87 Wagon
 

http://portland.craigslist.org/car/144020622.html

It seems like someone is always looking for one of these. Also for some reason people seem to like these more than the 123? Why is that, as they seem to pull a higher price, yet this one looks pretty cheap if the interior is good and it runs fine. I wouldn't mind taking it for a spin but I really need about one less MB than I already have. I know my 123 Wagon handles poorly maybe that is why people prefer these over the 123 wagon. Anyone know the benefits over the 123?

The 87's have the 6cyl turbo motor (OM603 ? I keep getting my non W123's confused) - generally the most powerful of the non-CDI diesels - Combine that with the relatively non-computerized W124 Chassis it sits in - you get a car that is a nice comrpomise between modern "amenities" (stuff that breaks) and my slow/old/loud/easy to fix W123
the Diesel Wagon was only imported to the US in 1987 - with any motor - and I dont think that MB has sold a diesel wagon here since. (I could be wrong here)

edit- the benfits of a W124 over a W123 - Not as Old, serpentine belt with (problematic) tenstioner = only 1 belt that never squeaks, more power, quieter ride, more narrow car = easier to park. ABS and airbags standard (not available on any W123 sold here, but maybe you could retrofit...

My brother has a 300E with the std trans - That is just a nice car to drive, as opposed to my 240D, which is the automotive equivalent of a tractor (and why some people love them, I'm not so sure I'm still one of them =)

-John

Good points. They do make other new wagons though. At least a couple newer models. But yes the 6cyl would be nice, besides the whole head problem that you hear about....I think that is the same engine?

If the car is in any shape at all and the head is not cracked that price is well below what these have been going for. They don't list the miles so I guess it could have an abnormal amount. I would look at it-- but my wife would never speak to me again if I even thought about bringing it home. Things to look at would be the head # (orig 14 or updated), trap oxidizer (there are still some out there), vacuum pump (orig or updated with bolts on housing), coolant type...

I'm a little amazed that he, and a lot of other 124s I see are missing the trim on the lower passenger door(mine too). Definition of headache, find one of those in a pick-a-part yard.:mad: It is nice to see a decently priced 124 td.

It's got 250,000 miles and the people selling it are a car charity place that had it donated to them. The guy I talked to didn't know anything about it and told me to call back later. Makes you wonder if $3500 is a deal or a disaster in the making.

i question
 

whether the 124 is narrower than the 123. maybe i will go out and measure.

tom w

Your right it is a charity. I remember seeing another 123 sedan on here. Started out at like 1200 and ended up selling for like 700. It looked like a great car from the interior and exterior pics but that was all I knew. Seems like they start out reasonable and then they are eager to turn it and drop their prices. I'd like to drive it but at any price I wouldn't be a buyer. Too many already :P

124 diesels are also more fuel efficient than the 123, with possible and limited exception of the 240D...but there's no comparison in terms of hp/torque. I checked my TD just yesterday, and it came in right at 30 mpg on B-20.

Nitske says T123 = 190.9" x 70.3", T124 = 187.6" x 68.5"

I'll bet the width difference is all in the assymetrical mirror of the 124 :)

The Euro T123 = 186" long

Sixto

Does it have an engine? The front's sitting a little high. Maybe the suspension was tuned for Hayden Proffitt :confused:

Sixto

All the 87 wagons had no lower door trim, this feature was added to the 89 model year up on the TE's and sedans. If I'm not mistaken the 86-87 300D's also did not have the lower trim. Please let me know if I'm off on this

If you look on the lower side of the passenger door there is a half inch wide piece of trim missing. I have been in the process of tracking that piece down for my car. seems to happen a lot on the 124s as you see many in salvage yards with that piece gone.

Yes, my car had that piece missing when I first got it. My theory is that it gets knocked off when someone parks close to a high curb and the passenger opens the door carelessly.

For a good conditioned and well-maintained 250K miles car, the $3500 is cheap. Look at this one that recently sold for over $13K.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4620307720&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT