Faults:

Central Locking not working.

Clunk from exhaust.

Sunroof will not lock in place when open.

General Comments:

I bought this old Merc as a fun car to replace my VW Camper and I have fallen in love with it.

It is a very basic specification model with four speed manual gear change and cloth upholstery.

The doors close with an excellent quality clunk and the car is covered in lovely chrome details including roof rails and wheel covers (with body colour centres)

Since having the car I have repaired the broken drivers seat base and replaced the worn driver seat cover with a replacement from a Merc specialist in the UK.

The car is a real pleasure to drive it wafts down the road like only a Mercedes can.

I have had W124 and W210 E class Mercs before and they always have the same essential character.

People will always tell you that you shouldn't buy a Merc with a manual transmission or without leather etc, but at the right price an odd spec car can give you a great deal of pleasure.

The spares back up for W123s is excellent both from dealers and specialists.

Faults:

All brake pads needed replacing (£200)

Re-conditioned steering column (£400)

New door/boot rubbers all round (£200 inc. fitting)

Erratic central locking

General Comments:

The W123 series (1976-1985) was the last chrome smothered Mercedes. It was also one of their greatest ever vehicles.

These cars were the epitome of quality when I was a child, hence my nostalgic purchase. The intervening years have seen them collapse in value to the humiliating "bargain basement", sub £1000 bracket - my bracket!

My car was smoke silver with an all black MB Tex interior. We nicknamed it Darth Vader.

Incidentally, MB Tex is more durable than the hide of a dinosaur. A quick wipe with a wet cloth and it will glisten as per showroom standard.

The body was in excellent condition and mechanically it seemed fine. I insisted on a new Ministry of Transport certificate (UK Government's yearly safety test) from the dealer. He was from Essex. It duly passed...somehow. The mechanic who later serviced the car told me it should never have got through and that I'd been "done"...by an Essex man... a new low. Rest assured I reported the MoT station.

£1500 later I had no reason for regret. The car was supremely reliable. It started first time every time throughout my tenure. It had a firm, but comfortable ride and a tremendous, leonine road presence. Any old Mercedes has a regal bearing, it in decent enough condition.

The engine was rated at 185bhp. It provided excellent acceleration. I managed a top speed indicated at 125mph with revs to spare. Highly impressive for a 20 year old car.

These cars are supremely solid. They exhibit the traditional, reassuring bank vault slam when the doors are closed.

It was, however, surprisingly cramped in the back for a largish car (over 15 ft). The fuel economy was also very poor. I would estimate an overall figure of 20mpg, which is worse than my 420SEL.

Rust is also an issue, as with any 70s design. W123s suffer around the wheel arches epecially.

I decided to sell when a mysterious humming sound made itself known from the rear. A mechanic advised it was wear within the axle and a £600 fix. It was time for another banger...

NB These cars are highly regarded in West Africa due to their extreme longevity. An unfortunate corollary is the spate of thefts, especially in the London area, to ship them overseas.

Faults:

The vacuum central locking never worked.

I fitted new brake calipers, because the car had been standing.

The crankshaft on the rebuilt engine used to clatter until oil pressure built up.

General Comments:

I really enjoyed this car, it was very solid, reliable, lovely and smooth to drive, I recommend them to anyone wanting a cheap,distinctive, quality car.

Engines seem to last for 150000 miles, changing the oil helps a lot.

Nobody in the UK apart from me wants the saloon; prices are from £250 to £900.

There are some rusty ones, but many good solid examples with a bit of rust in the wheelarches.