1987 Mercedes 300E with stock 2.6L I6?
 

Hi I recently bought a 1987 Mercedes 300E.....I think. The title shows it as a 260E but all the vin numbers everywhere match up. The car itself shows it is a 300E. What confuses me is that 300E didn't start having 2.6L I6 until 1990 that I can find with the M103 motor. In 1987 they were only produced with the 3.0L I6. While 260E in 1987 came standard with 2.6L I6. Is this possible or are there any specific parts I can check on the car to see if it is a 260E or 300E?

Do a search for VIN decoder. ITs on a Russian MB site. IT will tell you all (and more) than you asked.

If the title says 260E it's very likely a 260E regardless of what the badge on the trunk may say. The 6th and 7th digits of the VIN are conclusive - either "30" or "26".

Dean just beat me. That's the way to tell conclusively, either the VIN starts WDBEA26 or WDBEA30. Actually, the 2.6L model was available as early as 1987 with the 260E badge, which it kept for the first several model years, until it was re-badged to 300E 2.6.