Lot details
Registration No: H134ETA
Chassis No: WDB2010352F701326
Mot Expiry: March 2006

Flagship of the newly introduced 190 (W201) range, the 190 2.3-16 was unveiled at the 1983 Frankfurt Motor Show. Determined to exploit the W201's even weight distribution and advanced suspension design (its multi link rear set-up was to prove highly influential for the industry as a whole), Mercedes commissioned Cosworth to design a 'cutting edge' sixteen valve cylinder head for their 2299cc, four cylinder M102 engine. Producing 185bhp and 173lbft of torque, the resultant powerplant exceeded both parties' expectations. Equipped with a five speed Getrag manual gearbox, the 2.3-16 was capable of 145mph and 0-60mph in eight seconds flat. To harness such performance the 2.3-16 featured an electronically controlled limited slip differential and powerful anti-lock ABS brakes. The standard fit bodykit not only added an element of refined menace but more importantly it reduced the model's coefficient of drag to just 0.32. For 1988, Mercedes created the 2.5-16. Engineered in house, its larger 2498cc unit put out 204bhp @ 6,800rpm and 177lbft of torque. As well as being notably quicker (150mph, 0-60mph in 7.1 seconds), the 2.5-16 allowed Mercedes to be extremely successful in the DTM (German touring car championship) race series. Campaigned by AMG with factory backing, the distinctive silver and black machines won 50 races over the next five years as well as several championship titles. Priced at £38,272 in the UK, the 2.5-16 was nearly ten thousand pounds more expensive than the contemporary BMW M3. During its four year production run (1988-1992) just 4,784 2.5-16s were sold worldwide.
Finished in graphite black with black upholstery, this particular example is described by the vendor as being in good overall condition given its age and mileage. Said to be a "rare high spec car with full leather, electric sunroof, central locking, stereo, boot mounted CD unit", its paperwork reportedly contains "Mercedes Service History to 106,000 miles, Old MOTs, Handbook and many other receipts". Treated to a "recent service including replacement of front brake discs and pads", it is thought to be "in original factory specification, not modified, lowered or messed with". Riding on alloy wheels, it is offered for sale with MOT certificate valid until March 2006.