How do I look up a vin? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

NC240D76 · #1 03-24-2003, 06:00 AM

Is there any way to tell from a vin number if a car is diesel or not?
The car is on an auction and I do not have time to make the run to check it out but I will certainly send an insult bid if it is diesel.
The number they have listed is WDBAB53A4CB000560 and they have it listed as a 1982 300 but they took the picture from the front and all I can tell is it's a coupe.
I will try to attach a picture.
Thanks for the help.

Mike123 · #2 03-24-2003, 07:38 AM

If this were a gasser wouldn't it be a 280?

#3 03-24-2003, 08:47 AM

I agree.. the 123 cars were all 300 diesel.. or 280 gas.. There were a number of other engine sizes but I have only seen those two in the coupe..

Ken

NC240D76 · #4 03-24-2003, 10:12 AM

I thought I had seen something on a 300CE but it might have been a different series of years, Thanks.

Anything specific I should ask about/ look for on this car?

#5 03-24-2003, 11:13 AM

I had a 300 CD for years.. Just sold it.. They shared every thing except the body with all the other 300 diesels so there is nothing special about the CD except the doors and seats..and body.. Rest is standard 300 D stuff.. That is engine , trans, rearend, sunroof, heat and cooling, cruise control, brakes, ect.. Any std things about a 300 D will be the questions to ask....

Ken

#6 03-24-2003, 11:18 AM

I should have also said there are 300CE cars.. they are 124 Body and built from 88 to 92.. with two different type head setups on the std 300 gas engine.. I got rid of my 78 300 CD for a 92 300 CE
While the 124 is a nice car.. It is not near as much of a Mercedes as the 123 was.. I do feel like I took a step backward.. I am sure lots of people will not agree with me.. However the 124 has lots more problems and needs lots more work than the 123 ever did..

Ken

NC240D76 · #7 03-24-2003, 09:00 PM

Do you know if the 82's were turbo in the 300cd?
The 123 also has a different glow plug system and ignition system compared to my 115, are they going to be any more trouble?
My 240d is a great car but after 65-70 mph it starts getting a little loud, is the 300 a better cruiser at 80-85?

Thanks for all the help

#8 03-24-2003, 09:59 PM

That car should be a 300CD, and yes it should be a turbo model. Yes it should be a better cruiser also. The glow plug system should be less trouble than the older style also.

tjohn · #9 03-24-2003, 10:50 PM

Then yes, its a diesel. The "A" in the fourth VIN position means that the car is a 123 chassis, the "B" in the fifth position means its a diesel (gasser would be "A") and the "C" in the tenth position means its an 1982 version. The last six numbers are the production number, and I must say 000560 seems too low for this year/model, so I have some question about it. Could this be a grey market car? Some of them had the Euro style chassis number converted to the US style VIN when brought over...

NC240D76 · #10 03-25-2003, 10:14 AM

I have no history or records of any kind on the car, it is strictly a "pig in a poke".
Still cute though!

I'll let you know Friday how much it goes for.