Is my wife better off with a W124 or W123? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

riethoven · #1 08-02-2006, 01:40 PM

OK, We currently have two W123 1985 wagons that run great. Mine has some rust and body panels that are slightly different colors and no AC. (I am working on that) There are a few other small things not worth mentioning.

Her car I bought from the original owners son and have every reciept for the car since new. It has 185K and had a new factory engine at 78K (this may have been due to 3 teenage sons) The AC works pretty good and we have taken it to Florida twice with no problems cruising at 75 to 85 MPH. The clearcoat on the roof is shot so it needs some paint work but has virtually no rust. The clock and the antenna don't work but who cares. I found a third seat in a junk yard and put it in so not it seats 7.

I want to get a 1987 300TDt for my wife because of the ABS and driver airbag and I have to admit the updated styling. I have been making myself a little bit crazy looking for one of these cars under $5,000 and just missed one locally a couple of weeks ago.

My question is: Am I crazy to be looking for one of the W124 300TDt's given the overheating problems? I even thought about finding one cheap with a cracked head and going for the head rebuild. I have rebuilt many engines with excellent results. Should I just be happy with what I have? I know I would feel better if she had the ABS and airbag. Then there is the matter that the most likely place to find one is eBay and you have to watch out for all the scumbags like "deutscherzeugnis" and the like. Anyone else experience my dilemma?

#2 08-02-2006, 02:05 PM

Just becasue it it newer I would think that most women would prefer a W124.

riethoven · #3 08-02-2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncof300d

Just becasue it it newer I would think that most women would prefer a W124.

I am a lucky guy because my wife does not care what she drives as long as it starts, drives and has AC and heat and can seat 7. She likes the Mercedes because I like the them, and because I do my own work, they are very economical to own.

I know I would feel better with the added safety features, but I know that both the W123 and W124 chassis cars are built like tanks.

rrgrassi · #4 08-02-2006, 02:27 PM

No need to "fix what aint broke"

andmoon · #5 08-02-2006, 03:00 PM

What's the matter w/ you man?!!

You get rid of yours, move into the 'nice' 123 and the wife into a 124...wait a couple of months and start looking for 126s.
123, 124 and 126...what else can you ask for in diesels?

rg2098 · #6 08-02-2006, 03:39 PM

She would find the W124 more comfortable. My mother is the same way, basically if the car isnt a POS she will drive it. We stuck her in the 90 Volvo for now.

riethoven · #7 08-02-2006, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andmoon

What's the matter w/ you man?!!

You get rid of yours, move into the 'nice' 123 and the wife into a 124...wait a couple of months and start looking for 126s.
123, 124 and 126...what else can you ask for in diesels?

Yes I want to sell mine after I get the ACC going and fix a couple of other little things, and then take my wife's car once I find a W124 300TDt for her. I have Euro bumpers and a Euro trailer hitch for the W123 wagon that I want to put on. I know the Euro bumpers are flimsy compared to the American ones but they look so much cleaner on the car.

POS · #8 08-02-2006, 04:33 PM

The w124 is much more refined than the w123 - most women would gladly prefer the w124. My wife sure does.

Diesel Giant · #9 08-02-2006, 05:13 PM

Go for the 123! They have a much more refined look, easy to fix and bullet proof. You can put them very easy in any condion that you wish for less $$.

sublettm · #10 08-02-2006, 06:46 PM

I'll add my two cents worth since I currently own a 124 and own a 123 (and have owned two others). Yes, the 124 is nice to drive, but the maintenance is about to kill me. In the four years I have owned my current 123, all I have had to do was replace the AC compressor, brakes, tires, and front suspension parts. The 124 is a whole different story. The entire AC system had to replaced to include the evaporator, expansion valve, drier, compressor, etc. I have also had to replace all of the rear suspension parts and am about to do the front suspension. My door locks died a couple of months ago. Vacuum modulator had to be replaced. The list goes on and on.

At the end of the day, a good used 123 is still hard to beat. There is far less to go wrong on one of these than a 124. Yes, the 124 is quicker, has more luxuries than a 123, and looks newer but you will probably have more free weekends if you stick with the 123.

240Joe · #11 08-02-2006, 08:07 PM

The early 80s MB diesels are far more reliable than those of the late 80s. They'll break less and run longer. End of story. If you wonder why this is think about the coming of the Japanese luxury cars. MB had to cheapen the car to narrow the gap in pricing with the Japanese copies. And if you've owned examples in these timeframes, you'll quickly see what I mean.

Without hesitation, I'd stick with the 123 in this comparison. But I do wonder if this comparison is the correct one to be thinking about. With the price of used cars pounded with the glut of new production, you might be alot better off looking for mid 90s vehicles. Believe it or not, the best replacement probably is a 5 to 10 year old minivan in cherry condition from an owner that just couldn't take the abuse of a tradein at the dealer.

I stand prepared for the incoming.

240Joe

Larry Delor · #12 08-02-2006, 08:23 PM

If you let her take a 124 for a ride, it will be all over....you will be buying her a 124

She will like it....ALOT.

carusle · #13 08-03-2006, 01:51 PM

I found a nice 124 for my wife and she did not like it. She liked the styling and the size of the 123. Smart girl.

deerefanatic · #14 08-03-2006, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riethoven

I know I would feel better with the added safety features, but I know that both the W123 and W124 chassis cars are built like tanks.

Don't make that stuff an issue. As long as she's got her seat belt on, stay away from the airbags. My mother suffered a broken neck from an airbag, and YES, SHE WAS WEARING HER SEATBELT PROPERLY!!!!! Thank God she wasn't paralyzed.......

As far as ABS, that depends on what kind of driver she is.......In my case, NOT having ABS on my 126 has saved me from having several wrecks...... And I drive in Winter in Michigan!!

riethoven · #15 08-03-2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 240Joe

Believe it or not, the best replacement probably is a 5 to 10 year old minivan in cherry condition from an owner that just couldn't take the abuse of a tradein at the dealer.

I stand prepared for the incoming.

240Joe

Since I was a kid I have always been enamored with European cars. First car was a 220a Ponton, 2nd car was a 1965 Alfa Romeo Guilia Spider Veloce. Had several 2002 BMW's, Alfas, Volkswagens both air and liquid cooled, and a 911 Porsche. There is just something extra cool about European cars, especially the older stuff.

I am also lucky enough to have a wife who will drive whatever I provide as long as it works and has AC and heat.

So the bottom line is: before I get a Minivan, TAKE ME OUT BACK AND SHOOT ME. I know this is not the most practical outlook, but I ain't changing.

But thank you for your input.