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#1
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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? |
#2
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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 |
#3
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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.
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#4
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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.
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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 %$&^." |
#5
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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
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[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. |
#6
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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.
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#7
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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? |
#8
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Quote:
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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 |
#9
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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.
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PagodaLOVER 1967 230SL, manual 1959 180D, manual |
#10
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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.
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