Top Gear Car
This page is to remember the day we sold a car to Top Gear, we put the car for sale on Pistonheads the advert had just finished & I was just going to keep the car as I liked it but I was also happy to sell it as I had another 190e that I still have now.
I then got a call from a person at BBC
called Greg saying James May had seen the advert & asked Greg to call about it, as first I didn’t belive him but he explained they where shooting a episode where each presenter have to buy a £5000 4-door saloon thet they would be taking to Germany which could be used everyday but would also be good on a track, I dont have to explain further about the episode as I guess you have seen it!
So I went along with it
then they sent a vehicle inspector to me & he liked it & agreed with my description so they gave me the full asking price for the car that was nice! then inturn a transport company to collect the car.
Sadly I didn't speak or meet any of the presenters but I did get four passes to the show & signed T shirts & books, we where going to go attend the show but they got the wrong week when my car was on so we never bothered.
I wanted to go on the track to set a time in the reasonably priced car obviously when the cameras where off but they said no!
I did try my best to buy the car back after the show but I just couldn't get anywhere with Greg & he said it was in case of health & safety and other reasons that sounded like excuses really, The car has been spotted since on ebay but had been painted in Black that isn't a 2.3 16v colour thats a shame really as it was a genuine old car that had lived locally since new!
The Advert From PistonHeads
Mercedes 190e 2.3 16v Cosworth
Firstly I purchased this 190e locally by word of mouth and the registration no number is a local one too and the history starts in 1992 and it has lived locally since then so maybe all its life.
It is a really honest car and when I got it had some faults nothing major but they where spoiling the driving experience so I changed the parts listed below so I could enjoy driving it, even though its just had its 24th birthday its still a car you can travel in for long distances or take for a blast for some fun, I am selling it because I have a 2.6 190e too and I have had it for six years this Feb plus I have a Mr2 mk1 that I am meant to be restoring this year!
The car has done 132k and has a A4 file full of receipts and previous mot’s from 1992, couple of things worth mentioning is full clutch kit at 86,121 miles and a timing chain at 101,422 miles. The car also has its user manual, two keys, complete log book, Mot till 28/09/10, tax till 31/03/10 and Hpi report showing no problems.
The cars condition is really good but not totally mint but is good and solid, If you call I will explain further and I don’t mind if you jack the car up or take the rear plastic interior panels out to inspect the quarters or boot floor as they are solid. The interior is in very good condition with the seats and carpets being spot on except for some wear to the drives seat base.
The mechanical condition is really good and it starts with a strong engine that uses no water or oil and does not smoke, knock or mess about, the gearbox and drive train are without wines, crunches or feel of weakness, the suspension rides really well and is a nice mix of sporty and smooth, especially since I replaced the rear spheres! The brakes pull really well and are without fault, I could go further on but you get the picture.
Parts replaced recently:
- Front brake discs and pads
- Brake fluid change
- Clutch fluid change
- Steering tie arms x2, centre drag link and steering damper
- Tracking set
- Valve shims checked and 8 where adjusted to right gap.
- Engine co was re set after shims were done
- Rocker cover gasket
- Spark plugs
- Bosch injectors and fuel pump(only replaced because they where on offer at a good price)
- fuel filter
- Bilstein rear spheres
- Electric aerial
- Boot lock seal
- Flat wiper blade
- Second hand rear height corrector
- Second hand Abs ecu
- Second hand n/s rear electric window motor
Features:
- Air con that works well
- E/Sunroof cable broken
- Four e/windows
- Pas & Abs
- 16” Mercedes alloy wheels with good tyres
- Half leather seats
- Outside temp gauge
- Lap timer, screen gone as per normal
- Cd player
- E/mirror
- Central locking
- First aid kit and warning triangle
Part exchanges a possibility but I would rather sell it without one as I don’t need another car but maybe a Fiat coupe turbo, Merc, Bmw, E39 Bmw 540i, 205 mi16, big engine Lpg car but no 4×4’s.
Call for more details, Cheers Charles
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