1980 Mercedes-Benz W123 240D 2.4 diesel
Summary:
A treasure to cherish
Faults:
The brakes were sticking.
Seats need to be re-foamed/repadded.
Changed the tie-rods and drag link.
Replaced the engine supports.
It needs a new steering box.
The front flooring is rusted out, especially on the driver's side.
Changed the temperature gauge (whole cluster).
Will probably need new coil springs and shocks soon.
It will need some new weather strips.
I think I need new ball joints.
It needs a new chain tensioner.
General Comments:
The car, for me, is short on power but it is sufficient enough for normal city driving. Speed is acceptable on long stretches. It's very economical.
It offers a very comfortable and stable ride that is better than the Japanese cars my family members have can offer.
Road noise and suspension noise are kept at a minimum.
Parts are relatively inexpensive and readily available.
I would say that it is very prone to rust though. Some cars are actually better in this area.
Price-wise, this 1980 240D is good value. If I were to sell it today, it would fetch the same price as a 1994-1996 Sentra, Corolla, Lancer, or some other Japanese make.
Being in this car gives you a sense of security because you know it's sturdy and well-built.
The W123's for me and for a lot of people, are the best Benz series made. It is a true classic, timeless in design. In-spite of its age it still gives its owners prestige and recognition.
My wife and I will never part with this car if we could help it. We are currently saving up to do a proper restoration on it. We want it to be as fresh as the day it came out of the factory in Germany. It is truly a superior automobile.
Lastly, our car is still all original. We even have the original owner's manuals (written in German though), and the original Becker radio-cassette manual all in it's original plastic case. How's that?!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 1st June, 2001
22nd Mar 2005, 19:09
I just got my 240D because of spiralling gas prices here in the Philippines. I was surprised by its fuel consumption and reliability. My wife was skeptical at first since sold our 92' and 94' model cars just to get this Benz. I told her that I would gladly sell the Benz if she could find a Toyota or Honda, 22 years of age, which performs economically and reliably as this Benz. Incidentally, my other German car is already 35 years old and still runs reliably. Talk about durability! I have nothing against Japanese brands. Its just that its costlier to maintain them in the long run especially when they start to show their age. I just love things that last and this Benz is it. Mabuhay! The mileage of my 22 year old Benz is 200,000 miles.
29th Mar 2009, 19:02
The W123 is a much older design, it was more popular than the Accord no?
Can you repair a 1990's honda with a basic tool kit in south Africa?
20th Jun 2009, 07:23
Funny that the guy compared an Accord to a Benz... If you haven't owned a Benz and driven it long, you would never know how good it really is...
I've had a CRV and a Camry, and sold those ones off, but I still keep my w201... they were good and probably had similar reliability, but the 190e has character. Trust me, the feel of driving it is totally different.
Now I'm planning to get a w123 for myself and restore it, thus seeing this review... sometimes I wished I bought one before I got those japanese cars, I would have not lost so much money on depreciation... hope I find a coupe in good nick... cheers...
20th Mar 2003, 13:03
Big deal! I have a 1990 accord with 260,000 miles on it with nothing wrong. 5 speed is original, no new shocks, tranny, nothing! This car is truly rock solid.