Features on a 300td wagon

[steverodie]

I have a 1985 300TD wagon. I wanted to know what some of the features on the wagon were. I don't know what the difference between the leather option and the Mercedes Tex. How can you tell the difference? Also I have some holes in the top of the rear seats. I'm guessing that they are for rear head-rest. If there are, does anyone know where I could get my hands on some. Were all the wagons equiped with the third seat? I have a spot in the trunk that looks like it's storage for one, but I don't see any spots for the seat belts etc....

Thanks.

[kerry]

I can tell the difference between MB tex and leather by the smell. When I get in the 77 300d on a warm day, I can smell the leather. No smell with the mbtex in the 85 300td. You can also look at the material and see the difference. I'll probably find a piece of raw leather and put it under the seat in the td to create that pleasing smell.
Third seat was an option. Mine does not have one. You can buy third seats on ebay. Most include the seat belts.
I know the back seats had headrests. Mine are missing also. I assume it's because you have to take them off to put the seats down and eventually someone got tired of taking them off and on. If you find a source for them, let me know.
Some td's also did not have the split (two-thirds/one-third) back seat.

[A. Rosich]

In W124s is very easy to tell the difference: the stitching on the seats is different (M.B. Tex is vertical at the backrest, Leather is horizontal). On the W123s is more difficult to tell the difference, usually leather ages poorly compared to M.B. Tex, with more cracks and color tone variations in certain areas.

Yes, the holes on the back seat are for the headrests. It all depended on the market: but basically all W123 wagons came standard wih a full rear bench seat with no headrests and no third seat. In the early days, you could order the rear headrests (2 or 3) as an extra. If you had the rear facing seat ordered, 3 headrests were installed automatically. In the last days of production, most markets had the 3 rear headrests installed as standard.

The 2/3 split rear bench was an extra available on last production models. Interesting fact: rear seat headrests are adjustable in angle when there is no rear facing seat installed. If a rear facing seat is intalled, the headrests are fix at the upright position.

In Germany and most markets there were four seat upholstery materials: cloth (standar), M.B.-Tex (little extra cost), Leather (Expensive extra cost) and Velour (HyperExpensive option).

W123 Wagons in the States were fitted standard with M.B.-Tex a VERY FEW were delivered with leather (due to the high cost of the option).

Some interesting options were: headlight washers and wipers (for Euro headlights), sunroof (ONLY manual, M.B. engineers never figure out a way to install a sunroof motor for the wagon), and 15-inch wheels with higher ratio rear differential. The auto A/C, power locks, power windows, and 4-speaker radio that were standard in the U.S. were options everywhere else.

The W123s and S123 (wagon) never had electric front seats installed (standard nor as an option). Neither were electric outside rearview mirrors adn adjustable steering wheel.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

[haasman]

If I am not mistaking, these wagons also had self-leveling suspension.

[steverodie]

My car does have the self-leveling suspension. I'm not quite sure it works though. I guess my car has the MB Tex. Whatever it is, it sure is nice. The condition of the upholtery is outstanding for having 226k on it, it's like new.

[kerry]

If your self-levelling suspension were not working you would probably know it. When the nitrogen cells wear out, the 'shocks' do not function and the ride becomes very hard.
I do have an adjustable outside rear view mirror on my 85 300td which seems to work electrically.

[rickjordan]

My '83 TD has the split seats, but no holes to accomindate any head rest. There are alignment holes for when the seatbacks are lowered. My car also does not have the third seat. I have a sunroof and roof rack. The holes for mounting the rear seatbelts are hidden behind the trim on the "C" pillar.

[engatwork]

Mine has split rear seat, holes for head rest, roof rack and sunroof. If you ever get a chance take a close look at the "cross" braces on the factory roof rack and you can see the quality and attention to detail that was put into them back then. The build quality/design looks like something you would see on high quality bicycle components. I would not take anything for that manual sunroof .

[kerry]

I understand that the roof racks originally came with adjustable cross bars. My vehicle no longer has any cross bars. Does anyone know of a source for the crossbars?

Does anybody have the optional retractable cargo cover/net in their wagon? I believe this was an option.

Wanna sell it?

Carl

[steverodie]

I guess my rear self leveling suspension does operate correctly. The passenger-side mirror is electronically operated, but the drivers-side is manual. My car also has the split rear folding seat. That option comes in hady when your're hauling long cargo and passengers at the same time. The rear cargo cover would be a great too.

[A. Rosich]

All Mercedes-Benz wagons, since the start of production of the S123 in 1978 (as '79 models in most markets) are equipped with rear self-levelling suspension as standard.

The great looking chromed roof racks were optional up to the 1980 model year, they became standard later on (they were standard on all U.S. models).

My previous 1981 300TD came with the optional cargo roof holder. It was great, it attached directly to the chromed roof racks. Although it was a US$1,500 option at the time, not cheap!

I believe the W123s wagons in the U.S. came without rear headrests, unless the rear facing third seat was ordered.

The cargo cover and security net was available as an option in most markets, including the U.S.A. It was the same system as used in the W124 wagons.

I have never seen a S123 with crossbars. Only S124s. Although, they should have been available at the time.

The original M.B. roof accessories catalog is impressive, with about 35 different roof carrying systems for everything from bykes up to surfboards and everything in between.

A. Rosich
S320, 1998
E320T, 1995

[Stage_wizards]

My 1895 TD has split rear seats, headrests on them and factory third seat. The passenger mirror is electric. The roof rack has the fittings folr bars, but the bars are missing. I have seen them on ebay for $185 a set, so someone has them. I'd rather put the money into other aspects of restoration so I use a Thule rack mounted on the side rails. It came off my diesel Volvo wagon and seems right at home. The Thule system is extremely versatile - use it for bikes, skis or cargol. The flat Thule bars are easier to attach cargo to than the roun M/B bars, although the vehicle looks much better with the factory bars. Too easy to steal, though.
My wagon has the MB/Tex seats, which outwears the leather by years and is much easier to match in a scrap yard.
The rear washer and wiper don't work, and I have been unable to getg them to work, despite an active 12 vollt circuit at the connectors and a good ground. Took a rear wiper motor apart and found it a maze of contacts, gears, eccentric arm etc. Wouldn't even know how to fix it; easier to replace the whole thing.

[mbdad]

I bought a pair of headrests from
Potomac German Auto.
Pat is a member of this site.
www.PGAUTO.com
Pat Bartholow
800-831-7686 ext. 206
I hope this helps.

[TROVERMAN]

Carl, I have the net / cargo cover in my 95. Works slick! Do not want to part with it yet. Its nice how when the leather cover is attached, it opens with the tailgate and closes automatically. Attention to detail, I guess.