1990model Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16V Evolution II

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1990model

Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16V Evolution II

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↑↑↑Please be sure to watch the archive video above with audio.

Under the care of its current owner, a professional craftsman, for over 27 years, this 190E 2.5-16V Evolution II has undergone maintenance and upgrades, showcasing the pinnacle of condition. It presents an ultimate fan ride that seems out of this world...! It's almost too precious to merely display...! One cannot help but be amazed by the arrival of a machine that allows for the truly enjoyable experience of the spirited driving reminiscent of the 90s DTM era.

The 190E 2.5-16V Evolution II, a car that enthusiasts around the world have longed for the most in their lives...

In life, we all desire to ride in the car we’ve longed for without any regrets. However, as time passes, this longing transforms into impatience. The precious specimens of the 190E 2.5-16V Evolution II, of which only 502 were released as homologation models, are now tucked away in exclusive collections. Yet, enthusiasts worldwide still yearn for the Evo II, and should one miraculously appear on the market, it commands astonishing prices and vanishes as quickly as a mirage.

Flying over the curbstones with the inside tires lifted, reminiscent of those scenes dominating the DTM back then, the “flashy exterior” unimaginable for ordinary cars and the racing machine polished to perfection by the esteemed British firm Cosworth for high-revving engines, all embody the “exquisite sense of balance” unique to Mercedes-Benz, crafted without compromise. It continues to captivate people eternally. Blessed with luck and grasping the steering wheel, one experiences the ultimate joy of obtaining the best in life – the exhilaration of mastering the highest level of driving range with the finest response, enjoying the ultimate fan ride, steering through life’s greatest pleasures.

The numerous iconic battle scenes etched in the minds of enthusiasts worldwide... Since its debut in the '90s, the 190E 2.5-16V Evolution II has dominated the DTM, achieving Mercedes-Benz's long-awaited title recapture. That's what this car was all about!

The aggressiveness is unmatched compared to other motorsports, making one’s heart race just by watching. Cars on sale engage in intense body-to-body combat like martial artists, striving for dominance. The German Touring Car Championship (DTM), which began in 1984, not only captivated Europe but also gained popularity worldwide as the pinnacle of touring car racing. This race’s outcomes significantly influence the sales figures of production cars. Constructors like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Opel, Alfa Romeo, and BMW developed dedicated machines, actively participating in the series. Particularly, when BMW secured the title with its dedicated machine, the “BMW E30 M3,” rival manufacturers’ development teams worked tirelessly to keep up with BMW, fueling their own dedicated machine development efforts.

In particular, Mercedes-Benz, aiming to increase sales of its newly launched 190E series worldwide since its inception in 1984, eagerly embarked on the development of dedicated machines.

In 1986, Mercedes-Benz introduced its first DTM machine, the “190E 2.3-16”. Despite being equipped with a Cosworth-tuned 2.3L inline-4 DOHC 16-valve engine and simple aerodynamics, it couldn’t surpass the lighter M3 and failed to secure the title for two years.

In 1989, Mercedes-Benz, determined to reclaim the title, increased the displacement of the Cosworth engine to 2.5L, introducing the “190E 2.5-16,” later known as the “Evolution I.” However, even with this enhancement, the coveted title remained elusive. Subsequently, in 1990, after clearing the regulations for homologation models by manufacturing and selling 500 units consecutively for two years, Mercedes-Benz introduced the ultimate evolution of the 190E, the “190E 2.5-16V Evolution II,” into the DTM.

Unlike the Evolution I introduced in 1989, this Evolution II was adorned with dynamic aerodynamic parts, significantly improving aerodynamic performance. Developed by Cosworth based on the M102 engine, it featured precision-crafted components such as camshafts, valves, and pistons, culminating in a short-stroke 2,463cc inline-4 engine. AMG Powerpack was also installed, generating a peak output of 235PS at 7,200rpm and maximum torque of 25kg・m at 5,000rpm. Lightweight materials were used throughout, including the large adjustable rear wing made of aluminum alloy. It also featured a rear window spoiler, a dedicated front bumper protruding further than stock, and a lip spoiler extending forward to increase downforce. The dynamic wide fenders radically transformed the side profile, allowing for the installation of tires 40mm wider than stock.

