Just my luck :( - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JEREMYC · #1 12-08-2006, 09:06 AM

This is the response I received from the EPC Online team at MBUSA. I did a one month subscription and my VIN would not come up in the system.

> Dear Mr. Cragg,
>
> I checked and agree, your vehicle's VIN is not registered in the EPC, but
> should be. I have requested it to be added, but do not expect that to
> become visible until the February 2007 data at the earliest.
>
> To look up parts for your car, please use the internal VIN, which is
> WDB12315312003890. Although the data card is not available, all
applicable
> parts will be visible.
>
> In our master data card system, it indicates that although the VIN is
> valid, no actual data is on file. That means, we simply don't have a
> record of your car's as-built condition. All I can see is the following:
>
> Engine No: 617952 12 056759
> Production date: 30 June 1983 (Model Year 1983)
>
> We don't even have a record of the color or interior, a situation I have
> never seen before in 20 years with MB.
> If you have a copy of the paper data card, I'd be interested in getting a
> copy so the correct data can be added to the system,
>
> Thank you for the kind words about our service. I might also suggest you
> visit the Mercedes-Benz Club forum, which also has
> a wealth of useful technical info & knowledgeable users.
> http://mbca.cartama.net/
>
> Kind Regards,
>
> Don Rotolo
> EPCnet Online Team

Then, I got another response from them this morning. This is what it said:

Dear Mr. Cragg,

The response from our support team was that this vehicle was assembled in
South Africa as a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) vehicle, and as such no
records were kept of the vehicle's optional equipment. There are hundreds
of similarly empty records in our system, as it turns out. Regretfully, no
records of your vehicle's as-built condition exist.

Kind Regards,

Don Rotolo
EPCnet Online Team

WHAT UP WITH THIS?

pwogaman · #2 12-08-2006, 09:53 AM

Very interesting! Do you have right hand drive?

Take a look at this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CKD

and this:

http://www.daimlerchrysler.co.za/portal/portalsintegra/modules_fe/layout1/longC.asp?newsID=353

pj67coll · #3 12-08-2006, 10:12 AM

Interesting. There were no turbo diesels made in South Africa and very few 123 coupes. That seems a remarkable situation you have there because you car is LHD and I assume has a turbo? So that just doesn't seem very likely that someone would ship a car from SA to the USA and convert it to Turbo and LHD and other US spec stuff. But I suppose it could have happend.

- Peter.

pwogaman · #4 12-08-2006, 10:22 AM

There must be an interesting history to the car post production. Maybe smugglers used it!

JEREMYC · #5 12-08-2006, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwogaman

There must be an interesting history to the car post production. Maybe smugglers used it!

So that would explain why I found all that.................Ummm never mind.........What was a I just saying???? I forgot..........

It is a turbo BTW....

retx · #6 12-08-2006, 11:26 AM

dude!!! cut the tires open NOW. trust me.

Rob124 · #7 12-08-2006, 11:41 AM

It appears that the response you received was at least a little more helpful than the one I got:

Although this is absolutely a US-specification vehicle,
the so-called "US VIN" is not on file in our master system.

I apologize for this difficulty you have encountered.

Kind Regards,

Don Rotolo
EPCnet Online Team

He suggested I use the "FIN", which tries to get me to use a Euro-spec vehicle. The car was picked up new in Stuttgart as a US-spec car.

JEREMYC · #8 12-08-2006, 11:41 AM

I did find something interesting out about the car when I did a CARFAX. The first history they had of the car was 11-1-1985 at 12,500 miles. It was registered in Plano TX. Nothing prior to that though. This is my 3rd diesel Benz. I seriously doubt the car has been converted to LH drive and a turbo. It all appears to be built that way. Everything works perfectly on the car as well. Who knows...

pwogaman · #9 12-08-2006, 11:56 AM

Have you tried running the VIN through the Russian VIN site?

JEREMYC · #10 12-08-2006, 12:28 PM

I am not familiar with a Russian VIN site. Have a link to it? I don't want to be poisoned though

stcbenz83 · #11 12-08-2006, 12:47 PM

this happend to my 240D. i was trying to join MBUSA.com and my vin wouldnt come up. i told them i had a grey market and they said they would add me. they never did. ohh well

pwogaman · #12 12-08-2006, 02:44 PM

Russian web site

JEREMYC · #13 12-08-2006, 03:33 PM

My VIN would not come up on the Russian VIN page. I do not know what is going on with it. Still luv my Benz tho'!

winmutt · #14 12-08-2006, 04:45 PM

Very interesting, Your 300CD is a turbo? 1980? It has to be converted. Where is the VIN number? I would inspect the VIN plates and bulkhead and make sure it all matches....... Also look to see if the VIN plates may have been "replaced"

[edit] oh 1983. oops. interesting none the less. Mine is grey market as well. I need to get both registered with MBUSA. I wonder if it was assembled in SA for a destination in Africa or elsewhere (maybe Indea or mid east?).