W123 LSD, how rare are they?
 

Hi all,

I've been to my local Benz breaker, and after talking to him, he's told me he has got a LSD out of a W123 280E, in one of his buildings.
He's been breaking Mercedes for nearly 40 years, and every once in a while he will dig out a gem, or know where there is something special.

I can remember reading somewhere that there was a W123 LSD option code, but I've never come across 1, I've been hunting for a LSD for 3 years, and he's had this all along!!

So, how rare is a factory LSD?

Cheers Frank.

A W123 LSD does not exist. A W116 6.9 LSD does exist, and will work for a W123.

He's convinced that he's got a W123 LSD, I guess I'll find out next week he's dug this diff out...

What ratio is the W116 6.9 LSD?

Its hard to say what they sold in Europe, but I know its a lot different that what they sold here in the states. Tiny little diesels in really big cars with manual everything. Manual as in steering, windows, heat controls, transmission. Its a different world over here.

2.65:1 that's too low of a ratio for me, I'm using this car as a track car, the 3.56:1 diff that's in my 280E is about perfect (if only it was a LSD).
If this diff he's got is wrong, then I'm going to have to go for plan B, and fit the Jaguar XJS powerlock diff in, that's 3.58:1.

or you could weld the diff in your car

No thanks, that usually causes more problems than it fixes, especially when your running wide, sticky track tyres.

doesn't exist for an w123. however, i had mine made by gripper differentials in the UK using a low ratio diff from a 200 diesel taxi. transforms the car.

Actually the factory did make a few for the rally cars but never sold them and it wasn't an option in any market, despite rumours of such in Sweden.

I don't believe they ever were offered to the public, but you can make one using the case of the 123 and the innards of the 190E 16v LSD. I did so with the kind assistance of MBDOC. There is a thread about it here.