The Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth. It’s quite a name, isn’t it? This homologation special from the 1980s is an icon, yet often finds itself in the shadow of its Bavarian rival, the BMW M3. While the M3 frequently grabs the spotlight, many automotive enthusiasts who have experienced both argue that the Mercedes, particularly the Benz Cosworth, offers superior performance. This 16-valve Cosworth engine variant wasn’t just a sporty trim; it was the benchmark that pushed BMW to develop their E30 into the legendary first M3. This Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth is truly unique.
Despite its impressive pedigree and performance, the M3 often reigns supreme in popular perception. While BMW’s motorsport successes are undeniable, Mercedes-Benz, along with Audi and Ford, also secured championships during the same era. This begs the question: why does the Benz Cosworth 190E remain somewhat of a hidden gem? Could it be the more understated styling compared to the M3’s box flares? Or perhaps BMW’s earlier DTM championship win? For those in the know, the relative anonymity of the 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth is a blessing, keeping prices more accessible compared to the often exorbitant M3.
Automotive journalist and YouTube personality Jason Cammisa, a dedicated German car aficionado, is the proud owner of an exceptionally well-preserved 190E 2.3-16. His 1985 Smoke Silver European model boasts the unrestricted 185 horsepower engine, manual windows, and distinctive plaid Recaro seats in both the front and rear. Sourced directly from Germany with only one prior owner, Cammisa’s 190E 2.3-16 is in showroom condition. It’s a truly remarkable car, and Cammisa shared his expert insights on why this Benz Cosworth is exceptional.
Patrick Stevenson: Jason, with your extensive experience driving a wide range of vehicles, what drew you to this particular Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16?
Jason Cammisa: I daily drove a standard W201 for years and always desired the 16-valve model. My search for the “right car” spanned about 15 years – I was specifically looking for a European specification, high-compression engine, lightweight configuration, finished in Smoke Silver with the plaid cloth interior, as per Sacco’s design vision. In the meantime, I owned a U.S. spec car with low mileage in Blauschwarz, which I sold in 2007 in anticipation of a move. In September 2011, I was discussing with my Mercedes-Benz enthusiast friend my intention to buy a less-than-perfect U.S. 2.3-16 to satisfy my W201 craving. He dissuaded me, knowing my perfectionist nature wouldn’t tolerate a “beater” Benz. I jokingly said, “Well, I guess the right one will find me eventually.” He then replied, “Oh, it just did, check your email.” He had just sent me a link to an advertisement for this exact car on the German website mobile.de.
The following week, during a stopover in Germany en route to the press launch of the F10 BMW M5, I seized the opportunity. I test drove the 2.3-16 – the odometer turned 78,000km during the drive – thoroughly inspected it on a lift, reviewed its documentation, and ultimately purchased it. While in Germany, I also used it for some automotive journalism work, enjoyed some unrestricted Autobahn driving, reaching its top speed of 143 mph for about an hour, and then arranged for it to be shipped home. Since its arrival, I’ve dedicated considerable time to cleaning and detailing it, and have been enjoying it immensely ever since.
PS: It sounds like the perfect scenario – getting to drive your new car on the Autobahn right after picking it up in Germany. Finding a sub-50k mile car from that era is rare. What’s the backstory of this particular 190E 2.3-16 Cosworth?
JC: It was originally purchased new by a woman named Klara in Floethütte, a small town about 75 minutes from Cologne. She took delivery on her 36th birthday – remarkably, I bought it on my 36th birthday as well! I acquired it from a broker, but the car was still registered in her name. I tracked down her phone number and called her, curious why she invested so much (DM 58,866.40) in a compact car lacking air conditioning or power windows when a base S-Class was more affordable (DM 40,650!). Her immediate response, without hesitation, was “Weil der so süß aussah!” – “Because it looked so cute!” [Laughs]
When I inquired about the complete original documentation, including the dealer price list, transport receipt from the factory to the dealership, original license plate receipt, break-in instructions, but no dealer service receipts, she explained, “Because it never went to the dealer.” She owned a service station, and they handled oil changes, but no other work was ever needed. No repairs meant no repair receipts, I suppose!
PS: So, the cliché of buying a car from a little old lady who only drove it on Sundays actually holds true sometimes – especially if she’s German and finds it “cute.” It sounds like you found an exceptional car, although the purchase process was a bit more involved than a typical domestic Craigslist transaction. What makes the 190E 2.3-16 so special to you?
