You were quite right. Pulled the new ones off the car & old ones out of the trash, and the tie rods were too short.

Every site that sells that kit says it will fit the w203 coupe, including Pelican Parts.

The site that sold them to me (starts with e & ends with s ) are holding the replacements until the short ones make their way back to them, after admitting that they presented incorrect info on their site.

Buyer Beware, & Be ready to do twice the work.