SLK Novice needs urgent HELP

Jakarta Expat · 09-02-2006

Hey Guys, Sorry to bother you with this but as I posted somewhere else on this forum I have bought a 2006 SLK 200 Kompressor which here with the Luxury tax will cost appx. USD 110.000. As I stated before I am buying this from a gray market dealer who buys them from Germany and imports them in. If I was to buy this same car from Mercedes Indonesia it would cost me in excess of USD 130.000 and delivery would not be until January 07.

Now for my problem, I got a message today that the dealer cannot deliver on Monday but on Wednesday and then I heard from a friend that the rumor around is that the car I am buying is a 2004 or 2005 model not a 2006. Is there any way I can tell the difference between the 2004 or 2005 and the 2006. I can tell you that the ID on the car is WDB17144FO36562. Any help before Monday would be greatly appreciated. If it is a 2004 or 05 I can at least try and get my deposit back but then again this is Indonesia.

**DansSlk** · 09-02-2006

It's a bit difficult without having the car once you have the thing there are loads of dates on various stickers and documents the only best way would be to go to a dealer but i guess that has risks involved and ask them to run the VIN past the computer but it's a German VIN and they might not have it on the computer anyway.

steve-p · 09-02-2006

If you can get the VIN, the 10th digit is the model year - 4 is 2004, 5 is 2005 etc.

**DansSlk** · 09-02-2006

Steve - He has posted his VIN in the post and while it does appear to be a 2005 model the computers don't recognise the number so it looks like a made up version anyways.

Jakarta - Could you get them to give you the VIN again since the one you posted does not seem correct just in case they have given you a fake one.

steve-p · 09-02-2006

There are two digits missing from that VIN, since it is ony 15 characters. If position 9 'F' represents the Bremen plant then that should actually be in position 11. However there's no way of knowing where the missing digits should go except that they are probably somewhere around where the model year and check digit would normally be. Perhaps if they wanted to hide the model year they would also have missed out the check digit, because you could probably calculate the model year if you had the check digit. Sounds slightly suspicious to me. You need to get the full 17 character VIN.

ierax · 09-02-2006

Can you post the details of deciphering the vin (plant,producvtion year etc.) for future reference?

**DansSlk** · 09-02-2006

For North America -

Positions 1-3 - WDB (Daimler-Benz)

Position 4 - Model Or Series (W for the R171 K for the R170)

Position 5 - Engine Type (Will be A or a K (cheers ikarus) for all SLK's)

Positions 6-7 - Model Within Series

Position 8 - SRS System (Should be F for all SLK's)

Position 9 - Check Digit

Position 10 - Model Year

Position 11 - Production Plant (F-H Bremen)

Positions 12-17 - Chassis Number

This is what the computer has it down as at least if there are any mistakes give me a shout and i will amend it.

**DansSlk** · 09-02-2006

For the EU -

First 3 letters are the same as the NA code (WDB)

After the letters -

Positions 1-6 - VDS (For the R171 SLK55 Will Be 171473)

Position 7 - Transmission (Most Likely A 2)

Position 8 - Plant Code (Will Be an F for Bremen)

Position 9 - Check Digit

Position 10 - Model Year

Positions 11-On - Chassis Number

Again this is how the computer has it please feel free to point out any errors

Hope this makes sense

Dan

Jakarta Expat · 09-02-2006

Now if I remember correctly the VIN badge is under the hood on the left hand side of the car? Correct? Is there any other place on the SLK 200 that the VIN number is displayed? I ask as Indonesians are quite good at copying things and it could be that they put a fake VIN in the easiest place but could be they would not fake 2 places. Any suggestions?

**Woolly** · 09-02-2006

The VIN number is..

located in three different positions in the vehicle -

I nearly posted the exact place, position and what associated information is on each plate, then I stopped ....

I wonder why ??

**DansSlk** · 09-02-2006

Woolly,

I think this guy is being straight up so i don't see the problem in giving him the info and besides even if he is not being honest he can walk into any Merc dealer and get a copy of the SLK's manual without needing a valid VIN and it shows every place they are located.

