[carlitos55]

Hi I have just bought a 1995 e220 and I would like to find out the paint code of the Merc.
I found a plate on the right side of the top of the radiator but it has various digit numbers.
how can I tell which one is for the colour code?
Save driving!!!

 

[ds190]

Paint code seventh row on left side. Mine is 199.

 

[carlitos55]

Thanks for the info but my plate looks a bit different than yours. the no 8 is on the opposite side, and between no. 420 & 620

 

[Moth]

Sorry, this was a duplicate post somehow.

 

[Moth]

Hello mate.

Good to see another English 220 on here - we'll have to compare notes sometime. Hope you're enjoying the car.

Strange your data plate differs from ds190's - I thought they were all like that. Mine is.

No matter - you can either study your data card in the back of your owners / service manual, or input your full VIN number into this Russian VIN decoding site below. You should get a full decode (in English) including a list of all options on your car, plus the paint code and interior colour code.

http://mb.ilcats.ru/1/ccode/1/

This next site has excellent tables of code info, including a section called 'Exterior colour combinations' - this has the correct matching secondary colour codes needed for the lower panels and bumpers. Scroll down to the bottom for that.

MercedesW124

This is a good reference for the contrasting colours too, with samples

Colors


Cheers

 

[carlitos55]

Thanks a lot, I thought my car was silver as it mentions in the registration of the Merc but in fact is actually beige...:thumbsup:
Safe driving

 

[alia176]

This is a timely thread since I too was curious what my color code is. Looks like I have anthracyte grey metallic, Code 172. Now, what is the lower trim color? Is that the same color, 172 but since it's on plastic, it looks different?

BTW, according to the Paintscratch website listed above, I priced out a pint of my paint. Holy moly, I had no idea that auto paint is so freaking expensive Good grief.....

 

[carlitos55]

Well I hope the aerosols aren´t too expensive, I just need a couple to spray some rust bubbles here and there and the front and rear bumpers...just got to find out what colour is the no. 702 on my plate...Silver... Beige... still

Cheers

 

[Moth]

Alia176 -

The info site I linked has Anthracite Grey listed with 2-tone combination color - the contrasting color is 'Mussel Grey' 176.

This does not mean your car has that colour, I'm sure the combinations changed over the years, but it's most likely as it's a 'classic' combination I've seen often.

Some earlier cars had single colour schemes from new (signal red and light ivory could be had with matching panels as a standard combo) but in general they tend to be the very late models. Others have been colour-coded by previous owners. The original panels have a different finish to the main bodywork, too - more about that later.

 

[Moth]

Well I hope the aerosols aren´t too expensive, I just need a couple to spray some rust bubbles here and there and the front and rear bumpers...just got to find out what colour is the no. 702 on my plate...Silver... Beige... still

Cheers

Your paint was a very popular 124 choice, and the English market name for it is 'Smoke Silver' - it's warmer than the other silvers, even light gold in some lights. But the name doesn't matter, lots of the colours have multiple names anyway (mine has 4!). As long as you have the code, that's all you need to order a good match.

Bumpers are a different matter. Your combination colour could be 176 (Mussel Grey) like Alia176's above - that's how it's listed on the info site, anyway. But being a later car, perhaps it's colour coded like mine?

The lower parts (including the painted bumper strip) have a different finish described as 'matt metallic clearcoat' - the cladding panels were effectively more matt / satin than the glossy body paint. There was a specific matt/satin clear coat system avaliable for the Mercedes claddings from Glasurit which seems to be unavailable now - there may well be a modern equivalent used by MB approved bodyshops that you can get hold of. Otherwise painters who know MB's will spray the cladding and bumpers using a clear mixed with 10% matting agent for the top coats. This gives the factory effect, though few cars retain the same finish today... some have dulled panels that have become very flat, and others have been buffed / cut and polished which has obviously increased the shine to match the metalwork. Tricky to patch repair, anyway - entire panels could be the best solution.

If you only have damage to the bumper strip, this is removable and replaceable. Consider fitting the early black bumper strips - far more practical than the face-lift painted ones. Not only are they unpainted and therefore much cheaper and also easier to maintain, but they are also more flexible in the event of minor bumps. The late painted ones are moulded from different, more rigid material and will crack or shatter more easily where the black ones remain intact.

They are still available along with the impact-absorbing foam strips inside. I changed mine, easy job.

 

[carlitos55]

You are completely spot on, I have just rang the dealer who originally sold the Merc and he told me that the colour code 702 is called "Smoked Silver". You gave me a good idea regarding the bumpers and I do realise that instead of repairing and painting them it would look nice to get the black trim, any idea where to get them from?

Cheers:thumbsup:

 

[Moth]

Glad you've got Smoke Silver - a nice, slightly retro, classic colour. My Dad had a 190 in that shade years ago, I'd know it anywhere

So about the bumpers: I ordered the front from Ebay and the rear from MB as the estate needed a different part. Ebay probably has saloon versions of the rear for yours (search W124 bumper strip) but they often seem to be the later painted variety that come in primer.

Euro car parts or GSF may also stock them. Remember to search for 1986 - 1993 model years for the black ones.

This is the front one I bought from ebay (no problems fitting it, it was fine)

MERCEDES E CLASS W124 1984>1995 Front Bumper Moulding Strip Black | eBay

The OEM estate rear version from MB was £80 or so. Not noticeably different in quality - maybe a slightly different grain on the moulding.

The foam inserts are important as they obviously absorb impacts and prevent the bumper strip cracking. Mine were broken or missing completely (in the front) but they are still available from MB and not expensive. Phone a dealership with your VIN and they will be able to order them if you need them.

Part number, rear strip (black/unpainted) for saloon:
124 885 0321

Part number, rear strip (black/unpainted) for all models is:
124 885 1021​

My car is a dark colour so the strips don't really look much different from the painted ones it came with originally, but even on a pale colour like yours they look fine (like the on older models). Better to have nice new black strips than cracked, filled or touched-up painted ones, anyway.

Let me know how you get on with it. I have a diagram for bumper removal I could post - don't need to lift the car to do it, and it's just a few bolts to get them off. (You do have to to remove the whole bumper to change the inserts as they are clipped in behind, but it isn't hard to do at all.)

 

[carlitos55]

Thanks mate, I saw the same front strip on ebay, pity they only have got the rear one in primer...

Cheers:thumbsup: