Hello everyone,

I'm somewhat new to MB diesels and I'm thinking of buying a 123 diesel wagon. The reason this car interests me is because I'm a tuba player and I need to find some car in which it's easy to load/un-load the horn. I'm also trying to pick-up string bass and transporting it is even more of a problem! It looks to me like the MB 123 wagon could be the way to go since they'll both fit. Am I nuts for thinking I can make this work?

I'm hoping to learn all about these cars and do as much of the maintenance as I can. And for those things I can't do, I'm fortunate to have close-by an independent mechanic who specializes in MB. Right now, I'm looking at an '85 123 wagon with about 240K miles on it. Seller says it has no rust, and from the pics he sent me I'd agree. Am I crazy for thinking I can learn to work on the thing? Are interior parts available for it? It looks really rough. I know seat covers are readily available, but what about the other stuff like door panels and other trim panels?

Is there anything else I need to know to make an informed decision?

Thanks!

-Martin.
Birmingham, AL

85 is the best year. No you are not crazy, 123's a pretty easy to work on. Interior parts are available. Not cheap.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

A Diesel 123 is one of the most durable and long lasting cars on the road. My 240D has 306k miles on it, and it starts and drives like a dream. The wagons are great cars. They are virtually the same as the sedans except for a few things. All the interior parts from the front of the rear seats forward are the same as a sedan, so those parts a pretty easy to come by. Wagon specific parts are a little hard to come by, but not impossible. The wagons have a self-leveling system in the rear that keeps the rear end at proper ride height when weighed down. The system is easy to work on, but some of the parts a pretty spendy. I would highly suggest learning to do as much as you can to the car as far as repairs go. Even the newest 123 is 25 years old and will need repairs. You've found the best place on the web for do-it-yourself info. Folks here can walk you through just about any problem. There are lots of posts here about buying a 123. Do some searching and you'll find more info that you can handle about what to look for when buying one.

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X3 with Kerry & Andrew !!
They are great cars !! Good to work on. There is more help on this forum than you could ever need. I dont get to concerned about cosmetic issues, if it starts & runs reliably, all other issues can be covered up.
If the wagon has been run on WVO, dont go near it. You dont need the grief of a motor that has been subject to "death in a jug". The 617 motor is nearly indestructible but it can be killed !!

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

great engines, great transmissions, great fuel mileage, and a great all around vehicle, at 230K, you will be looking at several worn out items, that will need attention if not already addressed,
timing chain, entire front suspension, odometer, and verify the rear hydrolic support system is not leaking nor does it have a bouncy ride.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Unless it's a 1985 California car that came with the infamous "trap oxidizer"!
Such a poor design that Mercedes issued a lifetime recall. It's a real power robber as well.
They do ,however, have the smoothest shifting transmissions of all the W123 chassis cars. One year only. That can be good or bad depending on what goes bad!

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'70 F100 shortbed
'82 Diesel Westy
'83 Euro 300TD
Curtlo Viper
Yeti ARC
Surly long haul trucker

Closely inspect inside in person. There seems to be odd splotches on the rear seat back. Check under the carpets and rear fixed windows for any sign of leaks. Also, under the brake pedal, that may be nothing, but find out.

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83 SD

84 CD

My 240TD works just fine for my trumpet and french horn; I'm sure a tuba will be ok in one too... but I've never attempted to put a stringed instrument in, although they definitely work with saxophones.
Great cars
giles

You have a 240TD? Nice, is it a manual? Pics??

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

I love my '84 TD euro wagon!I tend to keep the rear seats folded down and I have been astonished at the huge amount of space available for my drum kit in the back. I second all the opinions voiced here, engine/drive train is as durable as they come -try to buy as complete a car as you can as some parts are hard to come by. Quite a few here in Northern California on Craig's List. I bought mine for 900.00! I had to replace rear hatch struts, SLS accumulators and detail the wagon which came with a mountain of receipts. Easy to service and very durable like my SD and 123 sedan . . . .buy one and give you Tuba a good home -your bass will thank you too, good luck!

Hey Steve,
If I said I was in europe would you be less suprised? It's a 5-spd manual.
Your question set me hunting and I cant find any pics (tho if you look hard at the one with the blue truck you can just see the rear end).
To make up for it I've added pics of 2 other benzes that I own... I've got another 240td as well, but it's just a parts car.

Attached Thumbnails

   

Yes, I had a sneaking suspicion you were on the other side of the pond, not too many 240TD over here and all the 5 speeds are "gray market". My 5 spd 240 sedan came in from Rotterdam and the newly acquired TD was Canadian. In the early eighties we had a 55MPH speed limit so "who needed a 5 spd tranny? I understand they are not all that common over there.


One of the reasons I like these Euro cars is, everything being "manual" makes them something I can work on and have a reasonable chance of success the other reasons are, there fun too drive.

Where in Europe are you?

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"