Info needed for possible wagon purchase

[wildest]

Might be the wrong forum, but it's an '85 W123 200TE, needs a clutch throw out bearing (can't drive), windshield, battery and I don't know what else mechanically, blue interior looks good in the pics (that can change in person, and often does in my experience) and the pictures I have of the body show it to be pretty straight and I think fairly rust free. Hood hinge pockets are dirty, can't tell about rust. Owner wants $1200 as it sits. How does the 4 cylinder gas motor hold up with 164k showing on the odometer? I have to drive a couple of hours that I have to steal to see it, worth a look?

[vstech]

totally unfamiliar with the 200, but the wagons in 123 series are amazing, and having a stock stick would certainly be a plus. any chance it's a 5 speed?
if a 5 speed, then get it. PERIOD!
if a 4 speed, it's still cool, but not NEARLY as desirable. I'd guess not running, needing parts gasser to be worth in the 700 range.

[Aquaticedge]

a 200TE? It's a gasser? hm. I'm not too up on them either. there's a fellow on here Ktesler who I know has had a 200 Series TE or TD he may know more, Shoot him a PM. but manual transmission stuff is pretty straight forward if you know what you are doing.

[sixto]

If you mean the one in Raleigh, it's a 200T. It's basically a 190E 2.3 engine with a Stromberg 175 variable venturi side draft and 6.5mm narrower bore. It should have an SLS pump on the head similar to a 617. A 190E 5-speed would be an interesting upgrade.

Sixto
87 300D

[wildest]

Originally Posted by sixto

If you mean the one in Raleigh, it's a 200T. It's basically a 190E 2.3 engine with a Stromberg 175 variable venturi side draft and 6.5mm narrower bore. It should have an SLS pump on the head similar to a 617. A 190E 5-speed would be an interesting upgrade.

Sixto
87 300D

It is that one. In my parts and info search this is a hard car to find. Your info jives with what I found, the motor series listed for the '85 200T is M102.920. So 190 2.3 driveline parts should work?

[t walgamuth]

There should be no durability issues with the motor. I'd be surprised if an 85 is not injected. The 700 to 1200 range is fine if the car is rustfree imho. Mechanical things are easily fixed compared to body rust. Prolly has manual ac controls too which is a plus on durability.

[gatorblue92]

I would buy it. Gasser wagons are very rare.

[T200]

It's a 2.0l carburettor fed M102 engine. Everything that fits a W124 or W201 M102 engine will fit on a 200T as well. Five speed gearboxes for example. However the 200T will need a custom prop shaft made (resp. the prop shortened) with a W201/124 5 speed. The W123's 5-speed (GETRAG 717.401) is much longer than the W201/124 5-speed (717.411 or .412).

The difference to the later W201/124 M102 engines is the manual valve adjusters, single row timing chain (replace it!!), mechanical fuel pump and oil filter housing, plus minor changes.

It's rated at 109HP. It's adequate for daily duties, but by no means fast. And it's the least economical gas engine (fuel consumption vs. power), expect the same MPG as a 230TE. All that aside, it's a wonderfully smooth runing, silent and reliable engine (mostly free of electrics or electronics)

And just like it's W201/W124 counterpart, the exhaust manifold likes to crack, welding is the best option as uncracked manifolds are as rare as hens teeth (or very expensive at MB's).

And as with any W123, the condition of the bodywork should be the main criteria for a possible buy!!!

Here is my '84 200T:

[ngarover]

Nice looking car. With a gasser you could always install a CNG/LNG system and run it at about half the cost... A little harder to do with out diesels since you have to run a mixer system as they require diesel at the same time.

I wish someone would come up with a cheap system to convert and be done.

[T200]

A very basic venturi system shouldn't be too hard to install with a carburettor. Not as efficient as a 'modern' LPG system, but still cheaper (LPG is way cheaper than natural gas over here).