The elegant and understated W123 remains arguably the best Mercedes-Benz ever built.
Part II of a concise reference designed to help you choose a modern-classic Mercedes-Benz.
Buyers Guide – 1977-1985 W123
The elegant and understated W123 remains arguably the best Mercedes-Benz ever built.
Article by Pierre Hedary
Technical data by Richard Simonds
Images courtesy Daimler Archives.
When we wrote the first W123 Buyers Guide seven years ago, fuel was $4 per gallon, the economy was in crisis and there was an alternative-fuels craze taking the vintage diesel-car community by storm. One result was that W123s – especially the diesels – started becoming desirable because of their mechanical fortitude, ease of repair and reliability. Now they’re even more popular.
Today, even a cheap new car can cost more than $25,000 – and the control modules that govern the engines have a limited life span and then burn out like Christmas tree lights. A new set of values drives the kind of person who has fallen for the W123, and that person is tired of dealing with the electronic and mechanically planned obsolescence of the modern-family car.
Not to say that the W123 isn’t collectible – a solid, clean W123 will garner its fair share of attention everywhere it goes. An example of the breed painted in the Stuttgart company’s famous earth-tone colors has the aesthetic draw of a young Brigitte Bardot – innocent looking and sweet – a little car that had the sole job of making its drivers smile. And in a world of $10-million vintage Ferraris, this certainly counts for a lot.
Background
The W123 was built from 1977 to 1985 for the U.S. market and can unofficially be divided into three different eras.
The first era of W123s, including the 240D, 300D, 280E and the all-but-forgotten 230 in the U.S. market, lasted until August 1979. A plethora of additional models was available in other markets. These four-door sedans had textured seat covers, textured dashboards, clear fog lights, flat steering-wheel pads and diesel engines with large, serial glow plugs. They were generally less powerful than the later cars, and they also used automatic transmissions with a mechanical linkage to control shifting. The color palette was very diverse, although the durability of their interiors was lacking.
For model year 1978, a coupe was added; four different engines were available. The 280CE was introduced, as well as the 300CD, which was unique to the U.S. market. In 1979, a station wagon with several engine options was added to the lineup, but in the United States we only received the 300TD.
The second era began in September 1979. The biggest change involved switching to parallel glow plugs on diesels and incorporating a vacuum modulator control to smooth shifting on diesels with automatic transmissions. The M110 engine was left unchanged while the 230, with relative fuel-economy issues, was withdrawn from the U.S. market.
The easiest way to identify the second-version cars is by their dished steering wheel, smooth dashboard and updated seats. In August 1980, the station wagon received the turbodiesel engine that was used in the 300SD. By May 1981, the 300CD was also equipped with this engine. This is, to my mind, the most brilliant thing Mercedes has ever done. By 1982, the entire lineup was powered by diesel engines; the only non-turbo-charged option was the excellent 240D. Subsequently, the 300D turbo became the most popular Mercedes-Benz sold in the United States. Also in 1981, Mercedes updated the climate-control unit on the 300D and 280E for more reliability.
In 1983, Mercedes-Benz updated the model range once more. While subtle alterations were made to the interior, illuminated sun visors were the most obvious change. 1983 also proved to be the last year for the venerable U.S.-market 240D, which was replaced by the less-durable 190D. Up until 1985, Mercedes continued to supply the 240D in Europe, where it sold well until the end of production.
The venerable 300D and its variants were updated one more time in 1985. The two biggest improvements included a boost in horsepower, a 2.88 rear-axle ratio and a more effective shift-control device, known as a pressure converter. Devoted fans of the car believe that Mercedes could have sold the 123 for at least another five years, but all good things must come to an end.
With production totaling 2.7 million vehicles and available as a sedan, coupe or station wagon, it’s relatively easy to find the W123 that’s right for you. 300CD turbodiesel sedan, coupe and station wagon built for U.S. market.
Renowned for dependability and safety, many W123s became taxis.
Reasons to buy a W123
Amazing robustness and reliability, and easy to maintain. A huge online DIY community is happy to share information
No control modules or engine-management systems to fail; diesels can even run without a working battery or alternator
Excellent suspension and handling, with brakes to match.
Excellent design characteristics with attractive proportions, and amazing all-around visibility adds to the car’s desirability
Unlike other older cars, new spare parts are readily available from both Mercedes and OEM suppliers at reasonable prices
With continuing maintenance, the basic structure of the car could last forever. Components are long-lived and rebuildable
Environmentally friendly – buy a W123 and that’s one less new car on the road, and one less old car for the planet to reabsorb
Reasons not to buy a W123
Don’t buy one for your teenage son or daughter just because it seems safe. There are safer and equally practical Mercedes-Benz cars available, such as the W202 C-Class or W210 E-Class
Fuel economy: Once offering relatively good fuel efficiency, today the W123s are only average
Ability to burn alternative-fuels is a feature, not an advantage; avoid W123s converted to run on recycled vegetable oil
Acceleration and high speed are not their strong suits
W123s require regular attention to stay “right.” If you need a cheap car that you can drive and forget, buy a used Hyundai
Aesthetic appeal: They do look cool. Then reality sets in, and owners find that even cool cars need maintenance and repairs
Check Points
While the W123 range is renowned as a very hardy and repairable automobile, many of the models can be overpriced and tend to have a number of common issues.
Look for rust in the sunroof tray, floor pans, battery-tray area and doors. Station wagons also rust near their back windows. Other areas do rust, but these are the most difficult to fix.
Oil consumption should be examined closely. A good example won’t use more than a quart between services; a quart every 800 miles is not great but still acceptable.