Jakarta,

Once you get the car read the manual it will tell you all you need to know

Jakarta Expat · 09-02-2006

Most gratfully appreciated. I will check it out on Monday.

As for you and your "help" Woolly, it must be hard being "you". It would seem that someone living in or traveling to "16 different countries and 2 continents" would understand what it is like buying an expensive item not from someone of your home country and needing help.

**DansSlk** · 09-02-2006

Thats no problem at all mate glad to help.

The most visible VIN should be viewable inside a cutout on the bottom of the windscreen not sure what side it will be at sorry but you can miss it if you look for it

**etyu** · 09-02-2006

Jakarta Expat, The VIN plate can be viewed from outside the vehicle looking in, it is located at the left hand side at the dash of the vehicle on left-hand-drive vehicles. You will see a "cut-out" of the black paint at the lower corner.

There's also another VIN plate but this involves disassembly, it is located at the right (passenger seat in the US) side behind the passenger seat under the carpet floor cover at the central "tunnel" where the drive shaft is.

Jakarta Expat · 09-02-2006

I will check the opposite of what you said since in Indonesia the driver's seat is on the right hand side. I will as well ask to see the manual and check it out and find out the exact location of the VIN. I can then point out what I have learned here to the dealer or bluff him that I will send the number to Mercedes Indonesia for their support (I have spoken to the Sales Director of Mercedes Indonesia about buying from them in the past) and have them support me as to what model it actualy is.

**etyu** · 09-03-2006

Cool.

It looks like you should have a model very similar, if not identical, to the SLK 200 Kompressors in the UK. Congratulations on getting the SLK! (and as you posted, they're not inexpensive either, and I don't blame you for being extra careful especially in the "gray market" area.)

If the car has been built (I suspect it hasn't because of a January 2007 delivery date) and sent to port, your gray market dealer should be able to give you the VIN before the car arrives, presuming he has enough contacts overseas.

Jakarta Expat · 09-03-2006

The car is already here and the questioning is whether it is a 2004, 05 or 06 as the dealer claims it is an 06. Here in Indonesia everything is up for negotiation. When 06 becomes 07 in January these grey market guys can get an 05 or 06 car registered as an 07. They pay appx. the equivelent of USD 300 to 500 and presto magic you have transformed an 04, 05 or 06 to an 07. That is why I want to buy now as you would think that this car would be an 06. But as I stated yesterday the dealer claims it is an 06 but I have as well heard just yesterday he has been sitting on this car unable to sell it and it is in fact an 04 or 05. I have not taken delivery as it takes about 10 days to 2 weeks for processing of license tags for any car here after you buy it in which the dealer has to do the processing. In fact if I really wanted to be an ass, I could pay the dealer the equivelent of an extra USD 1000 and he would process temporary tags good until Jan 07 and then actually register the car as an 07. As I said before, EVERYTHING here in Indonesia is up for negotiation.

**etyu** · 09-03-2006

Now, I understand. I know what you mean that everything is subject to negotiations/bargaining. This is not unusual not only in Asia but other countries I imagine.

I've attached a photo with a yellow arrow pointing to where you can copy the VIN on a left-hand-drive vehicle. It might be on the corresponding side in a right-hand-drive vehicle.

Once you have it, post it here and I'm sure several forum members can check it out for you. I'm sure you already know: Dan's dah MAN !

(courtesy of Ynot).

Jakarta Expat · 09-03-2006

This first 1 is something I read just the other day and there is a lot of truth in it.

"In India, corruption is under the table. In China, it is over the table, while in Indonesia corruption includes the table,"

And a joke that holds alot of truth, I heard this in a bar my second night in Jakarta from an Austrian who has passed away now but turned out to be a very good friend of mine here while alive.

Once there was an Indonesia Chicken that went to New York City on holiday. His first day there he is cruising down 42nd street and he happens to run in to an American Pig, they strike up a friendship and off they go with the American Pig being the tour guide for the Indonesian Chicken. After several days of site seeing the Indonesian Chicken says he is about ready to return home to Indonesia and tells the American Pig that maybe if he was not busy to join him on his return trip to Indonesia.

