107 Subframe Recall

[edboyles]

I have searched and read all of the posts regarding the subframe recall on 107's. I have tried giving my 14 digit VIN to both the closest dealer (2.5 hours away) and also the MBUSA customer service and since the computer does not take the 14 digit VIN they do not know how to move forward.
BTW, the vin is 10704412058330. I think this is a Euro model because of the headlights/bumpers, etc.

Any suggestions?
Thanks
Eric

[edboyles]

Using the guidance from some of the posts here on what to look for, I went and got my 107 on the rack for inspection. Sure enough the gussett plates had been welded in where I was told to lookand inspect. Poor MBUSA, they have already corrected it and don't even know it......I can move on to other concerns.

It would be nice to know why they can't use my 14 digit VIN in their 17 digit computer???

Thanks
Eric

Your anthracite grey metallic (172) leather black ((231) interior 107 had a dealer destination listed as "Dortmund branch (214) I haven't a clue where that is but MB knows for sure.

It also states that your car was destined "hydraulic piston pressure reservoir for countries with low temperatures (c01.09.1964 no 31.07.1965) elimination of model designation on rear lid (c 01.05.1968)

Hmmm tires with tubs, automatic antenna without radio set.

Sounds like your car went to the Kremlin!

This info comes from MB Germany, and don't ask how! Long story!

I should also have listed your engine and transmission numbers and they are: engine #117985 12 046828 trans # 02 058282

Odd is that the year of the car is listed as "not defined" It would be interesting to learn the history on this 107. Who did you buy it from? This car was shipped privately to the US! Are you in California?

[230/8]

Eric:

Your post made me curious so I tried to run my own SL through the Consumer Guide freebie VIN checker and got a similar message. I also got their explanation...in 1981 VINs were required to be 17 characters long. Mine is a 72 model with 14 characters so their system cannot provide any info. I suspect that yours is also a pre-1981 model, right? I would also guess that the dealers are using a proprietary system that is set-up to handle only the 17 characters for new cars, after all, who in their right mind would ever want a car that old??

Oh, right, nuts like us! That's who.

Cheers,

230/8

p.s. Now, would busybenz be willing to spill the beans on that VIN research system he has access to???

[edboyles]

Thanks BusyBenz for the info!!! You got my interest peaked and now I have uncovered secrets I prviously had not noticed. There still remains a few mystery'ss.......

According to the original MB maintenance booklet the car was sold to Mr G Simone, Suite 4 1st floor, CheckenColon ,Phone 805-3814 (??????????). I have no idea where this is. The Check...could be a little different as the handwriting is hard to distinguish. Where is the world is this????

The first service stamp is by House of Sports Cars(Pty)LTD, Aston Martin Lagonda Distributors Tel (011) 788-5218/9 through its 30KM service. Its 45KM service was by Cargo Motor Corp, LTD Rosebank. Again, no idea where this is....

Its 105km service is in the US with Martin Motors of Atlanta, 4975 Roswell Roao, Atlanta and is dated 7-28-87 with mileage of 65,436 miles. The cars lineage is easy to track from there.

It all makes sense now....I knew that I had european headlights but my bumber has more chrome than others I have seen. Also, the heat/air uses the slide control method and not the automatic version you typically see. The body is in remarkable condition with original paint. The body was undercoated and has protected it well. My mechanic indicated that he has never seen a 25 yr old MB body as nice as this one.

I bought the car several weeks a go from a family south of Nashville who was having family medical issues and simply needed to unload a luxury. I bought it assuming I had real engine problems only to find out that the left rear sparkplug was held in by two threads. Tightening the plug resolved the engine idle, noise, etc. Every day I feel more fortunate as I learn how peeps want the euro headlights. bumpers. etc. It was an Ebay special and I assumed the worst in my price expecting a hefty repair budget. The more I look the better it looks. I intend to have the chain/guides inspected as they have 60K since the last change. The car has 145K miles.

The seats are worn and I will take care of that. The car is going through the fluids change process this week just as normal maintenace.

Thanks again,
Eric

[edboyles]

Hello 230/8. You are right in that my car is pre-82. It is a 1980 450SL. Hope you find out your info......

Eric

[edboyles]

BusyBenz. Sorry after re-reading I did not answer your questions. The car is currently in Arkansas, from Nashville, TN, from Atlanta, Ga from ??(Europe??)

So far I'm glad you have stumbled onto an unusual 107. Still, your car holds more secrets. The info I got on your car is genuine and tells of where it was pointed to, but does not tell it's first human encounter!

A hydraulic unit installed for low temperature climate may be considered extrememly unusual, and rare for any automobile, especialy for a MB 107. Where was this car's first destination? North pole, south pole, Siberia, where????

It would be interesting to find out! BB

[edboyles]

BusyBenz
Where is this hydraulic unt located (engine internal)? Is this "option" listed or defined somewhere? How did it function? Any impact on living in a warm climate area now?
Thanks
Eric

Originally Posted by 230/8

Eric:

Your post made me curious so I tried to run my own SL through the Consumer Guide freebie VIN checker and got a similar message. I also got their explanation...in 1981 VINs were required to be 17 characters long. Mine is a 72 model with 14 characters so their system cannot provide any info. I suspect that yours is also a pre-1981 model, right? I would also guess that the dealers are using a proprietary system that is set-up to handle only the 17 characters for new cars, after all, who in their right mind would ever want a car that old??

Oh, right, nuts like us! That's who.

Cheers,

230/8


p.s. Now, would busybenz be willing to spill the beans on that VIN research system he has access to???

My info does not come from any consumer info people, but rather from my girlfriend for many many years, Utae, who works for Daimler-Benz, Stuttgart, Germany. I am also from Germany and have been in the US for more than 30 years. BB

Originally Posted by edboyles

BusyBenz
Where is this hydraulic unt located (engine internal)? Is this "option" listed or defined somewhere? How did it function? Any impact on living in a warm climate area now?
Thanks
Eric

I have no clue what a hydraulic piston pressure unit is, much less where it is located, or was located, in your car! But when it left Germany, it idid! According to record.

Go to any MB dealership, tell them what you have learned here, and ask them if they can run any history through there data bank. If you come to a dead end, I'll see what more I can learn from Germany!

BB

[dkveuro]

Originally Posted by edboyles

Thanks BusyBenz for the info!!! You got my interest peaked and now I have uncovered secrets I prviously had not noticed. There still remains a few mystery'ss.......

The first service stamp is by House of Sports Cars(Pty)LTD, Aston Martin Lagonda Distributors Tel (011) 788-5218/9 through its 30KM service. Its 45KM service was by Cargo Motor Corp, LTD Rosebank. Again, no idea where this is....
Eric

Rosebank, Johannesburg. ...South Africa....So this raises the question as to why it would need a cold weather starting aid .

[dkveuro]

And another thing...Cold starting aid might be : Block Heater? Special low pressure CPR or Dual Accumulators.

As far as the CPR is concerned, the cars VW used to sell in Canada had a lower cold pressure setting in the CPR.
Instead of the usual 26 psi at 40F....they where set at 21 psi.
Just FWIW u understand.

[edboyles]

The saga continues........I did a web search for the phone number listed and bingo! The address of House of Sports Cars(Pty)LTD, Aston Martin Lagonda Distributors Tel (011) 788-5218/9 is in South Africa and is still in business today. Not sure where the cold weather option comes in to play but interesting that the car spent its first 7 years in South Africa.