Just wondering, anyone know what exactly the turning radius of a W123 is? I.E. can it easily make a U-turn in a 2 lane (each direction) road, or does it need 3 lanes, or what?

Anything's gotta be better than my 21' long F-250; I'm just curious... Thanks!

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2001 VW Jetta TDI, 5 speed, daily driver
1991 Ford F-350, work in progress
1984 Ford F-250 4x4, 6.9l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual
Previous oilburners: 1980 IH Scout, 1984 E-350, 1985 M-B 300D, 1979 M-B 300SD, 1983 M-B 300D
Spark-free since 1999

Warden - I make uturns all the time on two lane blacktops and I pull the 300D off road about 1/2 way and can turn around without any problem. I usually let about the same amount of car go past the other lane. Never have tried to turn around without going off onto the grass. I'm sure it will turn tighter than I am doing.

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Jim

The Warden,

According to the German MB brochures for the 200D, 240D and 300D, the turning circle is 11.25 meters. This is approximately 36.5 feet. I have no idea how wide a typical two lane road is, but with a shoulder on each side I imagine it is more than 36 feet. I have routinely done a U-turn in my 240D from a parked spot against a curb without resorting to a "K" event as long as there was no parked car directly opposite. Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

I think the 123 turns well in 2 lanes way.

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... Kerry

126 tailed by a 203, 129 leading the pack.

Using a 240D as an example, I came up with 11.25 meters also, unless it has power steering, then for some odd reason it's 11.29 meters. 11.25 meters is 36.9 feet, 11.29 is slightly over 37 feet. The 300D Turbo is listed at 11.29, I assume this was standard with power steering.
Gilly

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Gilly,

I just looked at my brochures again and you are correct that the 300D lists an 11.29 meter "Wendekreisdurchmesser" or turning circle diameter. But all Diesel W123 cars, including the 200D and 240D, had "Servolenkung" or power steering. The only difference I can see between the cars is 45 kg of vehicle weight, given the standard equipment on a 240D and 300D (which included a 4 speed transmission for each in this brochure - remember the 300D over there was not a turbo as the turbo was only available in the 300TD wagon, and that with an automatic). They all had the same tire size too, which was 175 R 14. Anyway, the added 4 cm of turning circle diameter won't come into play too often making those u-turns on two lane roads, hopefully. Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

my 300d turns tighter than my wifes tiny chevy Cavalier. 2 lanes are usually sufficient.

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Paul
2004 E500 4matic; 72,000mi

In most jurisdictions a two lane road hiway will have 16 ft wide lanes. A lane can be a as narrow as 8.5 ft . I have read some legal research and at least in this state an 8.5 ft lane is the minimum legal width.
I have measured lane widths many times. They do indeed vary in width, but seldom are less that 12 ft.
Just my $.03 worth. (Inflation you know)

Cool!

I'm sure it's better than my van...and it has to be better than my truck; I think a W123 could fit between the front and rear wheels on my F-250

Thank you much!

__________________
2001 VW Jetta TDI, 5 speed, daily driver
1991 Ford F-350, work in progress
1984 Ford F-250 4x4, 6.9l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual
Previous oilburners: 1980 IH Scout, 1984 E-350, 1985 M-B 300D, 1979 M-B 300SD, 1983 M-B 300D
Spark-free since 1999