Hundebein: 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16V Cosworth

In the world of fast German luxury sedans, there is an interesting rivalry between the BMW M3, Mercedes-Benz C-AMG, and Audi's S4.  These three compact executive cars have been brawling since the beginning of time..and while you might think that BMW landed the first punch in the German street car brawl with its barn-storming E30 M3...but the truth is Mercedes-Benz launched the 190E 2.3-16V Cosworth in the same year -- and the 190E hasn't appreciated into stupid price territory, yet. Find this 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16V Cosworth offered for $8000 in Hillsborough, NJ via hemmings. Tip from BP.

Just BeCos: 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190e Cosworth W201

Most cars at this price point are far from perfect and are far from done despite most seller claims. Buy and finish quickly is the siren song of the seller. Fall for the puffery and claims in any sales pitch at your own peril. While there are exceptions and great deals out there if you know what you are doing most cars for sale are for sale for a reason. Sellers truthfully admitting faults in their cars and posting pictures is refreshing. This Mercedes 190e Cosworth has no illusions of grandeur, but may be the quickest way to play Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft driver. Find this 1986 Mercedes 190e Cosworth for $5,800 on Cragslist in Stockton California.

Hund Bein: 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16v Cosworth W201

If you believe the self-effacing prose from automotive pundits like Jack Baruth you might get the impression that old cars are terrible and rebuilding a suspension will cost you $12,000 (Canadian dollars maybe?) and the car will still be terrible.  On the opposite side of the racetrack you'll find forum posts describing a similar experience to the hoots and cheers of a crowd of fan boys.  The truth probably lives somewhere in the middle, but you'll have to do it yourself to know for sure.  Pickup this 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190e 2.3-16v Cosworth for $5,000 in SF Bay Area, CA via craigslist.  Tip from Kaibeezy.

10k: Hot Dog Leg: 1985 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16V Cosworth

The Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16V was the first salvo fired from the cannons at Stuttgart in its luxury sedan wars with Munich.  BMW's E30 generation M3 was actually second to market with a 2.3 liter high revving motorsports engine pushing out around 190 horsepower mated to a dog-leg 5-speed.  For some reason the E30s are worth their weight in gold these days, but the 190E is still budget friendly...fine by me.  Find this 1985 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16V Cosworth here on eBay offered for $9,850 buy-it-now or make-offer, located in Elkton, FL.

10k: Seller Submission: 1986 Mercedes-Benz W201 190E 2.3-16V Cosworth

The poet and father of Greek tragedy Aeschylus once wrote: "It is an ill thing to be the first to bring news of ill."  Is it a leap of logic to expect that being the first to bring good news is therefore a good thing?  What if that news is the birth of German factory authorized sport sedans, specifically the first Mercedes-Benz 190 2.3-16V Cosworth to arrive in North America?  Find this 1986 Mercedes-Benz W201 190E 2.3-16V currently bidding on ebay for $5,200 with 4 days to go, located in Long Beach, CA.  Seller submission from Mimo K who has also listed the car on craigslist.

5k: 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16V W201 Cosworth

The Mercedes-Benz W201 chassis was another evolution of Mercedes low end luxury sedans, known today as the C-Class.  Mercedes was anxious to do well in touring car racing, so they built a road version with a hopped-up engine and sold it around the world for homologation purposes.  The 190E 2.3-16V Cosworth model actually beat the infamous E30 M3 to the market but today is a much thriftier alternative.  Find this 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16V W201 Cosworth for sale in Metairie, Jefferson Parish, LA via craigslist.  Tip from Joshua T.

10k: Dog Leg: 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16V 5-spd W201

The Mercedes-Benz W201 190E spawned a unique motorsports inspired version, the 2.3-16V Cosworth edition that featured a unique body kit, tuned M102 engine and dog-leg pattern 5-speed gearbox.  It was a legitimate competitor to the BMW E30 M3 and Audi Quattro, but today isn't particularly pricey for whatever reason.  Find this 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16V 5-spd W201 for sale in New York, NY currently bidding on ebay for $4,999 reserve-not-met (and $14,500 BIN) with 4 days to go.

5k: 1986 Mercedes 190E 2.3-16V Cosworth Back on Ebay

We did a full write-up on the Mercedes-Benz 190 2.3-16V Cosworth earlier this week and the auction ended at a smoking deal of $5,200 -- unfortunately the buyer turned out to be a some kind of ebay spam-bot or someone who wouldn't know a good deal if it slapped him in the face.  Regardless, your chance to own a rare Merc is back and the 2.3-16V is up on ebay here, currently bidding at $3,450 no-reserve.

5k: 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190-Series 2.3-16V Cosworth

 The W201 Mercedes-Benz 190 sedan was built from 1982 to 1993 and is the predecessor to today's C-class sedan.  It was an elegant but simple sedan powered by a few 4 & 6 cylinder gas and diesel engines.  It wasn't a car that any enthusiast would consider, at least until the 2.3-16V Cosworth edition was released as a direct competitor to BMW's apex-raping first generation E30 M3.  This 1986 Mercedes-Benz 190 2.3-16V is for sale in Fairfax, VA currently bidding at $4,400 with 1 day to go.