W201 190E AMG body kit - real vs aftermarket - how to verify a factory AMG kit before buying

Started by Cousin_Johnny_M, 31-03-2023 11:18 AM. 13 replies. 3,418 views.

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31-03-2023 11:18 AM

Cousin_Johnny_M Luxury Car Sales

Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Earlwood NSW
Posts: 1,516
Club: M.A.L.A.K.A.S.
Car: 1981 W123 280CE

one more thing.

Got a 1991 190E being offered to me with an "AMG body kit". Seller swears its factory AMG not aftermarket. Asking $38k versus maybe $22k for a base 190E in similar condition. So big difference if hes wrong.

How do i verify. What should i look for to confirm a factory AMG kit vs an aftermarket replica. Want to be sure before i tell my vlient to buy.

31-03-2023 12:48 PM

Hugo_Darlinghurst Senior Member

★ Gold

Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Darlinghurst NSW
Posts: 524
Club: Mercedes Classic Drivers Australia (MCDA) - chapter committee
Car: 1968 W108 280SE 5.0 Coupe

Johnny.. factory W201 AMG kit needs proof, not vibes.

Look for boot-lid AMG Affalterbach plaque with 6-digit number, VIN data card or seperate AMG build sheet. records were searchable at Stuttgart until about 2016, harder now.

Factory kit is SMC glass-reinforced thermoset, heavy and dense. front spoiler about 12.5kg. cheap kits are 8-9kg and sound hollow when tapped.

Side skirts should have 8 proper bolts through rocker pinch weld, not glue and four random bolts. wheels usually AMG Aero 1 or Penta, 7.5x17 ET34, check inside spoke.

No build sheet or plaque, treat as aftermarket.. even if seller swears on his cousin.

31-03-2023 02:18 PM

Vasilios_Billy

Lifetime Benzer

Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Campbelltown NSW
Posts: 1,864
Club: M.A.L.A.K.A.S.
Car: 2020 AMG GT C

Hugo's checklist is correct. I add one verification: contact Karl-Heinz Maurer at the AMG Heritage department in Affalterbach. Email is direct (direct contact, ask Hugo for the address). Provide the VIN. He will confirm whether AMG records show a factory kit fitment for that VIN. Worth a shot.

The Heritage department service is free for genuine ownership verification. Do not abuse it (do not flood with speculative VINs); Karl-Heinz is one man.

If AMG Heritage cannot confirm a factory kit for that VIN, the car is wearing an aftermarket kit regardless of the seller's claims.

31-03-2023 03:48 PM

Cousin_Johnny_M Luxury Car Sales

Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Earlwood NSW
Posts: 1,221
Club: M.A.L.A.K.A.S.
Car: 1981 W123 280CE

Boys both of you legends..

Inspecting the boot lid plaque this arvo.. if no plaque i will email Karl-Heinz with the VIN. If neither confirms, the car is a $22k car not a $38k car. Will negotiate hard or walk.

Fair.

06-04-2023 09:18 AM

Cousin_Johnny_M Luxury Car Sales

Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Earlwood NSW
Posts: 1,074
Club: M.A.L.A.K.A.S.
Car: 1981 W123 280CE

Update boys. No boot lid plaque. Karl-Heinz responded yesterday - no AMG record for that VIN. Kit is well-fitted aftermarket. Side skirt mounting is adhesive only which confirms Hugos point 4.

Walked from the deal. Client is happy i checked. Will keep looking.

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