w114 history..import or for US?

[Jub]

Hi everyone,

Does anyone know how you can tell whether your car was an import, or a US model (71 MB 250 w114).

Aside: I remember the guy I bought mine from told me it was from overseas (sounded like a ploy to jack up the price).

Of note: does have km/hr cluster, lights were replacements (one didn't match the other), no AC (cold weather car?).

I remember someone talking about the sign-age on the back is slightly different for imports?

Thoughts?

[compu_85]

I'd say looking at the codes on the data plate will tell you. The later cars had a specific code for "USA Version".

-J

[Pooka]

What year of car are you talking about?

When emissions became necessary Mercedes had color coded VIN plates that let you know which 'zone' the car was to be sold in.

The VIN itself can also tell if it is a US car or if it was sold overseas.

There is a Russian MB site that decodes VIN's but I cannot find it right now. It tells you where the car was first sold, what equipment came on it, etc.

[compu_85]

The russian site only works with VINs from 1980 onward I thought? EPC should read the old vin though.

-J

[Jub]

Hey Compu 85,

I tried to subscribe to EPC awhile back, but don't support apple (Mac).

Wish there was some easier way (other site)?

[compu_85]

That's why I run VMWare Fusion on my Mac

-J

[alabbasi]

If it does have a/c and a KMH speedo, it probably is an import. Check the engine number, I think the early 250's were M114 motors and will have the vin W114 010

[vandor]

Non-US models had no sidemarker lights, however many gray-market imports had them retrofitted.
After 1968 all US models had to have an emissions info tag in the engine compartment, so it's presence would indicate a US model.

[1960mog]

Cars that shipped over see had tie down points front and rear on the frame, to secure them on the ship.
Cars that sold in Europe did not have them.
Here are pics of this tie down points on my 240D.

[MAKDUFF3]

I have just moved back from living in Germany for three years and traveling quite a bit looking at older German cars (it's a sickness I know) and one thing I noticed in the differences in W114/W115 models is that the options were much different for US vs Europe. for instance most base models would never have A/C, power windows, or a sunroof. also there are way more Diesels are built with a 4 speed then auto like for the North American market. even into the to the late 80s it was possible to get a new Mercedes wit hcloth seats and non- power options. Remember in Germany Mercedes is just another car, and most usually a tan colored taxi cab... it is Germany's Chevy or Ford. Now some may argue, but remember that GM and Ford have super models and crap box starter cars... So does Mercedes (A-series). to the point the best way to tell if your Benz ins a NA or Euro is certainly by the VIN or Write Mercedes and ask were the shipping destination for your VIN was. In Washington it will have a grey market tag on the drivers B pillar by the door striker. There are probably lots of other "tells" however nothing is as good as the VIN and MBs catalogs of info. Heck if you want it is possible to travel to Stuttgart and take your older Mercedes and have it rebuilt to factory specs. you can also go to the museum and on the first floor there are older models that are rehabed to factory specs. Just my .02 MikeD>

[Jub]

Cool...mines definitely a base model. The guy I bought it from gave me the original service record written in German (with mechanic service records penned in German as well; see attached).

Germans a little rusty, not sure what it all means. But the records look authentic. Will check for tie downs (although never noticed them before) and 010 designation after work!

[Jub]

Hey alabassi,

The whole m114 "010".. is this what your talking about (see close up attached)?

[Jub]

Hey Pooka,

Is this the color coded vin plate you were talking about (see attached).

[MAKDUFF3]

I'm not sure about the tie down part. I know that most are trucked from Stuttgart currently as you can see the trucks on the A8 or 61. However there are still some that travel from Stuttgart via train. I'm guessing, only guessing that Euro models also have "tie downs" on their frames as well as NA models ho else would they be secured for transport via train across Europe?

[Govert]

Originally Posted by MAKDUFF3

I have just moved back from living in Germany for three years and traveling quite a bit looking at older German cars (it's a sickness I know) and one thing I noticed in the differences in W114/W115 models is that the options were much different for US vs Europe. for instance most base models would never have A/C, power windows, or a sunroof. also there are way more Diesels are built with a 4 speed then auto like for the North American market. even into the to the late 80s it was possible to get a new Mercedes wit hcloth seats and non- power options. Remember in Germany Mercedes is just another car, and most usually a tan colored taxi cab... it is Germany's Chevy or Ford. Now some may argue, but remember that GM and Ford have super models and crap box starter cars... So does Mercedes (A-series). to the point the best way to tell if your Benz ins a NA or Euro is certainly by the VIN or Write Mercedes and ask were the shipping destination for your VIN was. In Washington it will have a grey market tag on the drivers B pillar by the door striker. There are probably lots of other "tells" however nothing is as good as the VIN and MBs catalogs of info. Heck if you want it is possible to travel to Stuttgart and take your older Mercedes and have it rebuilt to factory specs. you can also go to the museum and on the first floor there are older models that are rehabed to factory specs. Just my .02 MikeD>

The standard European model was without options. You could buy all the options you wanted, but they could be expensive. Automatics were not liked in Europe (not "sportive" and for women drivers) and they were an expensive option, so four speeds were the norm.

MB Diesels were utilitarian cars, sold to people who drove a lot and who wanted a reliable, economical, full-sized and comfortable car, such as taxi drivers and salesmen.

I wouldn't say MB is just another car in Germany, before the 1990s it was always marketed at the higher end. Volkswagen and Opel were the cars for the common man.