life because this is the first time I have seen a harness connected to the baby seat brackets haha

Senna bought one from his own money ... The car was just on another Channel (STG).

I had a 85 Euro 190e 2.3-16 as well - 3:03 was especially true. I couldn't find parts.

Great vid! Great job Zack

Lovely driving footage, thanks for uploading :)

The 190E was known as the 'Baby Benz' back in the 80s. Now, it's a performance and cultural icon. The 2.3-16 and Cosworth Evo II made it better. The AMG Hammer made it outrageous. I wanted one, still do.

Now you need to find a Group A inspired Volvo 242 Turbo, Zack. Done up in the same "Stock Plus" fashion.

Amazing OneTake Zac! Brilliant!

That sounds good! Just saw one parked next to my car at work yesterday, talked to the owner and he told me his father bought it new 30 years ago, it was in perfect condition.

Great job Jc, thanks for showing off the great community that the w201 has.

Love that profile. Especially the bonkers EVO 2 with the crazy wing.

JC makes really good parts I have them in my 190e. Keep up the good work!

Ah, made when Mercedes wasn't a "Endless Money Pit".

Zack going full millenial looking for window switches! Love your work!

Keep at it man. Love the reviews.

lol the owner was trying to hold back a smug smile, when he said his car was much better than US spec

One of my favourite and arguably one of the coolest Mercedes made. I thoroughly enjoyed this video.

Well done, nice to explore that car. Thanks Smoking Tire!

Finally a review of a well maintained car! Note that nowhere in the video he complanes about loose steering, sloppy shifter etc. (Even with factory rubber bushings shifter is very nice and direct, as long as the bushing are changed inside actual shifter as well and not only on the linkage) Mercedes was never intended to be sold as an “excercising mill”. It was a luxury compact bahn burner, for those who could afford. 190E technologically makes E30 look loke a Lada.

the 190 e is a timeless beauty

This was by far one of my most favorite car videos great review

I was at university in the 80s & recall a hall mate turning u in the coolest 190E, with a small spoiler. Cripes, it was the coolest thing in town. I was or looked lowered. Dead jealous. I had a MkII Escort estate 🤔 He had the coolest air about him. I think he was an Iraqi student. We had many, and also Iranians, their parents keen to put them in safely while they fought a long war between the countries.

A sensible , smart modified car , bravo . The internet usually overlooks mods like ratios and drivetrain mass , yet they are affordable and rewarding performance gains .

One of the most awesome cars I've ever driven. They just don't make em like this anymore.

@20:31 Got a flashback with the late '90's Sony car stereo chime there!

Finally!! An education, entertaining, and enlightening video. Most of the information came from the owner though...

20:36 Bwahahaha! Zack's One Takes always make me laugh.

My first car was a Malachite Green 190e 2.3. Blew it up on my bday and bought a 2.6 with the bday money a week later. Can't wait for my 3rd.

Got a 2.6 just sitting for the last 4 years. It needs hella work and it hurts knowing it could look like this

Had the 4V version with the aero bits back in the day, late 80s. Handled like a go cart.

I normally don't like German Cars but the 190 is one of the few cars a really like and would even consider buying if I get one for a got price.

Haha JC - almost 2 years and it turns up in my feed again. excellent.

Great sounding Benz! 👍🏼👍🏼

I used to have a 1992 300E when I got that car it was 42k on ODO it was custom painted in purl white with blue metallic. I sold it that Mercedes with 84k on ODO since that day I really missed that car I wish I didn't sell it.

What a sick car. Absolutely beautiful.

My father used to own a 1985 190E with manual windows and no AC. But it was the 2.0 and didn't last long, after a couple of hot summers in southern italy we had enough.

I had that exact car for my second car. Loved it, wish I knew how to fix it when I blew it up.

