Mercedes W123 - Best Mercedes Benz EVER? (1983 240D Road Test)
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- Опубліковано 15 чер 2024
- Old Mercs have a reputation as bombproof tanks that can survive for a million miles or more. Joe Miller explains why the legendary W123, the car that started it all, is a classic worth owning today.
Thanks to Kim Cairns for the loan of this stunning W123: www.kimcairnsclassics.co.uk
- Music -
• Bruno E - Hanging Out: • Video
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"In the past they made Cars, now they make Toys."
My second car was an early and rusty w123 200D with 55HP. A legal daily tranquilliser and I loved it.
Greetings from Germany
Great description, although the noise kept me awake in a 200d! Get her up to 85/90 though (bout flat out I think) and it would sit there all day!! Ate the motorways up unless someone slowed you down, then it took 20 minutes to get back up to speed,..
The best vehicle (land, sea, and space) ever build in the history of the humanity.
I love her so so much..
The pride of German Quality
❤️💛 🖤
Mercedes W123 ,called Mercedes Cobra in Romania, is probably the equivalent of Harley Davidson for bikes. A car made to help you enjoy driving . You don't take this car when u hurry to work or a meeting somewere. Same as a Harley bike ,you take this car when you go on a road trip, enjoy the view and the road,not just a mean to get to point B. This is like taking a woman to a walk in the park and you walk on every alley of the park cause you enjoy her company, not just go trough the park to get to the other side and go home.
A car to enjoy the moment for sure!
Purchased an '83 240d yesterday, only 800k on the clock and runs like a dream, one owner, great condition. Such a pleasure to drive, even a trip to the shop feels like an adventure.
Enjoy it!
I can't deny it, although a bit underpowered, my 200d was just a battleship of a motor, everything about it was solid, strong, and build quality was supreme,.. At around 120 k, still chewing up motorway miles daily, it actually did go into a container with an Asian fella buying it, shipping it, and as far as I know, it was still cabbing in the Punjab ten years later! Marvellous thing!
You know how if you tried not to hard, and pressed your thumb pad, with just the right amount of pressure around the centre area of a bonnet or a wing on most modern cars,... You could make it "fold" with just that pressure, then hopefully it'll "ping" back into its origanal position without creasing the tinny sheet metal? You hope... :/
You couldn't do that on a W123 Series!! Not sure what guage steel that was,. I'm a Spannerman, not body , or was I should say,,!
I would happily pay £50k if Mercedes would just have the courage to make a modern “car for life”. It wouldn’t matter if it was slower and had less gadgets than the competition. It just needs to be safe, comfortable and built to last for 30+ years.
Sensible talking.
Just buy a Land Cruiser
@@sanglee5100 great idea! But they just don’t have any real style or cool design (in my opinion). Although the Land Cruiser is probably the last “car for life” left in production.
They did this up until 2009, after the w211 the focus went more on looks and branding instead of reliability
I can confidently say that this is one of the best cars that Mercedes Benz has EVER MADE.
We'd agree!
Yes! And W116 also!
@@ClassicsWorldUK The w123 200D was my first car... I wish today that I never would have sold it. Greets from Germany
W140 v12 is best merc
@@TheFraudwatch das aus benz...
This guy is talking nothing but TRUTH. In Malaysia thousands of 'em are still running strongly on the roads everywhere. In this country there's absolutely no age limit for cars, you may still drive it even after 100 years provided you pay the road-tax and auto insurance. Looking at only the licence plates you'll now that these mighty and long-lasting masterpieces are well above 35 years of age. Yet a lot still serves loyally as taxicabs to their owners. Am I thinking that they're gonna last yet another 35-40 years, way past 2050 or 2060? ABSOLUTELY!! 😃😃
This bought back memories . At the start of the 1980s I was driving a new mk1 Fiesta 1.1L. Then my wife had a baby and needed the car a few days a week.One of the partners, at the firm I worked for ,offered me a lift into work to help out. He had a 123 200D manual. He’d had it from new and it had about 80k on the clock. What a wonderful car. Not a rattle (except from the Diesel engine) and everything worked as if it was brand new. The way the doors closed compared to the Ford was a revelation. But my god was it slow ! I don’t think it could do 70mph .Even with a following wind. You couldn’t overtake without a very long stretch of road into the distance. He did over 150k in the car before he sold it . I heard it was still rattling about years later .
I’ve just received my dads after his passing it’s a 230 Petrol exactly the same color in the story 220 kms since new love it to bits
I own a 81’ 240D. And I can’t express how much I love it. Yes…it’s slow, however…but it’s a damn good drive and a damn good car. I think the 240D,The VW beetle and a base model CR-X are living proof that good and fun cars, don’t have to be fast.
The best car EVER made. Not just as a Mercedes
W123 / Toyota Corolla last forever
ESP diesel Corolla in a dry climate
I think this and the golf mk4 are two of the best people care ever
I bought a modern W204 after working on my W123 - not even getting it running yet, just seeing how well its made!
I have had one of these since 1985 and there great.
