W123 versus W124

[speedy300Dturbo]

I'm sure this thread has been covered before, but I'd just like to know everyone's thoughts. No flames please!

Having owned both, I can honestly say that the W123 feels better built. It's those little things, like how the armrests are actually screwed to the doors, the better quality feel of the switches and door handles, the better sounds that the doors make when you close them, the softness of the door panel padding...

But personally, I think the W124 is a much better driving car. Ride comfort, handling, stability and poise are excellent!

What do you prefer?

I have personally logged about 700,000 miles personally in 123's and about 150,000 in my 124. My brother in law, who is my MB tech at the dealer, and I have an ongoing argument regarding the 124 vs. 123. When arguing with him I take the side of the 123. After all how can you have an argument if both parties are in agreement.

In reality, I feel that it is a wash between these cars. As you say the 124 CLEARLY outhandles the 123. As a matter of fact, I don't consider the 123 to be a very good handling car.

There are many more parts that snap into place on the 124, but the sophistication of the car seems to make up for it.

To fairly compare these cars to each other, it is imperative that you take into account the era in which they were designed. The 123 was designed in the mid seventies, while the 124 was designed almost ten years later with the aid of much more computer technology, both for use by the designers as well as added to the car.

As far as I'm concerned, both of these cars represent the very finest of automobiles designed in their respective era's.

My $0.02,

[Holson Adi]

The W123 has many of the classic Mercedes lines I think. I really like all the little chrome details in the interior. Fancy yet simple and elegant.

Driving wise, I love the W124 I used to drive because it was a tighter driving car. More comfortable, quieter, smoother, faster, etc.

My dad had a W123 280E and my mother also loved that more than the W124 (230E). Both were RHD and the W123 had the 185hp Euro motor compared to the 124's 130hp+/- 2.3L!!

However the W124 looks really 'new-age' Mercedes! So unmistakably MB! I grew up in the era where the 124 was the 'Car' so obviously I still think that way. I think I would still take the old E500 W124 over the new E500.

There was a black E320 looking elegant at the Mobil station this morning and I just couldn't stop but admire it! Later on I saw an E320 Cabrio and a nice '8x 300D Turbo. The diesel sounded so Mercedes I turned my head to look!

Both great cars. I don't know which one I like more! But definitely my favorite mid-size cars of all time!

[psfred]

Hmmm.

My time in a W123 is limited to a test drive of a 240 that I stupidly didn't buy (although if I had, I wouldn't have my W108!), but it didn't drive all that much differently than the 300D except for somewhat more limited performance. (Ha).

As far as handling goes, they are very similar, except that the W124 reputedly give less warning of reaching the adhesion limit than the W123 as is a bit less forgiving when you get there. Neither will corner as well as a W115/114, but then they have more power (with the turbo), so it comes out about even. The W123 has more body roll than either the W115 or the W124, but that is strictly to give some roll oversteer to prevent the W115 "nasty" of rolling the outside front tire off the rim.......

The W124 has a softer ride due to the multilink rear suspension.

Peter

[TimFreeh]

Larry is right, both cars are at the peak of automotive development for their respective times. I'm not sure I agree with the statement that the W123 is a much more substantial feeling car than the W124 - W124's are pretty solid in my book.

What amazes me about the W124 is how modern it feels. This is a chassis that made its debut in 1985 in Eurpoe and to me at least it still handles like a modern car.

The W124 chassis was way, way ahead of its time.

The one area where the W123 really outdoes the W124 is in the area of repair costs. The W124 is a much more complex car than a W123. W123's are the way to go if you are going to be doing the repair work yourself.

Tim

Having been around both, I like them both. They are different, for the 124 is a quantum leap ahead of the 123. The 123 is a very capable sedan for its time. I believe it has incredible dynamics in handling and braking. All around a nice car to drive in most conditions. The 124 is much better in terms of outright performance. In fact, its a little known fact that when the 124 came out, they paced it against the legendary w196 Mercedes racer and the w124 could keep up or beat it on a closed track! Very impressive. I also contest that the following w210 was not quite the step forward as the 124 was. It had quality issues, and hardware wise, lost the magic of a Mercedes to some degree.

[jay123]

Well, for the DIY, I would agree that the w123 is a better car. If you're looking for a ROCK, SOLID, RELIABLE, and DURABLE diesel car, go with the w123. Now, if you want a good running GAS car that handles well, go with the w124.

The 123, 124, 126 and 140 were the last "real" mercedes. The 210 chassis has that mercedes feel, but it just does not feel the same as the older chassis.

[slowmoe]

I have been furtunate enough to own both the 123 and 124 diesels. The 124 is undoubtably the superior model. It is faster, quieter, safer (airbags), more fuel efficient (35-38mpg), more responsive, has better breaking (ABS), and traction (ASD).

All this aside, this one takes the cake for me - THE DRIVERS SEAT IS MORE COMFORTABLE!!!!! The 123 was the most uncomfortable car I have ever owned. The 124 with 8-way adjustable, power and heated front seats with a telescoping steering wheel is a new world!! I routinely drive for hours in my 124 feeling great the whole way.

I perfer the 124 for repairs as well. With a younger car, I am doing much less work overall and a far greater percentage of it is DIY.

[diesel don]

Come on guys:

Now you tell me....after I buy (4) 123's.

I'm in it for the cost efficiency though. Lovin' every minute....well, most of the time anyway.

Haven't had much by way of repair lately so I had to order and install a couple of new hood pads. Got to keep the hands dirty.

Don

I hate to disagree with my good friend turbodiesel (makes me sound like a Senator doesn't it?) but I just can't understand the comments such as "the last of the real MB's."

To me the 210 is very much a Mercedes. It has more precise and flat handling because MB was trying to shake some of the "tank" comments. The 210 handles a little more like a BMW, but it still has the "cast from one piece" solidity that makes it feel like a Mercedes. IMHO even my little 203 C Class has such solidity, although it does not in my opinion have the flat handling of the 210 car.

The oldest Mercedes I've ever driven was a friends 59 Finback when I was in Germany over 30 years ago, so I can't speak for anything any older. That said, I've yet to drive a Mercedes that didn't drive or feel as I expect from a Mercedes.

I think a few thousand miles in a good 210 would convince you.

Have a great day,

Perhaps I havn't driven the 210 chassis long enough, but I've driven quite a few E300 turbo and non, E320 sedan and wagon and I think it just feels "cheaper" than the older Mercedes' such as the 123, 126 and 140. Just from the quality of the buttons, to the drink holder, to the material the dash is made out of. I did put a 98 E300 through it's paces, and it is a fast car, and has handes incredibly. There is just something about the newer Mercedes that is left to be desired by me, can't quite put my finger on it, but it started with the new 1994 C-Class body (don't remember the number).

John,

Since there are no 202 diesels in the US, maybe I can sneak this comment through here in the Diesel forum without getting anyone upset.

I feel that the 202 is one of the least solid and Mercedes like of all the modern (114/115 to present) MB's. But, even so, it still has the solidity to be an MB.

I understand your thoughts about the switches. The pushbutton switches of the 123 and 124 cars did have a soft but solid feel to them that you don't have in some of the newer cars. But, more importantly to me is the feel of the steering wheel and its response while driving fast on a winding and hilly road. Even a rough road brings the "Mercedes" out of a car. It's this behind the wheel experience that I really believe would bring you to respect the 210 car. In fact, I would challenge you to drive a 210 in good condition on some good, fun, winding roads for a few thousand miles and then go back to a 123 or 124 car. I would bet that at that point you would want to throw rocks at the earlier cars.

Enjoying the discussion.

Have a great day,