The W123 has appeal because it's very "old school" and was offered with some of the best engines MB ever made - OM616, OM617, M110. The styling, simplicity, and durability are big attractions. Add to the fact that they're older and becoming more scarce, and their value begins to climb, especially for nicely preserved and low-mileage examples.

The W124 was a better car if you take an objective look at them. However, they were hampered by engine choices, known faults, and stupid design decisions throughout their lifetimes though which makes them unappealing to anyone looking to "collect" or "drive a classic". The OM603 that came in the diesel 1987 models was light-years ahead of the OM617's of the W123's, but had a poor cooling design and problematic exhaust trap-oxidizer in the W124 and developed a reputation for cracked heads. Later W124 diesels came with the 2.5 turbo 602's that had their own teething problems. The '95 diesel came with the n/a OM606 and is well regarded. The 6 cylinder cars came with the lame M103 and a really stupid decision to make the 4-speed transmission start in 2nd gear.... Great idea for an engine with zero torque below 2500 RPM... Later cars came with the M104 that had head gasket problems, but still the stupid 2nd gear start.

Add in the biodegradeable wiring debacle in the 90s, and the W124 generation is largely passed over as being anything worth really having except to a very dedicated crowd. There are a few stand-out models that garner attention (such as the wagons and 500E), but by and large the W123's are the vintage E-class cars that people tend to go for.

The looks have been mentioned here too, and I'll agree with that. I've never personally liked the looks of the W124. To me, it always looked a bit "soviet". Just a plain white-good with no style, no substance, and no character. The '94/95 facelift versions dressed it up into an acceptable look IMHO, but they're too new to be of any real interest.

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Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

I like the looks of a 124, though there is one awkward transition between the main body and the rear attachment of the roof.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I think the w201,124,140 were cars built to compete on the autobahn and on the track. They all were sleeker in design and catered to a younger businessman as well as someone that wants to go fast. Not just a luxury car but a sports car.

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1993 e300
1995 e320
1994 e320
2006 s500 4matic
2004 Jeep wj overland
2001 Ducati 748
2004 Honda shadow aero

6 cyl m104 w124 cars do not start in second gear

What's with the freak out about starting in second gear? Just floor it and use the kickdown switch and it starts in 1st. All the 123 auto's were this way. I've done 140 mph in a 300E with an M103 and don't quite get the idea that it's an anemic motor.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

thats what I experienced too, and that engine requires to spin up to deliver the power unlike the later V6s

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

The other reason w124 are appreciating in value is due to the hipster factor, similar to the BMW E28 and E21 sedans.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

Not so ! .

In 1981 somewhere first gear start was implemented .

It greatly helps my '82 240D .

Yes, the depressing of the throttle or pulling the gear lever back to first before the light turns green worked fine too, I did that in my two NA 300CDs.

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

I was assuming this had some play

I was in to e21s when it happened with those
I haven’t been able to find a good cheap one since I sold my last one. I also remember when you could get a good condition e30 for around $1500 haha


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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1989 Mercedes 260e
1972 GMC shorty van
1982 Harley Davidson Ironhead

I remember that about 10 years ago any decent E28 was not more than 2K - and there were quite a few always for sale on Craigslist too.

Now its the usual "I know what I have" asking gold price for a mud item. however Im starting to see E34 getting some love too, their prices will start rocketing off soon.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

I have two worn out Euro stick shift 240D’S. If I were younger I would restore one of them, or find a low mileage US car and move some of my Euro pieces to it.

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

Your region perhaps, Germany not so much. The country's leading newsweekly Der Spiegel even dedicated an article to it titled "Mercedes W124 Germany's next Top-Oldtimer" here's a flawed but serviceable translation: https://www.tellerreport.com/tech/--mercedes-w124--germanys-next-top-oldtimer-.BklyJBd7D4.html

The issue with the w124 in the US, actually a number of issues, is the comparatively lesser care given and higher miles driven of the cars; the fact that the car with the most reliable engine -the 2.5 L OM602.912 NA Diesel I5 cylinder was not sold in the US instead you got the issue prone 603. Also the biodegradable wiring harness previously mentioned and there's the when not if evaporator leak - a 20hr, $2000+ job fingers crossed no dash parts left over after reassembly.

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'83 SD, 2x '85 SD
You are entitled to your own opinions, you are not entitled to your own facts.

Like so many people that love Mercedes i have had them both the W123 and the W124 i would pick the W123 anytime .I dont thinl you can even put tem in the same class .

I too have many, many miles in both and I love both. Since I have always done my own work to include engine rebuilds and such. That makes me lean toward the 123, but in the drivers seat on a fun road, the 124 is clearly superior.

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2001 SLK 320 six speed manual
2014 Porsche Cayenne six speed manual

Annoy a Liberal, Read the Constitution

If you had to take a road trip going from New York City to Los Angeles, which car would you pick for reliability?