A theoretical question:

When is it time to retire a perfectly good car that has become technologically obsolete?

Assume that you are the proud owner of a 1983 300TD. It has 150,000 miles on the clock and is mechanically and cosmetically pristine. You live in a major metropolitan area that has a high accident rate, particularly along the interstates and expressways that represent your work commute. Your 300TD represents the apex of crash survival technology that was extant in 1973. However, time has marched on. Your w123 wagon does not have: ABS, front or side airbags, pyrotechnic seat belt tensioners, and has a body structure design that has been surpassed by the 1999 Ford Taurus wagon sitting in front of you in traffic. You're a family man, with a wife and two school-age children who often occupy the 300.

What is the smart move from a safety perspective? Keep the 300TD, a finely crafted high quality automobile that has passed its technological prime? Or ditch it and pick up a Dodge Magnum SXT that may be a shadow of the w123 from a materials quality perspective, but could clean a w123's clock in a head-on accident?

If you're worried - sell it. Your worry will be replaced by anger & disgust (at yourself)

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Rob M
Norwich, VT USA
1980 240D Euro delivery 4 speed manual silver/blue
~160K miles

Paul,
Yes, those are valid concerns. If you can afford it, I would consider just using it for transportation other than the rush hour commute, if possible. Also keep in mind that it is nearing it's 25 year mark. Find out about historical parameters in your state. You know- cheap insurance used only on weekends etc. Have it appraised.
I myself am concerned about my Benz. I'm nearing an almost total restoration on my 1984 300CD & about to commute it through the Tampa metro area into the airport every morning just before the big rush. Not too bad here if you can avoid the 7-8:30 4-6 times, but still... I would ask myself: Do I have the room, funds & how attached I am to this car?
Paul central FL

300CD 290,000

Well, heck. Thought this post was about how you'd figgered how to let th
Benz eat grass and digest it fer bio-fuel But the older Benzes do hold up rather well in real world crash tests. Just make sure everyone wears the belts.

REgards

Run-em

On paper a newer (yet similarly) sized car will yeild better passenger comfort when in an accident however realisitically this I've found, though my observations, that is is not necessarily true.

Obviously without airbags and ABS brakes you are behind the times however ABS brakes, in my opinion, are for people who don't know how to drive a car. Also, IMO, airbags are being used in cars to supplement (NOT COMPLIMENT) the safety of the car.

If the kids will be driving the car, or the wife isn't that good behind the wheel...then maybe a new car is in order. But if its you behind the wheel, purchasing a new auto will simply put another monthy leech in your wallet eating up money you might be otherwise spending on something for your family that wasn't pseudo safe.

I drive my w126 body and its the only car I feel safe in while doing high speeds. I've seen how they perform in crashes and have a very decent idea of my surviviability rate. Given it has no ABS, no airbags, not even limited slip.

But I can tell you for a fact that if I had HAD ABS brakes...my car would be totaled right now. If I had airbags...I'd have them pop if my face at the wrong moment and cause me more harm than would have otherwise taken place.

WHen you car is doing a 360 on a straight but rivine sided icy road...you'll enjoy every moment of fully locked up brakes as the car travels straight down the road...sideways..backwards...sideways...and then forwards again.

Just my thoughts...seatbelts + intelligent driver is going to win over a middle of the road new car for now.

Thats why I ended up with my SD. The po was concered about its lack of air bags and other safety stuff, also it was his daughters car when she was around. So he replaced it with an 03 Saab 9-5, sweet little car.

It all depends on how you feel really, if you compare a W123 to the same modern car then that would be a W210 or W211. The W211 is leaps and bounds ahead of the W123 in all safety aspects, MB hasn't been sitting on their butts for the past 30 years you know. Now side inpact safety is way up with side curtain air bags and stronger doors and passanger cage's.

Not to mention accident avoidence is better as well because the W211 has traction aids that help alot, and better brakes, active suspension, and better tires.

It all comes down to personal preference, because you never know when you are going to die.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I'm not at all concerned about the safety of the W123 and I wouldn't hesitate to put myself and my family in it. IMO the only thing important that it's missing is the rear seat head restraints, but that's only a concern with taller people. I've seen the W123 and other older benzes in real collisions with modern cars, and their occupants typically get out and walk off and the cars usually suffer considerably less damage than the modern plastic cars. I would feel considerably more in danger if I was in one of those pickup trucks or SUV's, particularly those with an aftermarket lift kit. Some of those look like they're about to tip over when making a turn.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

if you feel the need to retire the car from your possession. i would take it from you for transfer fee. no reason to let this vehicle make you worried to be inside and let it rust away quietly. send it to the midwest where it can carry on. i would be willing to apply for the mileage badges and send you updates as they arrive.

