1985 300d vs 1991 300d - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

56speedster · #1 08-21-2008, 05:38 PM

I spent yesterday driving around a '85 300d. I took the car for a prepurchase inspection yesterday and had it for most of the day. It was definitely different than my w124 300d. I felt as if the w123 was superior in a several ways:
1. better build quality
2. thicker metal used on the body panels
3. wood seems to be solid and not thin veneer like the w124
4. seats seem more fluffy than the w124; w124 seats seem flatter
5. better resale as cult followed car
6. more "classic" appeal
7. less maintenance costs
8. switches seem more solid ----more resistence pushing (not cheap feeling)

The w124 superior in the following
1. more acceleration
2. smoother shifting, ride
3. more refined
4. more power options
5. less rust issues

can anybody add anything else on the obvious/not so obvious differences

thanks for reading

DieselAddict · #2 08-21-2008, 05:58 PM

The main things I don't like about the W123's are that they don't have air recirculation & rear headrests. The front seats are nice as long as the springs are still in good condition, which is rare in a W123. I used to be partial to the W123's, mainly because of the classic lines and nostalgia, but now I feel the newer the better. The best MB I ever drove was the brand-new '09 Bluetec I test drove last week. Of course maintenance costs could be a lot higher on that car compared to a W123.

H-townbenzoboy · #3 08-21-2008, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselAddict

The main things I don't like about the W123's are that they don't have air recirculation & rear headrests.

W123s do have air recirculation. It's only activated in certain modes, but it's there.

argus445 · #4 08-21-2008, 06:55 PM

what modes are those?

DieselAddict · #5 08-21-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H-townbenzoboy

W123s do have air recirculation. It's only activated in certain modes, but it's there.

To my knowledge it's only activated in max AC mode and it's only 80% recirculation. A separate on/off button would have been nice.

DieselAddict · #6 08-21-2008, 07:14 PM

Actually IMO even the newer Mercedes have less-than-optimal recirculation as it automatically turns off after some time. In my MB I end up pressing that button many times each day. It seems that MB has always thought drivers are too dumb to regulate their own recirculation. In other cars you just press the button and it stays there and I think that's a much better system. If some drivers are too dumb to let in some oxygen once in a while, that's their problem IMO.

LUVMBDiesels · #7 08-21-2008, 07:33 PM

Getting back to the topic of which car... I always loved the look of the W123. However, I chose the W126 for its better room, aerodynamics, and newer design. Now that I have gone to the SDL, I cannot believe that I had been dead set against the OM603. For me I would not go back to the 61X series engines after having experienced the power, smoothness, and better economy of the 6 cylinder. I would personally stay with the 1991 300D as a daily driver. If the W123 is in REALLY great shape, I would consider it as my weekend 'garage queen' but not as a serious car for hard use.

I know I am going to get killed for this opinion so I have put on my asbestos undies

bustedbenz · #8 08-21-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselAddict

Actually IMO even the newer Mercedes have less-than-optimal recirculation as it automatically turns off after some time. In my MB I end up pressing that button many times each day. It seems that MB has always thought drivers are too dumb to regulate their own recirculation. In other cars you just press the button and it stays there and I think that's a much better system. If some drivers are too dumb to let in some oxygen once in a while, that's their problem IMO.

Not to mention the fact that I have yet to see a mass market passenger car, Mercedes or otherwise, whose air seals around every door/window/sunroof were good enough to let you oxygen-deprive yourself even if you wanted to.

pawoSD · #9 08-21-2008, 11:00 PM

MB's are pretty air tight, once me and my wife got into my W126 and closed our doors at the exact same time, the air pressure explosion prevented both our doors from closing all the way, we both had to open our door and try again.

The W123 is a great car, but after driving one around as a daily driver for 2-3 weeks earlier this year (our 300D) I decided the W126 is way more comfy and awesome.

I am getting annoyed with my engine though, its shaking the daylights out of me at idle in drive, I need to adjust my idle/rack damper, I've just been too lazy to actually do it.