W201 Body
In this section I will try to gather interesting information regarding the body of the W201 model. There is not that much information here right now, but hopefully it will grow fast. If you have anything that you think might be useful, please let me know.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Before 1988
Look before 1988.
After 1988
Look after 1988.
16-valved model
16-valved model.
Evolution I
190E 2.5-16 Evolution
Evolution II
190E 2.5-16 Evolution II
The W201 was launched in November 1982, and was produced until May 1993. It was only offered as a sedan, and during its production time it experienced some face-lifts and upgrades, I will try to list them all on this page. Some changes were more significant than others, for example the protection shields that were added in 1988.
16-valved models
The 2.3-16 model was mainly developed for competition use, but this of course meant that something had to be done with the aerodynamics. Cars that were meant for the racing court were therefor completely different from the production cars. The racing cars had extreme body kits (Evo I?) that lowered the wind resistance hugely, while the production cars were equipped with a more modest body kit, more suitable for daily driving. Production cars were lowered, had lower skirts all over, and were also equipped with protection-shields on the sides.
Evolution models
In 1989 the Mercedes Benz W201 Evolution came. It had a sporty bodykit and large wheels, but weren't much different from the stock 2.5-16 when it came to power. One year late the Evolution II came. This model was Mercedes Benz's pure bred car for competition in Group B racing. Compared to the Evolution I this car had an extreme body kit, and were also more powerful. The bodykit on the Evo IIs included huge fender-flares to house the 18" wheels, large frontal air-dam ducts for better brake-cooling and superb downforce, a large hood over the rear window to route air downwards (minimizing the suction effect found on the decks of all sedans), and an F40-style wing on the deck. There were only made 502 of each of the Evolution models. However, there are now several styling companies that make Evolution bodykits.
TURBODIESEL:
Turbo Diesel
Are you suspecting that your neighbour has a 190D 2.5 Turbo? Just interested, or perhaps you'd like one yourself? Here's something to recognize them by, the turbo rills. Another feature to recognize them by are the exhaust, which has two pipes.
LIST OF CHANGES ON THE W201 BODY:
September 1984:
All models go from 14 to 15 inch wheels
New windshield wiper that sweeps the corners (From the W124-model) replaces the two part single windshield wiper with the small blade on the bottom
September 1988:
Plastic protection-shields on doors and plastic sills below doors on both sides.
Painted bumpers and protection-shields
