Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-03-2001, 01:06 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Round Rock, TX
Posts: 11
Is there any way a novice can easily identify whether a 1993 300CE is truly a Sportline model?

I am considering the purchase of a lovely 300CE that is badged as a Sportline (badges behind the front wheels and a Sportline shifter knob). Late in the process, I am realizing I don't know for sure that it truly is a Sportline.

Unfortunately, I am not terribly knowledgeable about the mechanicals of cars, and I do not have the technical expertise to look at the suspension and know for sure. If, for example, you told me to look for a heavier rear sway bar, I would be left staring blankly at you.

The steering wheel LOOKS a bit smaller than I am used to in Mercedes, but it's a tough comparison to eyeball.

The seat bolsters LOOK a bit more built up than I am used to in Mercedes, but, again, that's a tough call.

I haven't given the wheels a hard look, but I am not sure I would know what to look for.

Maybe I could tell something by rotating the steering wheel lock to lock. Isn't a Sportline supposed to be three full rotations, while non-Sportlines are more?

If anyone can offer a simple way that I could walk onto the car lot and easily be sure, I'd be eternally grateful. I certainly don't want to be driving a car that claims to be something it isn't.

Thank you,

Ross Gard


__________________
'92 400E http://www.best.com/~gard/400E.jpg
'92 325is (sold)
'72 250C (sold)
'71 280SE Euro (totalled)
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-04-2001, 02:16 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Round Rock, TX
Posts: 11
I found a solution, although not the one I expected.

I called the service department of a Mercedes Benz dealership and gave them the VIN.

They looked the car up on MBNet and confirmed that the car did, indeed, start out life as a Sportline.

Thanks!

Ross Gard
__________________
'92 400E http://www.best.com/~gard/400E.jpg
'92 325is (sold)
'72 250C (sold)
'71 280SE Euro (totalled)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-04-2001, 03:39 PM
JCE's Avatar
JCE JCE is offline
Down to the Wear Bars
 
Join Date: May 1999
Location: So Kalifornia
Posts: 2,189
The Sportline will have also have a steering wheel that is shaped differently, as in the "Cars" tab article on Sportline , above. There is usually a split rather than bench rear seat. Also, the options plate under the hood in front of the radiator should have the number code 952 or 953, according to the options codes at: http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/5350/mbcodes.htm

__________________
John

2003 Firemist Red/grey leather SL 500
2015 Palladium Silver/black mbtex GLK 350
1987 Smoke Silver/burgundy mbtex 300E Sportline (SOLD)

Click to see 87 300E
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-04-2001, 06:01 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Round Rock, TX
Posts: 11
Thanks, John!

I thought of the rear bucket seats, but, as I understand it, all the 300CEs had the Sportline-style split seats.

The steering wheel shape is a good clue. I'll take the picture from the "Featured Cars" page with me to the lot for comparison.

I'll also also look for the option codes you referenced.

In all, though, I'm pretty comfortable with the VIN trace, as the dealer who did it is unaffiliated with the lot that is selling the car.

Thanks for your thoughts,

Ross
__________________
'92 400E http://www.best.com/~gard/400E.jpg
'92 325is (sold)
'72 250C (sold)
'71 280SE Euro (totalled)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-07-2001, 04:19 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Round Rock, TX
Posts: 11
Just to put an end on the story:

Everything pointed to the 300CE being a true Sportline, but, due to unexpected financial shifts, I settled instead for a beautiful '92 400E.

If anyone is looking for a '93 300CE, green and tan, in good condition, get in touch with Auto Haus Los Gatos (California) at (408) 370-2655. The owner is asking $22,000.

I had two outside mechanics inspect the car, and both were impressed with its condition.

Regards,

Ross Gard

__________________
'92 400E http://www.best.com/~gard/400E.jpg
'92 325is (sold)
'72 250C (sold)
'71 280SE Euro (totalled)
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
AMG History: was the '92-'93 190E Sportline the first AMG - MB factory collaboration? c43amg Mercedes-Benz Performance Paddock 37 06-10-2008 12:45 PM
W124 stock vs. Sportline tire sizes and speedometer readings volosong Mercedes-Benz Wheels & Tires 14 06-06-2004 10:15 AM
Sportline swaybar kit on an '89 300TE ? kirk1 Mercedes-Benz Performance Paddock 9 02-10-2003 02:49 PM
Wagon Changes and SportLine on 500E ke6dcj Mercedes-Benz Performance Paddock 8 08-29-2002 01:43 PM
Anyone know the difference between Eibach and Sportline fhmajid Mercedes-Benz Performance Paddock 4 04-25-2002 07:57 PM



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:18 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page