Driving Impressions - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

steamboatsykes · #1 08-12-2011, 10:28 PM

My 300D is my daily driver, has been since I bought it in February. It is the first W123 for me. Previously my daily driver was a 95 E320 until a highway accident with a flying tire tread. So I have not driven a W124 for quite some time.

Well I had to drive my wife's 300E for several days this week while my car was in the shop. It was a tough time, glad it's over. The W124 feels closer to a current model of car than it does to the W123. Precise steering, significantly less body roll. But it also seemed more cramped inside, and not quite as good all around vision. Something I never noticed before.

It's really good to have my car back (it was only 3 days), even though it does not have that crisp wheel feel and precise handling of the W124, it has something perhaps hard to explain but much more comfortable and pleasant. For me anyway.

I wonder what it's like to drive a W115?

pawoSD · #2 08-13-2011, 12:41 AM

The W123/W126 are quite excellent IF, the suspension is in mint shape. The W124 suspension is easier to keep in decent shape and ages better....but I still prefer the W123/W126 in most regards.

babyjames · #3 08-13-2011, 01:27 AM

Exactly which parts of the 124 suspension are easier? Certainly not the rear! Maybe the front swaybar bushings....

Jay

otto huber · #4 08-13-2011, 02:38 AM

The vision is one of the most admirable things for me when it comes to the 123 and 126 chassis.

I rented a Toyota Camry a few weeks ago while visiting family and I almost ran over a cyclist crossing an intersection because the windshield pillar is enormous and set at a ridiculous angle.

babyjames · #5 08-13-2011, 11:56 AM

Agreed. The rear ward visibility is MUCH better on the 123, and marginally better on 126 cars. Still not what I would consider "bad" on W124. They put those mirrors on the outside for a reason!

Jay

Orv · #6 08-13-2011, 06:21 PM

Unfortunately the trend for the last 20 or 30 years has been to make window sills higher, pillars thicker, and generally have less glass in the car. A little of this is due to stronger roof crush standards, but mostly it's due to a styling preference for high window sills -- apparently studies have shown it makes drivers feel safer and more cocooned by the car. I especially hate it in convertibles -- feels like riding in a bathtub.

When you look at a W123, or even an old Honda Accord compared to a new car it's astounding how much lower the decklids are on the older cars and how much more glass area there is.

Another trend that's hurt visibility is the one toward steeply-raked windshields, combined with deeper dashboards. It puts the driver farther away from the glass and makes the A-pillars intrude more on the driver's vision. The worst example I've personally seen is the New Beetle; I felt like I was driving from the back seat.

Doktor Bert · #7 08-13-2011, 08:11 PM

When I step out of our 1978 300SD into my 380 horsepower 1975 Firebird 4 speed, I have to re-learn driving all over again. The car is so quick and precise that I have to 'wake up' to drive it safely....Robert

junqueyardjim · #8 08-13-2011, 08:26 PM

I was without my W123 for about 18 mos while I parted out old blue, my 85 which I lost due to cancer. But now I have this ex 240D with a 617Turbo and a 4 speed, and I really feel I am flying high. I have an excellent driving W124 with a 5 speed and it is a great car, no doubt. I love it! But when it comes just to rockin around the suburbs, running my 15 miles to the bus barn twice a day, and ease of exit and entry, the W123 is hard to beat. I'm big and getting old so I am not as flexible as I have been. I am 6'7" and I weight 265 and I feel the W123 puts up with that weight better then the W124. But getting in and getting out is what I am after. We also have the little 2003 Jaguar Type X AWD. Good little car, but really tough to get in and out.