Kickin’ It Old School
Kofi’s 1989 Mercedes BEnz 190e.
Having been a car enthusiast for as long as I could remember, my taste in cars have continuously changed and evolved as I’ve gotten older. With a multitude of categories that exist in the car community, it seems that old school German cars have consistently stayed within my circle of interests — especially when done right. There hasn’t been a lot of old school builds I’ve found just yet, but I’m glad to be able to start off the new year with one.
The Mercedes W201 chassis remains to be one of the most iconic shapes in my eyes. The boxy shapes on the car is just right without the car looking like a literal shoe box on wheels. The wooden interior panels remind you that you’re sitting in a Mercedes, and that infamous two tone paint job adds the perfect contrast and look to the overall silhouette of the car.
This is Kofi’s 1989 Mercedes 190E. This particular one stood out to me when I first saw it on Instagram due to the simplicity and purity of the overall build. Even to the untrained eye, one can recognize that this particular Mercedes is a bit different from the rest we see. With a nod to the original Mercedes AMG ethos of the late 80’s to the early 90’s it’s hard not to look at this car without appreciating the brand and how well this particular model has aged.
Kofi’s 190E has seen days that seemed like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. With harsh Canadian winters and roads dressed in salt and snow, it’s incredibly hard to find cars of old age in a condition where it’s worth spending your money and time on. But when you build an intensive knowledge in that particular car, it might just work out in your favor.
Before taking this particular car apart, Kofi had actually purchased a parts car to salvage some parts in better condition to replace in his ‘89 190E. On one Sunday in an underground parking of a condominium building, boredom struck which led to the disassembly of the engine and transmission of his 1990 Mercedes 190E parts car. That in itself taught him a lot about this particular car and the components that make it up which gave him a better idea with what he wanted to do with his own car.
It started with a full body repaint with everything taken off — no tapes, bare metal and all. The level of attention to detail is obvious when you walk around the car; with no overspray or orange peel. It has gone through different sets of wheels and springs to play with the overall look and ride of the car, and it has gone through different motors as he gradually sought a bit more power just enough to keep up with the drivability of today’s standards. As his experience with the car evolved, the build evolved with it.
At first glance, it seems like the only mod is that it’s been lowered and has been replaced with better fitting wheels and tires— with a slight camber on the rear to allow for lower ride height. Once you take a closer look — particularly under the hood, you will find an M104 engine which he took from a C36 AMG paired with a 5 speed manual transmission that he had found from the junkyard. Considering that the car is now 33 years old, a newer motor that produces more power will make the car a lot more tolerable to drive everyday… let’s face it, there are plenty of older cars that have a certain aesthetic that will continue to stay desirable for many, but the engineering back then was rather limited. It wouldn’t be the most exciting experience when it takes you about 10 seconds to get to highway speed limits.
With a slightly more powerful motor, the brakes are also upgraded and was taken from a 1994 Mercedes 400E; with 4 pistons in the front, and 2 pistons in the back to improve stopping power. As per the goal of the build, you can call it an “update” or an “enhancement” of the existing car. The suspension is fully done; with rear sway bars taken from the Evo 2 version which is the track focused version of this car. All suspensions components are pretty much brand new, with an Airlift V2 management and Bilstein B8 shocks to top it all off.
What I love about it is the fact that there isn’t any elaborate mods that scream at your face, but rather little things that make up a huge difference when put together.
Don’t get me wrong though, I love elaborate mods especially on wild track cars. But I think some cars are better done when you embrace its original roots and make it even better… Just like this one.
With a father that was an engineer for GM, it’s almost impossible not to become an enthusiast. Kofi himself has dedicated himself with cars as an automotive trimmer. It was the first time I’ve ever heard of this term — and it’s a very niche market. It involves doing very meticulous work from glass, trims, vinyl roofs, convertible roof work, and many other details that involve a lot of patience and a high level of attention to detail.
They say your car is a reflection of who you are, and this case validates that point quite well. With a car this age, there are usually a lot of imperfections in the little things due to the old age and regular wear and tear. This car on the other hand is an exception to that. The seats, the panels, the dashboard, the carpets; it really feels like the car has barely seen the light of day. Everything is well integrated with the help of a standalone ECU with no malfunctions whatsoever despite all the engine and transmission work that has been done.
Seeing a car like this definitely catches my attention, and I’m sure it does the same for most of you out there. With new design iterations from manufacturers that are directed towards the future, I’m starting to appreciate more and more cars of the past as they get older. The retro vibe is irreplaceable, and bringing it back to life is quite priceless.
If this article has inspired you to go out there and build a car that aligns with the same theme as this like it did for me, you can find him on Instagram: @kofi.aduse.