W,S,R...20*,12*,...etc

[mat8n]

Why is it car forums use the actual nerdy type number and not the model and year number?
I for one haven't got a clue what most posts are about!
I don't know the difference between a w204 and an s204 or if a w204 is newer or old than a w214....if any of them are actual cars!

Don't get me wrong, for the tech section it's needed, I do know my old sl's were r230s and the new one is an r231, my s class was a w221. But I only know that because I owned them.

When reading some interesting posts someone will spout up "on my old w2** I hard parktronic" or something, why don't people say " on my old '06 e class estate I had parktronic"? I and I'm sure a few other not so nerdy types would understand and enjoy the thread a bit more.

It's a bit Alan Partridge

 

[Tiim533]

I agree with you. If something looks interesting I look at Wikipedia to find out what they’re talking about.

P.S. I drive an A207.

 

[BaldGuy]

My previous w202 was my 1st Merc then a W209, followed by another W209 then a W164 then a R230 R129 and then R231.....

 

[GeeJayW]

It is a bit nerdy, but it is a kind of shorthand for particular models. I don't know if it's just restricted to German cars, but I think folks on BMW and Porsche forums do the same thing.

For MB cars the letters are type designators, and there may well be more of them I'm no expert.
W - wagon/saloon
S - stationwagon/estate (Kombi in Germany)
C - coupe
R - roadster
A - cabriolet?

The number then relates to the version.

I thought first two digits were model and third digit the version, but (even from the posts in this thread), isn't consistent.

 

[markjay]

This is because there's no other name for the model of car.

The car's marketting designation is not specific enough.

A 2007 C180 Kompressor can be either a W203 or W204, which are two very different cars.

Similarly, a 2014 C-Class can be either W204 or W205.

And how would you know if a 2003 S-Class is the same as a 2006 S-Class, without knowing its 'W' number?

Etc

You could of course argue that MB should have gone the Italian way, and use exotic-sounding names instead of obscure letters and numbers, but they are German....

 

[chrisk2010]

My previous w202 was my 1st Merc then a W209, followed by another W209 then a W164 then a R230 R129 and then R231.....

I only know the ones i have owned too

 

[Rayny]

This is because there's no other name for the model of car.
You could of course argue that MB should have gone the Italian way, and use exotic-sounding names instead of obscure letters and numbers, but they are German....

Or even Fords naming convention - The Ford Escort only went through a couple of insignificant changes in it's production years.

 

[GeeJayW]

Or even Fords naming convention - The Ford Escort only went through a couple of insignificant changes in it's production years.

Though it did have several Marks. I had a Mk3 five door hatchback and Mk5 estate..

 

[mat8n]

This is because there's no other name for the model of car.

The car's marketting designation is not specific enough.

A 2007 C180 Kompressor can be either a W203 or W204, which are two very different cars.

Similarly, a 2014 C-Class can be either W204 or W205.

And how would you know if a 2003 S-Class is the same as a 2006 S-Class, without knowing its 'W' number?

Etc

You could of course argue that MB should have gone the Italian way, and use exotic-sounding names instead of obscure letters and numbers, but they are German....

Yes but in your points you're being very Alan partridge about the cross over years. In those particular examples it might need some clarification which model, but generally why not say e class or c class etc?

My other passion of air-cooled vws has the same thing but people call them cross overs or early and late bays. Low light ghias etc, because people actually know what they mean.

I was trying to find a part for my 2004 x3.... What a nightmare because I didn't know what it was! I still dont... It's a 2004 bmw x3! Or isn't it?

 

[markjay]

Though it did have several Marks. I had a Mk3 five door hatchback and Mk5 estate..

As for changes between models... from memory the MkI was RWD, MkII onwards were FWD.

 

[markjay]

Also....... the 'W' designation is incorporated into model-specific MB part numbers.

 

[MercedesDriver]

I agree at some point that mentioning only W/S number can be confusing if not accompanied with more detail info.
W212 covers a lot of different sub-models, like E class only does too, while
W212 E250CDI defines it pretty much and interested parties can exchange information or learn about someone else experience.

 

[grober]

I was trying to find a part for my 2004 x3.... What a nightmare because I didn't know what it was! I still dont... It's a 2004 bmw x3! Or isn't it?

A bit nerdy I know---
RealOEM.com - Select Your BMW Model

 

[MD5]

Yes but in your points you're being very Alan partridge about the cross over years. In those particular examples it might need some clarification which model, but generally why not say e class or c class etc?

My other passion of air-cooled vws has the same thing but people call them cross overs or early and late bays. Low light ghias etc, because people actually know what they mean.

I was trying to find a part for my 2004 x3.... What a nightmare because I didn't know what it was! I still dont... It's a 2004 bmw x3! Or isn't it?

I'm the same in coffee shops, but I'm not ****d about coffee. Coffee? Yes or no works for me. Unfortunately the Mrs likes to do "purchase reviews" in such environments.

On the other hand, it's good to learn more about things you have an interest in, and it's surprising what you learn here without really trying. Isn't it?

 

[GeeJayW]

As for changes between models... from memory the MkI was RWD, MkII onwards were FWD.

MkII was RWD, FWD came in with the Mk3.

 

[Yugguy]

Why is it that in Britain we view being correct as somehow bad? What exactly is wrong about being specific and acquiring knowledge?

Knowing my car is a w204 helps massively in identifying maintenance procedures, spare parts, manuals, etc.

Knowing my W204 has the 646EVO and not the later 651 engine is CRUCIAL when researching faults.

 

[Dippo]

I agree with you. If something looks interesting I look at Wikipedia to find out what they’re talking about.

P.S. I drive an A207.

That must be inconvenient; the A207 only runs for seven miles from Charlton to Dartford.

A roads in Zone 2 of the Great Britain numbering scheme - Wikipedia

 

[mat8n]

Why is it that in Britain we view being correct as somehow bad? What exactly is wrong about being specific and acquiring knowledge?

Knowing my car is a w204 helps massively in identifying maintenance procedures, spare parts, manuals, etc.

Knowing my W204 has the 646EVO and not the later 651 engine is CRUCIAL when researching faults.

For you yes, like I said I knew my old cars were R230 and w221, my new one is an R231.

But your post has totally bored me to death and put me off the thread..... If it wasnt my thread.... That's my point, it's not about knowing it's a w204, it's the fact I and others have absolutely no idea what a w204 is or what a 646evo is? These things are fine for tech stuff but in general chat I will always call my car an SL not an R231 as I feel people who have a c, e, gla, ml etc will know what I'm talking about.

Mines a new but not the newest sl with the big 5.5 bi turbo engine by the way.
Or its an R231 with the M157 DE 54AL. (I had to Google it!)

I'm typing this on my SM-G935F..... Samsung S7 edge

 

[Yugguy]

it's the fact I and others have absolutely no idea what a w204 is or what a 646evo is? These

So how is that anyone else's problem but your own? If someone calling their car a W204 offends your eyes so much you cannot continue to read then I'm not sure car enthusiast forums are really your thing.

I would respectfully suggest that most people who come on these forums want to know the finer details like engine or gearbox designations.

 

[SW18]

Doesn’t every clique and club in life have its own lingo and jargon? It’s what makes it a community.

I too have to google some of the model numbers but I’m learning bit by bit!