I'm so confused. What color is this 1988 300SEL?
 

http://www.fototime.com/92A2BD320D4D15C/standard.jpg

It looks charcoal grey but according to the epc when I run the V.I.N. it's paint coat 199 Black Pearl Metallic which is also on the body plate.

http://www.fototime.com/142ABCF1F610AE1/standard.jpg

So is what they call Black Pearl Metallic actually a charcoal grey?

Also the emissions label is saying it's a 4.2L 1989 model. So did someone put in a core support from an '89 420SEL?

http://www.fototime.com/5317036CDCDF590/standard.jpg

Post a picture of the driver's door jam VIN sticker. Sometimes the date of manufacture makes its way onto the title as the model year, which is not the same from about September through the end of December. Also, with the VIN we can check to see if the radiator support data plate is accurate.

Название val
fin wdbca25d0ja397110
vin WDB1260251A397110
whc WDB
chassbm 126025
chass_ident 1A397110
type 126
subbm1 025
subbm2
auxiliary_drive
body 01437
body_code
delivery_date
engine 103981 12 050862
front_axle1
front_axle2
heater
interior 278
lights BOSCH
model_idx 0
odometer
order_num1 0770421870
paint1 199
paint2
paint3
paint4
paint5 78
platform
production_num1
production_order_ref
rear_axle1
rear_axle2
release_date
retarder
rims
service_num
steering
trailer
transfer_case
transmission 722319 03 060727
vin_dc CA25D0JA397110
vinwhc
winch
wiper

Code Текст
227 ASHTRAY, CIGAR LIGHTER AT REAR, L AND R
240 OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE INDICATOR
241 FRONT SEAT LH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY
242 FRONT SEAT RH ELECTRIC ADJUSTABLE WITH MEMORY
412 Unknown
420 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 4-GEAR
446 Unknown
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
491 Unknown
506 Unknown
519 REAR AUDIO SYSTEM
524 PAINTWORK - PRESERVATION
531 AUTOMATIC ANTENNA
543 SUN VISOR WITH MAKE-UP MIRROR L. AND R., BE-
551 ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM
588 Unknown
592 ALL-ROUND WD-GREEN GLASS,HEATED REAR WINDOW-VSG
600 HEADLAMPS - CLEANING EQUIPMENT
611 EXIT LIGHTS FOR DRIVER DOORS
639 Unknown
640 15-HOLE LIGHT ALLOY RIMS
808 AEJ 06/1/M/X
810 SOUND SYSTEM
199 APPLICATION CODE FOR COMPONENT PROCESSING
78 Unknown
278 Unknown

The model year discrepancy has me stumped.

And the part about 4196 cc engine on the emissions sticker? I'm guessing the support panel was replaced with a junkyard part. But what is this color called?

199-Black Pearl Metallic

Various pics of a 201 chassis in the same color code, abut the same year:
Mercedes 190D 2.5

The emissions sticker doesn't actually say it's an 89 model. A "J" in the 10th digit of the VIN is an 88 model.

199 actually IS a charcoal gray, or black pearl metallic, just like our 300TE

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6...0f0969cf_c.jpg

The "pearl" is what makes it gray. Not sure about the model year discrepancy, maybe deanyel has it correct.

It is 199. Just like my SDL and 560. Same as my old 420 too.

Black black is 040.

True but the sticker says the engine displacement is 4196 cc which is what a 420SEL engine is and that it confirms to regulations applicable to 1989. Strange.