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?!?

__________________
Matthew McIvor

2016 E350 4Matic Black/Black
2007 GL450 4Matic with Off-Road Pkg Silver/Black
1995 E300 Diesel White/Gray
1994 S600 Euro Black/ Black Velour
1986 560SL Blue/Blue/Gray
1986 190E Blue/Blue 93k

WDB added to the front should do it.

Tom W

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

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

__________________
Matthew McIvor

2016 E350 4Matic Black/Black
2007 GL450 4Matic with Off-Road Pkg Silver/Black
1995 E300 Diesel White/Gray
1994 S600 Euro Black/ Black Velour
1986 560SL Blue/Blue/Gray
1986 190E Blue/Blue 93k

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

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh thankyou.
haha.
<< 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?

__________________
Matthew McIvor

2016 E350 4Matic Black/Black
2007 GL450 4Matic with Off-Road Pkg Silver/Black
1995 E300 Diesel White/Gray
1994 S600 Euro Black/ Black Velour
1986 560SL Blue/Blue/Gray
1986 190E Blue/Blue 93k

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!

__________________
-Josh
Testing the cheap Mercedes axiom, one bolt at a time...

You have a European 240D Alan

__________________
DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME, DON'T BE A HACK
Political Correctness is NOT part of my vocabulary
and finally FIGHT CRIME...SHOOT BACK

'82 240D Stick
'85 300D Auto
Drove my first MB at age 16 1960 300SL W190

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.

__________________
Matthew McIvor

2016 E350 4Matic Black/Black
2007 GL450 4Matic with Off-Road Pkg Silver/Black
1995 E300 Diesel White/Gray
1994 S600 Euro Black/ Black Velour
1986 560SL Blue/Blue/Gray
1986 190E Blue/Blue 93k

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?

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Chris
64 190D R.I.P.
80 240D W/617 engine -for sale
82 240D -for sale

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!

__________________
Chris
64 190D R.I.P.
80 240D W/617 engine -for sale
82 240D -for sale

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

__________________
Matthew McIvor

2016 E350 4Matic Black/Black
2007 GL450 4Matic with Off-Road Pkg Silver/Black
1995 E300 Diesel White/Gray
1994 S600 Euro Black/ Black Velour
1986 560SL Blue/Blue/Gray
1986 190E Blue/Blue 93k

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.