History Of The Mercedes 123 Series - MB Press Release

Thank you. Not perfect but great for the price.

One in my neighborhood

Thanks for the post!

There is an 82 300d Turbo Benz W123 Automatic around here with 77K original miles (so said). I wonder if I should trade it for my Legacy 05. Times are getting tough on me and I want a ride that gets better gas mileage and is more reliable. I know I will lose on performance (especially in the snow).

It is going for 9600$ w/o taxes. Interior and exterior are fresh garage kept.

Are these cars good at braking down their speed? Are they as good as people say? Would you trade if you were in the same situation?

Thanks.

Welcome to GCF. :t-cheers:


A few years ago I had the chance to drive a W123 200D (60-hp) 4-speed M/T. They're surprisingly modern in feel and feel composed and solid on the road. Performance wise no W123 will be "competitive" (even 280/280E models isn't that fast).

The best diesel W123 choice according to the W123 fanatics is the non-turbo 300D which offers a nice compromise between acceptable performance and fuel economy. The 300D Turbodiesel is fast for a 1970s diesel (0-100 km/h in 14 seconds) but that exhaust turbocharger is a bit of a weak spot from a reliability POV, especially at high mileages.

If you want a gasoline W123 go for the 230E. The 200s with the old and new 2.0-l 4-cylinder motors are slow and use almost the same amount of fuel as the 230/230E. The 250 was basically an export model (for Africa and Asia) and was according to most reports the thirstiest W123 using even more fuel than the 280/280E models. A neighbor of mine in Munich has a W123 250 as a daily driver. He loves his car, but the gas mileage is simply awful. Stick to the 230E - great compromise between power and fuel economy.

From a reliability POV, they're probably the most reliable MBs ever made because they rely on simple, proven engineering where nothing can go wrong. They're also easy to do DIY work on and there are lots of spare parts for them around the world and from MB themselves.

Nostalgic ?

I guess Mercedes Benz can be nice when they want to.
P.R.

I have another post, that would show the other side.....

Thanks for posting though, Alex.
I love the cars.
I am driving a 300CD right now.
It's the people I can do without.

Alex
(also)

My late father had a 1983 Ivory W123 230E and later a 1986 Golden 280SE.

I love these cars! Grew up with them and they were build from 'solid titanium':bowdown:

Thanks for this great post!:t-cheers: