AMG Part Numbers for W116 and production timelines etc.

[ProfessorExperimental]

Not really sure where to put this: I actually sort of wanted to just make a thread out of a fairly productive email conversation I had last year with a bloke from Mercedes regarding vintage AMG bits for the W116. Covered a few topics though and this part obviously belongs in this subforum:

W116 AMG Sportfahrwerk (sports suspension) package:
7320053 ist für W116 450 SE/SEL
7320052 ist für W116 280 und 350 SE/SEL

Hast Du Niveauregulierung ? (Self levelling)
Die passenden Dämpfer wären dafür
Stoßdämpfer vorn ohne Niveau 7320002 (shocks front no levelling)
Stoßdämpfer hinten ohne Niveau 7320007 (rear)
Stoßdämpfer vorn mit Niveau 7320002 (shocks front with levelling)
Stoßdämpfer hinten mit Niveau 7320019 (rear)
(vermutlich Bilstein) [presumably Bilstein]
Fahrwerksfedern vorne W116 280 und 350 SE/SEL 7320033 (front springs not 450)
Fahrwerksfedern hinten W116 alle 7320034 (rear all chassis)
(vermutlich H&R) [presumably H&R]

A lot of info has been lost and he basically just has all the catalogue details, couldn't confirm the manufacturers etc.

Of particular note were: AMG did not produce wheels before 1984. Even the Pentas were for "owners of older models", so, technically, the 1st gen Aeros (like mine, stamped 84 iirc) *and* Pentas were first available at the same time. At least off the shelf marked AMG (presumably they'd already sold some wheels bespoke etc. to see series production as worthwhile).
And: AMG is (was?) building their own museum in Affalterbach. As well as the permanent slot for a car on rotation to the Mercedes Classic Centre, and a slot with any trade show exhibit the MBCC goes to. Until the museum is open they have an additional car on display at the Affalterbach reception (presumably) as a teaser (also on rotation).

Sounds like they're starting to see value in their "heritage"

I'll add the full convo here when I have time to translate it for reference, and I'll use this thread to accumulate whatever else I can glean (especially if my Germophone superpowers mean it might not appear elsewhere on the net in english).

I was planning to get there this year but may not make it now. If I do, I'll report back (and actually before so I can get your questions answered if possible, eh?)

 

[c107]

Good info.
I think they sold wheels before that, but didn't make them themselves. My Aero I's were built for them by Oz Racing.
I'm pretty sure I've seen catalogs that are earlier than 83 with the pentas, which off the top of my head were built in the UK?

Bryce

 

[ProfessorExperimental]

Mine are OZ manufactured also, so I took his comment to be more about branding. Much conflicting info on the net (part of the reason I think a "this comes from AMG" info thread might help) but what I've concluded about pentas is that yes, as you say, UK manufacture early on, but also RH (from my "hometown" as it were and all) produced some (not identical) too, and later other German manufacturers. Key point being only later were they marked AMG, early ones not so much... so probably AMG bought and supplied customers with wheels then eventually made them "amg wheels".

This fits with what most german tuner companies do: act as suppliers and all-important -TüV certifiers, and then make their own parts once the business case supports it.

Do bear in mind im trying to integrate what I know from elsewhere with what I'm told by a maybe-23-yo reading a database that's patchy at best.