Hey all. I am looking for a diesel, and have been told the 123's are the most solid to you can find. I am wondering how the 115's compare. I like the body style of the 115's but a good engine is more important. Are the motors in the 115's as good as the motors in the 123's. Let me know your thoughts.
-Thanks-

It is harder to change the oil in a 115 300D than a 123 300D. Overall, I'd pick the 115 but I'm biased to the more "classic" cars. They're pretty identical in many ways, and in fact I thinkI've heard that the 115's were better handling.

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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I like the look of the 115s better but the turbo 300D is much more able to keep up with traffic. Here we have the too short metered on ramps. You would get killed in a 240. I can wind the gears out to 4000 RPMs before shifting and can only make 55 mph on the ramp by work. (85 300D) This while traffic is moving 60 - 70. I wouldnt want to think of a non turbo.
If you live outside of a big city and don't have these type of issues I think you would be happy with either one though. My non-turbo 78 300D is quicker off the line to about 40 making it superior for in town driving.
my .02

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

Rust is a bigger issue on the W115 as on the W123. Not only are they older but they were much more rust-prone than the W123. I personally prefer the styling of the W115, but parts are a bit harder to locate in some cases. Engine, whether it's the 4 or 5 cyl, is the same as in the non-turbo W123, except for the layout of the accessories.

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Denis

1979 300TD 189,000 Miles, now running WVO with a home-made 2 tank conversion
1974 230 Gasser 189,000 Miles, For Sale
1961 VW Microbus 162,000 Miles
1961 Ford Fairlane 500, 53,900 original miles
1951 Oliver Super 55 Tractor
2002 Chocolate Lab

Photos give good impression. Pre-big bumper car
Love to have it if it was a four speed stick shift


1971 MB 250 Baby Blue/ 78k low miles - $4500
http://austin.craigslist.org/car/58243971.html

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Anders

1995 E300
2015 VW TDI Sportwagen 15K
1977 240D (197K)
2002 Subaru Legacy L Wagon (115k) (Wife's)
Gone but not forgotten:
2005 Buick LeSabre
1998 C230
1984 300D
1983 240D
1981 300SD
1974 240D
1974 Fiat 124 Spider
1968 Triumph TR250

I have both a 115 (240D Manual) and a 123 (300D Euro non turbo automatic) I like the 115 better. Not only does it look nicer with the more classic style, but I think it handles better. Plus being manual I can get high RPM getting into traffic if needed, something that I cant do in the non turbo 300D. The only downside, personaly, is the glow plugs being in a series in the 240D. Unlike the 123, if one goes out, the whole series is out and you cant start the car.

By the way, Im selling my 123 if your interesed Sorta ironic that I was expounding the virtues of the 115 over the 123...

Thanks for the info.

Do the 115's have the same quarks that the 123's do...such as odometer failer, water leaking onto the floor boards?

Are there any other quarks in the 115s

Do they make kits to convert the 115 glowplug series to parallel?

Yes, in fact at the top of the diesel page there is a sticky thread that says something to the fact of DIY sites. One of the links inside that thread is for detailed, pictured instructions on converting to the "newer" type. I haven't heard as much about 115 leaking as 123's, but 115's will be due for windshield seal replacement so check the floorboards no matter where the car is located! If the seal's been done, that would be a good sign of good care by the PO, if it hasn't been done and hasn't rusted the floors from leaking water, then have it done ASAP! BTW, get the seal at the dealer, the aftermarket ones don't seal right, ask how I know? The ones at the dealer are of course more money, but well worth it since you won't have to have it done twice before learning. Others will tell you the same...

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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I think the 115 is definately the best handling of all three. My 240 never rolled when hitting a corner at any speed. I could oversteer and make the tires squel without the car leaning. Now on my 123 it felt like I was tipping over. I did not have any rust problems on my 115 but then we don't have the nasty salt on the roads out here inthe west.

If I compared it to the 126, well all I can say is that my 126 would smoke the 115 on the straights so it doesn't have to corner as nicely...

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'99 S420 - Mommies
'72 280SE 4.5 - looking to breathe life into it
'84 300SD Grey - Sold
'85 300SD Silver - Sold
'78 Ski Nautique

" You would get killed in a 240. "

Where is my notepad... let me put Southeast Wisconsin on my ' to be avoided list' .....

Add to that list Cincinnati and any urban interstates in the Midwest I've been on-my 300D is barely quick enough and I've had perfectly good cars I've sold because they weren't quick enough-they were definitely built with 55 MPH speed limits in mind. I drive a lot for work-people around here drive either like they're insane or not paying attention, you don't want anything nice or a bike on the roads around here.

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1982 300DT 190K (Diesel Purge + synthetic oil=smoothness at last!!!)
2004 Ford E-350 6.0 L PSD 227K
2006 Dodge Ram 3500 SRW HO Cummins 4X4 48RE 42K (brute force tow vehicle)
2005 Scion xB wife's rolling pop can
1993 GMC Sierra C3500 6.2 142K

Owned two 300D W115s ('75 & '76) and now three 300D W123s (turbo). Big difference in acceleration with turbo. Think W123 transmissions usually shift better. W115 has much tighter turning radius, really miss that and does handle very nicely. W123 is quieter and smoother, more comfortable on long trips. As mentioned earlier, W115 MUCH messier to change oil filter. Has to be done from underneath and is at an angle. You are removing an oil filled cannister. Less to go wrong in HVAC in W115. W115 is more fun to drive, W123 more comfortable. Quicker glow plugs on W123 nice. Similar odometer problems and vacuum problems. Oil and air filters for 300D W115 harder to find in local parts stores.

I have a 1975 115 300d and it is the nicest car I have ever driven. Well, next to my 1967 Chevy El Camino 4spd. 327 it is. Don't worry about speed. You can go from zero to speeding ticket as fast as the next guy. You can also go from here to eternity at 75 mph and 20+ mpg. The car is big, comfortable, pretty easy to work on, and most systems ae fairly simple.

Check out www.collectorcartraderonline.com. They usually have a few 115's listed.

I managed to go 0-52 and $130 in about 10 seconds today.

I do like the W115's, but I'm FAR too spoiled to the turbo to convert. But to convert a W115 to 617 turbo, I'd have to fab an oil filter housing mount, but with a 5-speed, would be as good as it gets.