How to distinguish W123 by year? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jeremy5848 · #1 02-06-2007, 06:47 PM

Are there any external features (visible to you if you spotted a car in a parking lot, for example) that would distinguish the various W123 cars by year? This is just something I'm curious about.

All W123s that I've seen have two large and two small headlights, taillights that wrap around, etc. To me, they all look alike. Are there any differences that don't require looking under the hood?

Earlier models say "Diesel" on the trunk lid while later ones say "Turbodiesel." I'm not sure what the break point (year) is. Some (Euro?) versions have no badges on the trunk except for the star (although an owner could do that too).

Newer models have the CCU with buttons in a straight line -- Euro versions often have manual climate control -- later models have a CCU with vertical buttons. Those things can be seen through the window. Someone at the last GTG pointed out that 300s have a chrome trim strip under the taillights but 240s don't. Anything else?

winmutt · #2 02-06-2007, 06:55 PM

Euros dont have the chrome trim under the taillight not 240's. Although perhaps a 240 is a "euro"ish model. (manual klima controls, stick, etc)
Break point is 81-82 depending on model.
Turbos have bigger exhausts (for debadged).

Diesel4me · #3 02-06-2007, 07:01 PM

240 Ds do not have the chrome trim under the tail lights. Instead they have a black rubberish strip. The only other differences i can think of is that the early 123's usually had steelies with stainless steel wheelcovers with centers painted to match the body color. Mostly the changes were in the interior materials and colors, and of course the AC/Heat system and controls.

DeliveryValve · #4 02-06-2007, 07:37 PM

I am more familiar with the 82-85 Turbo Diesels so I will comment on these and correct me if I am wrong with any of them. The descriptions that I am making are a few and are very easy to spot but little more complicated then quickly spotting them in the parking lot. Here I go:

1982 California and Federal Turbo:Berber Carpet, Small dome light, aluminum caps on the arms in the instrument cluster, 85 mph speedometer and metal frame seat nets, Black Vacuum Box on cam cover, and Heat Shield on EGR tube.

1983 California and Federal Turbo: Cut Pile Carpet, plastic frame seat nets, Large dome light with switch, black caps on the arms in instrument cluster, 120 mph speedometer, Black Vacuum Box on cam cover, and Heat Shield on EGR tube.

1984 Turbo California and Federal Turbo: Cut Pile Carpet, Large dome light with switch, black caps on the arms in instrument cluster, 120 mph speedometer, plastic frame seat nets, and No Heat Shield on EGR tube. Black Vacuum Box on cam cover (Federal only), ARV on Turbo (California only), and passenger under dash panel and kick panel has a bulge for EGR and Tachometer Computer with short "trash can" replacing tach amplifier of before models (all California and later Federal).

1985 Turbo California and Federal Turbo: Cut Pile Carpet, Large dome light with switch, black caps on the arms in instrument cluster, 120 mph speedometer, plastic frame seat nets, No Heat Shield on EGR tube, No Black Vacuum Box on cam cover, ARV on Turbo, passenger under dash panel and kick panel has a bulge for EGR and Tachometer Computer, and short "trash can" on inside fender well. Trap Oxidizer and Canister Air Cleaner up front (California Only).

I think the only vehicles that are identical in equipment are the 1984 California and 1985 Federal.

Stevo · #5 02-06-2007, 07:42 PM

The one thing you can usually see right away is the headrests, The "pointy corners" were the early version.

iNeon · #6 02-06-2007, 08:22 PM

At some point(came with the turbo?) they changed the fogs to that yucky amber color.

The early(pre 1982?) seats have the aforementioned maleficint headrests and chromed seat nets, but also have a different stitching pattern. The rear seat is more 'dished' in the early models and the latter models are flatter.

Early 300D models have chromed cowl covers below their windscreens.

Early manual climate-control models have one square button to change air from defroster to floor, later models have two arrow shaped buttons to do the same thing.

Early manual a/c systems have a rotary knob(that you pull to get bi-level a/c-- JUST learned this one!!) in the upper switch panel-- later models have a thumb-wheel like ACC systems.

Early cars generally only have one door mounted mirror-- later models more often have a power adjustable passenger's mirror.

Early cars have an off-white upper bulkhead and visors(with a single unlit passenger's vanity mirror) whereas later models have interior-colored panels and lighted vanity mirrors.

Early cars have more character and better materials of construction apart from that rust-prone steel used for their bodies-- the later cars don't show as well and seem to have a cheaper feel. This one is pure opinion

Early cars have their multigauge in Standard measurements-- oil is measured in (15,30,45)PSI, temperature measured in (250, 175, 100) degrees farenheit, not celsius.

Early steering wheels have ridges inside the 3 and 9 o' clock positions-- later models are smooth.

Early(300D) models have black pebble-finish console trim and ashtray-- later models have zebra wood.

Early models have aluminum switch surrounds for power window models, and a large flasher relay-- later models have trimless switches and a smaller flasher relay.

