[Guest (MBNZ)]

Hi all, I have found an '82 230 that was purchased in Germany in '87 and brought back to the states, to Florida....<br>
<br>
for the questions:<br>
The VIN I found was only 14 characters long, am I missing something? or would a GDM car be different? I couldn't find a plate on the dash, so I went with the plate on the chassis next to the radiator.<br>
What are the differences, if any, between a German-spec 230 and the USDM ones?<br>
and finally:<br>
Are there any special things I should be checking it for? I went over the car quite thoroughly, but I was wondering if there were any quirks that were 230 specific.<br>
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Thanks in advance!<br>
~Anna Maria<br>
'74 VW Standard Beetle, '97 Nissan 200SX SE-R, '89 Acura Integra, '87 Honda CRX HF

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Hi again,<br> <br> European cars do not have a VIN dash plate. <br> The European W123 cars were very basic, power windows, alloy wheels etc. were all options.<br> <br> The 230E engine has the black 'coated' rocker cover, where the older 230 4-cylinder carb. engine has a 'metal' rocker cover, if I remember correctly.<br> <br> Some items to check for on the 230E….<br> Rust round the rear arches and boot floor.<br> Blocked drainage holes where the bonnet hinges fold, these lead to a pipe behind the front wheels which can easily be kept clear by poking a long s/driver up occasionally. <br> Water getting into the boot through cracked rear light or boot/light seals. There’s a drain plug on either side and also one in spare wheel well. It's also worth removing the plastic boot lining and coating with wax-oil.<br> There’s a small oil ring in the front of the rocker cover which often leeks causing the p/steering & drive belts to slip.<br> <br> Don’t know what the US specs are, but the UK ones are;<br> W123 230E 3-speed Auto<br> 2299cc OHC<br> 136bhp DIN @ 5100rpm<br> 148Ib/ft @ 3500rpm<br> Max speed – 106mph<br> 0-60 – 12.9secs<br> Stand ¼ mile – 18.6secs<br> Overall fuel consumption – 24mpg<br> Power steering standard from September 1982.<br> <br> Jay.<br> <br> '61 MB 220SEb coupe<br> '73 MB 230/6 LWB<br> '83 MB 230CE coupe<br> '94 Audi 80 1.6TD<br>

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Ah yes, while the Euro's don't come with a number of features that US models get - how do they explain the lower performance, missing hazard triangle, fire extinguisher and those awful bloody headlights??? Hardly what I'd call a more desirable car. <br> <br> Your Euro 230 should have a chassis number something like:<br> <br> 123 - XXX - 22 - XXXXXX<br> <br> Does that sound about right? If so then it's the right number. <br> <br> P.S. it has a four speed auto, not a three speed auto. Just floor your accelerator or pull the selector down to L.