An 885 Mile Mercedes 190E Evo II Is Being Auctioned, And It'll Be Hilariously Expensive
When I owned a Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 - aka the ‘Mercedes Cosworth’ - the Evolution II was what an Instagram enthusiast might refer to these days as ‘#goals’. As much as I loved my temperamental Merc, I always found it to be a little too understated compared to the wide-arched E30 BMW M3, but you can’t level the same criticism at the Evo II. With its functional, in-yer-face aero kit and 17-inch wheels, it looks gloriously bombastic.
It’s faster than the regular 2.3 and 2.5 versions of the hotter 190E too. These touring car homologation specials put out 232bhp, crucially ever so slightly higher in the rev range. Peak power comes in at a zingy 7200rpm, and the red line doesn’t arrive until 7700rpm.
Back when I owned one of the lesser Mercedes Cosworths, the Evo Is and IIs were still fairly attainable, making themselves realistic dream cars. So, since number 452 of the 502 Evo IIs produced is going under the hammer at Silverstone Auction’s Blenheim Palace do next month, you’re probably imagining I’m considering a bid, right? Wrong.
Sadly, in the intervening years, the classic car market has gone absolutely mad, and 190E Evos have not been immune to skyrocketing values. To make matters worse, the example being auctioned off has just 885 miles on the clock.
Buying a 190E Evo II and using it for way under 1000 miles may seem like cooking yourself a delicious steak dinner and just staring at it, but it’s paid off for the owner: Silverstone is estimating a final price between £180,000 and £220,000. Ouch.
On the off chance you are that rich and fancy a punt, it’ll go under the hammer on 3 September. But please let me have a drive. I can repay in hugs.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
This has the dogleg manual gearbox right?
Indeed so. Not a particularly nice ‘box though - very rubbery shift action!
doge-leg *
Yes it does… Have you ever wondered about that three-legged Doge in your family?
Oh…I am stealin this one
Would you like my heart, liver, lungs and kidneys?
Mind you, we are the race where some mad people would spend $10000 on an iPhone that still had Flappy Bird installed on it after it was taken off the App Store.
it’s still not enough 🙄
You might get a two year old Fiesta ST for a kidney.
Still fun… Not as worth it though.
Another Evo Geobaz can’t afford lol
“Buying a 190E Evo II and using it for way under 1000 miles may seem like cooking yourself a delicious steak dinner and just staring at it” Don’t people already do that?
I think the 2.3 16v cosworth model is the one to have
I would pay in 2 crisp high five,as someone dressed in red and black spandex would.