Dear All:

I am looking for a resource to decipher the code plates in MB cars located right above the radiator. I have found sites that tell you option/color codes, one that deciphers your VIN into options (which does not work on american VINs - it could do my 380SEC on the chassis number but not on its VIN but it could not do my C280). http://www.mbclub.ru/mb/code/?lng=eng
Anyway, I am lookgin for something that would tell me what everything means on the code plates, including random characters and the binary looking section in the top right-hand corner.

I am attaching two pictures (blue - 380SEC, beige - C280) of the numbers I know circled with green. What does the rest mean?

Thanks for any help,

Greg

Attached Thumbnails

   

__________________
1983 560SL Megasquirted (originally 380SL)

My former Mercedes:
1985 300SD ~190k
1990 560SEL
2000 C220 CDI
1983 380SEC 102k dual-chain conversion
2000 C280 70k (sold)
1987 300DT (W124 - sold)
1972 220D (sold)
1971 220D (sold)

202029 = 202 is the chassis line, 029 is the specific model

126043 = 126 is the chassis line, 043 is the specific model

693F = 693 is paint color code, F is the paint manufacturer code

3 digit codes are option codes which you can get form the options tab of that website. Option codes are not VIN specific but some are year model specific. The website will tell you.

Sixto
93 300SD

Try entering the C280 VIN as WDB20202912xxxxxx where xxxxxx is the last 6 digits of the VIN.

Sixto
93 300SD

Thanks sixto, those are the ones I know like I said - I know the ones I have circled... I need to know what the rest means.

I have tried to do just that before (that was the logical thing to do) - but that site does not recognize that VIN either.

__________________
1983 560SL Megasquirted (originally 380SL)

My former Mercedes:
1985 300SD ~190k
1990 560SEL
2000 C220 CDI
1983 380SEC 102k dual-chain conversion
2000 C280 70k (sold)
1987 300DT (W124 - sold)
1972 220D (sold)
1971 220D (sold)

Sorry about that. I'm looking for a website where I can learn to read :p

Sixto
93 300SD

You need what is called an SA Code book. I think I have one buried around here somewhere, but they are year-specific.
Gilly

__________________
Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

Also, if anyone know the color code for the metallic grey bumpers and door handle bases - please let me know...

__________________
1983 560SL Megasquirted (originally 380SL)

My former Mercedes:
1985 300SD ~190k
1990 560SEL
2000 C220 CDI
1983 380SEC 102k dual-chain conversion
2000 C280 70k (sold)
1987 300DT (W124 - sold)
1972 220D (sold)
1971 220D (sold)

205 Mushroom color leather?

I think 614 has to do with your headlights.

The 12, to the right of 202029 means lefthand drive (1) and automatic (2)

Not much help here....sorry.

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Could be of some help:

http://home.concepts.nl/~vlimmere/bodytag.htm

or this:

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/5350/mbcodes.htm

The second one is down a lot - just keep trying.

www.paintscratch.com

205 = English owner's manual
103885 = engine code

The 7-digit number is the sequential number, which is usually close to or the same as the last part of the VIN.

There is no way to "break down" the VIN into option codes, but there are databases which store the configuration of the car as it left the factory. For MB, I only know of the ones that the dealers or the company has access to (e.g., FDOK).

That plate is called the "body buck tag".