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currently
[1981 300 td tdidi 165500 dark brown/palamino-Brownie-mine-3k miles of ownership
1983 240d 162+++ Anthricite grey w/ henna red interior and hella lights-wifes car-Red

the above two cars are for sale
and can be seen on the cars for sale thread here. pix also available.


240d-144+ Manilla Yellow w/ palmino interior-greasecar kit-Blondie-the college kids car

23" gt 21 speed still on original tires-still got the nubs
21" khs tandem

If you need security sell it on ebay it will bring descent $$ and while your there upgrade to a 98-99 E300TD... the diesel and mark you love with the updates you desire

I'll let you in on something... PaulC doesn't have a W123, in fact he hates diesels (check out the open forum), but hey everyone is entitled to an opinion. I think this is one of his subtle campaigns to encourage people to junk their old diesels. Tell me I'm wrong, Paul.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

When I had my 1983 240D, I was involved in an accident with a 1980 something Chevy Caprice...a big piece of steel.

The front end of the Caprice smashed into my passenger door where my girlfriend was sitting at around 55MPH...I thought the worst.

I look, and the door had protruded into the passenger compartment about 1 inch. The glass shattered and left no cuts on my girlfriend. She opened the smashed door, got out, and closed it. It still shut. She felt no pains or anything.

The driver in the Caprice's face was cut up bad from the glass, and some of the footwell had protruded into the passenger compartment, hitting his legs pretty hard. I gave him some gauze from the MB medkit..

I went in the 240D, glowed it, and drove away. Despite the door being crushed, it tracked fine on the highway and I drove it with a crushed door and plastic on the window for a few weeks..

My next car was a 1993 Subaru Impreza. ABS, airbags, AWD...

And I know for a fact that if I was in that same collision with my Subaru my girlfriend would be injured or possibly dead.

If you've ever opened up a W123 door panel to install a power window motor, you've noticed the steel bar criss crossing the inside of the door.

A heavy, well built car with a rigid passenger compartment, with seatbelts worn will keep your family safer than an econobox with ABS and front airbags.

Thats a personal experience, and after that only the clunk of the bank vault like doors on an older Mercedes make me feel safe.

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http://www.betten.mercedescenter.com...n_banner_1.jpg
1976 300D
190,000 Miles
Colorado Beige

1975 300D
Parts Car
78,000 Miles
Rustbucket
Also Colorado Beige

1984 190D 2.2 (Dad's)
156,000 miles
Champagne Metallic Clearcoat

As far as ownership of a w123, correct. That's why the first post is described as posing a theoretical question. Smear campaign on diesels? Okay, ditch 1983 300TD, substitute 1978 280E. Resume programming.

Wait a second Paul don't you have a 745IL? Or am I thinking of someone else?

So who cares drive the BMW, their is a solid answer!

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

How about 1979 280E? That's what my sister was driving when she was T-boned by a full size Ford van on the driver's side. Pushing across an intersection, the van stopped still on the 280E. My sister, who was ticketed for not wearing a seatbelt (gotta love NY) was uninjured, and drove it home, smashed glass and doors etc. My Uncle completely fixed the car, except not to his standards on the matching of the metallic brown paint - "the only person that can match that color is God"

The memory of that car was in mind when I bought my SD. If I'm going to drive an older car, this (meaning a full size MB)would be it.

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'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

What a time to ask this question.
I have a 2002 Chevy Suburban Z71 with ABS, Air Bags side and front.
A 2002 Kia Optima with ABS and air bags side and front.

I have just dusted off the 1980 300D that has been sitting for 10 years.
Asking myself the same question, should I start using this again to commute ?
or just around town to get groceries in ?

As I clean each square inch of paint and chrome and bring back the luster,
as I check each nut and bolt and wire and belt to prepare for hours
of highway miles -
I realize that this 26 year old car with 300,000 miles is still better built
and has better features than my two new cars.

I miss the days when diesel fuel was half the price of gasoline,
but my mileage will still be way better. My insurance way, way lower.
Overall maintenance costs much less.

Thanks to this forum - I continue to have much pride and pleasure from my diesel Mercedes-Benz.