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  #1  
Old 04-06-2010, 11:23 PM
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Question 1985 300D - VIN discrepancy

Hello All,

I got the car over to my garage tonight and when I was getting ready to fill out the registration paper work I realized the VIN it's been registered with is different from the VIN on the body of the car.

The differences are in the 10th, 11th, and 13th places.

WDB1231301A202281 = The original VIN is
WDB123130A12F2281 = The registered VIN

I know this car was a European Import because it has a 4spd stick, manual sunroof, manual windows, and a cloth interior.

Does anyone have any thoughts on why this was registered like this?

My friend down the street is the previous owner, and he said when he went to the DMV he pointed out the discrepancy and they told him to keep it registered with it's current VIN, even though it's different.

I figured somebody on this forum might have some ideas on this one.

Thanks!

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  #2  
Old 04-06-2010, 11:32 PM
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By the way, it's registered as a 1985, and I'm pretty sure it is an '85, but I don't see anywhere on the car that indicates this for sure...since the 10th digit of the original VIN is 1, and that would be 2001 by the United States VIN system...so again, this indicates to me that it's a European VIN.

Could that be why the 10th and 11th digits were swapped?
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  #3  
Old 04-06-2010, 11:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ya Mar View Post
By the way, it's registered as a 1985, and I'm pretty sure it is an '85, but I don't see anywhere on the car that indicates this for sure...since the 10th digit of the original VIN is 1, and that would be 2001 by the United States VIN system...so again, this indicates to me that it's a European VIN.

Could that be why the 10th and 11th digits were swapped?
On US versions, the manufacture date is stamped on an aluminum tag riveted on the driver side door post, just below the door striker
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  #4  
Old 04-07-2010, 01:00 AM
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VIN WDB1231301A202281
Model 300 D
Chassis 1231301A202281
Engine 617912 10 209204
Transmission 716005 00 935834
Order 0 5 247 01644
Approx. year not defined
Dealer Reutlingen branch (247)
Interior cloth quartz (055)
Paint
929 nautical blue metallic (с 01.01.1984)
Options
411 mechanical and hydraulic sliding roof (с 01.10.1965 по 31.10.1993)
steel sliding roof (с 01.02.1963 по 30.09.1965)
430 headrests in the rear (с 01.01.1977)
safety belts, front and rear (с 01.01.1964 по 31.05.1973)
466 central locking system (с 01.04.1970 по 31.10.1993)
461 + 464 (с 01.10.1966 по 31.12.1966)
462 + 463 (с 01.07.1968 по 31.08.1969)
504 outside rear view mirror, right, electrically adjustable (с 01.11.1978 по 29.02.1986)
outside rear view mirror, right, electrically adjustable (l.h.d.)
taxi version, f.r.g, and outside rear view mirror on the right
500 + 503 (с 01.02.1966 по 30.06.1968)
501 + 502 (с 01.08.1968 по 31.10.1974)
534 antenna, mechanically operated, without radio set (с 01.01.1963 по 30.11.1990)
575 front folding armrest and right front seat with seat height adjustment
front folding armrest and headrest, left (с 01.04.1970)
571 + 574 (с 01.01.1963 по 29.02.1968)
591 white foglamps (с 01.01.1963 по 31.07.1965)
heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane, (single-sheet safety glass), Germany
heat-insulating glass, windshield shot-colored (с 01.02.1967 по 31.01.1971)
green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, single pane safety glass - Germany (с 01.01.1972)
812 rear-mounted loudspeaker (с 01.11.1974)
835 coir mats (с 01.08.1962 по 31.10.1989)
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1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving
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  #5  
Old 04-07-2010, 07:21 AM
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Thanks for this post, layback40!

That description matches everything about the car.

Since it says "Dealer Reutlingen branch", does that suggest it's grey market?

By the way, it has U.S. bumpers, lights, and speedometer, so whoever imported it did make the modifications required, or maybe it came this way as a special order.

I was told by the previous owner that this was a special order from Europe, but it doesn't seem to have a United State VIN#....

I don't understand why the VIN on the registration was changed....Any thoughts on this?
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  #6  
Old 04-07-2010, 07:56 AM
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Anything is possible, my German isnt that good to know what that translates to. Maybe it was one purchased at the dealer in Reutlingen? There may have been some special arrangement. It could have been owned by a German who moved to the US.
It sounds like a very typical Euro.
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I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving
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  #7  
Old 04-07-2010, 08:13 AM
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85chedeng300d, you are right, there is a plate on the interior of the drivers side door, it says 1985, has the weight, etc, and has the same VIN as is on the drivers side pillar of the windshield and under the hood near the radiator.

