W123 as a daily? (I'm retired, have another car)

[MichaelMB]

Logically I should buy a 190e, but the W123 Coupe is a lot prettier! I have found a manual 190e 1.8 that meets my needs (factory air con too) but the private seller won't release it until their new car arrives late February 2025.
In the meantime a stunning W123 Coupe 230e has appeared across my bows. Allegedly fabulous condition 4 speed auto. No air but I could maybe add an after market one if it becomes annoying.
Is it mad to consider as a frequent use car? I have a reliable 1985 Landy too, and my partner has 2 sensible cars. Would do about 5k PA, mainly local. Is it very thirsty compared to a manual 1.8? It is a bit longer than I'd prefer for some of the car parks I use.
My local independent garage has closed (Yeovil area), nearest main dealer is 45 minutes away, have not yet found another local independent. I am pretty hands on with fettling though. For someone who sought out an economical 190e, is the 123 folly? I suspect that like many cars their age, they may have peaked in price now, but being over 40 years old, there is an annual tax saving at least!

 

[BlackC55]

Be careful what you buy. Get it inspected before you purchase is your best bet. Up on a lift with a competent MB tech looking it over. I have seen very few decent 123's over the last few years.

 

[MichaelMB]

Be careful what you buy. Get it inspected before you purchase is your best bet. Up on a lift with a competent MB tech looking it over. I have seen very few decent 123's over the last few years.

That is obviously a concern. This one claims to have had major work in 2023, cills, wings, boot floor, service and a respray. Described as 'restored' and has receipts.

 

[MD5]

Yeovil area

Michael, I'm a bit out of touch these days, but the guy who opened Casterbridge Motors in Dorchester used to be the service manager at MB Dorchester, and of this era of cars. Whether he's retired, sold or what, I don't know, but worth checking out. Edit: I've just linked their Facebook page, and it's still a family business.

 

[BlackC55]

That is obviously a concern. This one claims to have had major work in 2023, cills, wings, boot floor, service and a respray. Described as 'restored' and has receipts.

Take it with a pinch of salt.

Restored means all parts have been restored/re-furbished.

 

[AnnasMerc83]

Logically I should buy a 190e, but the W123 Coupe is a lot prettier! I have found a manual 190e 1.8 that meets my needs (factory air con too) but the private seller won't release it until their new car arrives late February 2025.
In the meantime a stunning W123 Coupe 230e has appeared across my bows. Allegedly fabulous condition 4 speed auto. No air but I could maybe add an after market one if it becomes annoying.
Is it mad to consider as a frequent use car? I have a reliable 1985 Landy too, and my partner has 2 sensible cars. Would do about 5k PA, mainly local. Is it very thirsty compared to a manual 1.8? It is a bit longer than I'd prefer for some of the car parks I use.
My local independent garage has closed (Yeovil area), nearest main dealer is 45 minutes away, have not yet found another local independent. I am pretty hands on with fettling though. For someone who sought out an economical 190e, is the 123 folly? I suspect that like many cars their age, they may have peaked in price now, but being over 40 years old, there is an annual tax saving at least!

My only car is a w123 and probably cover 5k a year in it. Mainly small weekend trips and 2x bigger 2k road trips a year, had it since 2021 and not let me down yet. Altho, did have to sort a few issues out when I bought it (carb etc) which was a pain, but now I can’t part with it despite wanting some other cars.

 

[alabbasi]

As a daily driver, a W123 will be fine. They are still daily drivers all over north Africa where the roads are horrible.

Quality suspension parts are getting harder to source and you should expect nickle and some issues to come up as with any old car and probably no more than a 190E. Watch out for rust.

Adding AC is a dash out job and not for the faint hearted. TBH, you don't need it in the UK.

 

[Jobsworth]

I still look after one or two nice ones. This ex-Swiss 280CE was in last week for a coolant leak from the water pump back housing.

 

[Scott_F]

Regardless of the practicalities of using these cars daily, a decent W123 230CE will cost a LOT more to buy than a humble 1.8 litre W201 in equivalent condition.

 

[ChipChop]

Regardless of the practicalities of using these cars daily, a decent W123 230CE will cost a LOT more to buy than a humble 1.8 litre W201 in equivalent condition.

True but both the C123 and w201 no longer depreciate so it is free motoring essentially.

 

[Jobsworth]

Found another pic of same car

 

[SpikyMikey]

View attachment 166715
Found another pic of same car

Classy