Yes. Barry Taylor told me he knows of two AMG w123s that did not have the 5.0 (mine is now the third on his list), Richard Buxbaum (ex-Pres/Founder of AMG of NA) told me they exist, and Al Mahanna (ex-owner of AMG of Missouri - my car's importer) said that all 6-cylinder cars that he imported had at least an AMG cam and an LSD; he also stated that he didn't remember importing many 6-cyl cars.

Yes, Virginia, w123 AMGs with a M110 2.8 do exist, and as far as I can tell, I have one (I'm still missing the original Bill of Sale, but I'm getting closer to those papers). Look at the brochure on the following page and it shows the AMG engine kit for the M110: http://www.geocities.com/johan01.geo/AMG/

PS - Option code 256 is the code for the w126 limited slip - that was easy to find.

Wow, Now that's what I'm talking about...Cool.

and how have you determined that yours has the lsd, please?

tom w

Jacked up the rear and turned the wheels in gear. Both go forward.

that is pretty good evidence!

it is an amg though, right?

tom w

AMG installed Gleason Torsen differentials in there cars. If you truly what know, with out any doubt if you have an LSD, remove the rear cover and look. Post a Picture

It is an AMG - therein lied the question. Was it installed by AMG or by MB? I still can't find a definitive answer that says Euros could/could not be ordered with limited slip. No one seems to know for certain.

I know I could open it and look, I'm just trying to avoid that mess simply to satisfy a curiousity.

Check to see if its a LSD mercedes differential or if its a GT differential. AMG installed GT differentials.... not mercedes LSD differentials.

Also, ASD is a hydraulically regulated differential. It will have the same oil canister that SLS equipped cars have in the engine bay. when it detects wheel spin, it will lock up.

ASR is from what I understand something to do with braking when it detects a difference in speed. I don't believe any W123's had ASD or ASR even offered as an option.

it could also perhaps be a lsd from a 126 body.

have you looked for numbers on it?

tom w

If it’s a true AMG, tuned in Affalterbach in the 80s, you should have a Torsen differential, that’s the differential AMG used then. Removing the differential cover will answer your questions, a Torsen is unique, its looks nothing like an LSD.

Again, FROM the " MB factory" no USA version W123 chassis came with limited slip.

IF you are asking about tuner cars go to the performance paddock!

AMG cars were EURO cars until the C36 came out back in 1995 here.

I understand that; I got it. Mine is not a USA version. Hence, the question remains unanswered, and it seems it will continue that way until I open up the pumpkin.

I wish I had a limited slip...

I can't get even one tire to spin. I'd love to have a Torsen in my road racer, but my commuter diesel it's just not worth it.

According to my trusted Diplomatic and Tourist Worldwide Sales Prices/Specifications/Options brochures (ref. years 1979/82/84/85) there was a Limited-slip Differential, M-B option code No. 256, but it was available ONLY for W126s and SLs. The option had to be ordered in conjuntion with code 601 (Special oil for rear axle with differential).

There was no limited differential available for W123s.

The only rear axle option codes available for W123s were:

Code No. 230: Rear Axle ratio 1:3.69, which by the way was mandated to be combined with option Code 646 (Tyres 15" tubeless). This extra cost option was only available for the 300D/230E and 280E models -sedans, wagons and coupes-

Code No. 212: Rear Axle Ratio 1:3.92. Code 646 had also to be ordered and this option was available only for models 240D/200 -sedans, wagons and coupes-.

I have a seen few W123s here with either of those options, they used to easily recognizable because of the 15" tires instead of the 14". But, as far as I know, I have never seen a W123 with a limited-slip differential fitted from the factory.

The limited-slip differential was a popular post-factory option. I have seen it installed on a Holland imported W123 (300TD) and a French 280CE. Several brands were available (as I remember seen several ads on european car magazines at the time).

Hope this helps to clarify the issue.