W123 is the end nigh?

[dazdread]

Hi all,

A deflated W123 owner here, much is made of the over engineered nature of the W123 and it being almost built to last for ever, indeed my 30 year old bus is mechanically and structurally in fine fettle.

I am worried that the lack of parts will contribute to the forcing of these cars off the road. According to www.howmanyleft.co.uk there are only 48 examples of my vehicle licensed or SORN'd but its hard to see how many W123's there are as they are not linked by the model.

The suppliers I use KMS (Birmingham), GSF (National) and Parkers (Regional) are all winding down their parts for these cars, MB themselves no longer have all parts (MB had one brake bleed nipple and do not do a side window seal for the estate anymore)

I use my car as a daily driver and the wife will shortly force me to sell mine as getting spares means that the car is off the road for a few days at a time sometimes. I feel we need some sort of buying group for the W123 comminity... is there already one in existence?

I see that DRMercedesW123 has started a site that may very well be this but he is charging for the service, has anyone used it?

With a million having been built there must be suppliers around the world that still make these bits... I welcome your comments!

 

[GP801]

I had heard the W123 was now officially a classic MB and supported by the classic centre. This should ensure that most parts remain available in the future although perhaps at increased cost.

 

[mercmush]

You're right many places are winding down their parts for these youngtimers as I have noticed the same thing as a w126 owner but don't be deflated. You say that your w123 is mechanically and structurally in fine fettle but that it is also your daily driver. Surely you need to get a cheap runaround as well ? That will then take some of the load of your w123. Either way good luck with keeping it on the road.

 

[dsan]

have you contacted the heritage centre? I'm able to get parts for my W108, so not sure why the 123 would be an issue

 

[SilverSaloon]

this is the issue of running a classic as a daily driver.... there will often be times that the car is off the road waiting for replacement parts.

i wouldnt worry too much about getting parts however, you'll always be able to find a way past most things needed, even if it involves getting something fabricated or doing it yourself with a welder, a sheet of metal and a jigsaw.

 

[jaymanek]

Ive never had issues getting parts apart from maybe some colour specific items of trim..

The parts availability is excellent I think, prices have risen sharply over the years but thats the price you pay i guess.

 

[dazdread]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the responses.

I have no fear about fabrication panels if (as is currently) needed, its things like only one supplier has an accelerator cable, and I need the side window out to fix a rust spot )

I have never heard of the heritage centre, is this a division of MB or a separate company like the one that does heritage body shells for Mini's and MG's.

As for a runaround its probably not an option, I have a nearly finished VW camper restoration in the garage and a beetle and another camper rusting on the drive waiting to get into the garage, the wife hates the W123 with a vengence so I keep it (apart from love, admiration of the engineering and durability of the vehicle and the fact it will run on Vegetable oil) to not let her think she has got her own way )

Silversaloon, if there were anysuch thing as a Rover SD1 2400 in the UK that would have been the only alternative considered when I bought the car 8 years ago now.

 

[bernie driscoll]

According to www.howmanyleft.co.uk there are only 48 examples of my vehicle licensed or SORN'd but its hard to see how many W123's there are as they are not linked by the model.

There's more than 48 W123 left, howmanyleft seems to under estimate any type of car that you tap in.

 

[dazdread]

Sorry Bernie,

That was 48 W123 300 TD Auto's, it would require a few hours and a full knowdege of the W123 model range to get the total on the road as the DoT/DVLA models are not linked to the chassis designation of W123 as we know it. Mine is recorded under the model of 300TD.

In their defense, howmanyareleft use the raw data from the DVLA which I had a look at and am not sure what the quarterly figures mean

 

[grober]

Spareparts | Classic Live | Der Mercedes-Benz Classic Newsroom

I would also suggest you join the official Mercedes Benz Club

The Mercedes-Benz Club

 

[dsan]

Mercedes-Benz Classic Home - Classic - Classic Center

+1 on joining the Mercedes Benz Club, the wealth of info available is worth it. The Mercedes-Benz Club there is a dedicated forum for each model.

 

[neilrr]

Mercedes-Benz Classic Home - Classic - Classic Center

+1 on joining the Mercedes Benz Club, the wealth of info available is worth it. The Mercedes-Benz Club there is a dedicated forum for each model.

The same info is available to anyone who knows how to use google.

PeachParts - Mercedes Parts & Tech Info is a busy forum with lots of W123 owners worldwide.

Dedicated sections have been discussed here several times & rejected, for good reasons IMO.

 

[dazdread]

Thanks for all of the advice guys, Kudos to you all and your knowledge.

 

[219]

There are lots of specialist suppliers in Germany ( much as there are here in the UK for older MG's , Jaguars etc ) .

Try DB Depot

Ersatzteile fr Ihren Mercedes Benz, Spare Parts for Classic Cars Daimler W 107, C 107, R 107, W 108, W 109, W 110, W 111, W 112, W 113, W 114, W 115, W 116, W 123, W 126, Ersatzteile W 107, C 107, R 107, W 108, W 109, W 110, W 111, W 112, W 113, W 11

or SLS

SLS - Home

or Heinrich Niemoller

Niemoeller Mercedes Benz spare parts Germany

In the UK , Mark Cosovich can be a useful contact

Tel 01792 846688

 

[jaymanek]

Mark doesnt like to sell his spares now im told, he is keeping them all for his own restorations.

 

[219]

I'd heard that .

Sorry , should have said he is a useful contact for information and advice , if you are up for a lengthy phone call !

If anyone knows where to locate elusive parts - he will .

 

[horatio]

In some countries half the cars on the road are W123's so the parts will still be made- you will just have to wait for them to arrive. Most W123's were bought/stolen for export or rotted away, not many left now.

 

[dazdread]

Time for a W123 buying group )

Commissioning short runs of things like side window seals for a start!

 

[jaymanek]

They are available from Mercedes... no one would be able to match price/quality so whats the point..

I have broken W123's in the past and no one ever wants the meat of the car... its always bits of trim people want to buy and also doors. I never once sold an engine!

 

[dazdread]

No they are not, that is my issue... I have a bloody great rust spot under the seal on my nearside (lefthand side) and MB do not do a seal, they do for the other side at an eye watering £145... more than for a whole set of VW quality seals for a camper (