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Garage => Mechanicals => Topic started by: dmwheelers@hotmail.com on 07 September 2022, 02:35 AM

Title: Data cards help
Post by: dmwheelers@hotmail.com on 07 September 2022, 02:35 AM
Hi guys,
My local dealer in Australia wants almost $200 for a data card.
Can anyone help me out with a free or cheaper option?

11603322054313

Thanks
Title: Re: Data cards help
Post by: rumb on 07 September 2022, 08:01 AM
Call the Classis Center in Cali, I thought they were $75.
Title: Re: Data cards help
Post by: dmwheelers@hotmail.com on 07 September 2022, 08:41 AM
I'm in Australia so by the time I pay in USD same same haha.
Thank you though
Title: Re: Data cards help
Post by: ptashek on 10 September 2022, 03:35 PM
There is no alternative or cheaper option, as the data cards for W116 exist in paper form only, and only in Mercedes-Benz archives.

I think the W126 was the first model to have a digital record, and those can be gotten much easier.

Copies of data cards from the Classic Centre used to cost 50EUR up-to 3 or 4 years ago. The price these days is 120EUR the last time I've asked.
Title: Re: Data cards help
Post by: UTn_boy on 10 September 2022, 06:17 PM
Lucas, Mercedes started storing data cards for W116 cars in 1979.  Unfortunately, when Mercedes changed over to the latest version of EPC, they deleted all of the early model information, and we're now left with nothing but engine and transmission number.  Before that, you could see all of the option codes, paint codes, interior trim codes, and all of the SA's.  But not anymore. :/  I have to wonder if they did this on purpose because they knew they were going to start charging the asinine price for the data cards that they do now? 
Title: Re: Data cards help
Post by: gurrier on 11 September 2022, 05:36 AM
Early on in my ownership (2011) I wrote to the Main Distributor for Mercedes in Ireland.  As it happens the same group exists since 1955.  I enquired about if there was a record of when my car was delivered to the Irish Market.  Within two weeks I received an obvious copy of a micfiche original data card which showed the date 25, April 1973 rubber stamped in the Ubernahmetag box on the card.  I have the original two Data Cards for mine.  Interestingly I have now just noticed that the card with the key no. has 1 just after the tyre make in box no 19, second card without key details 2 and the copy supplied by Motor Distributors 3.
I obviously don't know what the position is in Australia but would such a similar enquiry also bear fruit. 
Could an enquiry under whatever Data Protections Laws exist there help you.
Then again is it an actual reproduced copy of the physical card that you want,  Surely some enterprising person out there could reproduce.
Title: Re: Data cards help
Post by: ptashek on 11 September 2022, 05:59 AM
Quote from: UTn_boy on 10 September 2022, 06:17 PMLucas, Mercedes started storing data cards for W116 cars in 1979.  Unfortunately, when Mercedes changed over to the latest version of EPC, they deleted all of the early model information, and we're now left with nothing but engine and transmission number.  Before that, you could see all of the option codes, paint codes, interior trim codes, and all of the SA's.  But not anymore. :/  I have to wonder if they did this on purpose because they knew they were going to start charging the asinine price for the data cards that they do now? 

Maybe my memory fails me, but I can't recall having W116 data card access in the old EPC as far back as 2011. Could have just been a limitation of my private subscription.

Chances are that they indeed did this, and for cost reasons as the price went up about the time Xentry was introduced.
Title: Re: Data cards help
Post by: ptashek on 11 September 2022, 06:03 AM
Quote from: gurrier on 11 September 2022, 05:36 AMThen again is it an actual reproduced copy of the physical card that you want,  Surely some enterprising person out there could reproduce.

A good portion of the data card can indeed be reproduced using the VIN and options plate. But not things like order number, what tires or lamps it had from factory, they key number, and some option codes which aren't on the plate itself.

Personally, I have the main blue one and two white ones for my car.
Title: Re: Data cards help
Post by: marku on 11 September 2022, 08:57 AM
The data card or VIN access was never on the EPC for the 116 or at least the one I had access which was through MB. Info for parts was accessed by the model number. I got the data card for mine about 10 years ago which was a print from a microfiche and free. I can't think that MB would have discarded all those records.
Title: Re: Data cards help
Post by: gurrier on 11 September 2022, 09:15 AM
Interesting ptashek,

I was not aware of main blue one - is there something on there that is not on the others.

Just of interest is there a number after the tyre make on the blue one.
Title: Re: Data cards help
Post by: celberg on 12 September 2022, 01:36 PM
I got this one for free from my dealer in Sweden last year.
Title: Re: Data cards help
Post by: UTn_boy on 12 September 2022, 04:20 PM
Quote from: marku on 11 September 2022, 08:57 AMThe data card or VIN access was never on the EPC for the 116 or at least the one I had access which was through MB. Info for parts was accessed by the model number. I got the data card for mine about 10 years ago which was a print from a microfiche and free. I can't think that MB would have discarded all those records.

They didn't discard them.  They just deleted the information from EPC after they stored it electronically so access couldn't be gained without paying the $150 for the data card.....which makes no sense because cars 1980 and later still have all of the data card information on EPC. 

The version of EPC I had was a paid for subscription that allowed me access to this type of information.  The free version didn't allow for that.  And yes, the 1978 and 1979 W116 was on EPC at one time.