1980 Mercedes-Benz W123 200D from Sri Lanka

Summary:

It is amazing that a car of this age gives me much comfort and performance

Faults:

Only 3 months of usage.

Water fan leaked. Replace cost was US$32.50.

Radiator leaked. Got it rectified from a third party repairing company.

General Comments:

Comfort is the main thing I wanted to point out. Previously I have used Peugeot 305, Peugeot 405 and Nissan Serena respectively. W123 gave best comfort among those.

Reliability is also high.

Good looking should also be mentioned, I believe.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd September, 2004

11th Apr 2025, 18:33

The reliability of this car is truly brillant. I know people who have driven it up to a millon kilometres without any major problems.

The 200 D isn't as powerful as the 300 D, but it's just as comfortable and durable.

In reply to 11th Apr 2025, 18:33

13th Apr 2025, 22:15

The W123-series like the 200D was the standard Mercedes, they were durable and comfortable as you pointed out, but they were also elegant and dignified. The 200D in particular though, was a car of its times. If you lived in a country where the roads were pretty much level and not hilly, and traffic was moderate, it held its own. Those were the days when the average motorist drove cars which had 60-70 bhp, and accelerated to 100 km/h in 14-16 seconds. The 200D though would struggle uphills, as I've seen a few times during my childhood. I saw one in a mountainous area, pretty new at the time, and the occupants had to get out of the car. But, these were the quintessential Mercedeses.

1980 Mercedes-Benz W123 300TD diesel from North America

Summary:

Buy a wagon if you can get one- turbo or non turbo- you will not regret it

Faults:

Many small things have gone wrong with this 24 year old car- it's 24 years old. Nothing that one would not expect, and nothing a person with a off the shelf repair manual and basic tools could not fix.

General Comments:

When I bought the car the A/C did not function- but I changed it to R134a and charged it- two years later and it works great. Many of the rubber parts needed attention- door seals, steering linkage etc. New parts which will last another 20 years. The non turbo 5 cylinder diesel is indestructible- many last over 500K. Be sure to check all the fluid and stay on top of maint and the car ought to last forever. I bought mine for $2400 and put another $1200 into it- and there is nothing I need to do for another 5 years.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th July, 2004

1980 Mercedes-Benz W123 240D 2.4L 4 cylinder diesel from North America

Summary:

The most reliable car I have ever seen

Faults:

Small water leak caused by battery acid, rubber undercoat fixed this nicely.

Gas lines are in bad shape, but it in its defense it has been sitting in my driveway for years (I got it from my parents), and the fuel gauge is messed up in the tank. I will have to get a new one.

General Comments:

This is the easiest car to work on. Everything is within reach.

Very sporty, very comfortable, and dual climate control in an 80 model with a sunroof is awesome.

It has sat for many years in my driveway, and I have just decided to start restoring it. It still purrs like a kitten. It's slow as all get out though, but has a very strong exterior. An absolute blast to drive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd February, 2004

1980 Mercedes-Benz W123 230E from Switzerland

Summary:

A typical long-runner: No fancy stuff, but very reliable and economic

Faults:

At traffic-lights the engine nearly stops in cold weather conditions, even if the engine was running for more than 20 minutes.

Driver-seat is quite seated out.

Rust is glancing up on door-bottoms (left front and right rear).

Uses about 14 liters per 100 Kilometers.

General Comments:

Super-value for the money (CHF 4'000). It is entirely clear, that the upper mentioned negative comments are obsolete in comparison with the fact, that this is a 23 year old vehicle.

Where else do you get a car for this money that takes you reliably practically everywhere?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th April, 2003

1980 Mercedes-Benz W123 300D 5 cylinder diesel from North America

Summary:

Best kept secret in used cars

Faults:

Broken window regulator.

Air conditioning compressor seized.

General Comments:

A very comfortable and amazingly solid automobile.

On the downside, it is rather slow and noisy. In a way, I like this, as it forces me to just relax and take my time.

For its size, the running costs are about as low as any car I've ever owned.

I only paid $1,200 for it and put another $1000 in cosmetics, maintenance and repairs for almost 40,000 miles. I figure that with fuel, insurance, and all expenditures this car can't be costing me more than.10 cents to.12 cents a mile. A new car easily can cost.35 cents a mile.

And it still looks as nice as the day Benz made it. Back then, Benz made a great car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th January, 2003