quinnk,

A European version from the German home market has a VIN that starts WDB201034 1F followed by a six digit serial number. The number you cited sounds a lot more like the US VIN pattern with letters mixed in.

A grey market car will have a decal or rivetted dog tag like plate with the original imported cited by name on the driver door post (edit added location). If the plate says Daimler-Benz Acktiengesellschaft, the car is not a grey market car. If it is a grey market car the importer will either be a person (like mine) or a company other than MB.

Sounds like the car is in pretty good condition. I was under the impression US cars did have a center high mounted brake light integrated with the spoiler. My Euro 190E 2.3-16 had a unit mounted in the rear window like the sedans. I took it out when the bulb burned out as it was so cheap it just fell apart and rattled.

I would have the car checked by a mechanic, and have at least a compression check and a close visual check of the car done. Good Luck, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)