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The Fox – Modified Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5 16v

1989 · West Sussex, United Kingdom

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This 1989 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5 16v, known informally as “The Fox,” has been in the hands of its West Sussex-based owner for well over a decade. The build centres on a heavily developed M102 engine bored to 2.6 litres and fitted with forged connecting rods, forged high-compression pistons, reworked cylinder head, AT Power individual throttle bodies, and a Motorsport Electronics ME221 standalone ECU tuned on a rolling road with assistance from Area Six Developments.

Stopping power comes from Wilwood six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston units at the rear, mounted on fabricated brackets, while a Wavetrac limited-slip differential handles power delivery at the rear axle. Suspension is managed via coilovers set up for alignment at Golden Barn Garage prior to long European road trips. Aero additions include a chassis-mounted carbon front splitter with integrated undertray and a custom rear diffuser.

The interior features Recaro C81 orthopedic seats retrimmed in matching leather, and the car runs BBS LM wheels converted to three-piece configuration by SRR Hardware. The car has appeared on the cover of Classic Cars magazine, won Car of the Show at Players Classic at Goodwood in 2024, and has been featured by Speedhunters. It has completed road trips to Worthersee, Umag, Munich, Paris, Wroclaw, and across the Alps.

A full repaint and engine refresh were completed over the 2025 to 2026 winter, with a new MLS head gasket, further headwork, and refurbished BBS LMs before the car returned to events including XS Car Night and Westside Show, where it placed in the top twenty in September 2026.

FILE / INTAKE.2026

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FILE / BUILD.LOG, CHRONOLOGICAL

Build log98 entries

2026
Sep 16, 2026

peak craftsmanship @mercedesbenz #carsofinstagram #carphotography📷 #mercedes

Aug 18, 2026

@ukmercman’s Mercedes-Benz 190e on BBS LM 🩶⁠ ⁠ 📍 @players_shows⁠ ⁠ Shop 2/3pc wheel parts on srrhardware.com⁠ - link in bio!⁠ Global shipping available 🌎️⁠ ⁠ 📧 Enquiries? Contact us via the form on our website - link in bio 📲⁠ ⁠ —⁠ #mercedesbenz #190e #bbslm #playersclassic #srrhardware⁠

Jun 14, 2026

New project unlocked: BMW E28 518. 🛠️ Dad (@ukmercman) and I (@cameron.plain) have picked this up as a joint project. It’s a solid car overall, just a few areas that need some TLC before we can move on to the fun stuff. What comes next? You’ll have to wait and see. 👀 #BMWE28 #ProjectCar #ClassicBMW #GarageLife #e28

May 21, 2026

The GrossGlockner Alpine Pass on the way back from @xs_carnight @xs_mag @woerthersee2k27 #carsofinstagram #wörthersee #alps

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