100 REASONS WHY I LOVE MY W123

Post by **gman** » Sat 31 Oct, 2009 10:12 am

Here's my opening entries:

100 Reasons Why I Love My W123

1. Built to an engineering standard not a price
2. Just the right amount of chrome
3. 6.7 Million owners can't be wrong
4. Doors shut with a clunk
5. I know my car will still be going long after all the other cars that sit around it in the car park have gone to the wrecker
6. I can pretend I am a suburban doctor in the 1980s
7. MB Tex: the best material to cover car seats ever made. Still looks new after 25+ years
8. I can pretend I am a middle-eastern or African taxi driver
9. Its built to be fixed - I can pull bits apart and put them back together
10. Rubber bumper strips allow my guilty pleasure: touch parallel parking

What do you love about your W123? Let's see if we can hit 100...

Check out:
http://mercedes-benz.tv/en/clip-625/Leg ... d=mbtv_rss

Gman

Post by **kaiser** » Sat 31 Oct, 2009 2:24 pm

11. I'm confident I can tackle 99 percent of repairs, not like my other merc...
12. parts costs are usually OK
13. plentifully available at wreckers
14. good size boot
15. great ride comfort
16. go anywhere durability! - have you seen this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/300tdorg/s ... 267375263/
17. even the US versions dont look too bad
18. mine was built the same month and year my wife was born!
19. reliability
20. just the right combination of old school charm with new school driveability/features.

Next...

Website · Post by **ADow** » Sat 31 Oct, 2009 2:51 pm

21. Looks great from every angle.
22. Safe and solid first car for teens and young adults
23. Young adults' friends think they are 'kewl' and 'retro'.
24. The five cylinder diesel is one of the best motors ever made.
25. Turning circle to rival a London taxi.
26. Easy to service - accessible filters and plugs.
27. My wife likes driving them.
28. The Tex interiors have an enduring but pleasant smell.
29. Comfortable over short and long distances
30. Paint quality means that they come up beautifully with a bit of polish

Post by **Ivanerrol** » Sat 31 Oct, 2009 5:47 pm

kaiser wrote: 18. mine was built the same month and year my wife was born!

Egad. Now you are making some of us feel old

I saw W123's new in the showroom

Post by **Hendrik** » Sat 31 Oct, 2009 7:59 pm

31 you can put a gun on the roof and invade Poland :shock:
32 you can drive through a Ford and only need to replace/straighten the bumper

Post by **benzfan** » Sat 31 Oct, 2009 11:20 pm

33. Hyundais buff right out.

Post by **John Green** » Sun 01 Nov, 2009 9:04 am

Points 5 and 13 do tend to contridict each other?? Hate to think how many W123's I have sent off to be turned into Hyundia's....

But, yes I agree one of the best models ever built...

Post by **tsharkey** » Sun 01 Nov, 2009 12:32 pm

Points 5 and 13 do tend to contridict each other??

Generally, the W123s I see in the wrecking yard are still very viable propositions, it is the crazy economics of our times.

That is Insurers write them off due to a ding and the parts are worth more than the whole. Recently, I saw a beautiful 1978 280CE parted because it had run into the back of another car and the cost of labour + bonnet, gards, grille, bumper and lights was too high. (Suffice to say, choice parts of it are now in my personal stock). Another sad example was a 83 280E sedan fully optioned and in great nick aside from a small ding in the rear left hand quarter that if my eldest was 7 years older, would have become a magnificant 300D for his 1st licence and that he could make his own fuel for. This smorgasboard of spare parts wont last for too much longer, as W123s are starting to get thinner, much thinner, on the ground. Where once W114\115s were plentiful in the yards, I rarely see one now a days. The same will be true of the venerable build. Consequently, I am stocking up while I can ...

Post by **Carl** » Sun 01 Nov, 2009 5:33 pm

6.7 million??

Post by **gman** » Sun 01 Nov, 2009 8:14 pm

Check out the video which is on the link on the top msg post - they say 6.7 Million on that video, don't they?

Mind you - just had a look on wikipedia - it says 2,696,915 there..

Any verification with more information would be great!

Calling all w123 afficianados!

