I came across a potential candidate to purchase, (an 87 300TD) but there is no history listed for it prior to the early 90’s.

Does anyone know of how I could ID a particular car via it’s VIN number? The car doesn’t have any additional stickers on the doorpost such as a DOT, EPA, or CARB (California Air Resources Board) certification, but then again, it’s not clear where the car was originally sold – U.S.? Canada? Europe? Or ???

The current owner is not sure of it’s history, although there are service records since the early 90’s. He said that some other people looked at it and told him that it had some unusual features on it. He also said that some of the parts were different than for the standard cars, such as the suspension, and the rear wheel bearings were different (?) It seems odd that they needed replacement – rear bearings seem to last forever, at least in earlier MBZ models)

Any help would be Greatly appreciated!

Glenn

What chassis number is it? In other words it's a 124.XXX??
This would be either part of the VIN number or on the stamped palte on the radiator support.

Gilly

It’s a 124-193

The entire data plate reads as follows, including spaces as the owner read them off:

2608903 0
124193 12
21 1
271 412 551 241
110712 446588722
491 600
8 040 519 611
531 222 807

I’d love to know what those option codes mean as well – I’ll use the search function to find the thread that lists any website resources for deciphering the option codes…

Thanks Again!

Glenn

I have heard that all Gray Market cars have a metal importation plate affixed to one of the doorjambs, maybe the drivers rear...look there...then another telltale sign of a Euro car is the bumper size. Compare it to another 124

__________________
Nick
*****
2002 Sprinter 2500 140" High Roof :

I haven’t gone to see the car yet (it’s far away) but it sounds Really Nice, and the owner seems very candid & sincere. Therefore, I haven’t seen the bumpers - so I don’t know.

I asked about any stickers on the door jam other than the factory ones, and there aren’t any, but then again, I’m still not sure if it actually IS a gray market or not.

I’m not sure if a “124-193” is a U.S. car, or not. Hopefully, that or the option codes will help determine what she is…

Thanks!

It "could" be a US spec car. It's a 124, not a 123, I think the bumpers were the same, but on an older one, an 87, the headlights may be different and may also have the range adjustment knob (dial) on the dash, it may also have manual AC/Heat if it's grey, not auto heat like a US.
I think one of them option numbers would also indicate what country it was intended for, in other words one may be for the US.
I think I have a little book that lists what all those codes are, won't be able to look for it though for awhile.

Gilly

O.K…..

I just found the website listing all the U.S. models (http://home.hiwaay.net/~gbf/mbmodels.html ), and a 124-193 is listed. However, I don’t know if 124-193 is an EXCLUSIVE designation for U.S. models only, or if it was used for cars delivered to other parts of the world as well….

Just saw your post, yes a 124.193 was a chassis brought into the US, just not sure if a 124.193 could also be for another market as well, so "so far so good" as far as that chassis number, just not 100% certain.

Gilly

Thanks Gilly! I just posted the above reply while you were posting yours!

I’d sure appreciate it if you could take a peak at your “little black book” J. I found the site with data codes (http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/5350/mbcodes.htm), and I was able to find a few of them, but not all.

Or if anyone else can come up with a country code from that data plate, please let me know!

Thanks Again!!

I tihnk only US and Canadian cars came with a VIN tag on the driver side windshield pillar. If there's a VIN tag with a VIN of the form WDBEB93xxx... then it's likely a US or Canadian car.

If it doesn't have a turbo then it's definitely not a US car.

Deciphering the codes you provided:

271 - black leather
412 - electric steel sunroof
551 - anti-theft system
241 - left front seat electrically adjustable with memory
491 - US version (this says it all)
600 - headlamp wiper
040 - black paint
519 - Becker Mexico Gran Prix US version
611 - door courtesy lamps
531 - automatic antenna
222 - right fron seat electrically adjustable
807 - change of model year
110 - 110712 is probably the serial number
712 - 110712 is probably the serial number
446 - probably combination of airbag and ETR belts
588 - ACC and electric windows
722 - baggage rack

There is a more compehensive options list that comes with the owner's manual and a sheet tucked in the trunk or back seat of sedans. I don't know where it would be in a wagon.

Sure looks to be a US spec car.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

BTW, I've driven a non-US spec 124 300TD turbo outside the US so they exist. Had all the typical US bells and whistles. I think it had the gills of a 300D 2.5 which the US cars didn't have. Same folks also had a 124 250D non-turbo.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

Sixto: Thank You!!!

So, 491 says it all. Good news. It wasn’t listed in the website that I posted above; I’m curious as to where you are able to get this information??? Website? Book? It sure is handy to have that info available!

Thanks Again!

Glenn

Gottlieb Daimler translated the codes for me in a dream. Also told me to stay away from any MB made since Jurgen Schrempf took the helm

I use http://www.amcon-luxled.com/mbcar/index.html and similar websites.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

That's a great resource - Thanks for sharing!

Now on to the cylinder head question...

I just realized that it’s a U.S. version, but not a California version. That’s IF there was a California specific version, or were the diesels all “50 State” cars??