poll: If you had cash in hand which w123 any year car would you buy
 

I own A 82 240D and I want an 85 300 turbo but I see alot of people here that really want A 240 I guess the grass is always greener on the other side.:D I guess you can have the best of both worlds and own A 240d, and A 300 turbo. What are your thoughts? thanks

I own both!
 

I've got both a 240D and a 300D turbo and even have a 300SD for good measure. I am looking at getting a (78-85) 300TD (stationwagon) but I'm afraid if I do that the wife will take it from me and make me drive the 300SD.

I think an 84 turbo bacause they changed to a different make for 85.. thus you have 81-84 junkyard cars to choose from on parts... and 84 gives you the max number of years to improve that model before they stopped making it...

When buying a used car, looking for a particular year, or particular color or particular anything is the wrong approach IMHO. When buying a used car there is one thing that is above all else and that id CONDITION.

There are significant differences between the four cylinder and five cylinder cars. In my opinion, since I do my own work, the four wins out. This is because of the KISS priniciple (Keep It Simple, Stupid.) My ideal 123 car is a 240D with manual EVERYTHING. If you have not worked on both cars in the past then you won't understand. That extra cylinder and all that automatic gadgetry on the 300D takes away a BUNCH of the simplicity and reliability.

Choose a used car based on CONDITION, PERIOD.

Good luck,

It could just be my experience but as I have bought 13 - 123's, I sense that the best years are 84-85. I'm saying that based on a couple of '83 trannys giving out.

Could just be the luck of the draw however.

Don

Id have to say an 84 or 85 300DT is the best pick. It may not be as simple as a 240D, but it certainly isnt extensivley complicated as a gasser 6 cylinder which seems to be standard in any other mb (excluding 190's C classes etc)
It has power, it has refinement, diesel longevity, economy, and will last you a good long time given that you take good care of it.

And I also will add that if you are looking for used mbz, condition IS the key, but only as long as you are happy with the car. If youre looking for an 84 or 85 300DT, theres no reason why you should settle for an 82 300DT that is in exemplary shape.
For every 300DT you see that isnt the right year but is in good shape, theres another one in the correct year of desire and in comparable shape.. either for sale nearby, or soon to be put on the market...
Believe me, with all of the 123's ive owned in the past, ive learned that settling for whats available may not make you happy. I cannot tell you how many cars I have seen after I have bought cars in the past that I would have bought ina heart beat had they been for sale when I was looking... and I regretted my purchase.

So when it came time to find a replacement for my totalled 85 300DT, I looked for 8 months. And finally there she was. One owner, low miles, all records, and in a color I LOVE. And now its MINE!

Sure, in the 8 months I looked I saw a couple 300DTS that were in amazing shape, but they werent an 84 or 85, and they werent in a color that appealed to me. If I had bought one, I would have regretted it after seeing what I own now for sale.

If you want a specific car, in a specific color, in good condition, you have to have patience. It will come along at some point. And it will be highly rewarding once youve found it and have it sitting in your garage. NO REGRETS. Just take your time and dont find what you like, find what you LOVE.

I saw a 300 TD in the salvage yard.. (it is a 123 right?) Love the body style, Know nothing about them. That particular car had a 4 cyl, auto. I bet they did not make enough of them to go around, and none in a turbocharged version...

thanks for all the replies guys! I guess the question didn't come off right, no biggie. What I was trying to ask is WOULD YOU RATHER BUY A 240D or A 300? sorry that I didn't word it right the first time:) Iam not sure this question has been asked before but hey what the hell lets do it again thats what keeps this forum going!

My vote is for the 300, especially with high speed highway (85) driving I have to do a lot. 240 versions would have a reason to complain if so much were demanded of them IMHO.

Assuming a theoretical situation where condition was equal between all of the cars, I would pick
either an '84 or '85 diesel...

'84 - I like the updated seats in addition to the other interior improvements from '83, transmission shifting
is improved, as well as the trans. vacuum control being WAY simpler/more reliable, and it lacks the "trap"
of the '85 cars. (US Turbos)

'85 - Same cool seats, BUT even better shifting (more complex unfortunately, but also more
precise...it's a trade-off) addition of the "Klima" relay is a neat feature, taller rear end and
modified torque converter (for a little more low-end grunt to offset the taller diff) "AND" all of the
US '85s had factory alarms.

The trap isn't entirely evil either, it seems to dampen the engine noise a bit...and added to the taller
rear end, these cars are a bit quieter at 65 than '84 and prior...although it's pretty damn trivial..;)

Now...if money/time was no option, I'd seek out a pristine '85 euro 280CE...SRS, ABS, and
a 5-speed...with leather and manual climate control. :)

(edit -- I have an '84 300D-T BTW)

I thought I remember reading that MB changed the type of paint they had been using on the 1984 and 1985 123's to one of lesser quality. Don't know if this is important to you or not, and not sure if I'm even correct on this. I love my 1984. California version though.

Not all 123's are created equal.
 

We own two 123's, both 300D's, but they're two very different cars. One is an '85, with a turbo and an automatic transmission and the other is a Euro '84 with a four-speed manual transmission. Our first 123 was a 240D with an automatic trans. We called her "Mrs. Benz", our slow-moving German grandma.

Of these, my favorite is the Euro/manual 300D because of its simplicity and its manual transmission. If you prefer a manual transmission, you'll either scour the ads and eBay for another Euro 300D or you'll settle for a 240D, which was the only model imported by MB with a manual trans.

However, it you'd prefer an automatic transmission, in my opinion a 300D with a turbo is the best choice. Though it's a bit more complicated, it has considerably better acceleration. At freeway speed, our '85 is not much noiser than our Subaru Legacy.

In short, you need to decide what is most important to you. Not all 123's are created equal.


Phil

What's different about the later seats?

>What's different about the later seats?

I'm pretty sure it's mainly cosmetic, there are a few extra "pleats", and the seat cushions are different.
I just think they look better, they also seem to me more "supportive" but that may or may not be the case.