E320 Grey market
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Current, 90 300CE, 92 400E (Sold 95 E320,70 250C, 91 190 2.6, 91 420 SEL, 95 300D, 87 TD)
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1,767 Posts
1. What State are you in?
2. Is the car currently registered?
3. Did already pass smog/inspection?
4. What year is the car? (this it the w124 site and E320s are only 94-95 if its a 96+ it is a W210 and your in the wrong place).
5. Fill out your profile.
I'm in CA
The car is out of state but has been registered for many years
Yes it passed smog as it has been used for many years ..
Its a 95
Current, 90 300CE, 92 400E (Sold 95 E320,70 250C, 91 190 2.6, 91 420 SEL, 95 300D, 87 TD)
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1,767 Posts
So now you need to register it in CA. It needs to have all the smog equipment required on it or added to it for CA emissions for MY 1995. Then get it signed off by the DMV.........or find a guy.......you know what I mean.
I think the VIN# is the tattle tale here and it will be flagged upon registration. from what Ive seen on other grey market cars there is additional certification sticker next to the VIN# That states the car was OKAY for import. What state is it currently registered in?
There is more involved than just registering it U.S. spec have different bumper requirements. DOT impact bumpers Headlight requirements and other things like emissions standards.
So before you buy it look for a port inspection sheet or the sticker next to the VIN#....Or something to say its okay to be here.
Thank you so much for the response. The car has been registered in the state of Florida for many years according to the seller and it looks like a regular E. 320 except for the fact that it has dual AC control in the front one for the driver one for the passenger ...
Here is the vin member . Now I'm puzzled because grey market car are not supposed to have one am i correct ?
VIN WDB1240661C282553
Here is the vin member . Now I'm puzzled because grey market car are not supposed to have one am i correct ?
VIN WDB1240661C282553
Current, 90 300CE, 92 400E (Sold 95 E320,70 250C, 91 190 2.6, 91 420 SEL, 95 300D, 87 TD)
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1,767 Posts
I think they all have VIN # but I think part of the VIN# tell what market it was to be sold to.
93 300te 93 500sel euro 96 s500 euro sold 94 s420 sold 99 cl500 RIP 91 300ce SOLD 99 clk cab garbage
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400 Posts
Having recently bought and sold a gray market federalized car in the state of florida I can tell you this. Florida has a lot of gray market cars. I have no idea why but they are everywhere.
Being a gray market car is not really the issue. The insurance in your state of registration can become a killer.
If it is legalized in florida that means it has all the smog equipment it will need according to the us federal government. There will be a book number by the VIN number in the windshield. This means it has an actual piece of paper in washington dc with all of the documentation you will need if the car is not sold with it. Be prepared to spend a couple of hundred bucks to get a copy from the government should you need it.
Just make sure you check your insurance first. I bought my s500 euro without doing so
was going to cost me 600.00 yes 600.00 a month in fort lauderdale to insure it.
Ended up getting the title in Kentucky and insuring it there for 80.00 a month go figure.
It doesnt happen to be a coupe or a cab does it? I seem to recall seeing one on craigslist for sale not long ago down here.
Being a gray market car is not really the issue. The insurance in your state of registration can become a killer.
If it is legalized in florida that means it has all the smog equipment it will need according to the us federal government. There will be a book number by the VIN number in the windshield. This means it has an actual piece of paper in washington dc with all of the documentation you will need if the car is not sold with it. Be prepared to spend a couple of hundred bucks to get a copy from the government should you need it.
Just make sure you check your insurance first. I bought my s500 euro without doing so
was going to cost me 600.00 yes 600.00 a month in fort lauderdale to insure it.
Ended up getting the title in Kentucky and insuring it there for 80.00 a month go figure.
It doesnt happen to be a coupe or a cab does it? I seem to recall seeing one on craigslist for sale not long ago down here.
93 300te 93 500sel euro 96 s500 euro sold 94 s420 sold 99 cl500 RIP 91 300ce SOLD 99 clk cab garbage
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400 Posts
let me know if the car is in the fort lauderdale area. If it is and you need someone to lay eyes on it let me know
According to Auto Check the VIN you posted shows the vehicle was imported to the us in 7/25/2000 and it passed road inspection/bond released on 10/2/2001 in Jacksonville FL. Continuous registration renewal was made through 4/8/2013 at Palm Beach and West Palm Beach DMV. The mileage reported on 8/3/2012 was 31,274 miles.
I would guess the vehicle had all necessary US registration requirement to pass inspection and allowed to be registered legally in the US although the VIN indicated that the vehicle was manufactured for NON-US market.
I would not hesitate to buy it if the price is right and after verifying and confirming the appropriateness of the vehicle registration with the DMV.
Good Luck.
I would guess the vehicle had all necessary US registration requirement to pass inspection and allowed to be registered legally in the US although the VIN indicated that the vehicle was manufactured for NON-US market.
I would not hesitate to buy it if the price is right and after verifying and confirming the appropriateness of the vehicle registration with the DMV.
Good Luck.
Current, 90 300CE, 92 400E (Sold 95 E320,70 250C, 91 190 2.6, 91 420 SEL, 95 300D, 87 TD)
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1,767 Posts
20thousand?? That way to much for a E320. Keep looking, You can find a real nice one from 3 to 6 thousand. 6,000 would be paying to much ...but if it had low mileage, Lost of maintenance records, new wiring harness, and perfect a interior. Then okay maybe $6000 would be fine. If you are looking for specifically a W124 I would get a E420 ....still inexpensive and the V8 has a little better record for longevity without head gasket problems and very comparable mileage @20mpgish. I love mine and its for sale! 92 400E 92 Mercedes-Benz 400E. BTW a 400E (1992-93) and a E420 (1994-95) are the same car w124 but the 94-95 have a updated grill,headlights, and trunk.
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93 300te 93 500sel euro 96 s500 euro sold 94 s420 sold 99 cl500 RIP 91 300ce SOLD 99 clk cab garbage
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400 Posts
Yep I remember that car. I didnt remember it be 20k though
i believe its a cab if its the same on it was in great shape a true "palm beach" car
ANd for your information. Normally gray markets are lower in price than a us car because how much of a pain in the ass they can be with insurance and registering.
just my 2 cents worth
i believe its a cab if its the same on it was in great shape a true "palm beach" car
ANd for your information. Normally gray markets are lower in price than a us car because how much of a pain in the ass they can be with insurance and registering.
just my 2 cents worth
Current, 90 300CE, 92 400E (Sold 95 E320,70 250C, 91 190 2.6, 91 420 SEL, 95 300D, 87 TD)
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1,767 Posts
Yes I still think it is too much, How ever, If it is absolutely perfect in every way and the top works. You can pay the price if YOU think its worth it.
Before you pay that price though, take it to a Mercedes dealer and have it checked out.
If the seller wants full price... make him pay.
Don't forget to check the ETA (electronic throttle actuator) That too has ECO junk wires.
At that price range, I'd look for E500E and be better off in the long run.
Florida doesn't have any sort of emissions testing, right? So if the his grey market car is coming from Florida, theres no guarantee it'll pass CA smog check. It'll probably have to visit a referee station first. In California I wouldn't touch that car with a 10 foot pole. As far as I know catalytic converters didn't become standard issue in Europe until the mid to late 90s.
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