The American Pig says ”What would I do there in Indonesia”
The Indonesian Chicken says “Come and stay with me, stay with me in my house and may be we could setup a joint venture company together”
The Amercian Pig says “It sounds interesting but what kind of business would we set up?”
The Indonesian Chicken says “ Of definitely with the way Indonesians love to eat, we could setup a joint venture in the form of a Ham and Eggs restaurant”
The American Pig says “What would sell at this restaurant”
The Indonesian Chicken explains that would be simple “Every day I will lay the eggs to sell and everyday when we need a little ham we could just “slice a little off of you”
The American Pig thinks about this for a little while and then tells the Indonesian Chicken “Well that seems ok for you since you can lay eggs everyday but once you cut so much ham off of me, sooner or later I will die”
The Indonesian Chicken responds that “Yes that is true but that is eventually what happens to all foreigners that are joint venture partners.”

09-02-2006	#1 (permalink)
Jakarta Expat Banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jakarta, Inonesia Vehicle: SLK 200 Compressor - Silver/Black Posts: 14 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	SLK Novice needs urgent HELP Hey Guys, Sorry to bother you with this but as I posted somewhere else on this forum I have bought a 2006 SLK 200 Kompressor which here with the Luxury tax will cost appx. USD 110.000. As I stated before I am buying this from a gray market dealer who buys them from Germany and imports them in. If I was to buy this same car from Mercedes Indonesia it would cost me in excess of USD 130.000 and delivery would not be until January 07. Now for my problem, I got a message today that the dealer cannot deliver on Monday but on Wednesday and then I heard from a friend that the rumor around is that the car I am buying is a 2004 or 2005 model not a 2006. Is there any way I can tell the difference between the 2004 or 2005 and the 2006. I can tell you that the ID on the car is WDB17144FO36562. Any help before Monday would be greatly appreciated. If it is a 2004 or 05 I can at least try and get my deposit back but then again this is Indonesia.

09-02-2006	#2 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,794 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 225 Times in 177 Posts	It's a bit difficult without having the car once you have the thing there are loads of dates on various stickers and documents the only best way would be to go to a dealer but i guess that has risks involved and ask them to run the VIN past the computer but it's a German VIN and they might not have it on the computer anyway. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

09-02-2006	#4 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,794 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 225 Times in 177 Posts	Steve - He has posted his VIN in the post and while it does appear to be a 2005 model the computers don't recognise the number so it looks like a made up version anyways. Jakarta - Could you get them to give you the VIN again since the one you posted does not seem correct just in case they have given you a fake one. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

09-02-2006	#7 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,794 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 225 Times in 177 Posts	For North America - Positions 1-3 - WDB (Daimler-Benz) Position 4 - Model Or Series (W for the R171 K for the R170) Position 5 - Engine Type (Will be A or a K (cheers ikarus) for all SLK's) Positions 6-7 - Model Within Series Position 8 - SRS System (Should be F for all SLK's) Position 9 - Check Digit Position 10 - Model Year Position 11 - Production Plant (F-H Bremen) Positions 12-17 - Chassis Number This is what the computer has it down as at least if there are any mistakes give me a shout and i will amend it. __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

09-02-2006	#8 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,794 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 225 Times in 177 Posts	For the EU - First 3 letters are the same as the NA code (WDB) After the letters - Positions 1-6 - VDS (For the R171 SLK55 Will Be 171473) Position 7 - Transmission (Most Likely A 2) Position 8 - Plant Code (Will Be an F for Bremen) Position 9 - Check Digit Position 10 - Model Year Positions 11-On - Chassis Number Again this is how the computer has it please feel free to point out any errors Hope this makes sense Dan __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

09-02-2006	#3 (permalink)
steve-p Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury, UK Vehicle: SLK55 AMG Other Toys: '65 Mustang Fastback with 302ci HiPo engine Posts: 188 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If you can get the VIN, the 10th digit is the model year - 4 is 2004, 5 is 2005 etc.

