Thank you 97 SL320, I guess our posts got crossed on the wires so to speak. What you wrote was exactly what I was hoping for...a good idea of what to look for and to expect. That is what I so admire about this forum and its dedicated Mercedes enthusiasts. Its too bad the ODO is so off. I was under the mistaken assumption on could not mess with these anymore. (maybe the 6th digit doesn't work??) Ah well, ce-la-vie.

Jake, I like your idea, but not my style. The dealer mentioned they are new, which I think is either the old routine of "rename the company because of a bad reputation or they really are grade A morons for not dbl checking thier own pruchase...not likely. I do think it worth while to send an email with the info I purchased from InstaVIN to DE consumer affairs or where ever one reports this sort of thing in Delaware.

Treetops