I've read many post here where people mention that their 123 body speedometers only go up to 85 mph. I have a '79 300D (non-turbo), and mine goes up to 115 mph, (the speedo not the car). When did they make the change?

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Toblin

'79 300D, "Liesel von Diesel", 235K

I kid proofed the house....but they still get in

I thought they did it in 82 when they went with the turbo. Any 300D with a turbo should easily be able to go over 85 so that would make sense. Are you sure your speedo hasn't been changed out?

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

I saw some pictures of some W126 speedometers. Mine, a 1981 has a turbo with the 85mph speedometer, and I saw a photo of a 1982 model with a 85mph speedometer. I think in the W126 300SDs, they changed to the speedometer with the higher speed on it in mid 82, or for the 1983 models. I think they made the change to 85mph in 1981, because the 1980 300SD, W116, did not have a 85 mph speedometer to my knowledge. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.
-Joe

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

1982 models of all manufacturers had an 85mph speedometer.

i have a 200KPH speedo on my 300TD (non-turbo).... but it has different yellow markings than my gasser.

my wagon is a 79.

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Mike

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1975 200 - Sold (no pix);
1978 200 - Sold - http://www.pbase.com/hboy/redbaron
1979 300TD - Sold
http://www.pbase.com/hboy/greenwagon
http://www.geocities.com/hboy726/300TD.html
1985 230E - now my daily driver...

I believe the 85mph speedos were unique to the U.S. for legal reasons. I think they started putting those in '82 or '83, and I guess they stopped in '84, because my '85 has a 120mph speedo...

I do know that switching from a 120mph to an 85mph is a difficult transition, because 60mph is at the same place on the 85mph unit as 80mph is on the 120mph...

Can you stick an instrument cluster out of an 85 w123 in an 83? My 83D-T likes to go faster than 85mph.

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Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
Calvin Coolidge (1872 - 1933)

Maybe it was changed out. I've owned Liesel since '89 and I just now noticed that the color of the needles on my gages are different. The Fuel&Temp instrument has dull orange needles while the speedo and the clock have a dull yellow. Hummmm.

Can anyone tell me; What color are the speedo needles in a "known orignial" '79 300D?

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Toblin

'79 300D, "Liesel von Diesel", 235K

I kid proofed the house....but they still get in

Toblin. I'd be interested to know how many other Mercedes owners have noticed this as my 84 123 200 also had slightly different colored needles. One was more orangy than the others which were more yellowy just like yours. Seems like someone was not quite as observant at the factory in the early 80's as they used to be...

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

All your needles started life as orange. They fade over the years, some fading faster, some slower.

Forum member Thomaspin painted his and the look original once again.

Mike

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'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

The speedos on the Mercedes are keyed to the rear end ratios. I have a 300D with a turbo 3.07 rear end ratio and a 120MPH speedometer and it's within 3 MPH of agreeing with those radar mobile signs.

My son's 300 turbo has a 3.07 rear end and an 85MPH speedometer, which he hates. So, if you get a 120MPH out of a car that has the same rear end ratio as yours, it should work.

I agree on the speedo needle colors as I have orange to light green on mine and have recently purchased some dayglow orange to redo all of them for better visibility.

Ben

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www.reproduce100s.com

Both my Canadian 84 300DT's have the European version, 200 kph speedo.

But what's interesting is the speedo needle colors as observed by Peter (pj67coll) and Toblin?

Attached Thumbnails

 

My '80 300SD has the 85 MPH speedo. Whacky legislators surmised that if our speedo only went to 85, we would only drive 85. Dream along.

The speedo would go higher but there is a pin at 85 which stops the needle. If you want it to read faster, remove the pin.

P E H

I have even seen pictures of a Porsche 911 with an 85 speedo. It was their snicky way of getting the general public to drive slower. The theory being that is you saw your needle nearing the end of the speedometer ranges, it would make you think you're maxing the car out. My '83 has a 120 speedometer.

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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member