I have a 1985 300D and it's beautiful. I love it!
In fact I have a version of the W123 I call Triple Four or 444. It's a 240D with 4 doors, 4 cylinder and 4 speed manual transmission. It's White over Black with manual windows and manual sunroof. I just love it.
Superb spec!
I had an '84 240d and loved it. As long as you do your part and do regular maintenance they will last pretty much forever.
The perfect classic. Maybe the perfect car. Loved my 280E, really miss it.
I really like the red interior and white exterior. I may be wrong about the interior the lighting makes it look brownish red.
Love the w123!
Proud owner of a blue 1982 300D
want to get one
Lovely Jubbly, I remember going to country shows in the 70's as a child seeing these cars, and compared to BL, FORD, etc etc were producing these were high end cars back then.
All true...and then some! All the models that were derived from it all became classics in their own league, whether it was a coupe, the sport versions or even the mighty G Wagon (hence the engines), all had that same flair to them. It was the era that Mercedes was just all over the place 😘
ive worked on many of these and those little engines are tough , great little tank of a vehical. i even had one drive in with the piston rod punched through the block .
I would actually say that -for me- the w123 with round headlights is the most beautiful merc ever. One day I am surely gonna buy one.
Same here!
What model and what year? Planning to buy but i dont know what is the model number.
I believe that the one in the video came originally with the round headlights, if i´m not mistaken only the top engine models ( 280, 280E and 280CE) had the squared ones. When i say "round headlights" i DO NOT mean that ugly US-Spec model, but the euro ones. I have an 1978 280CE and a 1980 300D, this last one with 430.000 km, and still kicking. ;)
Inalso.wish to buy one..
@@luizeduardomendespinheiro2241 All euro Benzes since the early 80´s came with the squared headlights.Before that,it was as you said.
Looking at a 1980 300d regular. No turbo on it, just happy I don’t have to smog it in California, and it’s lowered on some badass rims, 120,000 miles on it and has had everything worked on including the infamous vacuum system that plagues so many of these cars.
Great review of a beautiful car !
HI there I own this car and it is exceptional. Totally original 5 speed manual. Hanging on to this one!!
Enjoy it, John! Give me a shout if ever you're selling -Joe
HI Joe Just won best four door saloon over 30 years old at Mercedes Benz Club National Concourse 9.7.2022
That's fantastic, great to hear!
My dream car
i am saving up for an w123 240d my grandpa his fater used to own one and he really depended on it and never broke down. Nowedays my grandpa owns a w212 and it still looks similar to a w123
I love the W123. The zero offset front suspension (taken from the W116) was the biggest improvement over the W114. The fully vertical opening of the hood was a blessing for us techs. In the US the only complaints I have with the car is the climate control system (compliments of Mopar) and the wear of the steering gear. The W116 and R107 steering gear would go 100k miles with very little wear. We were adjusting the free play at 50k on the W123.
Putting transmission fluid in the steering pump per Mercedes contributed greatly to the pre mature wear of the steering box. The wonderful part about it is almost every part is still available. Rebuilt my complete steering and front suspension including all 4 shocks for under 1000 bucks. Car is forever repairable ! Great car. Nothing better than an 80s Mercedes ! 👍
Best Car ever made by mercedes. I would definitely have one. Older cars are so pretty and just a vibe and really fun to cruise in.
In Australia a German 1977 mercedes 280D is 7k and an Australian Holden HX Sedan is like 20k cheaper and stronger and better
I have 3 W123 cars. One euro car, 230e with a 4 speed, a 240d auto and 300td. They will last absolutely forever
Excellent collection, Jesse! We've had a range of Mercs in our office
i have 2 w123 and 2 w115
wow...
Need to get one,though i have to build it back in to shape.
from uganda
The 123 actually has a double wishbone setup at the front @4:16
I live in the Socialist Republic of Oxfordshire, where the roads are appallingly neglected and little more than rough farm tracks full of potholes. Cars tuned for razor sharp handling are useless here, and big rims with ultra low profile tyres only take you straight to the osteopath. The W123 Mercedes however, with it's soft suspension and squidgy tyres, well it's absolutely perfect. Certainly gets my vote for best car Mercedes ever made.
I think you meant 'The Democratic Socialist Republic of Oxfordshire'
Reliable and dependable 👍👍👍
Back in the 80s' W123 used to be pretty expensive car in South Asian countries
I bought a one owner from Beverly Hills,ca,last year,perfect condition,close to two hundred grand on it,could rite a short book on how it drives,big on personality for soure
Hi Nice vid ,i have the same car and was trying to spot in your engine bay if there is an engin emergency cut off lever as it seems to be missing on mine, does yours have such a thing
I have a 1983 240 TD , 4 cylinders , 4 gears. Its a salon which is great. Had to get the engine changed after about 800 k km .