(Still love my w123).

Post by **Ivanerrol** » Sun 01 Nov, 2009 9:22 pm

gman wrote: Mind you - just had a look on wikipedia - it says 2,696,915 there..

That would be 2.7 million official W123's, plus a million or so Chinese clones, plus all the re-birthed ones in the Middle East and Africa :)

Post by **gman** » Sun 01 Nov, 2009 11:23 pm

Chinese clone w123's? Any pics??

Reason 34. Came with a full-size alloy spare wheel which hadn't been used in its (then) 24 years of service

Post by **MerCal** » Mon 02 Nov, 2009 10:19 am

35: The dash clock makes a reassuring "ticking" sound - something lost in today's plastic world...

Post by **Carl** » Mon 02 Nov, 2009 10:55 am

gman wrote:Check out the video which is on the link on the top msg post - they say 6.7 Million on that video, don't they?

Mind you - just had a look on wikipedia - it says 2,696,915 there..

Any verification with more information would be great!

Calling all w123 afficianados!

(Still love my w123).

Yes they do say that - but - the video is wrong.....approx 2.7 million were built

Post by **kaiser** » Mon 02 Nov, 2009 11:39 am

2.7 million is still amazing.

Thats how you iron out all the bugs in a vehicle!

Post by **Helga** » Tue 03 Nov, 2009 7:13 pm

36. It's the cheapest car i have ever owned and also in the worst condition of any car I have ever owned

Its been the most reliable I have ever had, never made me walk home yet. It even caught fire a while back and I replaced a fuel line at that was it.

It saves me a fortune running it on veg oil

I open the bonnet and see an engine not a bunch of plastic covers.

I can change fan belts and other normal maintainece items myself without having to dissasemble half the front of the car or send it to someone with the correct left handed overhead cam spanners.

Every one of the few parts I have had to buy it were all cheaper than the commodore it replaced.

Any other car in it's condition would be regarded as a total POS. Mine has charm and appeal as a classic... even though it's a POS!

I went through water so deep once it came over the bonnet.... and it drove out the other side where the road was littered with broken down modern 4wd's costing 50 times what my car is worth.

Bolts made out of real steel instead of stiff butter I can undo without them breaking no matter how frozen they are.

The fact that it will still outhandle a lot of modern cars when it comes to the twisty bits.

The way it grumbles and spits and carrys on when you start it cold that makes the young guys think you have some monster sleeper engine under the bonnett instead of something probably doing 50 Hp.

The exhaust smell on veg confuses the hell out of people. Especially in an underground car park.

I don't have to pull over or find cover in a hail storm

Every one who rides in it comments on how comfortable it is and how well it rides.

50. I don't have to worry about other drivers opening their door on it in the car park. Their loss, not mine.

Post by **gman** » Tue 03 Nov, 2009 8:32 pm

Half-way there!

51. Numbers should always precede letters.

Post by **bahnstormer109** » Tue 03 Nov, 2009 8:44 pm

I love my W123 because it looks great in the pics for the article i wrote on W123s in the current issue of the Benz Club Qld's magazine.

Check it out!

(Don't have to count this as #52)

Post by **John Green** » Tue 03 Nov, 2009 8:44 pm

52. Over the the years I have made some good money out of them... :lol: :lol:
53. The coupe version is cool and yet not that expensive
54. Dito the station wagon

Post by **420 SE** » Tue 03 Nov, 2009 10:22 pm

bahnstormer109 wrote:I love my W123 because it looks great in the pics for the article i wrote on W123s in the current issue of the Benz Club Qld's magazine.

Check it out!

(Don't have to count this as #52)

It was a good article Paolo...

Website · Post by **ADow** » Tue 03 Nov, 2009 10:44 pm

55. You can stuff a bloody great V8 in one if you want to.
56. They save thousands of lives in Middle East conflicts - the model should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
57. They are the first certified classic with ABS.

Post by **benzfan** » Wed 04 Nov, 2009 8:39 am

ADow wrote:55. You can stuff a bloody great V8 in one if you want to.

