Why do some folks prefer 123 wagons to 124 wagons? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

shertex · #1 10-07-2012, 07:09 AM

Like the title says....why do some prefer 123 wagons to 124 wagons? Mystique? Reliability of something? Certainly can't be performance related, where I suspect a 124 wins on all counts (though perhaps I'm mistaken).

Just curious (as a new owner of a 124 wagon).

ytmtnman · #2 10-07-2012, 07:46 AM

Om617!...easy wvo conversion... Classic look.... and with my w124 I always felt like I had to wash my hands and wipe my feet before I got in the car.

DieselPaul · #3 10-07-2012, 07:49 AM

Price and availability.

Yes some S123s do crazy money but "enh" quality 123s litter the streets and go for cheap. People seem to want a lot of money for S124s consistently.

I too got an 87 300TD on Thursday.

MTUpower · #4 10-07-2012, 08:32 AM

I've owned three w123 wagons and now have my first w124 wagon- a 1995 version with nicer leather seats. I must say that the w124 seems like a modern car and the w123 like an old one. That aside the w123 is easier to work on for most- they may have had a sedan and now they've got a wagon in the w123. The 617 lasts and has an addictive hold on people- although the engine in my 95 is awesome. The w123 wagons are "classics" to people- and the w124 just a car. I like them both for differing reasons.

Zacharias · #5 10-07-2012, 10:49 AM

The w123 and w116 have a certain charm for me, probably what others are calling 'old car' feel but I would say a certain feeling of massive indestructibility. For their age they hold their own very well in modern traffic.

The w124 is a whole other thing, more modern, infinitely smoother and easier to run around modern urban traffic with. Wonderful but lacking that 'tank' feel I like.

The quiet, the smoothness, the power... well when you compare a w124 diesel or one of the even newer models... is there really any comparison?

vstech · #6 10-07-2012, 12:29 PM

I have owned and sold some of each model...

the 123's have nice wood trim, chrome all over the car, and a SOLID feel to the car.

also, have you tried to find a Diesel 124 wagon for sale? it's pretty rare.
they made like 2.7 million 123's, they made like 6 thousand TOTAL Diesel 124's both sedan and wagon.

comparing comfort, power, features, safety, or really any consideration is silly between the two cars.
why do some prefer a 55 chevy? or a volvo?

people are unique, and there are as many reasons for one decision as any other...

ZRatedDog · #7 10-07-2012, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

they made like 6 thousand TOTAL Diesel 124's both sedan and wagon

Imported to US, not total # produced

I echo to the idea of 123's being more of a classic look/feel vs 124 having more modern appearance to them, so its really up to personal preference.

pwogaman · #8 10-07-2012, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

I have owned and sold some of each model...

the 123's have nice wood trim, chrome all over the car, and a SOLID feel to the car.

also, have you tried to find a Diesel 124 wagon for sale? it's pretty rare.
they made like 2.7 million 123's, they made like 6 thousand TOTAL Diesel 124's both sedan and wagon.

comparing comfort, power, features, safety, or really any consideration is silly between the two cars.
why do some prefer a 55 chevy? or a volvo?

people are unique, and there are as many reasons for one decision as any other...

Are you including in that 6,000 number the 90-93 OM602s and 95 OM606s?

cullennewsom · #9 10-07-2012, 01:59 PM

I personally like the 124 wagons better for looks and for the airbags, and shifter-lock.

The Mrs. wanted a 123 though, so she got a 123. It could be worse. I don't mind the 123, so w/e.

t walgamuth · #10 10-08-2012, 08:27 AM

I have had two 124s and probably at least 20 123's

I was turned off by the cost to replace the evap core on the 124 and the fact that they were known for going out at 100K.

ngarover · #11 10-08-2012, 08:41 AM

I don't have a w124 wagon, but do have a 124 sedan, and I'm on my second w123 wagon. I also have a 99 E320 wagon. (wife's car)

Sure the w124 is faster (mine has the 603 6 in it) And the 99 is faster by an order of magnitude (feels like a race car compared to my diesels) But my Euro w123 runs 85 all day long with plenty of oomp to spare. Why I would I need it to be any faster?

But honestly I don't really care for it's looks all that much. The w123 on the other hand turns heads where every you take it. The real wood, tons for old school chrome (aluminum) classic looks. The 87 w124 starts the move away from this, and the 99 is almost all plastic except for the wood in the center dash. Course the 99 is an extreme pita to work on. forget it if you don't have access to a 12k car computer. (there are more fuses in the car than my other 3 cars combined)

Like others have said, it's an easier platform to work on for a home shade tree mechanic, Parts are plentiful and cheap respectively. The car is solid, everything about it. closing the doors sounds like a vault. In my latests, it has Airbags like the w124, although I doubt I would put to much faith into a 28 year old Air bag system to begin with. There is a certain utility about the car, you feel like it was actually built to to haul stuff. Everything is sturdy enough that you don't think twice about goto to lowes and loading it up with lumber, Or flipping up the optional rear seat and taking your wife, 3 kids a couple of their friends someplace. (plus kids love the rear jumper seats) There is also the fact that they are basically a free car. You buy one. You drive it and maintain it, and you WILL get every penny back (usually more) if and when you want to sell it. hard to argue with that.

speaking of that, you CAN get all this for about the same price as a set of good tires on the 99...

There is also the issue of being able to run on alt fuel easy. Not that I do, but I like knowing I could. If the S hit's the fan and gas becomes unaffordable (and it seems to be reaching that point in cali right now) then I can run over filter some waste trans fluid and be on my way...

I see myself having at least 1 w123 in my coral indefinitely.

auspumpen · #12 10-08-2012, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTUpower

That aside the w123 is easier to work on for most...

Not to get into a pishing match, but here are two relatively mundane tasks to conduct on either an S123 (w/617) or S124 (w/603).

Remove fan clutch
Adjust IP timing

Which chassis/engine would you rather tackle? On one chassis I can have the first accomplished within 5 mins and the second in another 15 mins. On the other chassis/engine combo I'd still be screaming obscenities at my sainted mother two hours later. I hope to never bloody well touch the latter again in this lifetime. But other than that, they're ok