Jaywalker

I've been looking at W210s and W211s and have found some that were originally sold in California before they made its way here to Texas. Are there differences between California and other states' cars? I occasionally read forum entries that mentions different pollution requirements, but I can't find the references, except one question here suggesting the catalytic converters might be different. Is that true and would there be anything else?

Thanks.

RichardM98

I know replacement catalytic convertors must have the California Air Resources Board (CARB) certification stamped on them. Any car sold in California must meet the states' emission requirements. Up until very recently the MB E-class BlueTec was for sale in every state but California for that reason.

I suspect there may be other requirements I'm not aware of.

Jaywalker

Thanks, Richard. I appreciate your time.

ejsheltra

I have a california sourced e Class w210 and have not been able to discern any differences other than that mentioned above. Fuel fill requirements and emissions are the prime areas to look for. The W210 model going from atleast the 6/99 forward facelift models were ULEV certified which is ultra low emissions vehicle. I have the cert number on the car. It may also include the pre-face lift cars but somebody else needs to chime in on that aspect. The E class was 50 state legal on emissions and fuel fill requirements and should be the same everywhere in the US at least. Hope that helps.

Jaywalker

Thanks. I'd actually been a bit torn between the W210 and the W211, as there doesn't appear to be much difference in the prices around here, 2001-2003, anyway. I was concerned that a California-only design might make things tougher to keep running DIY (for small things), but I think I'll keep looking for a W210 that's spent its life here in this state.

ohlord

on the w211.
TThere is a huge drop off in quality and that is why you can pick up the w211 for so cheap Nobody wants them
highest recalls in Mercedes history

inspect,inspect.inspect

Jaywalker

Thanks. I really didn't want a W211, but I was nearly seduced by the lower apparent price.

If all the W210s are ULEV-rated, would they all show California-compliant engines? I've located a car nearby and have run the VIN. It shows the following: "494 California version version for USA/California/Canada (с 01.01.1996)". Is that standard for US cars? Thanks.

RichardM98

There was a time many, many years ago when California's emission controls laws were much tougher than the federal ones. A lot of people felt that buying a California car would give you tune up problems, etc. I think that was mostly rumor started by car dealers in other states. Today, there's little real difference.

There's a big MB import facility in the port of Long Beach. Cars destined for the US, Canada and Mexico are 'prepped' there depending on the final destination. BTW, when daytime running lights were illegal in the US, that's where they turned off that feature but left it on for Canada where they were okay. I believe only cars destined for a California dealer would be have the 494 code.

Jaywalker

Hmm. Okay. Maybe the car got redirected, since it's been titled in Texas from the beginning, as far as I can tell.

sosh

Interesting you say that. I had a 01 W210 for 4 years and a 05 W211 for 5 years. My experience was that the W211 was far more reliable than the W210. In fact for the entire 5 years it was not necessary to visit a shop except for routine maintenence. The210 on the other hand was in the shop about every 4 to 5 months for something and I am not talking about cosmetics.I do not even recall one warranty item on the W211. Some of the 210 stuff that I remember were CATs, bad brake line, numerous bad sensors, several brake light switches, several power window issues, ESP and ABS issues, sunroof issue, doorlock issues, and so on. Your remark about no one wanting a W211 is certainly off base and not true. Today the styling of the 210 looks quite dated while the 211 looks current and modern. I now drive a 212 which to date since Jan delivery has been flawless. I will say that I enjoyed my 210 and one of the reasons was that my dealer made all of these issues painless and not disruptive to my life.