I love how attached he is to this car. I'm a huge car enthusiast but I've never loved one model to this extent as some of the guys on here where they know every configuration in every market and which ones came with , I just don't care that much. I guess the closest I am to that is civics where I know a lot of which ones had which parts and what-not, but I don't even own one any more and have no urge to buy another; even when I did, my friend started talking about the personality of his civic and I told him he's fucking nuts - it's a car. It'll always baffle me how people like this have such a strong connection to the community and 1 particular model of car. I wish I could be that happy and in love with just 1 car, but I can't. I want a different car every 2 years. :(. I always wanted a merc of that gen, be it a 190E or something a bit larger like a 320E, but if I got the 190E I'd be plenty happy with the US spec. My dad owned a '90 300E and that underpowered tank is what I grew up with, so I have a bit of an emotional attachment to it, but not idea what the fuck I'd actually do with it. It's not fast & it's not fun, just nostalgic. What do you do with a car like that? DD it? A modern Hyundai is probably more reliable, lol.

Great one Zack!

Thank people who keep those dream cars alive

Awesome Video! Could you tell me the mods that have been done to the car? I'm looking forward to modify my 2.5 16v and could really use the info, thanks!!

Beginning of video: no awkward handshake End of video: 5 solid minutes of car geek gushing GJ, Zack

I have one since 1987, 1985 v16 2.3 E :) great great great

Wow, super cool. Well done to the owner. Nice video too!

THANK YOU SO MUCH for showing auto tempest, I'm looking to buy a g35 coupe and im tired of going on like 7 different websites lol

Ayy does this guy have an Instagram? Would love to see more of this car

Can't wait to drive again...no california sunshine here. ❄️❄️❄️

Awesome 190E JC 👍 sounds great and running perfectly crisp 🤘 sweet!

There's an 87 cosworth in my area for 12k, is it a good buy? Should I be concerned about anything before purchasing?

Another w201,balanced car,pure fun,love the knowledge. Zack gonna buy one, like Jason Cammisa did :D

Considerably one of the best eras for Mercedes.

Awesome car. Awesome owner. One of the few OneTakes where I start scheming ways to borrow the keys in the future...

what corbeaus are those? I am a big guy myself and looking for a comfortable set

One of my favorite DTM cars.

You really need t try the Evolution II. Really impressive car though.

Top Merc ever on One take. Beautiful machine

like a fun bar of soap! :) love the content! plus one from the shiftwrenchrepeat auto channel!

This is the definition of just a purely sweet car. Props to the owner!

Nice video and great car!

Tough cars. My buddy had one of these when he "tried" to be a car guy 😁. He drove it to the ground.

My mom had this car when I was like 15 lol, we never knew how special it was back then, then we sold it after 3 years

Isnt the angle of those seatbelts a bit too narrow with the rear seat mount? Id be worried of compressing my spine like an accordion with those things lol

Love this car. Sounds awesome .

I never knew that the 190E was designed as a rally car! even more reason to love these cars!

Zach, well on his way to becoming the next Doug DeMuro, with those windows.

This guy is living my dream! Who is this guy? Why didn't you post his name? I looked up the engineering company but couldn't find them. Really interested in doing the same thing to my 2.3-16. Please provide info if possible.

Man, I own a euro spec 97 c230 (built in 96) sounds really great, and pretty good power for an i4. So far 225k and still runs brand new. Smoothest car I drove till this day

@stuttgartclassics has a nice kit for this called FrankenCIS, retains all the CIS hardware and adds tunable MicroSquirt EFI, totally transforming the car.

My dream car will be a mb 190e 3.6 brabus 👌

I've always like this Mercedes body style and this car is badass cool!

Engine braking is better with a lighter flywheel. The inertia wants to keep the rpm , but the light one drops faster

Super cool car, nice set up..

Man one of theses cosworths is a dream car to me, have had a 2.0 8v in the family forever now. Sadly, they start at 90k and go up to 250k here in germany ):

Euro-Spec > U.S. Spec You're welcome.

now that's a good one

My uncle has one sitting in his garage, first year of production, dark blue color. I have such a nice memories of that car. Sadly it has automatic transmission (this car is all about its dog leg gearbox) and is mechanically in very bad shape. It needs some serious amount of love. I asked my uncle not so long ago about what he wants to do with it. he said that he may fix it and use as fun weekend car. It was his daily driver from 1994 till 2006 when it showed its age and started breaking.

It just seems like a fun car to drive. Not fast but sounds great and has good inputs.