I am looking to buy a W123 car, a 240D in particular.

I looked at one tonight and rejected it...Did I make the right choice?
The exterior rust was confined to three locations; the bottom rear edge of both front fenders, and the rear panel between the tail lights. The under body, including jack points, appeared solid, with no apparent rust. The carpets had been replaced with something a little lighter weight than OEM, and there was an inch of standing water in the left rear footwell area. So far, this was sort of as expected for a 23 year old car, and the sort of stuff I could deal with.

The items that caused me to finally reject it:
Exhaust leak-or cracked manifold
Rough idle, ( engine smooth otherwise)
Two golf-ball size holes (RUST) in the box section inside the car, below the right rear door, just above the floor level. This was the one that really concerned me. Is the integrity of this box section as important as I think?

Again, did I do right? Are there other areas where rust might occur and be of concern?

I always think that it would be love at first sight when you see a car that you want to buy - whether its new or used.

Thus, if you feel that you did the right thing, then you did.

On the issue of rust, the 123s would display some form of rust and for most rust, it is just plain old rust. For as long as its not eating into the chasis and pillars, it should be fine.

But with the condition you described, i.e. mini waddling pool, extensive (cabin) internal rusting, replaced carpets (a rarity), I am inclined to say objectively that you will find a better buy if you keep looking.

You will know a great 123 when you see one.

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

Don't even think about that car. What is your pricerange? There are w123 diesels advertised in the Washington, DC area (in the autotrader and Washington Post) all the time. And I mean really nice ones with absolutely no rust. I don't know where bel Air is, but you should take a trip to the DC area if you really want a w123.

Just this weekend I saw probably 5 w123s on the road that looked like they were in mint condition. Expect to pay between 3 and $5k for a real nice one.

GregS
'84 300D, 173k
'90 300CE, 162k

Pick up a Sunday Washington Post and look at the very end of the classifieds under "Mercedes-Benz"...almost always at least one nice W123 in Maryland or Virginia suburbs.

What steams me is now that the weather is lousy and the streets are paved with salt, I have seen maybe a dozen old MBs doing duty as "winter beaters." None of them in really poor shape...must spend most of year in garages in Bethesda or Potomac. When I was a kid growing up in Roland Park in the early '60s, there were still families that had a huge '30s Buick or Packard stored in the garage for foul-weather use...one I remember seeing in midsummer up on blocks, with the tire chains already installed.

Greg is absolutely right. There are a large number of well-loved 123 diesels in this area. Do not settle for a beater. Try to get a 1982 or newer as there were a number of improvements starting then.

__________________
Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

There are plenty of rust-free 123 cars out there ... don't settle for a rusty one.

__________________
'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

Thanks to all who have responded. I will keep looking.

All the best, and do drop us a line when you find a beauty.


ps. I know one such beauty in Singapore - that is if you're keen on shipping it out. Its Kenny's W123 200, White, accident free and mint condition. Its gas engine and asking for Singapore $8,000-00 negotiable.

__________________
... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.