Can you tell a swb S320 from a lwb by the VIN?

Are all GA32 models swb and all GA33 models lwb?

Thanks,
Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

I'm not really sure about the VIN number, but the year of the car can help out a little bit.

In 1992 and 1993, the badge read 300SE and there was no long wheel base model with the 3.2 liter engine.

In 1994, the badge was correctly changed to S320 and it was still only a short wheelbase model.

From 1995-1999 the S320 could've been a short or a long wheel base.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

WDBGA32 are short chassis w/104 motor
WDBGA33 are long chassis w/104 motor
WDBGA42 are short chassis 119 motor (400SE only)
WDBGA43 are long chassis 119 motor (400SEL or S420)
In the US there were no short chassis 5 liter V8 or 6 liter V12's marketed, they were made for other markets though.

Gilly

__________________
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Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

Thanks.

I'm kinda sorta getting serious about a 140. When the ad photo is a quarter view, I can't really tell if it's swb or lwb. I'm glad the VIN'll do it.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

Also, internally at M.B., the short wheelbase model is known as "W140" while the long wheel base model is known as "V140".

Mercedes U.S. car dealers identify the shortwheel base as the S320W and the long wheel base model as the S320V (in the case of the 3.2 liter 6-cyl. engined model).

In all markets, except the U.S., the 140 line was available in both short and long wheel bases for ALL engine configurations, EXCEPT the S280 (2.8 liter 6-cyl. engine) and the S300/S350 diesels which were available ONLY as a short wheel base model. In certain markets the S350 appeared as a long wheel base also.

(In the case of the 124 line, the W140 applies to the 4-door sedan, the S124 to the 5-door wagon, the C124 to the 2-dooor coupe, and the A124 to the 2-door cabriolet).

To identify the cars in real life, you just have to look at the rear door. The V140 rear door is quite much longer than the W140 and it makes the car looks more proportionate and robust. For some reason, the bulk of the 140 makes more difficult to distinguish short and long wheelbase models. In the 116 and the 126 was much easier to tell just by looking casually.

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A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]