There are a lot of semi-undocumented changes in the first year or two of the W210. For example, the earliest ones didn't get DAS—you could still start the engine with the alarm activated (then the alarm would sound). Later on, 210s got DAS and it deactivated the IP until the alarm was disabled. Even later, a sensor ring was installed around the ignition lock and a transponder chip put in the key.

My '96 E300, a very early one (s/n ~5000, built 10/95) has none of those gadgets. Makes parts-shopping a challenge as the parts-people try to sell you something your car doesn't use. (Yes, it's supposed to be tied to the VIN but it doesn't always work.)

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970