I forgot I have a copy of the Mercedes Technical Data- passenger cars 1981, which has specs for all models in 1981 in one place!

for 615, 616, 617. the starter has the same Bosch # 0 001 362... and Bosch designation IF 12 V 2.3 KW

It also shows a short circuit test of 500-600 amps @ 3.5V and 660-820 amps @ 4.5V for cars with manual transmission only.

I suppose you put the car in gear, with parking brakes and brake pedal engaged and crank the starter while measuring the current and voltage?

There's also an idling test for vehicles with a note 2) for vehicles with right-hand drive:

amps 95
voltage 11.5
min speed 1/min 6500
min input voltage solenoid switch terminal 50, voltage 7.5 V

I suppose this is the free spinning no load rpm of 6500 at 11.5V and 95 amps?
But why a note for right hand drive vehicle only???

Maybe the more powerful 617 starters came in later model years? If it's more powerful, shouldn't it weigh more and that may be one way to differentiate it?

__________________
85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 167,870 July 2025
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked