why is my vin only 14 characters long
 

am i a complete idiot.
its in my car everywhere. 12312310108299 thats it. i cant run my vin in any of the decoders b/c its not 17 numbers...
are there letters im supposed to throw in as i damn well please?!?

WDB added to the front should do it.

Tom W

well... that did it...
too bad the benzworld decoder told me i drive a gasser :(

Is this what you wanted?


VIN WDB12312310108299
Model 240 D
Chassis 12312310108299
Engine 616912 10 084737
Transmission 00 528460
Order 0 8 705 06933
Approx. year 1978
Lights BOSCH
Cab 03296
Dealer United States (USA) (705)
Interior mb-tex saffron (104)
Paint
516 medium red (с 01.01.1963 по 31.12.1979)
04 Unknown code
Options
422 mercedes-benz power steering (с 01.01.1963 по 29.02.1986)

467 central locking system and instruments with english lettering (с 01.04.1970 по 31.10.1993)

491 USA version (с 01.01.1963)

515 Becker radio (AM/FM - USA)
Becker radio Europa MW/USW - USA (с 01.01.1963 по 31.10.1980)

524 paintcoat preservation (с 01.01.1964)

542 lockable glove compartment (с 01.02.1963 по 29.02.1986)

575 front folding armrest and right front seat with seat height adjustment
front folding armrest and headrest, left (с 01.04.1970)

580 Behr air conditioner (с 01.04.1970 по 31.10.1982)

593 heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (single-sheet safety glass), band filter
green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, single pane safety glass - tinted strip (с 01.01.1972)

639 elimination of first-aid box and warning triangle (с 01.08.1977)

668

ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh thankyou.
haha.
<<<noob<<<
can ya tell this is my first benz?
in all honesty driving a pontiac was a lot more simple, but less enjoyable even tho my sunfire was a conv, power windows locks, cd player and could do 110 all day...
i enjoy trying to hit 85 in the 240...

where do you find that kind of info?

The vin?
From your vin leading off with the model number instead of more letters after the WDB, it would seem to be a european car, requiring use of a euro vin decoder, such as http://www.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/index.html?lng=eng

Welcome to MB diesel ownership, time to slow down a little and enjoy the ride!


edit: I take that back. I finally looked at the decoded version, and it says right there that it was USA delivered.. Running the VIN myself, it came up with the same info, but the .ru site happily decoded it, so who knows.
Eh, welcome to the fun world of MB quirks, too!

You have a European 240D Alan

Incorrect. Read post #4.
491 USA version (с 01.01.1963)

so i have a what?
on some days i call it a POS
on others its my baby. today its somewhere inbetween.

You have a red 1978 240D with an automatic tranny, MB-Tex seats and A/C. Kind of a run-of-the-mill 240D but still somewhat rare because of the red paint.

I too had that occurrence with mine as well, seems the start of the vin isn't as accurate as some think, or the decoder has some isues yet,lol. Both of mine are usa cars according to the site, yet the 82 begins with WDB AB2 3A3, and the 80 with WDB 123 123. The only difference between them I know of, was that the 82 was part of the euro delivery program, perhaps this makes a difference?

In 80 or 81 MB changed the VIN structure to comply with some DOT rule. What used to be a 123.123 became a WDB AB23. In general the first 3 positions describe the manufacturer, the next 4 positions describe the chassis/body/series. Other positions describe year model, safety equipment, etc., then a 6 digit serial number.

Specific to MBs though the mid 90s, A in the fifth position is gasser, B is Diesel, D is gasser 4Matic. A in the fourth position in W123, C is W126, E is W124, etc. None of this is gospel, just my observation.

It's not difficult to get used to. When I scan eBay for an S320 LWB, I look for GA33 in the VIN rather than GA32 for SWB.

Sixto
87 300D

Interesting, that does indeed explain it and is handy to know, thanks!:cool:

im learning more and more...
"You have a red 1978 240D with an automatic tranny, MB-Tex seats and A/C. Kind of a run-of-the-mill 240D but still somewhat rare because of the red paint."
the 1978was a type-o correct? pretty sure i've got a 79. && i have the 4 speed stick.
but i had that happen on a VW... the vin plate was changed... ugh. i thought i had a 71. most def. a 72 :(

Probably made in 78 but sold as a 79 model year.

My 240D is the same way, it's an 80 but it was made (and marked in the VIN as) a 79.