Deciphering a Mercedes Part Number
 

Some tidbits I found about deciphering Mercedes part numbers. Mercedes usually uses this format 123 820 41 64 (3 digits, 3 digits, 2 digits, and 2 digits). This is the p/n for a Driver's side tail light lens for a 123.

-The first three digits (123 820 41 64) are the chassis the part was first used on. This number can also be the engine number as well as other numbers.

-The second set of three digits (123 820 41 64) refers to which Group the part belongs to (ie. brakes, suspension, etc...). 820 refers to Body Electrical. This number is also used in the Factory Service Manual, group 82 section with all the body electrical service info.

-The first set of two digits (123 820 41 64) refers to which version of the part it is. Meaning there could be several versions or runs of one, part each with a slight modification. We have the 41 version of the lens.

-The last two numbers (123 820 41 64)are the part number in the master listing. In the number above we have the 64th part in the Body Electrical Group.

The first two digit group can also refer to "left" or "right." If the left side is "41," then the right side would likely be "42" or "40."

Do you know about the extra 2 numbers you sometimes see on the end of the usual ten number part number? These numbers are sometimes used for special tools and things like bolts, nuts and washers...

Here are a couple informative links on the subject:

EPC-net Online - Guide to Parts Group System
EPC-net Online - MB Part Number Guide

Army, check out the ES1 code described in the second link.

Brilliant thanks for that KCM

Great links thanks!

Thanks,
I KNEW there had to be a system--not just arbitrary numbers.
I mean if Ford can have a system that originated in the Model A days and continues ( with modifications) to the current day, surely the Germans could have a system.

There's always method behind Mercedes' madness.:D Not to be confused with Mercedes Madness, which we all here suffer from. Karl Benz had Ford beat by 11 years. Benz made his first car, and had the first patent on a vehicle in 1885. Ford didn't make his first car until 1896.

Try Googling MB part numbers with the safe search off :eek:

It's always an eye opener.

Also in the old days, i.e. the ponton era, there would also often be a two digit prefix for a part number that indicated whether the part was for a sedan (#10), a cabriolet (#30) or a coupe (#37). To search those part numbers today, the prefix needs to be made a suffix or left off completely.