It doesnt apply to the Alphanumeric VIN rules. All it means, along with the 0 that follows it is that you have a manual transmission.

__________________


1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

I figured that. However on my Euro VIN, that 1 is followed by an F.
Wonder if I can get a data-card from Mercedes-Benz for this car, or would they refuse any help because it's grey-market.

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

You can get a datacard, but your best bet is to go through the Classic Center, not MBUSA.

Picking up the car this afternoon. Haven't checked yet but maybe there's a datacard with the papers in the glovebox.

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

post pic's. . hopefully the DMV wont be too hard on you. . best to get a LEO inspection done as soon as you get the paperwork, that way you wont have to make two trips to the DMV. . .

__________________
". . .back before accountants designed cars"

-Current Stable-
'78 MB 450SL-C 107.024.12.020783 #3840 <Kayleen>
'85 FORD F250 6.9L Diesel <Allison>
'98 Lexus ES300 <Rachel>
Long Gone...
'74 Chevy G10...........................'99 GMC Yukon 4X4
'83 Chevy Suburban 6.2 diesel .....'99 SAAB 9-5
'90 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS............. '01 Chevy Tahoe
'98 Nissan Altima .......................'02 MB ML320
'88 Chevy Suburban V2500 4X4 6.2 diesel

Well, DMV better not be too hard on me now, as they already gave me my new Virginia title, registration and tags two days ago. Planning a shakedown cruise on the Beltway today. Wish me luck.

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

Well, I'm pretty pleased with my 'new' 5-speed TD. And what a pleasure to not hear my 240D's engine roaring in my eardrums at highway speeds. Added bonus - it was quite warm this afternoon, around the mid 80s, so I tested the AC expecting the usual 'old W123' warm breezes, but instead I actually got COLD AC! I hadn't asked the seller about it - I just assumed it didn't work.

Other items needing attention - that golfball-size rust-spot in the left rear floor turned out to be a grapefruit sized hole, but it's nowhere near the critical seat or seatbelt attachments, nor does it extend into the sill, so it will be an easy cut & patch job.

With the AC going, the temperture guage went up to the white halfway-mark (100C?) between the 80C and max-120C/red line, or a bit below that(95C?) with the AC off. It never actually got near the red mark but the radiator looks original. At some point, I may replace the radiator anyway, to improve cooling and avoid the dreaded 'broken-neck' syndrome that these plastic radiator tanks are famous for.

There's also a groaning sound when turning the wheel at low/no speeds, that sounds like a ball-joint.

And of couse, for now, replace the cracked Euro headlamps with my pair of US headlamp units to get it through VA inspection.

And pull the back inner panel to see why the tailgate remains permanently locked. A station-wagon is pretty useless if the tailgate won't open!

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

I lucked out here. The factory datacard was in the glovebox with the manual/service book packet.
Not so lucky with the Euro-to-US headlight conversion.
Unlike my '60 Fintail, the W123 wiring needed modification to allow the US lights to work properly with the Euro wiring, and different bulb-sockets in the amber front-fender sidelights to add parking/sidemarker lights to what was previously turn-signal-only operation.
Fortunately, one of my sets of eBay Fintail Euro-headlights came with an extra pair of multi-pin plugs, which I was able to incorporate into two harness adapters. So hopefully I can get this through VA inspection in time for the April GTG next Saturday.

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

you can also just stick the individual wires onto the pins to get through inspection.

for lenses, europartsdirect.com carries the bosch lens for about $50 each iirc, free shipping too.

If I wasn't planning on bringing the new SEC, I'd bring my euro wagon for you to see. second best $500 car I've ever bought (first was the euro SEC )

__________________


1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Just finished sucessfully installing the driver's-side US-headlight conversion, including the re-socketed parking lamp/turn-signal light.
I was going to do the 'individual wires' fix, but I found this pair of plugs left over from my Fintail headlight project, which made making up these adapters a lot easier.
Hopefully it will make it through inspection this week, and I'll think about getting new Euro lenses later. Unfortunately, due to moisture leaking in through the cracks, one of the reflectors now looks very dull and may need replacing as well.

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW