Hello
This looks like the place for this MB newbie.
Bought two cars at auction, one to fix and one for parts.
How can I tell what models they are? The('70)parts car has 280s trim on the trunk and the ('71)keeper has no ID trim. The '71 has injected 6cyl and 4 speed auto. The '70 has a carbureted 6cyl and 3 speed auto. How can I tell if it's an "S" or "SE" or something else. The '71 has a locked up left-rear axle that I will be asking about soon if I don't find something obvious.
Looking forward to this project and talking with you guys.
Thanks,
Dan

These links may help identify what you have.

http://www.adsitco.com/yourcar.html
http://www.dhc.net/~pmhack/mercedes/MODELS.HTM
http://fly.hiwaay.net/~gbf/mbmodels.html
http://www.mbca.org/

The chassis # will tell exactly what you have. If the 71 car is mechanically fuel injected it is either a 108 or 109 chassis making it either a 280SE/SEL or a 300SEL.

If they are 71 and 70 models they are both 4spd automatics. The only three speeds were V8s.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

Thanks Steve
I'm beginning to get a handle on the ID thing. Was going by the "PRNDSL" on the dash in the '70 (280S) and the "PRN432" on the console of the '71 (280SE)for the trans types. I've never really driven a mercedes before and now I have two of them. Taking inventory and trying to decide how much interior I want to swap. These cars have been sitting for many years and both have good and bad points. Got the '71 to run but still need to have keys made tomorrow for a test drive.
Thanks again,
Dan

You will probably have to go to the dealer and order keys. MB doesn't make key info known even on these older models. I just got a new mmaster key (I bought mine with valet and a copy of same). The dealer will get originals from Germany I had to pay $30 cdn, show my drivers liscence and ownership. Delivery was a week which was good since they promised 2 weeks. I have heard MB still has many of the keys they cut as spares itemized in boxes at the parts warehouse in Germany. They seem to take their vehicle security fairly serious.

Mark

If you take the door or glove box or trunk handles apart, there is a code stamped on one of the the cylinders that can be taken to a really good locksmith to have a key cut.

In the case of my 300sel 4.5, there wasn't a code on the driver's side lock or the glove box and I can't check the trunk 'cause I only have the valet key. So, the trunk has been locked and unused for a year (but I don't drive the car, either so it works out).

-CTH

__________________
- cth350@gmail.com
http://www.111lakeside.com/

Hi,
There is an ID plate on the driver's door jamb. What does it say? There should be a chassis #, model #, build date, and max load info.