JC: The W201 Mercedes-Benz 190E revolutionized the automotive landscape. It was the first truly premium subcompact car. If it were still in production today, it would be the smallest sedan available in America. Despite its compact size, it possesses a substantial presence and drives with the composure of a much larger, heavier luxury car. And the 2.3-16 model’s origin story is truly remarkable: initially conceived to conquer the World Rally Championship, the project was derailed when Audi disrupted Mercedes-Benz’s ambitions with their Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Undeterred, engineers cleverly rebranded it as a “sport model,” secretly developing it for the then-nascent DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft) racing series. Its success in DTM directly spurred BMW to create the M3 three years later, igniting the horsepower race that continues to this day. Love your M3? C63 AMG? ATS-V? Giulia Quadrifoglio? IS-F? RS4? You can trace their lineage back to the Benz Cosworth 190E 2.3-16.
PS: Performance and racing heritage are compelling, but what about the styling and design of the 2.3-16? You also own an E30 Touring, how does the Mercedes compare in terms of aesthetics and practicality?
JC: I consider the W201 to be the most perfectly proportioned and designed small sedan ever created. Robert Cumberford, the discerning automotive critic from Automobile Magazine, shared this sentiment, adding only the qualification “post-war.” My appreciation goes beyond mere aesthetics. I admire every aspect of it, from the four Recaro bucket seats to the dogleg five-speed manual transmission, the sophisticated five-link rear hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension, and the exceptional build quality. Speaking of build quality, it features floor mats, then inch-thick removable carpeting secured with snaps. Beneath that, there’s a Swiss-cheese-patterned plastic false floor, which neatly channels all the wiring and hoses – fuel, brakes, etc. – within elegant conduits. Only beneath this layer do you find the asphalt-coated steel floor pan. This meticulous construction is a key reason why it’s as quiet as an S-Class. Don’t mistake this for heft, though – my 190E 2.3-16 weighs 17 lbs less than my E30, tipping the scales at 2,845 lbs with 18.6 gallons of fuel in its substantial homologation-sized fuel tank.
PS: You make it sound incredibly impressive. The engineering and development Mercedes-Benz invested in the chassis are truly remarkable. If you had to pinpoint one standout feature of the car, what would it be?
JC: That glorious engine, without a doubt. The BMW S14B23 engine in the M3 often receives all the accolades, but in my opinion, it doesn’t compare to the M102.983 in terms of sound, smoothness, or power delivery. This Benz Cosworth engine is a big-bore, short-stroke (95.5×80.25 mm!), high-compression (10.5:1) marvel that unleashes its peak 185 horsepower in a remarkably flat plateau from 5500 rpm all the way to its 7100-rpm fuel cut. Horsepower plateau – not torque. I’ve never encountered a dyno plot quite like this car’s, and I doubt you have either.
Modern small four-cylinder engines often require balance shafts and active engine mounts to minimize vibrations and noise. Thanks to its inherently robust design, this larger four-cylinder engine needs neither, achieving smoothness comparable to a six-cylinder. The exhaust note is deliberately muted – after all, who wants to prominently hear a four-cylinder? – but the captivating Cosworth induction noise is gloriously uninhibited. In racing trim, these engines could rev to 10,000 rpm. My only minor complaint about the street version is that the fun ends a bit prematurely at 7,100 rpm.
PS: When you’re pushing the Benz Cosworth engine to its limits, how does the chassis respond?
JC: I affectionately nicknamed my previous W201 “Irene.” Her personality was akin to a kind, gray-haired librarian who enjoyed reading and attended church regularly. Beneath the surface, however, she possessed a hidden wild side. Similarly, looking at Irene, or Klara (this car), or any 190E 2.3-16, you might underestimate its capabilities.
There are a few typical Mercedes-Benz characteristics to adapt to in the 2.3-16. The gear shifter requires deliberate action, especially under high lateral forces. The Recaro seats, despite their prominent bolsters, don’t provide quite the lateral support you might expect. And it exhibits more body roll than you’d find at a Jenny Craig convention, so you need to moderate your steering inputs when initiating turns.
However, the cornering grip is undeniably modern. Remarkably, the handling is incredibly neutral at the limit, almost hinting at electronic stability control, despite its absence. A slight hint of mid-corner understeer transitions seamlessly into power oversteer, precisely controlled by minute adjustments of the accelerator pedal. Any drift angle you desire is readily available, and it all unfolds in slow motion. The body roll and tire sidewall flex effectively smooth out any abruptness in its movements. In terms of cornering balance and stability, an E30 M3 simply can’t match the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16. This is partly because Mercedes-Benz invested nearly as much in developing the W201’s rear suspension as BMW did in the entire E30 chassis.
PS: It’s incredible how meticulously Mercedes-Benz engineered and built cars even into that era. Their chassis were designed for longevity, often lasting a decade or more before a replacement model was developed. So, is the 190E 2.3-16 the unsung hero that pushed the boundaries in racing and ultimately inspired the E30 M3? Does it live up to the DTM legend?
JC: No, it f@#king crucifies it.
PS: Jason, thank you so much for sharing your exceptional 190E 2.3-16 with us.
JC: My pleasure! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to enthusiastically discuss all things Mercedes-Benz 190E.
