I've got an 85 300D that I like a lot. I am thinking to go after a W126, a 300 SDL
probably 86/87. This a good move "upmarket", meaning that even though it is a different car, will my w123 knowledge, patience, german language cursing skills carry over and help me keep yet another old beastie running? I going to go after one with less issues and want to have one with a functional A/C, Radio, windows, rear defroster etc. Something I can use basically every day but only 50 miles or so daily.
Retiring soon and plan to drive only older cars. Not too hard to adjust as my newest ever car is my current daily driver 98 Volvo w/226 K miles.
I just feel drawn to the nice big MB's that look like MB's. I don't like swoopy or those funny kidney-pool shaped headlights.
Thanks

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1985 300D 197K - Semi-Daily Driver Diesel
1998 Volvo V70 AWD 226K - Daily Driver 2
1998 Volvo S70 140K - Wife's DD
2003 GMC Sonoma ZR2 Option - Rusty Truck
THE BABY 1958 220S Sedan 66K All original, never restored and never will be.

Depends how you are with electrickery I guess.

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

You will never regret buying a 126.

I've owned both and I much prefer the 126. Although different, what you've learned about the 123 will go a long way to help you with the 126. Go for it!

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1991 350SDL 350k+ miles

Also consider a W140. On the highway my S320 rode better and fuel cost was less than the 300SDL.

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Present
1987 300SDL
1991 300SL
1990 560SEL
2001 ML320

Past
1969 200D 1979-82
1983 300SD 1984-85
1972 250C 1982-02
1995 S350 2011
1997 S320 2012

I love the W126, but the front ends don't feel as solid as the W123 and W116 chassis. It might require a little bit of an investment to get the front end really solid.

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'81 300SD

I have $500 in parts waiting to be installed in the SD front end. I think that includes all except guide rod mounts which look like they've been replaced.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.