Trunk Lid Model identifiers

[DieselJim]

I have been looking at lots of pictures of Mercedes for sale. Specifically e 300 turbos. I have seen lots of different trunk lids. Is it common for part or all of the e 300 to come off. Some cars I have just seen 300, some 300 e, some e 300 and some e300. Is this something that should concern me or just brush it off.

Thanks

[MTI]

You're probably looking at different models or cars that have been "debadged."

[Gilly]

The 300E should be a gasser. The diesels were 300D when the gassers were 300E. Then when they switched it so the letter was first, the diesel was the E300 Diesel. There never was (in the US) a E300 (without the "Diesel"), it was an E320, nor was there ever a 320E (in the US). There were variation of the 300D, the ones I can think of are 300D 2.5 Turbo, 300D Turbo, 300TD Turbo, I think that's it in the US. For the 210 chassis it was only 2 in the US, the E300 Diesel and E300 Turbodiesel. What I have printed should be to the best of my recollection what it should say on the trunk. The earlier "300E/300D" cars I think have the bar connecting all the letters together, the later "E300 Diesel/E320" cars have seperate letters, no connecting bars. Any variation to this is someone replacing the trunk letters and having some fun, or letters are missing, etc. This is especially possible with the later style of letters without the bar under the letters.

Gilly

[DieselJim]

These are all w210 cars. they all say turbodiesel. And the engine pictures are the turbo 6 617 engine. I just found it odd that I could find variations of the e300 logo and wondered if it most likely meant shoddy body shop work. And if so Did the car get rear ended!

[Gilly]

I think 99 was the first of the 210 turbodogs in the US. 96-98 should only have the E300 Diesel lettering. To add the turbodiesel lettering I think is just an ego-booster. The general public is uneducated enough that you could get some honest lettering and put "natuallyaspirated" on the decklid and they'd be equally impressed.

Gilly

[Ferdman]

DieselJim, if the paint on the trunklid lacks an 'orange peel' finish you should suspect that it's been repainted. If you're familiar with MB paint you'll know immediately, especially with darker colors. Be sure to have a PPI done by a MB-trained tech before you agree to buy any car. Most knowledgeable techs can tell immediately if any paint work has been done on a car. The tech will also know if the engine is turbocharged or not.

[DieselJim]

I can tell by looking at the pictures under the hood what engine it is. The differences are striking. I believe the turbo diesel is accurate since I am looking at 98-99 models where it is turbo. I suspect that these cars have had paint jobs. I thought maybe these cars had logos that fell off accidently. I just found it odd that 3 different cars all by reputable, established ebay dealers would have different variations on e300 on the trunk like. The orange peel finish is a good tip. Thanks!

[Ferdman]

DieselJim, as you mention and AFAIK both the 1998 and 1999 E300 diesels were turbocharged. Diesels weren't available in the USA from 2000 through 2004. In 2005 the CDI engines were introduced.

[DieselJim]

I am looking at 98 and 99 Turbo Diesels. Mostly because I can't afford a CDI! I suspect they have been debadged or rebadged but I do not know if this is a common practice but I have found several on sale on ebay that have ben de or rebadged but look pretty good otherwise. If I get serious about buying I will pull the carfax on that car. I just didn't know if this was common in the mercedes community.