Help.
My local MB dealer tells me that my car is a Euro model.
My local non-official MB expert, tells me it is a US model.
Who can help me clean up the mess?
WDB 123 183 120 124 71
She is Carolina Blue, wagon, 300TD non turbo, 106k.
Cheerfully awaiting a response.
Chris

My car is a USA Federal (i.e. not California) from the European Delivery Program. Its VIN number follows the same nomenclature
as yours. I have read stories, some documented in the archives of this site, that earlier MB VINs confound some insurers or state DMV's. I have had trouble with neither here in CA. The MB website VIN search does not recognize my VIN, because they only go back to 1981. Does your car have a Federal plate on it? It should be on the inside driver door frame. I think there is also one under the hood.

Luke

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'78 300D 310K Maple Yellow / Bamboo
'87 300D 81K Barolo Red / Safron (RIP @ 113K)
2003 E320 34K Pewter/Charcoal
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Try going to the following link and enter your VIN. It states your car is Europa, but doesn't "understand" the model. You can fill in the model info and submit it to them for their database. hope this helps somewhat.


homepage:

http://www.autobaza.pl/autobaza/page.cgi?lang=1

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Nello Tare

1982 300D (266,001 mi.) looking and running great

Previously owned:
1976 450 SLC
1983 300D
1976 300D
also
1982 Jaguar XJ6 (loved, but gone)

Thanks for the previous 2 answers, yes I have a federal sticker under the hood but not on the door, the VIN is also on the door, not under the windshield. The fellow at the dealer told me that my car left the factory as a 240D? it is a 5 cylinder, and says 300TD on the registration.
All the original manuals are in German, someone added English ones later.
I'll keep searching, thanks.

Sounds like you have european car that has been federalized. Tag either green or yellow should be underhood in front of radiator.

Rob

A 123.183 is a 240TD. Such a model was never officially imported by MB for public sale. Interesting that it now has a 5cyl engine.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

This is addressed in the latest issue of the STAR (the MB Club magazine). A VIN for a US model should have LETTERS, not NUMBERS, in positions 4 & 5. For example, my 240D VIN starts WDBAB. The VIN for a US model would be riveted to the drivers side windshield pillar, protrude from under the pillar trim next to the glass, and be bent back to the rear. It is likely yours is a Euro, especially since it is a non-turbo wagon and came with German language manuals. The wagons were the first to get the turbo. I'm not sure, but I think the wagon came to the US for one year (1979) as a non-turbo, then got the turbo in the second year (1980 I think). Also, US models still carry a Chassis # (as opposed to a VIN). My 240D has Ch. # 123.123-12-, for instance.