Yes, yes you can :twisted:

Arrghh, Alastair, I've been trying not to think of that! :lol:

Post by **pastelgrey300D** » Mon 09 Nov, 2009 11:55 am

58. You never bang your head on the 90 degree opening bonnet (as a mini owner who has permanent scar tissue on the back of his head from the bonnet catch, you have no idea how marvelous this is!)
59. Amazing parts availability and lower than expected cost of spares (thanks to our sponsor!)
60. Unlike every other car, you DON'T want to remove the factory radio, in fact you are more annoyed if someone has fitted a modern CD player that will only last for 5 years!
61. You know where all the controls and switches are and can operate all of them without taking your eyes off the road.
62. Finally, the elbow support that you've been waiting for!
63. First aid kits, reflective warning triangles and tool kits that contain things that actually resemble tools.
64. Carpets that look like new after a scrub with some wool mix and a going over with a vax.
65. Colour keyed painted hub caps - nice! 8)
66. Amazing visibility and power steering make the car as maneuverable as any small car.
67. Everyone is spun out by the pneumatic locks and headlight adjusters - and the way that the locks 'slurp' open and closed!

Website · Post by **ADow** » Mon 09 Nov, 2009 2:25 pm

Agree with 66. wholeheartedly - the power steering and the steering geometry generally is confidence inspiring and light while being direct.
Combine 55 with 53.

Post by **John Green** » Mon 09 Nov, 2009 2:38 pm

57. They are the first certified classic with ABS.

Forum police here. Alaistair you have just been booked for a code 3 violation.

3) Senior forum members should know everything.

W116 was the first series production model with ABS as an option code.

Post by **Carl** » Mon 09 Nov, 2009 10:54 pm

John Green wrote:
57. They are the first certified classic with ABS.
Forum police here. Alaistair you have just been booked for a code 3 violation.

3) Senior forum members should know everything.

W116 was the first series production model with ABS as an option code.

Jensen Interceptor FF had maxaret abs in the late 60's.....guess it doesn't qualify as series production?

Post by **gman** » Tue 10 Nov, 2009 6:18 pm

68. Airplane interior air vents make me feel like I'm in a DC-10

(as does the fuel bill - but that can wait for the next topic... '100 REASONS WHY I HATE MY W123'...)

Only 32 to go... Keep em coming!!

Website · Post by **ADow** » Tue 10 Nov, 2009 7:19 pm

Forum police here. Alaistair you have just been booked for a code 3 violation.

3) Senior forum members should know everything.

W116 was the first series production model with ABS as an option code.

Grumble grumble mutter mutter. I've been trying to think of a cutting rejoinder to this humiliating public correction. Nothing comes to mind except things that might offend w116 owners. So, ok - I got it wrong. :oops: :oops: :oops:

Post by **GreaseMonkey** » Tue 10 Nov, 2009 8:49 pm

ADow wrote:
Forum police here. Alaistair you have just been booked for a code 3 violation.

3) Senior forum members should know everything.

W116 was the first series production model with ABS as an option code.
Grumble grumble mutter mutter. I've been trying to think of a cutting rejoinder to this humiliating public correction. Nothing comes to mind except things that might offend w116 owners. So, ok - I got it wrong. :oops: :oops: :oops:

Who cares anyway?
I've got a 123 and a 116 both, thankfully ABS free.
C.M.

Post by **GreaseMonkey** » Tue 10 Nov, 2009 8:53 pm

pastelgrey300D wrote:58. You never bang your head on the 90 degree opening bonnet (as a mini owner who has permanent scar tissue on the back of his head from the bonnet catch, you have no idea how marvelous this is!)
59. Amazing parts availability and lower than expected cost of spares (thanks to our sponsor!)
60. Unlike every other car, you DON'T want to remove the factory radio, in fact you are more annoyed if someone has fitted a modern CD player that will only last for 5 years!
61. You know where all the controls and switches are and can operate all of them without taking your eyes off the road.
62. Finally, the elbow support that you've been waiting for!
63. First aid kits, reflective warning triangles and tool kits that contain things that actually resemble tools.
64. Carpets that look like new after a scrub with some wool mix and a going over with a vax.
65. Colour keyed painted hub caps - nice! 8)
66. Amazing visibility and power steering make the car as maneuverable as any small car.
67. Everyone is spun out by the pneumatic locks and headlight adjusters - and the way that the locks 'slurp' open and closed!

