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.