Need chassis and engine numbers explained...
 

Hello -

I'm not an MB owner yet, but hoping to be soon - as a newbie to the MB world trying to find a good wagon I have been confused by the way the forum users refer to these cars: using either an engine number or a chassis number (i.e. a 602 engine or W123 chassis) -

Is there a listing showing the different combinations available especially on the early 1980s models (300D, 300TD, etc.)

Also, I've seen references to MB 300D, 300DT and 300TD - are they all the same model or are they all different?!

Thanks,
James

These are not 'chassis ' numbers, they are body and engine model designations, like Chevy Caprice was a WB (or whatever) body, and had a 327 engine. A chassis number is the VIN number wich identifies both model type and a particular car. Check the FAQ for data on what a W123 is eg.
jp

http://static.zoovy.com/merchant/epsparts/Mercedes_Chassis.htm#B1980

http://home.hiwaay.net/~gbf/mbmodels.html

Dave

This might help - http://home.hiwaay.net/~gbf/mbmodels.html

You can also click on the FastLane link at the top of the page and it'll provide a list of what was available in the US for the year you select.

The first 3 digits of the engine designation are also stated as M1xx for gassers and OM6xx for Diesels. The first 3 digits of the body designation are also stated as Rxxx for roadsters, Txxx for wagons in the US vernacular, Cxxx for coupes and Wxxx in general.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Good stuff...
 

Thanks everybody - that's exactly what I was looking for... I know it was out there somewhere... :o

Mercfan. If it is turbo diesel wagons of the 80's your are looking at, then the numbers are simple. There were 2 wagon bodies for the 80's 123.193 (1981-1985) and 124.193 (1987). Obviously the "193" denotes a wagon. The engines were the 5 cylinder 617 eng. for the 123 series and the 6 cyl. 603 engine for the 124 series. Good luck finding a '87 TD wagon, very rare. We were extremely lucky, hell we weren't even in the market for another TD, but couldn't pass up the chance. For the U.S. market, MB only put the 603 diesel engine in the 124 series wagon for 1 model year, 1987. I think something like 1200 were sent here. These cars haul A#*!! compared to the 123 series cars. Trust me, I own both an '83 (123 series) and as mentioned an '87(124 series) TDs.