Pastel' has got most of it sussed, and most of the above.
As a long time 123 driver, since my first 200 carby model in the UK in '86, and six more since, I too am worried that my old favourite will now be slipping into that rarer 'classic' category that means the cheap availability of parts may soon be history, and I don't see the 124 as a true replacement.
Chris M.

Post by **Dweezil** » Tue 10 Nov, 2009 9:03 pm

68. Can wear colours other cars (including MBs) can only dream of (well, with the exception of Citrusgrun).

Dweezil
Proud owner of yellow, apricot and English Red 123s

Post by **John Green** » Tue 10 Nov, 2009 9:23 pm

Jensen Interceptor FF had maxaret abs in the late 60's.....guess it doesn't qualify as series production?

W116 was the first series production Mercedes-Benz model with ABS as an option code.

Post by **AMG** » Tue 10 Nov, 2009 9:27 pm

add Cayenne Orange to that. a.k.a. 'pumpkin'

undoubtedly one of the coolest retro chic cars I have ever had the pleasure to drive. I wish it was still in my hands.

pumpkin@Canberra 004.JPG

Post by **oziweb** » Tue 10 Nov, 2009 10:47 pm

Because when I hit a stump on the farm and put a hole in the raditor, the sump and make the drag link look ike a semicircle - it only takes 3 days to be on the road again - and I don't even need a mechanic to fix it.

Post by **John Green** » Wed 11 Nov, 2009 7:59 pm

add Cayenne Orange to that. a.k.a. 'pumpkin'

undoubtedly one of the coolest retro chic cars I have ever had the pleasure to drive. I wish it was still in my hands.

JoeB, you should see that car now, it has factory bundts and has been cleaned up like a new car. Under the gaurds just as shinney as the top of the car, new onwer totally in love with it and not afraid to spend whatever is required to make it perfect.

Post by **AMG** » Wed 11 Nov, 2009 8:06 pm

Need to get him on to the OZBENZ Forum John! I'd love to see pictures of it now. I do hope he didn't get rid of the factory caps or wheels. That would be very unwise.

Next time it's around, grab a couple of pics.

Post by **GreaseMonkey** » Sun 15 Nov, 2009 7:57 am

JoeB wrote:add Cayenne Orange to that. a.k.a. 'pumpkin'

undoubtedly one of the coolest retro chic cars I have ever had the pleasure to drive. I wish it was still in my hands.

pumpkin@Canberra 004.JPG

Funny how fashions and tastes change over time, and that car is a prime case. Afew years back, most people would have thought it just old and weird, but now the colour and style of the car both shout 'Sevevnties' in such a cool combo.
A clean 123 in that colour, or dare I suggest Citrus Green, would now be as good a fashion statement as it was when new.
Nice!
Chris M.

Post by **Jonathan_Essling** » Sun 22 Nov, 2009 11:00 am

68. Because I've tried to find other cars to replace it and still nothing comes close to the 'feel behind the wheel' - My 31 year old 280CE still feels better to drive than a new car!

Post by **Boyracer** » Sun 22 Nov, 2009 11:38 am

When the W123 was sold, I seem to remember MB kept referring to 100 safety features in their advertising. I don't have any idea what they were/are, but perhaps this list should be 200 reasons long? 8)

Post by **Ivanerrol** » Sun 22 Nov, 2009 11:55 am

GreaseMonkey wrote: I've got a 123 and a 116 both, thankfully ABS free.
C.M.

I used to think this also..... until a situation where the W126 560 I was driving steered around a truck that turned right in front of me. This was under full brakes. :shock:

Post by **GrampiansMerc** » Sun 22 Nov, 2009 10:42 pm

68. Now I have a car that will run happily on veggie oil - see 47
69. Recently my very inexpensive 300td was classified as a classic
70. Bullet proof engine and mechanicals (may have been mentioned before but worth restating)
71. Recently noticed a few 300d with P plates so they must be cool again, if the hip young people have them!
72. Kids love the space in the rear two sets of seats.
73. Tows great even when loaded with people and gear

Post by **lyndel62** » Tue 19 Jan, 2010 7:16 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3ai2eYL ... re=related

this might be posted else where...... but i loved it

Post by **pastelgrey300D** » Mon 25 Jan, 2010 5:30 pm

getting closer!!!! We're in the 80's now!