Transcending the image of the 190E, this radical and stunning body kit, designed by Professor Richard Eppler of the University of Stuttgart, reduced air resistance to 0.29 in wind tunnel tests while significantly increasing downforce. Its aerodynamic performance, allowing it to stick to the road surface at high speeds, was remarkable. An anecdote involving Wolfgang Reitzle, BMW’s research and development director at the time, even mentioned that “the laws of aerodynamics seem to be different between Munich and Stuttgart… If that large rear wing works, we’ll have to redesign BMW’s wind tunnel…” Indeed, BMW went on to redesign and rebuild its wind tunnel facilities.

Thus, the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II, born from these efforts, secured the coveted Manufacturer’s title in 1991, just a year after its DTM debut. In 1992, it achieved consecutive Manufacturer’s titles and the long-awaited Driver’s title. Its massive machine dynamically traversing corners while cornering, creating an unforgettable image, showcased its overwhelming strength in the DTM.

The value of the “190E 2.5-16 Evolution II” lies in its dominance of the DTM and its enduring memory in people’s minds. From its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1990, when all 502 units allocated for homologation had already been sold, to this day, not a single unit has been officially imported into Japan.

All 500 units were painted in Blauschwartz (Blue Black Metallic), with only #501 and #502 painted in Astral Silver. Over 30 years have passed since then, occasionally appearing on the market, making significant news and disappearing as quickly as a mirage. Each of these episodes elevates the Evolution II to a “captivating neo-classic that cannot be found but must be encountered,” solidifying its value as a special car in the world automotive heritage.

The owner's garage is truly a workshop itself! Maintained by a professional craftsman owner for over 27 years in this environment, the Evolution II with the serial number 026/500, where everything has been understood and maintained. The story of "There are no maintenance records because I've always passed inspections on my own" suddenly makes perfect sense!

This Evolution II, purchased with determination over 27 years ago when it was still young, has been a cherished possession. Over the years, various improvements have been made to address its needs, making it a truly special vehicle. (Owner's testimony)

The visit report this time, which I had the honor of conducting as an interview, began with a tour of the owner’s garage…

In the fully enclosed garage, numerous original parts are meticulously displayed on shelves, indicating the owner’s genuine dedication to this Evolution II over many years…

Moreover, the owner, a professional craftsman-engineer throughout his life, not only maintained this Evolution II through a long-standing relationship with a trusted specialist shop but also personally dedicated himself to it with enthusiasm. As you can see in the video, he has kept it in excellent running condition with remarkable responsiveness, undoubtedly a result of the owner’s life experience…

As evidence of this commitment, adjacent to his home garage is a workshop where various equipment such as mechanical design drafting boards, lathes, milling machines, welding machines, and sandblasting facilities are neatly arranged. It indicates that ongoing refinement work on the Evolution II is still in progress…

What’s particularly unique is the owner’s self-proclaimed title of “material and processing fetishist”. From replacing every bolt with lightweight, rigid materials like titanium to rewiring the electrical system and meticulously arranging stays and relays, he delights in focusing on the finer details. Parts that didn’t exist were crafted by himself, and he has transformed negative aspects or changes due to aging into positive elements, all through his passion. Over 27 years, he has meticulously cared for and enjoyed his ownership of this vehicle…

He was captivated by the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) of the 1990s, where cars collided fiercely yet flew through the air like in martial arts, he said. This led him to become infatuated with the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16V Evolution II, and through years of hard work in his mid-thirties, he finally purchased it in 1995 when it arrived in the country as a parallel import…

The license plate, naturally, reflects the long history of over 27 years, reading “Gunma 33″…

While chatting, the owner mentioned, “It’s been a long time, so I might have forgotten a few things…”…

Under the guidance of such a professional craftsman-engineer, various maintenance, preventive maintenance, and improvement work have been passionately and creatively carried out on this vehicle. As a result, it has been thoroughly understood, treated as an extension of oneself when driven, and responds beautifully to the owner’s commands as if it were part of his own body. It’s truly remarkable to see them enjoy a mutual dialogue while driving…

