I've observed (at least on my 240Ds) that the front fender splash shields went from the short style up though '81 to a full liner, beginning in calender-year '82.

The manual heat controls changed from the single heat-defrost lever to two around '79. I believe the 240D AC compressors switched from the two-cylinder York to the R4 Delco about this time.

Some of us do have Euro versions, and the manual windows and manual heat-AC continued to be available on those after '83.

Note - even though my Euro 300TD is an '84, the non-turbo engine setup is like the non-turbo ones sold here through '81. A lot of things like the oil-pan or cooling system are different. So I sometimes tell autoparts stores that my car is an '80 to ensure I get non-turbo parts. I've found just saying mine is an '84 non-turbo may not work, since their USA database only lists the '84 as a turbo!


As for instrument markings, up to about '81 the guage/clock-centers were bright aluminum, then switched to black. Keep in mind that many of these cars have had leaky oil-pressure guages or faulty speedometers replaced, so there may be early W123s out there with Bar/Celsius guages or other instrument anomalies.
I've owned a couple 240Ds where the instrument panels had a mixture of bright and plack guage-centers.
And some PO replaced my '84 Euro TD's original speedometer with a turbo model, so it now reads too fast and the odometer has been racking up excessive mileage,
Fortunately, I found an almost correct replacement in an '84 non-turbo Euro 300D at the Pick-N-Pull, complete with a black center! Only the shift marks are different, as that Euro 300D was automatic and mine is a 5-speed.

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

I think that ARV valve is the main reason why the air cleaner design is different for the cars that came with this ARV valve on the turbo, the air cleaner base is clearanced for room for that ARV valve. He mentions the different air cleaner in his original list but I think this ARV valve you speak of on the 84-85 turbos is why the change to the air cleaner. So if the SD turbos had this ARV valve for those years specifically...then the air cleaner housings off those cars should work with subsequent swaps. Delibes, you could add ARV valve on turbo to your list of the 84-85 years. What does ARV stand for?

I tried to put an air cleaner off an 82 SD onto my 85 300TD and it would'nt fit. they look pretty much the same except the bottom tube is formed with an indentation for clearance of that ARV valve....would'nt fit properly so ended up sharpening welding skills on broken 85 air cleaner housing and re-used.

The instruement cluster on the 1985 W123 300D had a mix of black and silver center "knobs" or "posts" for the various instruments' needles.

Also wanted to say to Delibes that this was a brilliant idea for a thread on this site. Good job man! Will be the "GO TO" thread when diy'ers travel to the junk yards in search of parts...very helpful.

Looks like it is going in the direction of just 77-85 w123's. not sure if this would be welcome here?....but the rear differentials from certain cars will fit others...for instance, I think a diff from a w126 car up to 1985 will fit on a w123 car with ratio's not normally found in the w123 line from factory. I believe the 1985 300 sd (w126) had a 2:47 diff that will bolt right in to a w123 car. 1986 and up w126 diffs won't fit a w123. Not sure about LSD's

Manual speedo cables and electronic pick ups for the transmissions occurred during what years and models. for example did the wagon ever have an electronic speedo? will the tail housings interchange and what year/models work. Also oil filter towers mechanical sending unit or electronic sending unit for oil pressure guages...what years?

HD Shocks and comfort shocks? which came on each model from factory? or did they have to be ordered special? Did HD's come on the front of wagons to go with the SLS rear. Could you get HD's on f/r of sedans from factory?

Wheel bearing sizes (front) between sedans and wagons....years

As far as I've been told the 1981 model year 300TD is the only W123 with an electronic speedometer.

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1981 300TD 4 speed manual
Euro bumpers, zender valance and skirts, H&R springs, billy HD's, leveled sls, real AMG Pentas 16x8 et11, vdo boost/egt gauges intergrated into ash tray, eurolights, led 3rd brake light

The sun visors changed from basic units to having lights and a mirror in 1981 or 1982.

FWIW...Electric windows were optional in 240D's in all years.

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dieseleverything

'95 E300D 279k 717.411 5-speed swap 40 MPG
'78 240D Turbo 144k
'83 240D 201k

From what I am gathering, I am beginning to feel a strong inclination to 1983 W123 models. Less complex, with some updated goodies.

My 1982 wagon did not have the updated sunvisors... I suspect it was 1983.

Nothing wrong with having a W126 power-plant! The electric speedo is less finicky than a cable, one does not have to worry about installing it right EVERY TIME. Plus, it costs the same to repair...

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[GONE] - 1995 Mercedes E300 Diesel - 130k miles - Smoke Silver (702) over Mushroom leather (265) - Bladder blasting, coast-to-coast work machine.

ARV = Air Recirculation Valve .

The 2:47 Diff was used in the W126 gassers.

The Differentials used in the W126 300SD was a 3:07 and in 85 a 2:88. they will fit into a W123.
Trailing Arms in the W126 up to 85 are a direct fit into a W123.

The arrows on the Instrument Cluster changed from the long narrow ones to the short stubby ones in 1980.


Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Will the 2:47 diff from a w126 gasser fit a w123?

It will bolt right in, the Tri Flange is larger as is the Flex Disk, it will have to be changed to the smaller one the W123, W126 Diesel uses.

There are a lot of threads on swapping in a 2:47.

The second Gen 126 86 - 91 rear sub frame and Diff mount was changed and won`t swap over.
Some models, also used a cast Aluminum trailing arm. that will not swap over to the W1123, and early W126.


The rear Trailing Arms from W114/115, W116, W123, W126 up to 85 are the same.
The steering knuckles from W116, W123, W126 are the same and swap model to model. the W126 will work all the way to 91. the second Gen 126 86 - 91 used the ABS and the Knuckles have the sensor. can be eliminated if used in a 123. not sure about the W114/115.


When I mentioned arrows in the Instrument cluster, it is the turn signal arrows.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Yellow fog lamps were used from 1980 onward and powered right hand mirrors became standard in 1983. I don't know about the year but early models had oval-shaped signal lamp bulb holders that weren't twist-on. There's a bunch of info from THIS THREAD, the two ought to be merged. Very good information!
I'm curious if anyone knows about the interior trim between years/models. Most have zebrano, but I've seen a few with black plastic and I know the early coupes (up to 1979 I think) had burl wood.

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1985 190D 2.2L 717.411 5-speed
1983 300D Euro OM617.950