Low-compression engine 7,2:1 (с 01.01.1963 по 30.06.1995)???

[neilrr]

I went to look at a W124 230E the other day which I later discovered has Option Code 473 - low-compression engine 7,2:1 (с 01.01.1963 по 30.06.1995). The engine number is 102982 22 153640.

If I'm understanding the Russian VIN de-coder site correctly it transpires that the car was originally sold in Liberia, also has Option Code 483 - harder springs and undershields (с 01.01.1964 по 31.07.1996), an Option Code 677 tropical battery (с 01.06.1965 по 30.11.1991) & an Option Code 343 cyclone air filter (с 01.09.1982 по 31.01.1993).

From the existing paperwork the car appears to have spent nearly all of it's life in the UK & the seller made no mention (maybe he was unaware) of the car's African origins.

Has anybody ever come across one of these before? I'm curious to know what the low compression engine would be like to drive compared to a standard UK spec one.

 

[bolide]

7.2:1 would work very nicely with a honking great big turbo. With UK fuel and no turbo I think you'd find it "relaxing"

Still, take it for a spin and see what you think. The 230 was never a snappy engine and it'll probably be very acceptable overall

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Satch]

Woo that sounds like the standard African spec which is perhaps no bad thing these days.

"Harder" springs translates as heavy duty with increased road clearance. Coupled with undershields just the thing you need in many parts of this country, where the state of so many local roads is absolutely dreadful whilst money is wasted by Local Authorities on grand sounding but spurious "road safety" improvements because that is what attracts Government money.

Cyclone filter to cope with dust which is also a must have because nobody sweeps the roads any more

Low compression engine to cope with low fuel quality, so ideal for Morrisons fuel.

 

[grober]

Maybe an official diplomats car that they were allowed to take back to the UK after a posting to Liberia. Might be interesting to trace its ownership history. Liberia has a very chequered past and a strained love/hate relationship with the USA. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberia
Bolides right the performance will be "leisurely" and the mpg's fairly poor on the basis of high compression=greater thermal efficiency assuming the fuel's octane rating allows.