This scene is best appreciated by turning up the volume in the opening video…

As a fundamental principle, aside from consumables, all original parts are still in the owner’s possession. For this listing, it’s been agreed with a reputable specialist shop that it’s possible to return the car to its original state…

Included in these are the maintenance and improvement works carried out since it came into the owner’s possession…

– Evolution II specific head gasket replacement

– Headlight lens replacement to RHD

– Installation of a 50Φ dual muffler by Arcueil

– Installation of Recaro SPG bucket seats

– Installation of a Wilans racing harness (original 3-point system still functional)

– Installation of a Sparco racing quick-release

– Replacement of Sachs clutch disc + clutch cover

– Heater core and air conditioning replacement (original expansion tank and evaporator, compressor replaced with Mercedes genuine Denso)

– Increased light output through headlight assembly replacement

– Flex 2-layer aluminum radiator and custom condenser fabrication

– Installation of an HPI oil cooler

– Original electric fan + original magnet fan controlled by manual switch, ultimately replaced with a 74° opening thermostat and SPAL electric fan, all controlled by Motec

– Full repaint in original color (responding to scratches caused by mischief in the parking lot)

This took about 20 years to complete…

Furthermore, maintenance and improvement work continues…

– Around 2015, obtained a carbon induction box fabricated from a team car that participated in DTM and performed a 4-throttle conversion to match

– Motec settings directly commissioned to AVO for completion

– Accumulator replaced 3 times

– Belt tensioner replaced 3 times

– Steering damper replaced 4 times

– Fuel pump replaced 3 times (currently twin fuel pump)

– Disc rotor replaced once

– Brake pad replaced twice

– Oil changed every six months with 100% synthetic oil, with filter replaced each time

– Organic molybdenum additive applied

– Oil filter replaced with cartridge type from filter type

– Wheels are Prodrive 18-inch forged wheels

– Forged through nuts with Sparco studs replaced

While the original Evolution II tends to have somewhat sluggish throttle response, the 4-throttle conversion showcased in the video allows for excellent pickup and responsiveness…

The episode of this conversion is also outstanding! Initially, this 4-throttle conversion was entrusted to a shop that had been relied upon in the past… After about a year, it was returned unfinished due to unresolved issues with custom-made parts and full control systems… Subsequently, after leaving some usable parts behind, the decision was made to complete it independently…

Particularly, the most important intake manifold for the 4-throttle conversion was decided to be made by the owner himself… A jig was created, dimensions were taken, and to use the long-length TWM 4-throttle, the length of the intake manifold had to be shortened as much as possible… Furthermore, for the original injector hole, which needed to be preserved due to the efficient direct injection of gasoline onto the valve umbrella by the injector, simply cutting it off did not solve the problem… In addition, the TWM throttle had a pitch that was compatible with the DCOE standard, while the receiving side had a Mercedes standard pitch, which did not match directly. A special flange was made 3mm thicker, 10mm each on the Mercedes pitch side and the DCOE pitch side, with holes drilled using a 10mm end mill, and the remaining 10mm was made by cutting diagonally using a router to align the front and back holes…

Furthermore, in the process of full control conversion, initially, important sensors SYNC (cam angle sensor) and REF (crank angle sensor) were each picked up with a distributor pickup, but when REF received a signal from the distributor, it didn’t give an accurate signal due to backlash in the cam chain when accelerating again, backlash in the cam chain during gear changes, etc. Therefore, the owner switched to a crank pick by attaching a trigger to a self-made crank pulley and reading it with a sensor… This significantly improved throttle pickup…

Additionally, direct ignition was adopted from Nissan’s lean burn engine as it requires a stronger spark than normal…

Furthermore, in the recent past…

– Around April 2024, rear stabilizer (height adjustable suspension) valve rod replaced, front rod link ball replaced

– Front seal of differential replaced

– Engine oil level sensor replaced

– Shift rod bushing replaced

Even after deciding to part with it due to certain circumstances, the owner’s care for the car has not ceased…

Also, with the desire to hand it over to the next unseen owner in the “best condition”, preventive maintenance is planned for the future…

– Replacement of engine crank seal on the rear side

– Replacement of input shaft oil seal

– Overhaul of clutch operation cylinder

– Replacement of front

"Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16V Evolution II Interview Afterword..."

