Hey, I have been posting on other forums and hoping to get some info here, no one seems to want to help me anywhere else.

I bought my first mercedes, a 1981 500sel, so far I understand that it is a grey market car, that its w126 and thats about it.

I have checked the vin and it comes up with different years on different decoders. 1978, 1990 and the mvd here in az thinks its a 2001 for some reason,
VIN wdb12603712008508
I cant find a manual for it anywhere.

Is there an american model equivalent that i can use for parts.

anyone know anything about this model? there are some minor issues I want to fix. sunroof and one door window doesnt work, some interior lights out, nothing major but I cant find enough info to get look for parts or manuals.

please give a fella a hand. any info gets me moving forward

 

hi
i have a grey market 500 too.
fortunately my dad is an MB Tech at the local dealer. what it means is that your car was built to specs for over seas. A true european 500 vin stars with wdbw126037, this match's yours. if it was broght over legitimately then the doors and bumpers are braced and the emissions controls where modified to USA standards.

things to know is that the windows and glass is thinner than american models. the transmission is specially geared. you should have euro glass head lights (unless it was in an accident and replaced with USA lights). 81-85 w126's are the first generation and 86-91 is the second generation.

My car is now a custom hybrid of generations. Over the years i have been building what i call a resto-mod. the outside has an amg body kit with second gen. body moldings. interior is mostly second gen with the exception of the sun visor area.

hope this helped.

 

How zit going i have an 86 500sel and found it really hard to find help to. are your windows electric i found the motor cog does not ingage the gearing on the doors but u can grind down the motor mount an dit bolts in much better and also saab uses the same electric motors

 

Its funny Envy cuz I was just working on the window this weekend. My front passenger window wouldnt roll up or down. took the door apart and found out that the gears are shattered. found all the broken pieces in the door panel. Which model saab fits? I couldnt find a motor this weekend and was gonna try to order one online.

 

Laying_frame,
Thanks for the info, it helped alot.

 

im not aware of Saab window gears being compatible with mercedes. you would have to try n see. i would stick with a mercedes if possible.