W123 [Video] 1976 Mercedes-Benz W123 launch

[Mick Briesgau]

If I had my cuurent age in the day and year the 300 TD Turbo-Diesel was actual in production (early 80-ies) I'd most probably be driving one. To be more specific, the blue one with blue velours upholstery.

 

[Rolf]

Some amazing pics of the design and development of the W123 Mercedes. Part 1

 

[Rolf]

Amazing design and development pics Part2

 

[Rolf]

This AMG spec 280TE with 210PS added power looks very aggressive

 

[Rolf]

A road test of the 200 back in 1981.

 

[Merc1]

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a64635048/1981-mercedes-benz-300td-turbo-diesel-archive-test/

Reading this makes you want to cry.

M

 

[Swissbob]

@Merc1
Why?
Because there’s no Diesel Mercedes Benz in the current US lineup ?

 

[Design FIRST]

Vault-like mechanical attributes. Especially the more basic 200D/220D diesels were "unbreakable". Solid albeit spartanic interior materials + excellent interior fit and finish. Class leading passive safety attributes. And of course, the then standard M-B attributes of stellar residuals and immense brand equity. And there was never a high volume production new vehicle in Germany that had such exorbitantly high delivery times. These cars were "distributed" rather than merely "sold".

Certainly, it was arguably not the "prettiest" car in its class and it had its problems with body rust.

 

[Swissbob]

We had one in our family, I remember the doors being very light compared to the W126.

We had the 280E in white with blue interior.

The engine sounded glorious and was very revhappy.

In these days the step between E and S was far bigger than today.

 

[Centurion]

A road test of the 200 back in 1981.

That's a low speed limit. Crazy how much faster cars have become. Amazing diagrams and visuals for a test. this includes the fuel consumption one and range.

 

[Swissbob]

That's a low speed limit. Crazy how much faster cars have become. Amazing diagrams and visuals for a test. this includes the fuel consumption one and range.

That’s right.

The fastest of the bunch (280E) was able to reach 124mph.

We‘ve to thank BMW for this, the E28 M5 moved the game.

 

[Rolf]

Some interesting brochure of the T models sold in Netherlands in 1978

 

[Rolf]

We had one in our family, I remember the doors being very light compared to the W126.

We had the 280E in white with blue interior.

The engine sounded glorious and was very revhappy.

In these days the step between E and S was far bigger than today.

I remember in the 80s my family had a 1975 W116 350SE and my dad friend had a 1979 W123 230 and there was a noticeable difference in the material quality in both cars, the 230 was very much basic inside with MB Tex seats and no wood on the dash. It had only black vinyl strips on the dash and the center console was black plastic but it still felt solid although the doors were not as heavy as the 350SE. That car was luxurious inside with leather seats and wood on the dash as well as an electric aerial and sunroof. There was a noticeable difference in back seat space but the boots were about the same size.

There was a massive difference in performance as the 230 could only top out at 170kmh and the 350SE was a 200kmh car with much faster acceleration and a delicious V8 burble.

 

[Swissbob]

The W116 was even more built like a tank, compared to the W126.

All S-Classes were surprisingly tight in the back in the SWB version.

The difference between the W123 and W126 was bigger, than between the W213 and W222.

 

[Rolf]

Some brochure from 1978

 

[Rolf]

Doug interesting review of a 1982 300d Turbo US spec.

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