I have been furtunate enough to own both the 123 and 124 diesels. The 124 is undoubtably the superior model. It is faster, quieter, safer (airbags), more fuel efficient (35-38mpg), more responsive, has better breaking (ABS), and traction (ASD).

All this aside, this one takes the cake for me - THE DRIVERS SEAT IS MORE COMFORTABLE!!!!! The 123 was the most uncomfortable car I have ever owned. The 124 with 8-way adjustable, power and heated front seats with a telescoping steering wheel is a new world!! I routinely drive for hours in my 124 feeling great the whole way.

I perfer the 124 for repairs as well. With a younger car, I am doing much less work overall and a far greater percentage of it is DIY.

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1996 (W210) E300D 86K - Traded in for a Lexus
1992 (W124) 300D 2.5 Turbo 202K - Sold
1983 (W123) 300D, 146K - Sold
1970 280S, 263K - Sold - Beginning of addiction