I have a 500 SEL with a production date of 10-84, the registration states it is a 1985.

Is it an 84 or 85.

It is a gray maket car as the VIN is WDB126---. I have been told this depicts a gray market vehicle.

If it is 1984, are there any big differnces in engine and suspension parts??

It has 14" Bundt Wheels if this of any help!

Thanks in Advance
John1

It's probably a 1985 as stated. Production for the new year used to start a few months in advance of the actual year - yours should be a 1985. I don't know about the specifics of changes, but I could guess "not much", if any.

__________________
- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

"EURO" cars are always titled the year of manfacture...even 12/31/84 would be a 1984 in Europe.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

as i recall the one big obvious diff between 84&85 grey market cars was that the 85 had the hood safety that was pulled thru the grill instead of the two releases at the top on each side of the grill.

__________________
David S Poole
European Performance
Dallas, TX
4696880422

"Fortune favors the prepared mind"
1987 Mercedes Benz 420SEL
1988 Mercedes Benz 300TE (With new evaporator)
2000 Mercedes Benz C280
http://www.w108.org/gallery/albums/A...1159.thumb.jpg

As MBDoc said, your car is a 1984, although the registration paper says 1985

I've seen a VW with a built date 11-92 sold as a 1994.
You would never see that kind of thing in Europe as the build date is always the model year. However, some European countries also take into consideration the date the car was first put in service, which could be months after the built date