Originally Posted by onehundred80

It is a valid Mercedes part number, if they decide to use that same part in a new model that is exactly the number that would appear on it, just as it has on the Crossfire. Mercedes is an efficient company and would not mould any useless number on a part.
This is obviously done so that they do not have identical parts with different part numbers on them.
The first three numbers are the car model that the part was first used on, the next three are part group for example lighting, suspension etc. the next two are the modification number and the last two are the item number. Older Mercedes cars are more random in their numbering and do not fit into the current numbering system.
All Mercedes parts have the code for the plastic material it is made from on the part moulded into it, this is in line with the noble intention that all or most plastic parts are recyclable.