History Of The Mercedes 123 Series - MB Press Release

I would like one too - preferably a 1985 model - I would like it to look just like this.

^^^That color was so '70s.^^^

Roberto, W123 production also ended in 1985 making those cars possibly the "best examples" out there. Be prepared to pay high $$$ for them!

I saw your reply in the E-Class thread, cawimmer. The W116 is my favourite Mercedes-Benz as well. My efforts to find a 6.9 has stalled since all the ones I've seen are in a bad, bad way or obviously abused. I'm looking at the W123, but I might be committing a sin in your eyes: I'm thinking of dropping a current Mercedes engine in it. The W123s are quite plentiful in Canada. One of them was sold not too long ago by an ex-girlfriend of mine, probably the only one who won't throw water on my face if we bump into each other at a restaurant. :banana: Anyway, I've looked at different engines to potentially use in a new W123 since I might opt to acquire it in Hong Kong instead. Where I live, it might be tough to climb the hill just to get up to the main road in the old car. Even the current C320 I sometimes use is lazy or perhaps my expectations of performance are too high. I'd have more choice of engines since MB has a 1,800 cc in the C200, a 2,000 cc in the A200 and the 3,000 cc E280 engine in Asia.

I wanted to check out the prices of a 1985 W123 in Canada and I found a 450SEL 6.9 for sale in Montreal five minutes ago. I might take the train there to have a look. Roberto, without adjusting for differences in mechanical or cosmetic condition, the difference in price between a 1985 and 1980 300D is about $3,000 Cdn or close to 100 percent. The most expensive 1985 W123 I found is selling for $6,000. The cheapest was a 1980 300D going for less than 2,000. Yes, that's 300D I said, cawimmer. I know you must be drooling since a few of them look in pretty fine condition.

So 450SEL 6.9, if you did buy an ex-Canadian model W116 (or W123), would you have it converted to RHD?

Likely not, Roberto. If I buy a Canadian model, I'd keep it in Canada. I don't know how old cars would behave in hot, humid Hong Kong. A former boss of my father's owns an E-Type Series One 3.8 Fixed Head Coupe. He has all sorts of problems with it, but then again these cars are afflicted with diseases of the Jaguar kind. In Canada, there's not much to worry about other than garaging the car in winter, but I do that now already with one of my vehicles. I have more garage space in Canada than I do in HK.

I've been to Hong Kong and yes, it's quite "hilly" in the mountains. Rest assured though that most of the "...those 240D's couldn't make it up a hill..." comments are pure nonsense. 1st gear on manual W123's were always very low ratio (as were all gears with the exception of the last), geared for quick city acceleration. Hence the reason why manual W123 diesels have such low top speeds. You'd obviously be better of with a 300D or a 300D Turbodiesel. Stay away from the 250s as they're pretty thirsty (moreso than the 280's I am told) and look for a 230E or a 280E. I suppose the 230E wasn't sold in North America which leaves you with the 280 or 280E, of which the latter is the better performer. And yep, the W116 is gorgeous eh? I myself would love a 350SE (SEL) or a US-spec 300SD Turbodiesel. I like the RARE W116's. :eusa_danc

Thanks for your advice, cawimmer. Most of the pre-owned, second-hand W123s I've found in Canada are diesels. They usually go for under 3,000 Euros.

I absolutely can't get enough of the W116. It's an incredibly beautiful car. Timeless, really. I am however continually frustrated by my search for a 6.9 as the cars I do find are in bad condition. I found one in a predominantly Chinese community just rusting into the ground in -30 degree winter weather :snowfig1: . It was a sad thing to see. Just a few days ago, I saw a listing for a 6.9, but it was selling for less than an older 450SE with twice the milage on the SE. My goal is to find a W123 or 6.9 by next Christmas. :santa2: Let's hope the stock market cooperates with me until then.

A W123 diesel is a good investment IMO. They may not be the fastest thing on the road, but they make up for it with durability and their own charm which puts you at ease.

W116's are becoming increasingly hard to find. However if you read the UK magazine Mercedes Enthusiast, they have a bunch of nice W116's for sale (in RHD). For LHD W116's in excellent condition, try www.mirbach.de. You can actually buy any Mercedes from that site. Including post-World War II 170V's or 170D's and of course, W123's or even rare W124 500E's / E500's. www.mirbach.de <--- Check it out and click on "Mercedes".

Here, just checked out the Mercedes page on Mirbach. Found no 450SEL 6.9's, but they have these nice 280SE's, which let's be honest aren't bad as well.

280SE (sadly sold already)
Link: http://www.mirbach.de/main.asp?main=auto_detail&ID=2027&nav=0&subnav=1







Just keep checking their site. If you have enough $$$, you can import one from Germany to Canada.

Red isn't exactly my lucky colour. You're right, Mirbach will have a 6.9 sooner or later. Importing to German to Canada isn't that expensive, especially if I can secure a 6.9 from Europe that's already be in good condition. My friend's father imported a W124 E420 in the mid-1990s and it wasn't unreasonably expensive. Importing to Hong Kong causes a bit of headache though.

I find a number of 280SEs in very good condition, not just at Mirbach but in Canadian ads and dealers as well. Any W116 isn't half-bad as you say. I've seen 280SEs or other non-6.9s sell for more than a 6.9 by a few thousand dollars. These non-6.9s seem to have been kept in better condition. Ideally, I'd start the collection with the W116, then I'd look for a W123 and a Peugeot 604, the car in the avatar.

I read that 6.9's are a pain to take care off because of stuff like the pneumatic suspension etc. Plus, the fuel consumption is attrocious.

Best of luck with your search. You might also want to try contacting the British magazine "Mercedes Enthusiast". They regularly have ads in their magazine of RHD 450SEL 6.9's (which you could use for Hong Kong) and they can put you in touch with the owners who're trying to sell them.

I have read similar things about the suspension of the 600 Chris.

Nothing is sadder than a W100 lying down on the floor

I think there are three or perhaps four 6.9s still around Hong Kong today. Indeed I've read they are more difficult to take care of and most of it is due to that suspension. My concern is whether I can find quality technicians to fix it if problems arise. I don't mind the fuel economy so much because I won't drive it in the winters in Canada. I'd drive it a lot more if I had it in Hong Kong. I'll keep Mercedes Enthusiast in mind, cawimmer.

Roberto, what do you think about buying an old car in Hong Kong? I have a covered parking space, but the garage is not climate controlled and the temperature, humidity soar at certain times of the year.

This is not at all an area that I am qualified to comment on Ray. Certainly, a climate-controlled parking garage would be preferable but remember that these old Benzes were built to last - the W123, for example, can still be found in daily use in some of the most inhospitable locations on earth. I think it would be best to get advice from somebody who has much more knowledge about these things than me.
:t-cheers:

Horrible...and the answer to preventing this is so simple: THESE CARS HAVE TO BE DRIVEN! :eusa_pray

That's a good point. MB were still building quality cars back then.

I made a mess of things in the stock market these past two days based on my own greed and procrastination. Funny, last week I could do no wrong. Everything I bought went up.

man the stockmarket is very sensetive for these coming days. .i would advise to stay out until the last 4-5 days of feb.. this month is a bad one.. according to my theory..wich may very well be wrong..haha

Actually, The Artist, I made a mess because I didn't sell some derivative positions even though I was up 50 percent, but I was occupied with another useless phone call. Now, everything's been reversed and I'm down.

I drive mine everyday. It is one the most comfortable cars to drive in the city which I live.

Nice car mate, looks in perfect condition, a true classic!