Technical Reference – Project 190

Identification

Chassis numbers.

Every 190E 16v has its own VIN prefix. The prefix tells you exactly which variant you are looking at before you check anything else. You will find the chassis number stamped on the firewall in front of the battery, and on the bonnet slam panel.

201034

190E 2.3-16

201035

190E 2.5-16

201036

Evolution I & Evolution II

Reading the full VIN

A complete chassis number looks like this: 2010341Fxxxxxx

201034Model prefix (see above)

1Left-hand drive (LHD)

2Right-hand drive (RHD)

A–ESindelfingen production plant

F–HBremen production plant

xxxxxxSequential production number

Engine identification

Engine numbers.

The engine number prefix identifies the unit. You will find it stamped on the engine block below the intake manifold. Each 16v variant has its own code — if the prefix doesn't match the chassis number, investigate before buying.

102983

190E 2.3-16

102990

190E 2.5-16

102991

Evolution I

102992

Evolution II

Gearbox suffix

102990 10 xxxxxxxManual gearbox (MG — Manuel Getriebe)

102990 12 xxxxxxxAutomatic gearbox (AG — Auto Getriebe)

Specifications

Full specifications by variant.

ECE = unleaded without cat, 09/1984–06/1988. RÜF = unleaded with cat preparation. KAT = catalytic converter equipped.

Production

	2.3-16	2.5-16	Evo I	Evo II
Production start	09/1984	07/1988	03/1989	05/1990
Production end	06/1988	06/1993	05/1989	07/1990
Total built	19,487	5,743	502	502

Engine

	2.3-16 ECE	2.3-16 KAT	2.5-16 RÜF	2.5-16 KAT	Evo I KAT	Evo II
Type	M102 E23/2		M102 E25/2		M102 E25/2	M102 E25/2
Capacity	2,299 cc		2,498 cc		2,463 cc	2,463 cc
Bore × stroke	95.5 × 80.25 mm		95.5 × 87.20 mm		97.3 × 82.80 mm	97.3 × 82.80 mm
Compression	10.5:1	9.7:1	9.7:1		9.7:1	10.5:1
Max power	185 bhp / 6,200 rpm	170 bhp / 5,800 rpm	204 bhp / 6,750 rpm	194 bhp / 6,750 rpm	194 bhp / 6,750 rpm	235 bhp / 7,200 rpm
Max torque	235 Nm / 4,500 rpm	220 Nm / 4,750 rpm	240 Nm / 5,000 rpm	235 Nm / 5,000 rpm	235 Nm / 5,000 rpm	245 Nm / 5,000 rpm
Max revs	7,000 rpm	6,800 rpm	7,000 rpm		7,250 rpm	7,700 rpm

Performance

	2.3-16 ECE	2.3-16 KAT	2.5-16 RÜF	2.5-16 KAT	Evo I KAT	Evo II
0–100 km/h	7.5 sec	8.3 sec	7.5 sec	7.7 sec	7.7 sec	7.1 sec
Top speed	230 km/h	222 km/h	235 km/h	230 km/h	230 km/h	250 km/h

Brakes & suspension

	2.3-16	Evo I
Brakes front	284 mm vented disc	300 mm vented disc
Brakes rear	258 mm solid disc	278 mm solid disc
Front track	1,432 mm	1,470 mm
Rear track	1,433 mm	1,455 mm

Dimensions

	2.3-16	2.5-16	Evo I	Evo II
Length	4,430 mm
Width	1,706 mm		1,720 mm
Height	1,361 mm		1,343 mm	1,342 mm
Wheelbase	2,665 mm
Kerb weight	1,350 kg	1,400 kg	1,320 kg	1,340 kg
Boot volume	385 litres
Fuel tank	70 litres

Wheels & Tyres

Original wheel fitment.

7J × 15

2.3-16 & 2.5-16

Fuchs "Gullideckel" — fully forged. ET44. 205/55/15 tyres. Part No. A2014001302.

8J × 16

Evolution I

15-spoke alloy shared with Mercedes SL R129 and E500 W124. ET34. 225/50/16 tyres. Part No. A1294000102.

8.25J × 17

Evolution II

Six-spoke Evo II exclusive. ET34. 245/40/17 tyres.

Drivetrain

Differential ratios.

All variants share the same five-speed Getrag manual gearbox (ratios: 4.08 / 2.52 / 1.77 / 1.26 / 1.00 : 1, reverse 4.40). The differential ratio varies. The Evolution II's shorter 3.46:1 ratio would reduce top speed — compensated by the higher engine rev ceiling.

Variant	Differential ratio
190E 2.3-16	3.07 : 1
190E 2.5-16	3.27 : 1
Evolution I	3.27 : 1
Evolution II	3.46 : 1

Paint

Factory colour codes.

The colour code is shown on the identification plate inside the engine bay. The letter G or H alongside the code indicates the paint manufacturer — Glasurit (G) or Herberts (H).

DB 199 Blue-black (Blauschwarz) All 16v variants

DB 702 Smoke silver 2.3-16 & 2.5-16

DB 512 Almadin red 2.5-16 only

DB 735 Astral silver 2.5-16, 1988–1990

DB 744 Brilliant silver 2.5-16, 1991–1993

Evolution I and Evolution II were only available in Blue-black DB 199.

Factory options

Identification plate option codes.

The three-digit codes on the right of the identification plate list factory options fitted to the specific car. Cross-reference these when buying to verify spec.

Code	Option
221 / 222	Electric front seat adjustment (L / R)
240	Outside temperature gauge
241 / 242	Electric front seat adjustment with memory (L / R)
251	Full leather seats
410 / 412	Electric sunroof
420	Automatic transmission
430	Rear headrests
440	Cruise control (Tempomat)
442	Driver airbag
466	Central door locking
470	ABS
489	Automatic rear self-levelling suspension (standard on Evo models)
504	Electric adjustable passenger mirror
506	Electric adjustable and heated passenger mirror
531 / 532	Electric aerial
580	Air conditioning
583	Electric front windows
584	Electric front and rear windows
591	Tinted glass
600	Headlight washers / wipers
673	Higher capacity battery
812	Rear speakers
870 / 871	Heated front seats (L / R)
876	Rear interior lighting

W201 technical reference.