ONE OF MY DREAMCARS I WISHD ID HAD 2 W123 280E GREEN AND 240D WHITE
I've recently got rid of a couple of modern over-computerised fault ridden cars in favour of a 40 year old 123. No computers that tell lies that mechanics cannot fathom out till they have changed lots of unnecessary parts. It's had lots done to it and still has half a dozen things that I'll improve. It's done 195,000 miles which doesn't faze me. Driving it reminds me of that old song : "So stately as a galleon we sailed across the floor, doing the military two step as in the days of yore". Look up youtube Joyce Grenfell - Old Time Dancing (Stately as a galleon)
I often wonder why the rear lights were like that, even as a child. These are the kind of cars that German car makers continue to dine out on.
The best observation I recall regards these cars was ' the last Mercedes made by Engineers and not accountants '. Ouch!
I think engineers may have gone for a bit more power !
@@lewis72 Nah, longevity and reliability far more important , leave the tinkering to watchmakers and sewing machine designers.😉
@@kenmacfarlane8744
They are not mutually exclusive.
Wunderbar
Jealous that you’ve got the five speed. The four speed manual needs a slightly higher gear in third. Otherwise, a minor nitpick for a truly legendary car.
They where made so well to survive. Where are they now then? Don't see too many knocking about
im picking one up, with 180k miles, manual, only problem is dash is cracked... 2.25k asking price, is that good?
No question about it.
See the 2020 S-class and weep .
MY DREAM
my dad has a old w123 with the big trunk in a blue color although its totally wrecked i will keep it
Lovley car😍😍😍😍
Same colour combo as my first 240D, which was also an -83. Did this really have a 5 speed? Because that's really rare in a w123!
Yes 5 speed manual was available last 2 years of production.
Superb...in every way
i have a 300D will never get rid of it
I am actually considering to buy one of these things as my first car....
Same for me..
Cheaper then any aussie car in my opinion. Wich is my home Country
Fantastic! They're awesome beasts. I'm 20 and am trying to get one myself at the moment, but unfortunately no UK insurance company will touch me with a barge-pole; the vast majority of insurers will only offer classic insurance to over-25s, and for most of them the legendary diesel block is too much of a "risk", in spite of its famed slowness. Sadly 'tis the way of the world. That said, please let me know if you do manage to find a good insurer, it would be enormously appreciated!
Last and last and last... until the injection system wears and then it will be off the road for months while you find a specialist, then search for the part that has failed because the 'specialist' wont want to rebuild the old part so you'll bankrupt yourself buying a secondhand part that probably wont work any better that the old part. Classic car ownership is a commitment. I drive a '83 230E.
i have the same color as yours but a 300TD
ANyone got some leads on a good repair/DIY channel for these cars? Specifically the 240d w123
Am love Mercedes Benz
Got one.
Mercedes-Benz. ...
The best or nothing. ..🔔&👍
Is the interior made with MB Tex?
Not this one .
Maybe not the best benz ever but the best of e class ever
nice bitrate
w124 owener love to get a w123
Lovely car and by the way my surname is Merc 😉
The W115 was just as tough as the W123 diesels. In many ways, the former is much more enjoyable to drive than the W123 whereas the latter is more plush and mildly easier to maintain.
the best
i wishd id had 37 mercs from w108 to w212
If u give me an e class as a gift, I will actually rather to have a w123 than those new ones
Can I buy this car
La mejor carroceria de mercedes 300 d w123 diesel 3000cc de 5 cilindros mecanica sin turbo 1983... a mi parecer...
👌🏽
i wishd id hjad 240d w123 green
1:37 This car has done only 83 000 miles...the 240 D was so slow it will need another 40 years to do another 80 thou.
w123 does have double wishbone suspension
most popular car by far in albania was the 240D
👍
No plastic water pump in that one
No but if you needed to change it you had to take the crank pulley off plus a lot more 😤🇦🇺
actually the w123 replaced the w115 not the w114
same thing. w114 is the name given to the 6 cylinder versios, while w115 suggests a 4 or 5 cylinder engine in the same car.
These cars required very little maintenance ......
Is this car for sale.....
HI Mike unfortunately not at present.I think this one will be a keeper it's so nice.
What a banger
There's nothing dainty about a Stroke 8. It's an equally tough, arguably better looking and a better handling model. The W123 is easier to own and much more plush and comfortable. I own both, a 240D and a 300D and will never need another car.
You lucky SOB my father had the same color greatest Mercedes ever made.but the one we had was a gasoline engine which was way better.
Great car. Does anyone know the difference between the 240d with the five speed box and the one with the four speed box? Is the one with four gears mire noisy or is it mote or less the same? Regards from Denmark
I just think of citizen khan😂😂 great car though
I disagree, the w123 looks way better than the 114
Totally agree with you
You are right, the W123 is not as beautiful as the W114/115 , it's way better looking,
Nope. If you say old merc I think if a 115. Specifically my Grandad's 115, Mabel.
I had a 6 cylinder and it will never be supparst in Australia the 4 cylinder is KNOW as the German hill detector the mercs. After the w123 were and are still ..J U S T another car and they don't hold there price in o z 🤔🤔🤔🤔🇦🇺
The W123 is much better looking than the W114
Ken Rosenberg's car
Bed sheeran told truth
240🥺😕