Dashboards crack and replacements are not easily found.
Watch out for vacuum issues and be prepared to fix a few of them, especially in the vacuum door locks and climate control
Watch out for diesels that were used as waste-vegetable oil burners; a new injection pump might be in your future.
Front suspensions need rebuilding at about 150,000 miles. Factor in about $1,500-$2,000, using high-quality parts.
Test a/c compressor, climate control thoroughly; repairs can be done but are costly; factor that into your purchase price.
Rear CV axles occasionally need replacement. Correct GKN axles are expensive, so factor this into the purchase price.
Seats eventually decompose in the 1977-82 W123 models. Repairs are straightforward, but new excelsior pads and seat covers cost more than $2,000.
Rear power-window regulators can wear out and will make a clattering noise when the window reaches maximum height. Window wiring can also break where the doors open and close.
Plastic radiators, windshield gaskets, engine mounts, drive-shaft flex discs and the like should be checked carefully.
The bottom line
To many of us who own W123s, these aren’t just old cars; they are the best automobiles ever built. There are examples for every budget: Plenty of low-mileage cars exist that anyone would be proud to show, and there are many great, usable examples available for daily use – this writer has driven examples out of wrecking yards just by putting in a hot battery and air in the tires.
But every old car has problems. In the case of the W123s, which are nearly impervious to mileage, it seems that Mercedes has gradually trimmed the supply of unique interior and exterior trim items available. While many used parts do exist, more perishable items – especially in specific colors, such as an uncracked blue dashboard – are nearly impossible to find. Consider this when purchasing and look for a car that has visible components and details intact.
A car with a few issues may still be a good buy; just buy at a price where a few thousand dollars of repairs won’t make you unhappy. Negotiate aggressively, particularly on the station wagons. Question any claim of “no needs.” Bottom line: Next to the famous 300SL, the W123s might be the most iconic cars Mercedes-Benz ever built. If you haven’t owned one, you’re missing out.
W123 Sedan
Data and Specifications
MODEL YEARS CHASSIS ENGINE HP TORQUE PRODUCED
200 1976-1980 123.020 115.938 105 116.5 158,772
200 1980-1985 123.220 102.920 122 125.2 217,315
230 1975-1980 123.023 115.954 86 136.7 196,185
230E 1979-1985 123.223 102.980 152 151.2 245,558
250 1975-1985 123.026 123.920 144-156 144.7 122,864
280 1975-1981 123.030 110.923 174 164.2 33,206
280E 1975-1985 123.033 110.984 137-142 142-172 126,375
200D 1975-1985 123.120 615.940 61-67 83.2 378,138
220D 1975-1979 123.126 615.941 67 92.6 56,736
240D 1975-1985 123.123 616.912 62-67 97 454,780
300D 1975-1985 123.130 617.912 77-83 115-120 331,999
300D Turbo 1981-1985 123.133 617.952 118-123 170-184 75,261
C123 Coupe
MODEL YEARS CHASSIS ENGINE HP TORQUE PRODUCED
230C 1976-1980 123.043 115.954 122 136.7 18,675
230CE 1980-1985 123.243 102.980 152 151.2 29,858
280C 1976-1980 123.050 110.923 174 164.2 3,704
280CE 1976-1985 123.053 110.984 137-142 142-172 32,138
300CD 1977-1981 123.150 617.912 77-83 115-120 7,502
300CD Turbo 1981-1985 123.153 617.952 118-123 170-184 8,007
S123 Station Wagon
MODEL YEARS CHASSIS ENGINE HP TORQUE PRODUCED
200T 1980-1986 123.280 109.920 105 116.5 18,860
230T 1978-1980 123.083 115.954 86 136.7 6,884
230TE 1979-1986 123.283 102.980 152 151.2 42,284
250T 1977-1982 123.086 123.920 144-156 144.7 7,704
280TE 1977-1986 123.093 110.984 137-142 142-172 19,789
240TD 1978-1986 123.183 616.912 73-80 101.3 38.903
300TD 1977-1986 123.190 617.912 77-88 115-120 36,874
300TD Turbo 1979-1986 123.193 617.952 118-123 170-184 28,219
W123 Model Chronology
1975 September European market 200, 230, 250 sedans released
1976 September 240D, 230, 280E, 300D replace W115 chassis in U.S. market
1977 September U.S.-market 300CD coupe and 280CE coupe arrive
1978 August U.S.-market 230 discontinued
1978 September U.S.-market 300TD station wagon arrives
1979 April R04 a/c compressor replaces York compressor
1979 August Electronic glow plugs system released; diesel-model horsepower increased
1979 September Modulator shift control replaces mechanical linkage on automatic transmissions
1980 September 300TD turbodiesel wagon released; 722.3 automatic transmission released; third-generation Automatic Climate Control
1981 May 300CD gets turbodiesel engine
1981 September 300D gets turbodiesel engine
1982 September All model interiors, seats and carpeting upgraded
1983 September 240D discontinued
1984 August 300D & variants get 2.88:1 differential; vacuum system and turbocharger upgraded; vacuum controls refined; 722.3 automatic transmissions get new torque converter; California cars get trap oxidizer; 722.4 automatic transmission
1985 September U.S.-market 123 chassis production ends
1986 January European-market 123 chassis production end
The Mercedes-Benz W123 range was ahead of virtually every other manufacturer in terms of safety, serviceability, ergonomics, classic styling, long-term reliability and build quality. The 280E pictured here was a popular upper-range model, powered by a responsive gasoline engine rated at 137-142 horsepower.