buying 1st d: 123 or 124? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

markham · #1 12-06-2002, 09:55 AM

greetings all,

i am ready to take the plunge! i love my toyotas, volvos, and audis, but i'm ready for a diesel. and as you all know, when going diesel, go benz, right? anyway, i am thinking about a 300d or (preferably) a 300td, and i am trying to decide whether to look for a 123 or a 124. from what little i know about these cars, it seems like the trade-offs are about even. the 6-cylinders appear to have more power, but i know that parts for the the 5-cylinders are easier to come by (used that is). is one engine or chassis particularly more difficult to work on? i have never (been able to afford to have) had a mechanic do anything to my cars, so i am just thinking ahead. what do you all think? other questions: is the 87 3 liter turbo engine really better than other years? i have never owned an automatic, and that is something i am not really looking forward to. how hard is it to pop a 5-speed into a 300? can one use a 5-speed from a 190d? what is the output from the 3 liter 5-cylinder engines? i have not been able to find this stat. any other major things i should know about these cars? any and all advice is much appreciated. thanks guys!

jon

goldenbear · #2 12-06-2002, 10:45 AM

markham,

This is an often covered topic. Hit the archives for more info than you can bear. Here's a couple to get you started:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=51141&highlight=123+124
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=51294&highlight=123+124

#3 12-06-2002, 07:12 PM

Here are a few links on what one can do to a W123:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=46703&highlight=transmission

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=34377&highlight=transmission

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=43885&highlight=transmission

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=35948&highlight=diesel+performance

#4 12-06-2002, 07:34 PM

The 124 is a better chassis, but the 87 300D is a rare car. 123's are widely avaliable and are a little cheaper to maintain.

psfred · #5 12-06-2002, 08:45 PM

For performace, the 87 300D is IT if you can find one in good condition. They pop up on eBay with some regularity, and can be found other places, too, if you dig a little. The W124 chassis appears to age as well as the W123, so they will be around a while.

Finding a rust-free W123 except in the southwest is by now getting difficult. They are very nice cars, the engine lasts forever, but they don't have quite the ride or power of the W124.

I've got an 87 300D, quite a rocket by diesel standards (145 hp, 195 ft/lbs torque). My 220D is a slug in comparison (and in terrible shape besides), but my brother's 75 300D is OK.

If you decided on a W123 you will probably want to get a turbo model if you intend to drive the interstate these days -- you will be flogging a 240 pretty hard to keep up.

Either chassis in good condition will make you happy, I think. The W124 2.5L was made up to 93 -- only the 87 had the 3.0L six. The 2.5 is comparable to the 3.0L 617 engine in the W123, except for better milage (33-36 highway).

Peter

Gilly · #6 12-06-2002, 09:01 PM

I'd get a 123 with the turbo motor. The 124 had the 602 motor, with the aluminum aka "pop can" head. The 123 had the 617 motor, iron head, better engine. I wouldn't trust the 602 as far as I could throw it. 606 motor has faired better so far, if you want to find a newer one. 603 motor I haven't had alot of trouble with either. The 617 iron head is better (more durable) than any of these 60 series though, real tough motor.

Gilly

sublettm · #7 12-06-2002, 09:03 PM

Peter,
I had quite a good chuckle about flogging the 240 on the highway. That is exactly how I feel every morning as I am merging onto I-10 here in Houston. My 240 runs very good, but it has the get up and go of an old dying horse.

Mike

psfred · #8 12-06-2002, 09:21 PM

Mike:

The 85 mph top speed will get you in the city, too, at least in Cinncinnatti and Atlanta. Hard to keep up when the traffic is going faster.....

Peter

sublettm · #9 12-06-2002, 09:32 PM

I swear 80 is top speed in mine with the A/C on. I might get 85 if I am running downhill with a severe tailwind. With the A/C off, I can get a little more out of the old girl but not much more.

Mike

engatwork · #10 12-07-2002, 07:38 AM

I can peg the needle on the 240D on the 85 mph speedo. It is quite noisy at those speeds though. I am averaging between 30-33 mpg with it

.

sublettm · #11 12-07-2002, 09:48 AM

Mine is pretty quiet. I get excellent gas mileage in it too. My car has a 240 engine in the body of a 300D turbo. Basically the mechanic I bought it from had taken the engine and transmission out of a 240 and slapped it in the car. He left the bigger 300 rear end in the car. He had to use the front suspension out of the 240 though to make it sit right. All in all it is a great car...just not much get up and go.

Mike

psfred · #12 12-07-2002, 01:14 PM

Mike:

With the rear end out of the turbo in there, it will be slow! Should get up to 95 mph though, if you have enough time......

Peter

Ridge · #13 12-07-2002, 03:55 PM

Markham,

Go to the forum on tech tips and just read about the problems that everyone has with Mercedes after the 123 Series and you'll count yourself lucky when you decide on the 123.

Go for the 300DT and eventually put a manual transmission in it. Then you'll really have the ideal car. But if you've read the other links given here, you'll know what my son and I have already done.

We've finally accquired 5 speed manual and are going to put it into the"Super Diesel" soon.

Ben
www.reproduce100s.com