Yes, we typically search for cars coming onto the market in North America, but when they’re old enough to import easily and exceptionally cool, we tend to look outside the confines of the U.S. and Canada. And when we do, we find cars like this Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 in Almadin Red (almadinrot; metallic UNI; DB 512 / 512U; Mercedes-Benz).
About the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 In General
Homologation cars are always cool, but the W201-based 190E 2.3-16 and later 190E 2.5-16 have been garnering an extra level of enthusiast cult-following. Homologated for Group A, this meant Mercedes had to build 5,000 cars within a year’s time. They did so easily, and the model proved so popular that it continued into 1993, building almost 19,500.
An updated version like this one was shown at the Paris Motor Show in 1988, featuring revised front and rear aprons, larger bumpers, redesigned interior and an upgraded 16-valve engine with its Cosworth-developed head now bumped to 2.5-liters. And while the 2.3-16 had been sold in the USA, the 2.5-16 and other evolutions never made it here.
More information not he model in general can be found HERE and HERE.
Along with the update, several colors were aded including the one you see here – Almadin Red. While this specification isn’t a special paint, it is relatively rare than the much more common silvers. Three shades of silver were offered – Smoke Silver, Astral Silver and Brilliant Silver. Blue-Black was also offered, but Almadin Red was the only vibrant color, which makes it stand out.
About Buying a Vintage Car from Europe
Though importing modern cars from other markets can be incredibly complex and expensive, importation of vehicles older than 25 years for the U.S.A. and 15 years for Canada can be much simpler and rewarding. Nevertheless, there are challenges that you’ll need to consider.
First up will be assessment of the car. Most listing sites like the one linked here tend to feature lower-resolution photos and descriptions typically more akin to what you’d find on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, not the über thorough assessments and histories we’ve come to obsess over on sites such as Bring A Trailer. Finding someone over there to get eyes on the car is definitely a major advantage.
Next up will be arranging exportation from country of origin, shipping, handling at the port of entry, paying duties and getting registered in your home location. These are not easy tasks, but trivial for the more and more companies catering to these services.
We’ve had experience working with one such firm, Orchid Euro. Jamie Orr, owner of Orchid Euro, worked with his team and network to get first hand eyes on in Europe, ground transport to a German port, shipment on a new vehicle transport vessel, handled it at the American port and even helped guide on getting the car titled. Worth noting, Orchid Euro isn’t the only company out there doing these sorts of things, so search them out if you prefer another similar service.
About this Car
Here’s what we know about the car from its listing. Since it’s on AutoScout, it’s not in English so we’ve taken the liberty of having it run through Apple Safari’s translation.
Location: Castelldefels, Italy
Country Version: Spain
Initial Registration: 01/1989
Mileage Logged: 197,000 km, converts to 122,410 miles
Asking Price: €29,000 Euros
Below is the Translated Description. Please note, this is as translated so creates some odd terminology like “roof of crystal”:
Exclusive Mercedes 190 in color ALMANDINE RED.
Production data and extras:
- Order Location FRANKFURT BRANCH
- Interior FABRIC BLACK (071)
- Paint 1 ALMADIN RED METALLIC (512U)
Approx. Build Date 1988-11
Code Description
240 OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
412 ELECTRIC SLIDING ROOF WITH TILTING DEVICE
442 AIRBAG IN STEERING WHEEL
466 CENTRAL LOCKING MECHANISM
506 AUSSENRÜCKSPIEGEL, LINKS UND RECHTS, GEHEZT (FLÜCKLICH VERSTELLBARE AUF DER RECHTEN)
510 MB RADIO EXQUISIT WITH VK, RDS (BECKER)
531 AUTOMATIC ANTENNA
551 ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM
583 ELECTRIC WINDOW LIFTERS (FRONT DOORS)
591 HEAT-INSULATING GLASS, ALL-AROUND, HEATED REAR WINDOW PANE (SINGLE-SHEET SAFETY GLASS)
600 HEADLAMP WIPER/WASHER
673 HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY
873 SEAT HEATER FOR LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT SEATS
876 RÜCKTÜRN-SPACHTEN UND LEUCHTE OBEN HINTERFENSTER
Recién hecha revisión completa en taller Mercedes especializado;
- oils and complete filters.
- original engine mounts
- front suspension towers and new springs.
- gas air conditioning
- brake fluid
- steering shock absorber
- caps de resendo dirección.
- juntas motor tapa de balancines.
- Etc.
Alternator and clutches recently replaced.
ITV just last.
Extras
Featured equipment selected by the user
– Installation of lava headlights
– Heated front seats
– Temperature indicator outside
– Air conditioning
– Front electric lifts
– Alloy tires
– Metallic paint
– Electric lifting sliding roof of crystal
Find it HERE.
