Advice please
 

Hi.
I just bought and old merc and was told it was a 230E 1985 model. I've just been checking the web and some things don't add up. The VIN No is WDB 1240231A022289 and the engine No is 102.982. This configuration doesn't seem to exist. Can anyone help me as to how this car started out life?

Its a Euro (gray market)
 

From the MB Russia site:

VIN WDB1240231A022289
Model 230 E
Chassis 1240231A022289
Engine 102982 12 004138
Transmission 722408 02 182901
Order 0 4 237 03853
Approx. year not defined
Lights BOSCH
Cab 07082
Dealer Braunschweig branch (237)
Interior leather black / anthracite (271)
Paint
199 metallic blue-black (с 01.01.1983)

Regards,
Kevin

According to my copy of the WIS program, your car did, in fact, come with the M102.982 engine.

http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/5089/230e3gm.jpg

HTH

What you have is a "grey market" version car made in 1983!

Where is the 83 clue? It's a 124 chassis - for which production started in 85, before coming to U.S. in 86 MY - I thought. I would consider it a desirable car - good engine, should be good gas mileage, especially if it's a stick.

excuse me, mis-typed 1983 meant 1985! First year W124.

Cheers
 

Thanks for the info guys, a little background: I bought it in Kuwait from a scrap dealer who told me he bought it from germany but when I put the vin into a few benz sites it came back telling me it was supposed to be a 300E 4 matic. I obviously got something wrong!
It's my 2nd Mercedes, 1st one was a 97 C280 which saved my life when some assh**e ran into the back of me. Since then I've nothing but respect for the build quality and don't really want to drive anything else in this country.
As for the 230E, I'd really like to perk it up a bit performance wise as the 4cyl is a bit slow also the kickdown only seems to work when it wants to.
I'd really like to drop a 6cyl into it, can any of you see any imediate problems with that i.e. what other components would I have to change?
I'm an aircraft mechanic so I'm not scared of anything technical but it is my only car at the moment and I have to travel about 200kms a day for work.