09-02-2006	#5 (permalink)
steve-p Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury, UK Vehicle: SLK55 AMG Other Toys: '65 Mustang Fastback with 302ci HiPo engine Posts: 188 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	There are two digits missing from that VIN, since it is ony 15 characters. If position 9 'F' represents the Bremen plant then that should actually be in position 11. However there's no way of knowing where the missing digits should go except that they are probably somewhere around where the model year and check digit would normally be. Perhaps if they wanted to hide the model year they would also have missed out the check digit, because you could probably calculate the model year if you had the check digit. Sounds slightly suspicious to me. You need to get the full 17 character VIN.

09-02-2006	#6 (permalink)
ierax Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Vehicle: Obsidian black SLK Posts: 293 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Can you post the details of deciphering the vin (plant,producvtion year etc.) for future reference?

09-02-2006	#9 (permalink)
Jakarta Expat Banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jakarta, Inonesia Vehicle: SLK 200 Compressor - Silver/Black Posts: 14 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks for all the help so far....... Now if I remember correctly the VIN badge is under the hood on the left hand side of the car? Correct? Is there any other place on the SLK 200 that the VIN number is displayed? I ask as Indonesians are quite good at copying things and it could be that they put a fake VIN in the easiest place but could be they would not fake 2 places. Any suggestions?

09-02-2006	#10 (permalink)
Woolly Founding Member #8 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Co. Durham, UK Vehicle: 2004 SLK350 Other Toys: Cars, Bikes, Boats & Aircraft!! Posts: 972 Country: Thanks: 28 Thanked 26 Times in 16 Posts	The VIN number is.. located in three different positions in the vehicle - I nearly posted the exact place, position and what associated information is on each plate, then I stopped .... I wonder why ?? __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. 2005 BMW LT - 16 countries, 2 CONTINENTS & counting 2004 MB SLK 350 Andradite Green (6 speed manual] 1999 Ducati ST2 2003 Vauxhaul Vectra 1974 Triumph Bonneville 750 T140V 1937 Norton 500 single (all still current)

09-02-2006	#11 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,794 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 225 Times in 177 Posts	Woolly, I think this guy is being straight up so i don't see the problem in giving him the info and besides even if he is not being honest he can walk into any Merc dealer and get a copy of the SLK's manual without needing a valid VIN and it shows every place they are located. Jakarta, Once you get the car read the manual it will tell you all you need to know __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

09-02-2006	#12 (permalink)
Jakarta Expat Banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jakarta, Inonesia Vehicle: SLK 200 Compressor - Silver/Black Posts: 14 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Dan thanks for the tip...... Most gratfully appreciated. I will check it out on Monday. As for you and your "help" Woolly, it must be hard being "you". It would seem that someone living in or traveling to "16 different countries and 2 continents" would understand what it is like buying an expensive item not from someone of your home country and needing help.

09-02-2006	#13 (permalink)
DansSlk Dude Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Wales Vehicle: 05 B55S (Brabus 6.1 S) Posts: 6,794 Country: Thanks: 96 Thanked 225 Times in 177 Posts	Thats no problem at all mate glad to help. The most visible VIN should be viewable inside a cutout on the bottom of the windscreen not sure what side it will be at sorry but you can miss it if you look for it __________________ One thing you will learn with German cars - If it's simple it ain't happening.

09-02-2006	#14 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,306 Country: Thanks: 381 Thanked 282 Times in 173 Posts	Jakarta Expat, The VIN plate can be viewed from outside the vehicle looking in, it is located at the left hand side at the dash of the vehicle on left-hand-drive vehicles. You will see a "cut-out" of the black paint at the lower corner. There's also another VIN plate but this involves disassembly, it is located at the right (passenger seat in the US) side behind the passenger seat under the carpet floor cover at the central "tunnel" where the drive shaft is. __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

09-02-2006	#15 (permalink)
Jakarta Expat Banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jakarta, Inonesia Vehicle: SLK 200 Compressor - Silver/Black Posts: 14 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Etyu I will check the opposite of what you said since in Indonesia the driver's seat is on the right hand side. I will as well ask to see the manual and check it out and find out the exact location of the VIN. I can then point out what I have learned here to the dealer or bluff him that I will send the number to Mercedes Indonesia for their support (I have spoken to the Sales Director of Mercedes Indonesia about buying from them in the past) and have them support me as to what model it actualy is.

