Help! Where's my chassis number?
 

I'm ordering some parts from M-B in Germany and they keep asking for my chassis number -- I've given them the 124.032, and my VIN, but it's not keeping them happy and something's lost in the translation when they try to help me find it. They say they want the "complete chassis number" and it begins with WDB124. Can anyone help me find this?

Thanks,
Mike McLaughlin
'93 300E

Those indeed are the first 6 characters of a Euro-spec W124 chassis VIN. The format is different for US models-in your case likely WDBEA36 etc.

Tell them it's a US car-I hope this helps

It might be on the tag on the radiator frame. The tag is body color, about 2" by 3" and has a whole slew of numbers embossed on it. Look for the string beginning with 124032. There should be 8 digits after that.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

I checked out the plate in the engine compartment -- the only eight-digit number is the first one on the plate, and doesn't come after the 124.032 -- it's 7143931 9. Any chance this is it?

I'm pretty sure it has to begin with 124032. It might not be a continuous string. It might be more like 124 032 12 xxxxxx. The chassis number will also be on the body, but I don't know where on a W124. On a W140, it's under the mat ahead of the front passenger seat. I'm not sure where it is on either of my W126s.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

If you have a metal plate on your driver side "A" pillar, it'll have the VIN.

Is your car Euro-spec, or was it originally put into service here in the US?

Michael,

I believe Mike's situation is that the parts supplier in Germany cannot use his VIN to look up the appropriate parts. Every MB has an MB chassis number whether or not it has a VIN.

Regards,
Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

When I place a US chassis number into my US EPC it converts it to a German ID no. When I use my Euro EPC it needs the Euro number.

Look at your chassis number it will be WDBEA32 and then four more letter/numbers followed by 6 numbers which are your actual car number. Your european number will be WDB1240321 and then the same last seven digets. From my files I work on a 95 E320 chassis number WDBEA32A0SC190332. The european number would be WDB1240321C190332.

Excellent! Thanks for letting me know how to translate between German and American chassis numbers. This will make ordering parts MUCH easier. Thanks again!