thanks

Your title is the definitive indicator of what you bought - hope you got a title. If you don't have a title the 10th digit of the VIN will tell you the model year - V for 97, W for 98, etc. and the 6th and 7th digits will tell you the model - 70 for a 430 and 72 for a 420. You're not alone but it never ceases to amaze me how many people don't know what car they own.

PS - either way you have a 722.6 transmission and need the MB fluid.

between the site info from richardM98 and denyel , it must be a 420 with 430 badges and car info -- and in jersey no title its stolen --- sooo now knowing that i paid what its worth, no real deal and that is ok its is a nice car thanks again - jz

John -

One last tip re:trans fluid. You can get the OEM fluid (MB packaging) from *************** or fastlane (this site). Considerably less than dealer.
Part No. 001 989 21 03 10. ($14.84/l last time I bought). This is the original 5sp fluid. However, some posters have said that MB is also approving the new 7sp fluid for use in the older transmissions. I haven't confirmed that but price is about half(?) of old fluid. I just did mine and decided that the extra $60 (for the older fluid) spread over 80,000 miles wasn't much of a hit.

Good luck with your 'new' car.

Your car still has a VIN number. What is it?

E420's have a 4.2 liter M119 engine.

E430's have a 4.3 liter M112 enigne.

1998 E430's and later cars have CAN bus, E420's don't. E430's also have fiber optic connections for the cd changer.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

thanks richardM98 for the trans fluid tip


i do not have car fax sooo i do not know much about this car but chassis # is --WDBJF72F8VA309227 title sand what i found -- E420 1997 DOD 3 /12/ 96