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09-03-2006	#16 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,306 Country: Thanks: 381 Thanked 282 Times in 173 Posts	Cool. It looks like you should have a model very similar, if not identical, to the SLK 200 Kompressors in the UK. Congratulations on getting the SLK! (and as you posted, they're not inexpensive either, and I don't blame you for being extra careful especially in the "gray market" area.) If the car has been built (I suspect it hasn't because of a January 2007 delivery date) and sent to port, your gray market dealer should be able to give you the VIN before the car arrives, presuming he has enough contacts overseas. __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant., EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled. Last edited by etyu; 09-03-2006 at 12:03 AM.*

09-03-2006	#17 (permalink)
Jakarta Expat Banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jakarta, Inonesia Vehicle: SLK 200 Compressor - Silver/Black Posts: 14 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Etyu, this is my problem....... The car is already here and the questioning is whether it is a 2004, 05 or 06 as the dealer claims it is an 06. Here in Indonesia everything is up for negotiation. When 06 becomes 07 in January these grey market guys can get an 05 or 06 car registered as an 07. They pay appx. the equivelent of USD 300 to 500 and presto magic you have transformed an 04, 05 or 06 to an 07. That is why I want to buy now as you would think that this car would be an 06. But as I stated yesterday the dealer claims it is an 06 but I have as well heard just yesterday he has been sitting on this car unable to sell it and it is in fact an 04 or 05. I have not taken delivery as it takes about 10 days to 2 weeks for processing of license tags for any car here after you buy it in which the dealer has to do the processing. In fact if I really wanted to be an ass, I could pay the dealer the equivelent of an extra USD 1000 and he would process temporary tags good until Jan 07 and then actually register the car as an 07. As I said before, EVERYTHING here in Indonesia is up for negotiation. Last edited by Jakarta Expat; 09-03-2006 at 12:28 AM.

09-03-2006	#19 (permalink)
Jakarta Expat Banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jakarta, Inonesia Vehicle: SLK 200 Compressor - Silver/Black Posts: 14 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I know I am a visitor to Indonesia but here is some valuable input to keep in mind.. This first 1 is something I read just the other day and there is a lot of truth in it. "In India, corruption is under the table. In China, it is over the table, while in Indonesia corruption includes the table," And a joke that holds alot of truth, I heard this in a bar my second night in Jakarta from an Austrian who has passed away now but turned out to be a very good friend of mine here while alive. Once there was an Indonesia Chicken that went to New York City on holiday. His first day there he is cruising down 42nd street and he happens to run in to an American Pig, they strike up a friendship and off they go with the American Pig being the tour guide for the Indonesian Chicken. After several days of site seeing the Indonesian Chicken says he is about ready to return home to Indonesia and tells the American Pig that maybe if he was not busy to join him on his return trip to Indonesia. The American Pig says ”What would I do there in Indonesia” The Indonesian Chicken says “Come and stay with me, stay with me in my house and may be we could setup a joint venture company together” The Amercian Pig says “It sounds interesting but what kind of business would we set up?” The Indonesian Chicken says “ Of definitely with the way Indonesians love to eat, we could setup a joint venture in the form of a Ham and Eggs restaurant” The American Pig says “What would sell at this restaurant” The Indonesian Chicken explains that would be simple “Every day I will lay the eggs to sell and everyday when we need a little ham we could just “slice a little off of you” The American Pig thinks about this for a little while and then tells the Indonesian Chicken “Well that seems ok for you since you can lay eggs everyday but once you cut so much ham off of me, sooner or later I will die” The Indonesian Chicken responds that “Yes that is true but that is eventually what happens to all foreigners that are joint venture partners.”

09-03-2006	#20 (permalink)
Woolly Founding Member #8 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Co. Durham, UK Vehicle: 2004 SLK350 Other Toys: Cars, Bikes, Boats &a