jbodentrader

I am the owner of a 2000 e430 and am in the process of doing some rust damage repair. Based on the sticker on the car the base color code is 693. When I go to websites to compare paint and prices I am told on some websites the color is Travertine Beige and others say the color is Desert Silver Metallic. How do I tell which is the correct color?

raymond g-

the presumption is that the paint on your car is original and true to the paint code stamped on the
plate in your engine compartment. but, as we all know, paint fades over time. there is also an
outside chance that the body paint was redone over the years. why not just contact a dealer for
the proper name for that paint code? or, try seeing if you can spot it HERE.

jbodentrader

Thanks Raymond. A little story about my local MB Dealer. About a year ago the belt tensioner in the e430 ate itself. I went on-line when I got home and order a replacement. Received two days later. I tried to install it the next day. The serpentine belt, which wasn't damaged, would not fit. I tried every way from Sunday...no luck. Local mechanic was no help. As a last resort I called the local dealer's service mngr. He is a pretty good guy as we had spoken before. He told me that with no doubt the old belt should fit. I started researching on-line and two days later I found the tensioner pulley had been modified and the new pulley was larger and needed a different belt.
i have no problem with the gentleman but not sure if he has access to all the information we need.

raymond g-

at the top of this page - select TOOLS - then VIN decoder. try comparing the code and paint color that way (too)

I live 1 mile from Seattle Mercedes. I've not been back there for any service in 10 years. i scour MBWorld
and Benzworld and PeachParts for DIY maintenance tips.

i think the last time I was there, I had curbed my wheel. the dealer charged me $200 and I saw that they
rolled it out to the back of their lot where a guy had set up shop under a tent to detail and repair wheels.
the next time, I rolled it back there myself and saved over 50%. so I cut the dealer out now whenever I
can.

fabbrisd1

693 = Desert Silver Metallic (sometimes called Desert Beige, in Euro Travertine Beige)

As a metallic - please understand this will need to be a custom color match to your old paint - and a competent spray job...