Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12-14-2005, 01:03 PM
Coming back from burnout
 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: in the Pacific Northwest
Posts: 2,274
Exclamation What did a brand new W123 300D ride like, 20 years ago?

What did a brand new 85 W123 300D ride like, 20 years ago? I ask this question for several reasons.

One is I always assumed it rode like a Willy's Jeep, even after putting in 4 new struts, but then i started thinking. It was a 30,000 dollar car in its heyday. It must have rode better than a Jeep.

Also my 87 300D rode smoothly impressively!
My viewpoint also changed after I changed the rear coils springs. The car seems more athletic and crisper now. My theory is that the front coil springs need to be replaced, but before I proceed to do so, I need more data. Did the original 85 300D run softly like the 87 300D?
Or did it run bonehard?

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-14-2005, 01:09 PM
Sportlines
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Johnson City, TN
Posts: 985
I had an '83 300CD , which I would presume would be similar to the sedan.

Bone-hard, no way. Smooth with that tank-like MB feel.

In 1986, on a whim, I test drove a brand new 300E. Truly didn't want to come back to the dealership. Amazing improvement.

Now all these years later, I have two 300E Sportlines. They are noticeably more firm than the normal setup, but not harsh.

Steve
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-14-2005, 01:12 PM
Craig
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Maybe it's subjective, but I always thought my 123s were a little on the soft side. I put Bilstein sports on my 300D and thought it was a big improvement. I have a Jeep, nothing could be that bad.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-14-2005, 01:16 PM
LaughingGravy's Avatar
Mmm.... Diesel.
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: N. NJ
Posts: 434
First hand experience

The 85 300D was a company car,new in '85.
2 years later having been maintained impeccably, it was purchased off the lease.
We've had it ever since and I was driving it when it was the company car.
Same firm, solid, ride, but in no way like driving a couch or Cadillac.
The car is really like brand new, except for some cosmetic rust and a driver seat left hand sag, to be fixed in the warm weather with pool noodles.
__________________
85' 300D No inspection, No registration fees, Cheap insurance
"If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour, you're going to see some serious %$&^."
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-14-2005, 01:18 PM
t walgamuth's Avatar
dieselarchitect
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Lafayette Indiana
Posts: 38,604
i never owned a new one

but back in 1990 i had an 83 with less than 100l.

it rode about like my 123s do now. nice. supple but reasonalby soft and with reasonably good handling.

no reason for them not to drive like new if all the stuff in the suspension is good.

tom w
__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-14-2005, 01:42 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada.
Posts: 6,510
My feeling is if you restore all worn bushings new shocks and springs and get rid of any steering play that these cars will come back to what they were new.You would just have to pay attention to detail.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-14-2005, 02:09 PM
SirNik84's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Sacramento, Ca
Posts: 1,470
LaughingGravy,
"The car is really like brand new, except for some cosmetic rust and a driver seat left hand sag, to be fixed in the warm weather with pool noodles."

i have this same sag int eh drivers seat... is it common? i've never heard of using a pool noodle. have you done this before id it an easy fix?
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-14-2005, 02:16 PM
boneheaddoctor's Avatar
Senior Benz fanatic
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Hells half acre (Great Falls, Virginia)
Posts: 16,007
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrameow
What did a brand new 85 W123 300D ride like, 20 years ago? I ask this question for several reasons.

One is I always assumed it rode like a Willy's Jeep, even after putting in 4 new struts, but then i started thinking. It was a 30,000 dollar car in its heyday. It must have rode better than a Jeep.

Also my 87 300D rode smoothly impressively!
My viewpoint also changed after I changed the rear coils springs. The car seems more athletic and crisper now. My theory is that the front coil springs need to be replaced, but before I proceed to do so, I need more data. Did the original 85 300D run softly like the 87 300D?
Or did it run bonehard?
I once owned a willys Jeep.( a 1954 CJ5)....no way can it be that bad......
__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-14-2005, 08:17 PM
PagodaLover's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 568
I think body roll characterizes it to a nice extent. I think it's JohnOlsen that sells the progressive rated springs. This really stiffens up the nose dive and body roll. For $795 it's pricey, but worth it. Older cars benefit as well as the w123 cars. He makes them for many types.
__________________
PagodaLOVER
1967 230SL, manual
1959 180D, manual
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12-14-2005, 08:32 PM
Ron in SC's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Charleston, SC
Posts: 1,095
I bought a two year old 240D with manual gearbox in January of 1985 with 19K miles on it for $18,500. I think it was $24,000. when new.

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:56 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2018 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page