Is It a US or Euro 79 450SEL? (repost from the diesel group)

[beaulieub]

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I looked at a 1979 450SEL tonight. Wouldnt start (well almost) but not sure of it's history. It had Euro headlights and bumpers and the speedo was in Km. The seats were NOT MB-Tex but a stripped velour instead. Rear deck lid did not say 6.9L. The shifter was on the column NOT in the console. Lastly, the rear of the console had a knob which turned and was labeled A thru F. Is that height adjustment? Is this a euro car? How can I tell if its a 6.9L?

I do remember seeing the data plate under the hood and it began with "116 033" which I'm told is a 4.5L engine.

Thanks

Bert - NH
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1980 300SD 133k miles
1990 350SDL 194k miles
2006 Pleasure-Way Class B MoHo (Sprinter chassis) 19k miles

[Wodnek]

That is a euro. The letter thing is for some kind of alert system. My 73 280CE has it. The cloth seats and the letter thing are giveaways. Deffinately not a 6.9.

Don't discount the 450 though. It is nearly as reliable as the 616 and 617 diesels, easily surpassing a quarter million miles.

[diametricalbenz]

6.9's have 116.036 in the VIN number

[Tomguy]

A euro 450SEL. It's got more kick than a US 450SEL (by quite a bit), presuming it wasn't neutered when brought over. Probably has stale gas, see if it'll fire off a shot of ether. A fresh tank of 93 will probably bring it roaring back to life.

[alabbasi]

I think the A-F is the traffic radio controls that they had on 70's cars in Germany.

[beaulieub]

So - If it is a Euro model, does it have any greater value? It's got about 230km on it, Is the ugliest Slime Green color I'v EVER seen and had an inch of water in the rear drivers side floor area. No rust - must have just started leaking. Engine will kick on ether so I assume the gas is bad (prob 3 years old). He wants $500 for it. At first I thought I might use it for parts for my 80 300SD. But now Im thinking to maybe resell on Ebay the way it is. Whaddya think?

[PaulC]

Originally Posted by beaulieub

So - If it is a Euro model, does it have any greater value?...

Not really. I would wonder if the Euro engine has different pistons/cam profiles than the U.S. spec motor. Might make looking for those parts a bit more challenging, at least from U.S. sources.

[Wodnek]

Originally Posted by beaulieub

So - If it is a Euro model, does it have any greater value?

It would have a greater value for someone specifically looking for one, but thats it. Mechanically there are very few differences. Manual climate controls, fewer emission controls. Why not keep it? Clean it up though and I would think $1500 to $2,000 if it runs good.

[BioPOWER]

Let's see a picture of that column shifter!