74. The black plastic and rubber trim contrasts perfectly with the chrome and paintwork and looks amazing when you black it up with tyre shine and vaseline.
75. They don't beep and chime and scream at you if you try and start them without your seat belt fastened or door shut (even though you know you should).
76. You cannot lock the keys in the car - unless you deliberately wind the window down a crack, then lock the car and throw the keys back in through the window.
77. When something breaks, you can pull it apart and fix it if you want - even if it is meant to be a 'disposable' item - like the reverse light switch or ignition lock - you can get a new part, but if you want to tinker you can fix many bits yourself without having to buy anthying!
78. Nice chunky headlight switch - on any other make of car you need 2 or 3 separate controls in different locations to do the same job.
79. The 4 speed manual gearbox has got to be one of the easiest and nicest to use - even if you've never driven one before, you feel like you've mastered it after 5 minutes.
80. After you've sold yours and you go and drive one again, you remember how nice they are to drive (but then end up paying more because the seller can see the stupid grin on your face and knows you really want it... gotta work on that MB poker face :lol: )

Post by **lockiedog** » Tue 26 Jan, 2010 3:23 pm

Most of these would have done well over a million

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_ZWtQT_X5M

Post by **Ivanerrol** » Tue 26 Jan, 2010 3:42 pm

lockiedog wrote:Most of these would have done well over a million

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_ZWtQT_X5M

I don't know why M.B bothers to spends millions on advertising. All they need to do is show this video :shock:

I have bookmarked that URL for future reference - fantastic.

I would be willing to bet that in twenty years if you went to the same place, you could make the same video and the same cars would be there.

Post by **Dweezil** » Tue 26 Jan, 2010 10:53 pm

Ha, what a great video. I'm just reading a book about driving a 124 D in North Africa. Good to see that the good citizens of Morocco see no need to go past W123.

Post by **Dweezil** » Tue 26 Jan, 2010 10:54 pm

82. W123 is really easy to remember. Dare I say, as easy as 1-2-3.

Dweezil

Post by **gman** » Wed 27 Jan, 2010 4:23 pm

Dweezil wrote:Ha, what a great video. I'm just reading a book about driving a 124 D in North Africa. Good to see that the good citizens of Morocco see no need to go past W123.

Yes - I've been reading that book as well!
http://www.amazon.com/Mercedes-Not-Sale ... 0767928695

#83: Cupholders are for wimps.

Post by **Ivanerrol** » Wed 27 Jan, 2010 10:10 pm

Dweezil wrote:Ha, what a great video. I'm just reading a book about driving a 124 D in North Africa. Good to see that the good citizens of Morocco see no need to go past W123.

When I worked in North Africa in the seventies, Morocco's taxi's were Ponton diesels - (including many Binz wagons) and a few Finnies.

Post by **GreaseMonkey** » Sun 31 Jan, 2010 7:29 am

Ivanerrol wrote:
Dweezil wrote:Ha, what a great video. I'm just reading a book about driving a 124 D in North Africa. Good to see that the good citizens of Morocco see no need to go past W123.
When I worked in North Africa in the seventies, Morocco's taxi's were Ponton diesels - (including many Binz wagons) and a few Finnies.

Well there were a few Pontons around, but by no means the majority. Maybe your memory is playing tricks, but in the seventies most taxis were old American cars from the '40s, '50s and early '60s held together with any spares they could find (Cuban style) such as truck diesel motors shoehorned in, mismatched lights, ie one got broken and replaced with anything that could be bolted on, bumpers replaced with angle iron etc. The roads were bad, taxis, buses and trucks had a hard life, in fact travelling between cities was probably safer and more comfortable by camel. And the locals who could afford a car mostly drove a Renault 4 - ah those were the days...........
Chris M.