I do not agree on the 83 being the "best." While some may beg to disagree, I hold the 85 as the best year for the 123. Not only was it the last, but if you ask any mechanic, it has all the bugs worked out and has many improvements over the prior years. Among the improvements: vacume pump, fuel pump, cruise control configuration, and last but not least, the transmission modulation. There are a few minor touches, but if you ask any mechanic/Mercedes buff, they will contend the 1985 as best/final/most desired. (It is VERY hard to argue these points.)