Hi Gang,

I have an 84? 280GE titled as a 72 model B for unknown reasons. The state Dept of Motor Vehicles needs supporting documentation to prove it's year. Any ideas how to document actual sale year and model? I am ready to see (my baby) and this titling issue is causing complications with California buyers.

VIN: 46023217034227

Photos here:https://plus.google.com/photos/111549715075494117754/albums/5974142341247320673

Do the VIN on the body and frame match the a pillar?

Rather than jump through DOT hoops, someone will use a VIN off a dead car and swap over the VIN plates. Very illegal, but very easy as long as you don't have to sell it.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Shouldn't it be up to the buyer to have to worry about registering it?


If you dig through the paper work you may be able to find some info on the importer. Otherwise give Europa a call/e-mail as they may have some old records laying around (Assuming that they were the importers) My 82 came with NO documents whatsoever but I gave Europa the VIN and they confirmed the year and that they did bring it over (Unfortunately they didn't have any other information.)

Also any Mercedes dealership or even Eurotruck can plug the VIN in for you and give you a print out of the factory spec sheet which will include the year.

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

The reason for it doesn't seem very difficult to understand. Someone claimed it was a 72 to get around the 25 yr importation rule.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

If it is titled as '72 that actually might work to your favor, as it would be smog exempt in CA.

Also, is the om617 original, or was it a swap? Assuming the 280GE badging is accurate, it would be a swap. All of this would be a non-issue if it is a '72; however, if it was a '84 then you'd need to get it re-titled as a diesel to make it exempt from CA smog laws.

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"Time's never wasted when you're wasted all the time"

Also, unless I am totally misinterpreting spark plug wires for injector lines, that's not a GE, it's a GD and not an original D either since MB never turbo'd the 617 in the G.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Find a non-California buyer.

I doubt California would accept it anyway since if it really was an E, they will expect it to pass emissions and it won't be able to as a D.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

California has an age cutoff for emissions inspection.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/smogfaq.htm#BM2536

As I read those regs, the vehicle won't work in CA. If it's an 84 gasoline it needs to be tested. If it's an 84 diesel, it doesn't have the right engine for the VIN if it was originally a GE.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Call the classic center and get the build sheet. Most states will accept evidence from "known/reputable automobile owners clubs" and the build sheet from mbusa will give you the exact build date. Its how I titled my 1990 190E euro since the vin would not decode.

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68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i

The engine sure looks like a five cylinder turbo diesel. The plastic tank on the radiator also dates it to somewhere in the 80's.

This appears to be the same car with a bit more info. The diesel is a transplant from......

Well, just read this.

1985 Mercedes SWB 300GD for sale [Archive] - Expedition Portal

I believe CA does allow people to convert a gasser over to a diesel; the caveat is that the diesel must be at least of the same generation, if not newer. The vehicle typically needs to be inspected by the state referee and pass the brake/headlight inspection after which the DMV will re-issue the title and register it as a diesel.

However, if it is already logged as a '72 then it is smog exempt; hence the above discussion is a moot point. If it were me, I'd leave it registered as a '72 and provide any prospective owner the correct build sheet verifying the true age of the vehicle.

__________________
"Time's never wasted when you're wasted all the time"