This Car Shouldn't Have Worked. How did it Beat Everyone?

Mercedes in the 1980s had a pretty good idea of what their cars should be. Well built, dependable, comfortable cars presented as a convertible, saloon, estate or maybe even a coupe if you’re feeling adventurous. They weren’t boring exactly, but not many people had their pants set alight by the W126 S-class, despite its excellence. And oh yeah, they also made this… This is the story of the Mercedes 190E 2.5 16 Evo 2.

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Written by: Fred Knight
Edited by: JD Minny ( @jdminny )

[automobilistic]

If this video feels familiar, its not deja vu. Just over a year ago I published a video about this car, however the information in it was flawed, and it has since been unlisted. This video uses parts of the original script, but large sections have been re-written to fix inaccuracies and better tell the story of this legendary machine!

[C.Fecteau-AU-MJ]

According to James May, Martin Brundle said it was the finest rear drive chassis he'd ever driven.

[wesw]

Friend had a U.S. spec 190E. Car was a little tank. Had half a bajillion miles on it and still ran good. He spent a few bucks on a wiper motor, only real work beyond basic maintenance it ever really needed. I imagine it would be alive today had it not been hit by a dump truck.

[AlteredCarbons]

i had a chance to buy a crashed 1992 mercedes amg 560 sec amg hammer, for like 5k, easy damage repair too. this was 1999 when i was looking for my first car. i wanted it so bad, but my dad convinced me not to buy it. i been salty ever since.

[AlmosRIF]

the 190e was a car you would thin isn't that insane but was just crazy, always love seeing it in games and vids

[zibingotaeam]

what a lot of people miss about these is that even if you get a non AMG or Evo version, these are just great cars. You get 5 seats, fuel injection and thus good mileage, excellent vision all around and seats so comfy they rival box spring couches on a car that weighs 1.25 tons empty - and the real party piece is that they can turn on a dime and afaik all have the same suspension parts as the Evos, just different shocks and sway bars.

If you're looking for a practical, affordable limousine that will outlast you, this is it. The only thing better is an estate/station wagon. Sadly, Mercedes stopped making a lot of parts for these, but there are plenty of used parts available.

[devscally]

Fabulous video about a fabulous car. I especially appreciate all the old race footage. Liveries back then were just beautiful.

[willyoung]

I realized as I was watching this that in my hot wheels display, I have a Alfa Romeo 155 V6 Ti, the 1994 Mercedes dtm car that replaced the 190e, and a sierra cosworth. now I really have to find a 190e to go with them

[Yesquestionmark]

I love all the Bathurst footage sprinkled in

[lilhaxxor]

What is this madness ?! You're not yet at 100k subs !? 😮

The best, high quality, entertaining, mostly accurate, historical racing channel on YouTube... life is unfair. 😢

[oraj]

I miss the sound of old 16v 4 bangers. The sound of the Cosworth 2.3-16 and 2.5-16 is probably one of my favorite ever.

It just sounds angry and fast.

[OneManOnFire]

I bought my 1987 190E 2.3-16v Cosworth Evo 2 clone for $5, 000 in 2006. I still own it and love it to this day. It's even my YouTube profile photo.

[JohnCharb]

I remember this car from Gran Turismo 4. That rear wing was ridiculous and stood out. Used it a lot.

[lordfarquaad]

You are one of the most if not the most underrated car channel, I love your videos they are great huge love from Turkey 🇹🇷

[robwalker]

My god this man's videos REALLY hit the spot.

[SaabJitsu]

7 or so years ago I needed a car for when my friends and family came in from out of town. Was just looking for something big to haul 5 people and stuff and happened across an '88 420 SEL. Possibly the best riding car I've ever owned. Still super quiet inside and seats that just cradled you as you rode. Nuked the transmission trying to use it as a tractor. It didn't like that at all and sold it. Now you got me wanting another W126 lol great video

[rainsilent]

"Despite not seeing the level of success that might be typical of a car that achieves legendary status..."

It was racing against other legends of the time and was more than capable of holding it's own against them. "Lack of success" was simply due to having to face a few other legendary cars and only one car can win each race. When you can go toe to toe with other legends you are a legend yourself because you are their equal. Level of success is no longer relevant in such instances.

[olivergould]

Had the pleasure of going to school in a 190E for a year not sure what variant model it was definitely wasn't a Cosworth or Evo2 but loved the wooden interior it had and the single wiper.

[sittingstill]

It’s a little odd watching footage of the 190E at Bathurst while its success in Europe is being discussed. Driven it in a few games but never found it noteworthy but that’s probably because I unlocked it after gaining access to much faster and better handling ones.

[SMlFFY]

A black street legal version is possibly the most menacing car ever made.