Dilemma, which car should I keep the W123 or the W124 diesel? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

lietuviai · #1 11-08-2005, 11:25 AM

I need to sell one of my diesels. The only reason I keep the W123 is that it is converted to run on WVO. The W124 is not converted and I doubt I will. I can't get enough WVO to justify keeping the W123. I barely get enough oil to maybe drive it a few days a week. I've tried getting more sources but no one else will commit or the quality has been very poor. The W124 gets good enough mileage that the premium paid for diesel is still worth it over the price of RUG. The W123 diesel's MPG's is the same of the gasser W123 so the gasser is not even being considered for sale.
The only reason I like the W123 is that it's much easier to work on than the W124 and the quality of the car seems far better than the W124's. Plus parts seem less expensive for the W123.
It's just that I've got too many cars and the W123 diesel sits outside. So one of the cars must go. The others sit in the garage because they've got better preserved paint jobs.
It's a dilemma. Any advice?

diametricalbenz · #2 11-08-2005, 11:57 AM

Whatever you decide....please email/PM me I am looking for an auto trans W123 or W124 for my girlfriend....her commute sucks

DieselAddict · #3 11-08-2005, 12:56 PM

I went through the same thing recently and I ended up selling my 82 300D. I didn't really need to sell it, but I felt 3 cars is too many if one has to be parked outside. Sometimes I miss the car, and I'm going through an adjustment period right now, but I'm pretty sure I picked the right car to sell because it had the worst condition. If you really need to get rid of one car, condition should be a major consideration, but you should also consider what you like. That you have to decide for yourself.

boneheaddoctor · #4 11-08-2005, 01:00 PM

Draw up a list of each ones strong points and weak points...compare each one to the other....objectively....then keep the one with the least negatives.

lietuviai · #5 11-08-2005, 01:42 PM

The '85 is the one in the "worst" condition since the clear coat is all but gone on the hood. It has the best interior of them all though. It sucks to have to make this decision. It's almost like having to decide which finger to cut off.
I've weighed the good and the bad and the only thing that would make consider the 85 for sale is the mileage that it gets. It's not worth keeping because of the price of dino. If I could get enough WVO, then the '84 would have to go.

boneheaddoctor · #6 11-08-2005, 01:48 PM

I know what you mean...the longer you have had the car the harder it is to part with it.

andmoon · #7 11-08-2005, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

Draw up a list of each ones strong points and weak points...compare each one to the other....objectively....then keep the one with the least negatives.

I don't know about the rest of you but for me my 'transportation' is subjective. There are many objectively better cars than old MB diesels ...I say go w/ what tugs at you more.

87tdwagen · #8 11-08-2005, 03:13 PM

There has been a lot of good advice given regarding your decision, it is always a hard one to make. A few more things to think of which may make your decision either easier or harder

As a car gets older finding parts will be come more difficult and costly
Also some cars as they get older will start to appreciate in price, this depends on demand and vehicle condition of course, but some vintage cars are worth holding on to.

Just my opinion, the W124 will have a longer parts availability due to its newer age and the model run ended in 95, so alot of common parts to be had for a long while to come. Second if tech help is needed you are better off with newer if you have the car serviced at a dealer. Service techs who know the 123 well are pretty much all retired by now, and the 124 guys may have another 10 years left.
Operating costs may be another factor, the 124 gets better mileage than the 123, so if you are going to keep a dino car, go for the one with the best mpg.
One final note, remember the comment regarding appreciation? From what I have seen the 124 diesels are rare, and command a much higher than NADA book value. They are not collectible but the demand for them is strong and supply scarce. Prices have bottomed out and are actually on the rise for these cars, so this may give you another couple of affordable years on your 124.

Tough choice to make, best of luck

lietuviai · #9 11-11-2005, 10:44 AM

I checked one more possibility on WVO and that didn't work out. It seems like I will make the decision to sell the '85 300D.
As far as parts were concerned, I had no trouble getting them for either car. I just wish the 124 had the quality of the 123. The plastic of the interior looks so cheap. The dash is cracked so it has a dash cap and it doesn't look all that great (can't blame MB for the cap). It doesn't have the nice wood trim like my 123. Most of the wood in the center console is either faded or cracked and finding good replacements have been hard or the sellers want astronomical prices for "good" panels.
I did get the 124 for what I would have paid for a 123 so spending a few $$'s to restore the interior is worth it. Mechanically it is about as easy to work on as a rice burner and parts prices are comparable to a rice burner. The only thing tilting my decision toward keeping the 124 is the MPG's. That's it.