Previously owned 2002 C32 AMG and enjoyed doing MBCA track events. Went to the V8 side with C5 Corvette,05 GTO, and CTS-V and wanted to pick a competitive car for MBCA club events.

Auto crossing and road course show the heavy MB products achilles heel is weight and I like the manual transmission for mostly track duty car. The lightest late model is the C230 Coupe and has manual as an option with around 3300 lbs with no options. Priced right for a car to be driven half dozen times annually well under $7-8K. This would be unmodified stock class.

The second option would to go MBCA modified class. The C32 is heavy at around 3600 lbs for US optioned compared to the Coupe with room to modified for power and handling for just over $10K. Or modify a C230 Coupe as it's under powered and keep the manual trans or just add a C32 motor to it for a C32 Coupe, C32 engine can be had for under $3500. Or buy a C320 Coupe and add power adder but would have automatic trans but would be lighter than the C32 with less weight.

Mid-Ohio MBCA is in May 2011.

Why does it have to be a late model?

IMO, you could get a 190 8v, put the 16v engine/tranny or the C230Kompressor engine/6sp in it and it would most likely embarass most machinery 2-3x its cost.

And you'd have monies left over...

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1993 190E 2.6 Sportline

I didn't think the 190 as that much lighter than the C- coupe?

Curb weight on the 16v is right at 3klbs and it's the heaviest.
The 2.6 is right at 2900lbs.
The 1984 US Spec, no options 2.3 IIRC is listed in the manual as 2395lbs.

300-900lbs isn't that much, right?
FWIW the 190E Chassis is just as competant as the sport coupe chassis.

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1993 190E 2.6 Sportline

I have yet to see an actual scaled weight of either 190 or C-coupe here is the states. Because of the options for each country differs so do the weights.

I've seen 3280 lbs for the US C-coupe which might include the Panoramic glass roof. The roof is rumored to weigh 40-150 extra lbs. which would put in the low 3100's. Some say late model MB were quoted with full tank of gasoline and maximum luggage.

The US 190 weighs in the mid 3000's. Not sure how they are contented.

How do you get the US 190 weighing in in the mid 3,000's?

The 16v might, and a fully loaded 2.6 might, but the 2.3 wont crack 3k.

You also forget that in the first two years of production, you could get a stripped down 2.3.

(Source 190 REV: ) US Versions of the 190 16v are the heaviest with 3030lbs in 1986 and 3010 in 1987. Stripped 16v's (manual seats/windows, with SLS), weigh in about 2700lbs.

Not to sound condesending, but you seem to be telling me that the c coupe and the 190 weigh the same by saying the heaviest 190 and the lightest c coupe are in the same ball park.

Edit part 2: Some more research on the topic showed that the UK spec 16v and the US spec 16v showed a 76lb difference as a result of the added weight from door bars and airbags.

I think your mind is made up on which car you want, this thread seems pointless.

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1993 190E 2.6 Sportline

Looks like the weights were all over back then with no standard to weigh them.

http://www.mbca.org/forum/u-s-spec-190e-23-16-sales

I did a quick search on 16v on ebay and autotrader but on find a few manual transmissioandrom various years. One nice one listed for $13K but would consider a C32 for that price when looking for a Coupe. $5500 for one with 200K miles. That one would require over haul of the complete suspension at who knows what costs.

You definitely sparked my interest but with availability while searching is very slim compared to the Ccoupe. Along with the fact that the 2.3 Kompressor was also used in the non-AMG C-class makes the likely good of a C32 engine to go into the Coupe.

I have until May and will keep looking.

Based on a quick research on EU 92/21 weight standards has been in effect since 1992. So I might question the actual weight of the 190 back in 1986 or just reduced the weight added for post EU 92/21 cars. Which is 68g driver, 90% fuel, and 7kg luggage.

The biggest drawback for the C-AMG with any motor is weight. The 3280 lbs of the coupe minus EU 92/21 is right at 3020+ lbs without fuel, person or luggage. And you know what weight does to a car on the road course or auto cross. It can be less costly to add power than it is to reduce weight.