You weren't imagining anything. Those cars really ARE well built---- really really well. Mercedes Benz was at the top of its game as far as build quality across the board back in the mid 80's, without question.

While they are not as famed as the W124, W124 and W126, those little W201 cars are INDEED well built, to the highest standards of the time.

They are really good looking and shapely little sedans, but cramped as hell in the back seats, though.

I never saw one with the W126 bundt-cake wheels on it though. Looks astonishingly good to me.

Having the sheepskin covers on the front seats is a VERY good sign, indicates the owner cared about taking care of the car.

If I were to buy one of these, I would want to put Euro lights on it and a Euro trunk warning triangle on it right away.

They are really good cars; the base for the stickshift 190E 2.3 16v Cossie - those fantastic little street racers the public could buy here back in 1986 and 1987.

Try to get as much history on the car as you can - 4 ZUZxxx California plates aren't original California issue - they are about 2002 I would guess, so what is the story? Prior out of state; collision, personal plates, what?

they aren't immune to collision damage, rust, or worn bushings, or perished rubber- so check the condition.

If you can grind him on the price a bit, I would think $1,200 - $1,300 would be more than a good price for a Calif. 190 in good shape. It could be a good deal for that money - it's not much for a good condition old Mercedes IMO...

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)