The 190E W201 chassis was something of a game-changer for Mercedes-Benz. They needed a new, compact executive saloon car to compete with the likes of BMW’s 3-Series. Research and development began in the mid 1970s and over £600 million was spent on the project.

The 190E brought modern innovation to Mercedes line up, with 5-link rear suspension creating a stable and engaging drive and Airbags, ABS and Seatbelt pretensioners offering unrivalled levels of passenger safety. Mercedes built nearly 2 million throughout a 11-year production run, with many remaining on the road today.

In the final years of production, Mercedes threw all their cards on the table. Offering around 1,000 cars in the UK & Ireland as LE models. These Limited Edition 190Es were made available in three colours; Blue, White and Red. The red is specifically known as Rosso Red. LEs were quite the tantalising offer for those lucky enough to acquire one, and an impressive set of standard fit options including; Air Conditioning, Leather Seats, Sunroof, Walnut wood trim as opposed to the standard Zebrano trim and a few other goodies as well as a better price when compared with similarly specified non-LE models.

This particular LE is finished in the Rosso Red, a deep shade of a burgundy which presents in great shape. The black plastic trims are all in excellent condition, and the light lenses, brightwork and glass are also in excellent shape. You’ll also notice the advent of a factory fitted Westfalia removable tow bar kit, that subtly adds to the usability of this modern classic.

There are a few age related marks dotted around the exterior, most notably, a small spot of lacquer peel on the bonnet. The wheels are not the originals, in fact they’re much better, AMG Monoblocks finished in silver with a polished lip and wrapped in Goodyear tyres.

Open the door and you’ll find undeniable Mercedes quality, a biscuit coloured half-perforated leather interior which is in excellent condition, matching carpets and genuine ribbed Mercedes mats. The bi-colour dash/centre console ensemble is in great condition with no cracks or wear and the leather wrapped steering wheel is in perfect shape.

The Walnut trim is the ideal contrast to the lighter colour leather, it's in great condition and houses the four electric window switches that were an option for the LE. There is also an upgraded sound system using genuine Mercedes parts and a Pioneer head unit to bring the in-car-entertainment up to date.

Pop the bonnet and you’ll find a 2.0L M102 engine, an incredibly reliable unit. The engine bay is clean, tidy and free from leaks. The M102 is mated to an automatic gearbox to offer the driver comfortable cruising, it changes smoothly and there are no nasty knocks or bangs.

This LE also benefits from a handful of tasteful upgrades, the front brakes have been upgraded with the 2.5L Cosworth set-up, Bilstein Dampers and Eibach lowering springs help to get the car sitting perfectly without compromising the legendary ride.

There is also an extensive service record to go with the car, with an assortment of records from tracking adjustments and oil changes to the original pre-delivery inspection checklist! The documents also show that the car was subject to top-end rebuild at around 80,000 miles, including replacement injectors, valve guides, and timing chain kit. The car will also be supplied with a fresh MOT upon sale.

The 190Es are some of the last “bomb-proof” Mercedes, massively over-engineered and over-built, the LE a final step above the rest. As one of the last of the line towards the end of production, as part of a limited run, it will surely become even more of a collectors car as time goes on. The best part? You can drive it and enjoy it without fear.

As with all our vehicles, a full digital folder is available on request containing more images, walk-around videos, and scans of the service history. The car can also be viewed by appointment at our West London showroom.