Throughout the 200-series' production, different levels of luxury were available for purchase. The specific trim level designations ranged from the 242/244/245 L, being the least expensive, to the highest specification 264/265 GLE saloon and estate models respectively. The actual equipment and availability of a particular trim level varied depending on the market. The letters normally appear on the trunk lid or rear hatch of the car (except for during MY1983) and had originally represented the following, although by the 1980s the letter codes had officially lost any underlying meaning:

 

1979–1980 European-spec 244 GLE sedan

• L (Luxe) Typical for early work vans

• DL (de Luxe)

• GL (Grand Luxe)

• GLE (Grand Luxe Executive)

• GLT (Grand Luxe Touring)

• GT (Only 2-door sedans, "242"

• Turbo (Offered from 1981. Mostly equivalent to GLT trim, called "GLT Turbo" in the US)