W123 Estate advice

[ICSD1234]

Hi there

I need to get rid of our Grand Voyager and, having always loved the look of them and often thought what a great family car it would make, I'm interested in getting into a W123 Estate like this:-

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/mercedes-benz/other-models/mercedes-benz-280te-w123-series/867038

Unfortunately, I know absolutely nothing about them so I'm after some help.

Petrol or diesel?
Are petrol OK on unleaded?
Servicing periods and costs?
Are they expensive to keep?
How do they drive?
If I go petrol, which engine?
What's the performance like?
Do they rust?
Anything in particular to look out for?
Are early ones better than late ones or vice versa?

Thanks in advance folks

Iain

 

[bolide]

W123s are classic cars and have to be treated as such. They drive like a classic car - they're fairly ponderous and have a huge wheel but, unlike modern cars, they have a real sense of occasion

The 280TE has a nice straight-six, twin-cam petrol engine. It's thirsty by modern standards but I liked the 280TE I drove recently. The 230TE has a straight four and will feel underpowered at first but you'll get used to it. The diesels are for people who have all the time in the world and who don't care if a car is glacially slow

Most of the autos are 3-speeds but a later 4-speed car would be a far better idea for cruising & economy.

Buy a W123 on condition, look after it carefully, Waxoyl it every year and it'll be a faithful friend. Don't buy a cheap one and try to run it on a shoestring. John at Avantgarde has nice cars and they will be prepared properly & priced accordingly

A late car with ABS and a 4-speed auto would be my choice. Put it on a classic insurance policy with an agreed value

Nick Froome

 

[BigSilverEstate]

Do you mind me asking why? Whilst I agree they are lovely looking and a bit individual, if you're not a card carrying enthusiast and just want a family car to replace a Voyager, there must be more practical options at £8k? I would think that money would get you into an S211, which would not lack for style and feel like a modern car.

 

[ICSD1234]

Sorry folks, I may have given the wrong impression - I am aware what I would be buying and have had classics in the past. Obviously I could get a decent E Class or 5 Series for similar money but the W123 is a bit special and I've always fancied one - it's a love of the car that has driven me to ask for advice.

Thanks for the advice so far.

 

[tombo5609]

If you find a nice one then go for it. I have had 4 123s over the years and loved them. The value of them is that they were the first choice as taxis all over the world and still operating in most places which proves their reliability.
Prices for a really good model are starting to rise so you ae not going to lose money if you are careful.
I would prefer the petrol version as the diesel whilst bomb proof is a little sluggish. Keep away from the 200.

Tom

 

[mejermy]

I agree they're great cars (had 2), but I would question the wisdom of using one as a'family' car for frequent kids' taxi duties. Whilst better than most of their era, and still good, if you wrap one up it will not protect the precious pink bits inside as well as a (say ) S211 as proposed by an earlier poster.

 

[ICSD1234]

Not according to this

Mercedes-Benz E-Class W123 1976 - Car Review | Honest John

To be honest I believe that you're at risk in any car and sometimes the old ones make you feel more vulnerable which means you drive safer - we'd all be better drivers in classic Minis!!

 

[balge]

Hi there
I need to get rid of our Grand Voyager and, having always loved the look of them and often thought what a great family car it would make, I'm interested in getting into a W123 Estate like this:-
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/mercedes-benz/other-models/mercedes-benz-280te-w123-series/867038
Unfortunately, I know absolutely nothing about them so I'm after some help.
Petrol or diesel?
Are petrol OK on unleaded?
Servicing periods and costs?
Are they expensive to keep?
How do they drive?
If I go petrol, which engine?
What's the performance like?
Do they rust?
Anything in particular to look out for?
Are early ones better than late ones or vice versa?
Thanks in advance folks
Iain

Hi
my first car was a W123 230TE, since rusted out and replaced by W124...
I love W123s, just couldn't find a good one at my price but with your budget you should be able to find a minter. Questions!
1 Dunno, which do you prefer?
2 Yes
3 Easy to work on...
4 The better it is when you buy it, the less it will cost in the long term
5 Well, the W124 handles better, but nice to drive if slightly 'period'
6 Get the biggest one you can...
7 Depends on the engine, the 230 never had trouble keeping up with traffic, but that's as far as I would go, they are quite heavy
8 Yes. So don't buy a rusty one, and do give it extra protection
9 Rust?
10 Shouldn't think theres much in it, they were in production for ten years, but even the newest is twenty five years old already, individual cars will vary enormously though

my tuppence worth, ymmv
cheers!

 

[balge]

Not according to this
Mercedes-Benz E-Class W123 1976 - Car Review | Honest John
To be honest I believe that you're at risk in any car and sometimes the old ones make you feel more vulnerable which means you drive safer - we'd all be better drivers in classic Minis!!

Top link! However, having been forced to travel in one of Leylands smallest dustbins once or twice, I would rather be in a shopping trolley than a Mini if involved in a shunt...

And if there was a bayonet sticking out of the steering wheel instead of an airbag, I think driving standards might improve dramatically...
cheers!

 

[nickod]

Does anyone think the pricier W123 estates on avantgarde are worth 13 or 15k?

 

[mejermy]

Absolutely not. Cars are machines for keeping you poor. When I used them as a company owned work tool that was less important. Now they're all owned privately it doesn't make sense to pay premium prices for what will only be a depreciating asset. These aren't Pagoda W113s after all. If you buy the best you can find privately and have any refurb done yourself you will then know whats been done instead of trusting the vendor's professional propriety, which may lead to dissappointment! And you will probably come out in front.

 

[bolide]

...Now they're all owned privately it doesn't make sense to pay premium prices for what will only be a depreciating asset... If you buy the best you can find privately and have any refurb done yourself... you will probably come out in front.

Or you may not

With a specialist you are buying the product of years of experience sourcing and preparing cars. Can most buyers do as well? I'd suggest not

Nick Froome

 

[mejermy]

At the sort of mid single figure 000s, which I believe may be your typical W124 price point I might agree, but

Does anyone think the pricier W123 estates on avantgarde are worth 13 or 15k?

I really can't see it at these higher figures.

 

[kingdave]

Hi Iain,

:: W123 World - Mark Cosovich :: belongs to a w123 fanatic, would be worth talking to him. His prepared cars are by his own admission not cheap either but I don't know how they compare with the others metionned previously.

Regards,

David