I know of two, MB only, local shops that have their own cache (acres worth) unavailable to the public. One is urban, hidden in plain view, and the other is out in the sticks. Stopped into one out Atlanta way about a year ago, but couldn't get the owner to loosen his grip on anything. A dozen or so Benzes, late-'80's to early 2k, in great condition and parked streetside is what prompted me to stop. Recently drove by another, smaller operation, in the southeast Michigan area, but didn't stop in to chat.

Absolutely correct on the trace amounts of w123's on the road these days. I always take note of the passenger/s aboard. It's interesting to see who's driving the vehicles I hold in high regard. So relieved it's not always a hippie anymore!

MBZ123

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1987 300SDL "Rhona" 218k
1986 300SDL "Johanna" 166k - Abducted 5/15 outta SFV Reward 4 info
1984 300TD "Petra" 212k - Parts yard pirate, arrrrgh
1982 300CD "FrankenFemme" 178k - Eyes only TS-XWRKS transplant abomination (loc. classified)
1980 230CE "Lulu" aka "Terminal" 277k - Dying the slow death
1985 300CD "Gerda" 203k - She ain't playin' SOLD
1983 300TD "Svetlana" 240k...and pleading for more. SOLD


"What a heavy load Einstein must've had...F&@%!NG morons everywhere!" - David Lynch

I have seen around 1-2 W123s in my area in a total of a year. Very few are on the road, absolutely none in the yards.

So. Cal. is a hotbed for these cars, and I see at least one a day on the road (not counting mine :-). However, I see less of these cars in the wrecking yards. It seems that someone is hoarding suspension parts before they are all gone. I do see more 210's than ever before, but 123's and 126's are getting scarce....Rich

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All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html

I saw the same thing this morning in Wilmington -- two W123s with one pretty much stripped to the frame and the other missing even the fenders, the hood, the doors, and the entire front suspension.

I don't get the idea about why anyone would want used suspension parts. If the car gets knocked out of alignment, you end up destroying your tires and loose any cost savings by needing a new part, new tires and an alignment.

Dkr.

It is pretty hard to bend the major suspension parts, so I imagine they are only buying them and not things like tie rods and such. Spindles, lower control arms, hubs etc are all parts that normally don't get replaced. I can see why the cars are stripped like that. It seems that I should save all the front and rear suspension parts from my parts car when I get ready to scrap it. It already has the front section cut off of it for use on SirNik's moms car, and I may cut off the rear section including the trunk and quarter panels. The only thing that will go to the scrapper is the cab minus the interior. I like to save every useable part when I send a car to it's final resting place....Rich

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All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html

I would definitely do this if I had the storage space. Someday these solid rust free trailing arms, control arms, etc. will be going for a premium in rusty parts of the world for those still keeping these cars on the road. There are two cars at a local junkyard with complete suspensions front to back and from what I've seen no one ever takes any of it. It just gets shredded with the rest of the car...

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1979 300D 040 Black on Black - 1985 300D Maaco job (sadly sprayed over 199 Black Pearl Metallic) on Palamino

http://i.imgur.com/LslW733.jpg

The Baja Arizona Oil Burners Send a message if you'd like to join the fun
Left to Right - UberWasser, Iridium, Stuttgart-->Seattle,, mannys9130

Visit the W123 page on iFixit for over 70 helpful DIY guides!

I went to look at a w124 diesel today, and the guy has about 30 (mostly ran when parked) w123s (240d, 300d, 300 td), w116 300sds, w115 220d and 3 300ds, 5 w124 diesels, 3 w124 gas, a 72 350slc, etc, over 30 total and all for sale mostly for under $1k. SO parts are certainly still around some places.

lol come to the sf bay area... i live in oakland, in a bad neighborhood.. theres 5 w123s within 4 blocks of my house... 4 diesels and 1 gasser. theres also a diesel w115 two blocks away that the guy drives regularly. i'd say on any extended drive around town of more than 20 minutes i'm guaranteed to see at least one other on the road.

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1981 NA 300D 310k miles

Not many 123s around here anymore, but recently have seen a new one that came in with the new Purdue school year....nice clean ivory 240D. I've prolly had at least a half dozen ivory 240 D's.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

What I know we have 4 w123's here besides my two and this place is smalllllllllll..

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