Is the US Diesel technical different to the German one ?

[Heidi]

Hallo,

first thanks for the interesting answers to my first thread!!

I would like to know, whether the US Imports are build differently to the German Diesel versions.
(I think you have different exhaust - laws) .....sorry, what is the correct explanation for it ?

Sincerly Heidi

[shadetree]

In regard to a W-123 MB the conversion to USA specifications
had more to do with the auto body that the diesel engine.
About the only addition to the engine was probably the
addition of a exhaust gas recirculation valve. In the case of the
body, front & rear bumpers had to be strengthened and metal
bars placed inside the doors. Several other minor additions
or changes and the addition of the USA spec front lights
and addition of a rear side marker light. The requirement for the
different front lights were later dropped and use of the regular
German front lights were OK. The biggest challenge was
to prepare the paperwork the right way that had to be sent
to the USA Department of Transportation and the Enviormental
Protection Agency for their approval. While this was going on
a bond had to be posted and all the incountry processing actions
taken which required some degree of skill and knowledge of
the process. In my case I brought an 1984 W-123 230E to
the USA which did require some additional engine conversion requirements that would not apply to a diesel.
Regards,
Chas Mattix