*edit*

Early models with optional seat heating have small square pushbuttons mounted in front of the shifter-- later models use the w126 style switches, and they're located between the window switches and flasher relay.

H-townbenzoboy · #7 02-06-2007, 08:51 PM

I can't distinguish any differences between 1976 and 1979 model years, if any, but here's what I can tell.
1980: Pointy headrests exchanged in favor of "full" version. New steering wheel, chrome dot removed from oil/fuel/temp gauge. Triangle shaped turn signal lenses in instrument clusters exchanged for arrow type. 85 mph speedometer added (or it may have been added in 79). Slight redesign to back seat. New front armrest?
1981: New window switches, new hazard switch, and new ACC. US spec W123s get yellow fog lights. Estate is turbodiesel only in North America and the turbo is an option for some Euro 300TDs.
1982: No changes from above, except 300D is turbocharged only for the North American market, and the 300CD (already a North American only car) is turbocharged.
1983: Larger front dome light with map light added, as well as larger rear dome light. Slight redesign to front seats and rear seats, chrome cowls by windsheild dropped in favor of black cowls on "upper end" models. Change of carpet type to "velour" like. 120mph speedometer added. Chrome dots removed from speedometer and tachometer. Black trim that runs above chrome from A-pillar to C-pillar slightly widened. Seat belt latches redesigned. Addition of some sort of black, "plate" between body and chrome on the c-pillar (where the sunroof drain is). Power mirror available on passenger's side.
1984: Antenna grommet goes from chrome to black. Becker Grand Prix radio gets slight remodeling.
1985: Seat pleats changed. 2.88 rear diff replaces 3.07 rear diff. Last model year for W123s.

That's most of it, I'm probably missing a few items.

Rashakor · #8 02-06-2007, 08:52 PM

excellent!

now let's add a precision on what is early and later versions.

Basiquely in Europe they recognize 1st (1975-80; yes 75 that is not a typo) and 2nd edition (1981-86; yes 86 that is not a typo) w123. the cut is actually the release of the S-class W126. At that point MBZ changed the tooling from the W116 lines to the W126. That in turn affected the metal working down the line. So the cut is actually late 1980 for the model year 1981. At that same point a bunch of item were updated & a bunch of color options were dropped (basiquely if you see a funky colored w123; it is pre-1980!!).
A year later they start putting turbos in sedans and coupe. so if you see a non-turbo USA version 300D with the newer climate control you have an 81!!

Boardmonger · #9 02-06-2007, 09:01 PM

Funny you should ask. My friends and I now have a 77, 3 79's an 81 and an 83 so I am working on the differences throughout the years through photos. I have found many small things most probably wouldn't notice or care about, and when I'm done I'll post it all with photos. There are many differences between coupes, sedans and european models, most notably in the interior area.

Jeremy5848 · #10 02-06-2007, 11:57 PM

Thanks for all of the details. Now all I have to do is memorize the lot of it!

redbaronph123 · #11 02-07-2007, 12:05 AM

early 123 models have the rubber strip that goes aroudn from the a pillar to the c pillar (chrome that goes on the roof) in a thinner material than the later model ones. And the later model ones have an extra "fin" at the C-pillar.

H-townbenzoboy · #12 02-07-2007, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbaronph123

early 123 models have the rubber strip that goes aroudn from the a pillar to the c pillar (chrome that goes on the roof) in a thinner material than the later model ones. And the later model ones have an extra "fin" at the C-pillar.

You put it better than I could. They made the mod to the rubber strip and added the fin starting with the 1983 model year.

MBeige · #13 02-07-2007, 01:15 AM

I sometimes play this game when on eBay and try to guess the model year of the cars given the pics as the only reference. Then I scroll up and check if I got it right. 90% of the time, I do. Tricky part is getting the NA 300D's right (still not sure between 1981 and 1979) but it looks like the 79 and earlier cars had similar appointments anyway.

For the turbodiesels, I can almost always get the year right

JimmyL · #14 02-07-2007, 01:34 AM

I love those early pre-1980 pointed headrests!! I like the stitching of the material. Looks very clean. I also like the pre-1980 welded type seat seams. They seem to separate less than the sewn seams.
I also like the Berber type loop style carpet much much better than the later apartment fluff type.
I'm usually on board with INeon, but I prefer the amber fogs to the earlier clear ones. Both look good, just a marginal preference though.
I like the rear sedan lights much better with the black strip underneath, not the chrome. Never knew they were a 240 thing.
I'll be outside tomorrow looking at the different dome lights. I certainly like the 10 second delayed shutoff that the '85 has.
I'll be looking at the roof trim, but since the '85 is a wagon I may not be able to completely tell.
So, INeon, the AC knob pulls out? What is up with that?
There is a noticable difference between the grain of the dashes on pre-1980 models, from what I can tell. Early years have more of an alligator texture, for lack of a better metaphor.
And the best update of all: "Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear"!!!!!!!!!!

MBeige · #15 02-07-2007, 03:09 AM

Jimmy, did you get a convex mirror lens too?