114 vs. 123 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pizzachef · #1 02-23-2008, 11:47 AM

I thought I saw a thread here recently comparing the 114/115's with 123's, and now I can't find it. I went back about 20 pages and my eyes are about to fall out.
I like the look of the 114, but was just wondering how they compared to the 123 as far as ease of repair/maintenance, finding parts, typical problems, etc. I think I learned in that thread that the 114 IP has its own oil sump and it is often neglected, that's all I remember though.
Thanks

JimSmith · #2 02-23-2008, 12:18 PM

The older (W114/115) chassis handles better, but doesn't have the same rustproofing from the factory so while they all rust, the older chassis is likely to be worse off than the newer one, and not just because of age. The biggest improvement however, in my mind, is the ease of maintenance on the W123 compared to the earlier cars. The most frequent maintenance activity is by far changing the oil and oil filter. The oil filter on the W114/115 series was placed between the front left suspension "A" arms, and the way it comes out was definitely designed by a sadist. You also have to clean and reuse the main filter element by hand, and the cartridge is the by-pass filter. Far better design on the W123, and for me, justifies the selection of the later chassis. Jim

Robert Squires · #3 02-23-2008, 12:25 PM

* The W114 was produced from the late '60s thru '73 or so. All the US export models were 6 cyl gasoline powered. No diesels in the W114 as far as I know. Since rust was a major problem on MBs before mid '70s, any W114, particularly east of the Mississippi, is likely to be a pile of dust by now (to quote Click and Clack). The chassis/body is likely to be your main problem, whereas new and used mechanical parts ought to be available.
* By the late '70s or early '80s (I believe the W123 was introduced in '77) rust inhibiting manufacturing technology had improved and rust wasn't nearly as much of a problem. The W123 was also offered with 4 and 5 cyl diesels as well as the 5cyl turbo-charged diesel. In my opinion, the non-turbocharged 5 cyl 300D, produced from '77 to the early '80s (US export) is the best of them all (there was someone selling a nice one recently on this site). That model has gone a zillion miles as a taxi in Europe (like many of the 'E' cars) and has been proven over and over. (Back in the mid '90s I completely restored a '77 300D, starting from a rolling shell. Looked and ran like a new car. Got a good price for it. But I sure wish I still had it today).
* I don't know what you're referring to with ". . . 114IP has it's own sump. . ." Please clarify that.

pizzachef · #4 02-23-2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert Squires

* I don't know what you're referring to with ". . . 114IP has it's own sump. . ." Please clarify that.

I guess I meant the 115, I see that none of the 114's were diesels. The diesel injector pump on the 115 had a separate oil reservoir from the engine oil...I think that's what I read.

I didn't realize about the rust proofing in later models, that's a big tip, that and the oil filter placement on the 115. I was kicking around the idea of a 240D and was just wondering if I should go with a 123 or a 115.

sixto · #5 02-23-2008, 02:51 PM

I don't know much about either car but I read that you pretty much have to cut an access panel into the firewall to replace the heater blower of a 115.

Sixto
87 300D

Wodnek · #6 02-23-2008, 04:29 PM

The 123 has alot of safety features to preserve your life in a collision that the 114/115 dont have. I had a 114 coupe that didnt even have shoulder harnesses, just lap belts.

I think the 114 handled as well as the 124, extremely tight in the corners.

Robert Squires · #7 02-23-2008, 07:22 PM

* Yes, replacing the heater blower in a W114/115 is a big job. The AC blower motor and the heater blower motor are 2 separate motors. The position of the AC switch determines which blower comes on. The AC blower motor is right inside the console, not far from the gear lever. But the heater blower motor is farther in, closer to the motor and to the dash. Another matter entirely. It's been a while but I think a W115 heater blower replacement was at least a 10 hour job. Well, you know, something's got to be hard to get to on any car. Everything can't be easy to get to (or can it?).
* The heater blower motor replacement on a W115, in the northern winter climates, where you couldn't just forget about heat as long as you had AC, used to start the car-selling discussion. Kind of like the AC evaporator discussion today for a '90s W140.

Robert Squires · #8 02-23-2008, 07:43 PM

* The W115 220D and 240D had the engine oil filter cannister underneath the left front corner of the motor, next to the power steering pump. And the cannister held 2 oil filters, a pre and a main filter, a cumbersome thing to change. Easy to create leaks if you weren't careful.
* The W123 diesels, by contrast, had their oil filter housings up above, near the back of the motor and the firewall. Easy to service, standing over the left front fender. I wouldn't be surprised if the earlier W115 diesel oil got changed less often just because the filter was such a PITA, the first time or the twentieth time.
* IP = injection pump. Love those acronyms!! (you'll be right at home with the service literature for the newer cars). The separate oil sump in the non-turbo injection pump was, in my experience, never much of an issue, even when the small amount (300-400cc?) of oil was never changed. The only issue that ever arose was forgetting to add oil after replacing/servicing the pump.

Hatterasguy · #9 02-23-2008, 08:07 PM

If the filter is such a PITA on the 114 can't you just install a remote with like a Fram PH8 spin on?