So it is a 1985.
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  #8  
Old 04-07-2010, 08:23 AM
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Maybe some one local over there can comment further. I would be trying to get the DMV to provide something in writing about the VIN discrepancy. It would be a pain if you were stopped some place checked and the different numbers surfaced. You may have some fast talking to do.
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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving
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  #9  
Old 04-07-2010, 08:39 AM
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Layback40, that's what I'm concerned with as well.

Also concerned that if I insure it under the incorrect VIN#, if there was ever an accident, the insurance company might not stand behind me after realizing the vehicle has a Euro VIN#.
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  #10  
Old 04-07-2010, 09:25 AM
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Perhaps there was a typo at the DMV years back that was never corrected. This can (more likely could have) happen especially when registering in another state where the computer doesn't have another data record to compare with.

I saw 1 ebay case where the seller had a highly modified 84-86 300ZX with a 78 280Z title. He claimed that it didn't matter because the VIN on the car matched the title. The car had obviously been changed. That sounds like grand theft or fraud to me.

I also agree that insurance carrier might deny a claim on a car that wasn't listed in their database as being covered. Perhaps not if it were determined to be a clerical error. The DMV should have put the vin that is stamped on the body on the title. European does not matter.
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  #11  
Old 04-07-2010, 10:22 AM
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It is very possible that is was a typo, since both VIN's are the same except for the 10th and 11th digits, which were swapped "1A" to "A1", and the 13th digit, which is an "F: instead of a "0".

The 10th digit is supposed to be the year built on an American VIN
The 11th digit is supposed to be the final assembly plant on the American VIN. For this car, it seems to be Sindelfingen, since it is the letter A.
The 13th digit is part of the vehicles serial number from Mercedes-Benz, so I have no idea why that would be changed purposely from a "0" to and "F".

Vermont doesn't issue a title for cars of this age, so all I have is a bill of sale. It was registered not by the previous owner, but by the owner before him, in New Hampshire under the modified/typo VIN#. New Hampshire also doesn't issue titles for older cars.

I know I can register the car with the modified/typo vin#, but I want it registered under the correct# if possible. If there was some reason that just isn't possible, because of grey market issues, or something similar, then I would register with the modified VIN# since it's better than no registration at all.

Does anyone else have any thoughts on this?
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  #12  
Old 04-07-2010, 04:28 PM
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Hello All,

I talked to the DMV today and they suggested I come in and get temporary plates, and then drive the car up to them so they can do a VIN verification.

As long as there aren't any issues with the original VIN that will prevent it from being registered in the United States, I should be okay.

But as I've said, I'm concerned that it is a European VIN#.

Can European VIN#'s be registered in the US as long as the speedo, lights, bumpers, and everything are up to code?

Thanks for the advice everyone!
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'85 Euro 300D - 258k 4 spd manual
'85 300TD Wagon - 180k - SOLD
Always looking
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  #13  
Old 04-07-2010, 11:02 PM
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Yes, the DMV can get things screwed up.

I bought a 82 Datsun Diesel Pu for a spare, either to get running or for parts about 11 yrs back. so far it has only been a lawn ornament.

when i tried to get the registration changed over, they told me i needed to get it smoged. I said it was a diesel, they said i must have swapped in the Diesel as it showed it being a gasser. I said it came from Japan with this engine like the one in my signature below.

since I had removed the radiator, it wasn`t drivable, a CHP (Calif Hwy Patrol) officer came up to the house to verify the VIN #, and it showed it was a Diesel.

I love it when I can prove them wrong, and they still won`t admit any wrong doing at their end.

Charlie
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1) Not much power
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Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works
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  #14  
Old 04-08-2010, 09:30 AM
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Originally Posted by charmalu View Post

I love it when I can prove them wrong, and they still won`t admit any wrong doing at their end.

Charlie
I think all enforcement agencies have this attitude. I turned right on a green arrow at a light and a cop was in the left turn lane making a U turn into my lane. I made my turn, and was rewarded with a set of blue lights. the officer said I was running the light and failing to yield... I looked at him and told him his lights were not flashing prior to my making a turn, and I had an arrow. he said I was supposed to yield. I told him to turn around and look at the sign above the light he turned on... telling all making a u turn to yield to those making a right.
he let me go, and said they must have just put up the sign... I told him, yeah, we both must have missed the trucks while he was pulling me over...
moron.

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