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W123 Saloon really wanted

H

HowardD

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Nov 1, 2008
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Berkshire
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Something else
Over the last 12 months I've taken a shine to the W123 and have now decided to find myself a keeper.

I want a tidy one; I'm not handy mechanically. My 1st choice would be a 300d or 240d. But, I havent seen any diesels for sale and I'll be very happy with a 230e.

It's gonna be a saloon, and auto. Air con, sunroof and leather are on my wish list too, but compromise is my friend. Good bodywork and mechanicals are my priority.

I've spent 2 months doing a bit of research (lots of info on this site).

I've been tracking the ones on Autotrader / Ebay / Car & Classics - there's not many out there and the range of asking prices is difficult to follow. There's a nice looker 280 e on Ebay, but at £5k it's way too dear. It's been on there for months.

Some of the colour combinations are an acquired taste too.

Anyway, if you happen to hear of any, then I'd be interested in hearing more.
 
Prices are all over the place.

My LWB version went for a very poultry figure in the end and it was a real beauty.

image006.jpg
 
HowardD said:
Over the last 12 months I've taken a shine to the W123 and have now decided to find myself a keeper.

I want a tidy one; I'm not handy mechanically. My 1st choice would be a 300d or 240d. But, I havent seen any diesels for sale and I'll be very happy with a 230e.

It's gonna be a saloon, and auto. Air con, sunroof and leather are on my wish list too, but compromise is my friend. Good bodywork and mechanicals are my priority.

I've spent 2 months doing a bit of research (lots of info on this site).

I've been tracking the ones on Autotrader / Ebay / Car & Classics - there's not many out there and the range of asking prices is difficult to follow. There's a nice looker 280 e on Ebay, but at £5k it's way too dear. It's been on there for months.

Some of the colour combinations are an acquired taste too.

Anyway, if you happen to hear of any, then I'd be interested in hearing more.
Click to expand...

Aircon and leather might be hard to find on a W123, expensive options that few cars got back in the day.

Plus a 240D has that little power to start with, turning on the aircon would be like throwing out the anchor...
 
nick mercedes said:
Aircon and leather might be hard to find on a W123, expensive options that few cars got back in the day.

Plus a 240D has that little power to start with, turning on the aircon would be like throwing out the anchor...
Click to expand...

I've heard there's even a 200d too.

There's a nice looking cream 230e on Ebay at the moment with both, and a claimed 40k miles - but no service history.
 
Having had 3 i would go for a late 230e every day. 280's only a touch nippier but thirsty and not as smooth. Diesels horrifically slow, dangerously so in fact, although frugal.

Get one with a good body and chassis - dont be put off by mileage, a decently used one will usually be better than a one that has done less than 75k miles in 25 years. Mechanical repairs easily achievable, but rust is rust.

Our first one only went to the knackers yard as it was written off (with 250k miles on it, no engine/gearbox/suspension repairs at all.......it had bespoke leather too :)

A 280te might be more likely to have leather and air.

Good luck.
 
jonnyboy said:
Having had 3 i would go for a late 230e every day. 280's only a touch nippier but thirsty and not as smooth. Diesels horrifically slow, dangerously so in fact, although frugal.

Get one with a good body and chassis - dont be put off by mileage, a decently used one will usually be better than a one that has done less than 75k miles in 25 years. Mechanical repairs easily achievable, but rust is rust.

Our first one only went to the knackers yard as it was written off (with 250k miles on it, no engine/gearbox/suspension repairs at all.......it had bespoke leather too :)

A 280te might be more likely to have leather and air.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I've pretty much ruled out the 280 for exactly what you said. It will be my daily commuter. A 230 it will probably be.

I've just got to rein in my enthusiasm, or I'll end up spending too much, or buying the first rustbucket I see. The search is on.
 
Avoid the Diesels. Very very reliable but slow is not the word for it. They are very sluggish.
 
Just remember one thing.. W123's hide rust very very well...

Just the other day my accelerator pedal linkage went through the floor... no signs from underneath and under the carpet looks good too!

In good condition a W123 is hard to beat IMO... you will have to pay for a good one... The price differences are for a good reason..

There are cars that are shoddy, cars that the owners think are good and then there are good cars...

Good cars can go for a bargain but a realistic value is north of 3K for a rust free car with good provenance.

There is a chap called Mark Cosovich on the official club.. he is the guru of all things W123.. he will find you a magnificent car but he will probably also empty your savings too..
A good chap to know for spares etc too once you do get one.
 
I really like the W123 myself they are such nice cars and the feeling of solidity is so lovely, however I really want a W126 and spend money minting it but I haven't got the space and I'll probably be leaving the country in a bit so I'd only have to sell it again!

Good luck with your search and when you do find it, photograph everything you do to it!
 
Actually I've had that b.i.g c.o.c.k picture in a folder on the pc for some time, and uploaded it especially :thumb:

Me bad.
 
HowardD not trying to be cheeky here but have you actually driven one. :dk: Attractive in many ways, these cars drive in a totally different way to a modern Mercedes.:o Some people love them for that :rock: others get a bit of a wake up call.:eek: They are a 30 year old design after all and things have moved on in many ways. Just "try before you buy".:thumb:
 
jaymanek said:
Just remember one thing.. W123's hide rust very very well...

Just the other day my accelerator pedal linkage went through the floor... no signs from underneath and under the carpet looks good too!

In good condition a W123 is hard to beat IMO... you will have to pay for a good one... The price differences are for a good reason..

There are cars that are shoddy, cars that the owners think are good and then there are good cars...

Good cars can go for a bargain but a realistic value is north of 3K for a rust free car with good provenance.

There is a chap called Mark Cosovich on the official club.. he is the guru of all things W123.. he will find you a magnificent car but he will probably also empty your savings too..
A good chap to know for spares etc too once you do get one.
Click to expand...

I read about this guy some months ago, our local dealer was offering a warranty on his rebuilt cars as I recall.

I wondered at the time how that could work.
 
grober said:
HowardD not trying to be cheeky here but have you actually driven one. :dk: Attractive in many ways, these cars drive in a totally different way to a modern Mercedes.:o Some people love them for that :rock: others get a bit of a wake up call.:eek: They are a 30 year old design after all and things have moved on in many ways. Just "try before you buy".:thumb:
Click to expand...

Fair point. I've not driven one yet - and I want it as my daily commute :o. I'll take your sound advice.

My girlfriend's already told me neither she, our girls will ever be passengers if I get one.
 
HowardD said:
Fair point. I've not driven one yet - and I want it as my daily commute :o. I'll take your sound advice.

My girlfriend's already told me neither she, our girls will ever be passengers if I get one.
Click to expand...

W123s drive really well, even worn out 123s ride like little limos.

Only bad point is worn steering boxes which leave the steering feeling a bit vauge.
 
I love how W123's drive... mine is a little under powered with a 2.0 engine but the 2.3 injection cars drive much better than modern cars IMO.

yep steering can be vague and the wheel itself is huge... but easily sorted.
 
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