“After a few days have passed since the interview, I, the writer, still can’t get the exhilarating fan ride of this Evolution II out of my head!

In front of the garage of the owner, who I’ve been indebted to for some time, stretches a winding road with few houses, a perfect environment for enthusiasts. “This is our usual test course,” the owner joked as he invited me to ride alongside him. Excited by the roar of the high-revving inline-four echoing off the mountainside, I had the pleasure of experiencing the perfect harmony between the owner and the Evolution II for a brief moment.

The instantaneous pickup to the brink of filming speed is truly remarkable! And what a sense of security! The stability that perfectly follows the road surface, in addition to the body stiffness, is truly befitting of a DTM homologation model. Despite the tuned engine’s high heat output, the coolant temperature remains stable around the optimal 80 degrees, exhibiting the utmost responsiveness. It’s a testament to the owner’s over 27 years of history of fine-tuning the engine and chassis, paying homage to the Evolution II’s lineage.

With over 27 years of history, the owner had never thought of parting with it. However, due to changes in life stages and out of consideration for family, they made the difficult decision to part ways with it. Well, more accurately, they decided to let it go, but it’s a decision made with the earnest hope of finding a new owner who will genuinely cherish and continue its legacy.”

Under the care of the current owner, a professional craftsman, for over 27 years, the 190E 2.5-16V Evolution II has undergone maintenance and upgrades, showcasing its supreme condition and offering an unparalleled driving experience that feels otherworldly! It's too extraordinary to be merely a showpiece! This vehicle, reminiscent of the fervent driving experience of the 90s DTM era, leaves one in awe with its appearance, allowing enthusiasts to genuinely relish the spirited drive of the Evo 2.

“The goddess of luck has only bangs, and if you pass her by, you might miss your chance… And perhaps, that chance may never come again.

Please come and experience the ultimate tour… to Gunma Prefecture, where a perfect winding road awaits right before your eyes.”

This incredibly attractive "1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16V Evolution II" is currently located in Gunma Prefecture.

This magnificent “1990 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16V Evolution II” is currently located in Gunma Prefecture.

For private transactions, there are no consumption taxes or additional fees. However, upon purchasing this vehicle, the buyer will be responsible for pro-rated payment of the automobile tax (annual fee of ¥51,700) and the recycling deposit (¥14,580). Additionally, transportation arrangements, such as land transportation, will also be the responsibility of the buyer. Nevertheless, through our corporate operations, we offer classic car transportation services using our own carriers. If you are interested, please feel free to inquire.

[Regarding Inquiries…]

The vehicle listed on this page is featured on the cross-border EC site for classic and collectible cars, “Estate Sale Supremacy®.”

What is Estate Sale Supremacy, the epitome of excellence (supremacy)?

Estate Sale Supremacy® is the Japanese version of the North American cultural estate sale, which introduces the owner’s heartfelt car through interviews, manuscripts, and videos to organize both physical and emotional aspects. It’s entirely different from the low-priced purchase with no culture or legacy left behind. We faithfully express the owner’s sentiments and ensure the next generation inherits the memories while providing guidance and mediation.

We conduct detailed interviews with current owners, including maintenance records and repair histories, to verify the presence or absence of accidents. If there is a significant accident history or if details about the current owner’s ownership are unknown due to its short duration, we may refuse interviews and make efforts to provide reassurance to prospective buyers.

The content of this article was written based on interviews with the owner and a test drive conducted on May 9, 2024, under clear skies, starting at 11:00 a.m., over approximately three hours. Due to the limited interview time, it may not accurately reflect the condition of the actual vehicle, and not all contents have been verified. Comments and descriptions are based on the weather and circumstances at the time of the interview, as well as the author’s subjective perspective.

For questions about the featured vehicle or to schedule an on-site inspection, please contact us at the bottom of this page. As this is a transaction between individuals, on-site inspections are reserved for customers who are considering purchasing.

Thank you very much for your consideration.