speedometer
 

I noticed on my 83 mercedes the speedometer needle is slow to take off. Like it comes up at approximately 20MPH. Has anyone had this problem?

Has the needle been painted before?

no the needle hasn't been painted.

just replace the speedometer cable.

I was kind of uncertain how to tell if it was the cable or the speedometer head that was going wacky! I kind of thought if the cable wasn't broken and it was turning it could possibly be the speedometer?

Is this "83" a W123 or W126?

One has a speedometer cable, one doesn't.

It's a 123, and it does have a speedometer cable.

Does the speedo needle shake, especially after a long drive? If so, it's your cable.
Couldn't hurt to open up the speedo and make use some lightweight lube on the speedo gears if you think it's gummed up.
But replacing the cable is easy and is probably the root of the problem. They get kinked, then act unpredictably.