Looks like you have a taste for suspension rebuilds. A W123 in stock (and old) condition can never equivalently compare to any of those cars.

Don't be so surprised about the W123 - it was designed in the 70's with a balance of comfort and road handling (for its time). Remember that the car came originally with long-travel but soft suspension, this typically gives it the grip by way of having contact despite the body roll.

Good choice on the Bilsteins - which type did you get?

I installed the standard bilsteins. I just tonight set the timing to 2 degrees advanced versus 0 degrees, and it seems to run better. Just checked my first tank of gas and got a disappointing 15.8 mpg. I have a rural commute of 34 miles round trip. Thanks for the comments. I'm 62 years old and can remember the old suspensions. I'd still consider something radical like a 1" drop with some H&R springs but I don't see them for sale other than in the UK for $500. Again thanks for your comments. We have the same color too.

Paul:

These cars handled acceptably when new, but had lots of body roll. I test-drove a couple of 123s when new, thinking that I'd like to buy one, walked away disappointed. To compare to other cars of its day I would say that its handling was similar to a Volvo GL sedan, a Volvo GLT would run circles around it. The 123 did have fairly neutral handling, predictable, but the body roll was IMO excessive. Still, once it settled into a turn it stuck pretty well. It was not a car to flog through a tight road course. The Audi cars of the time also cornered flatter, I bought a quattro instead (just introduced, about the same price, wish I kept it). If you wanted a Mercedes that would handle at the time you bought an AMG (Hammer!), at that time a separate company.

My other reason for not liking the 123 at the time was the standard seats, I used to describe them as having one spring in the middle, and the entire seat cushion would tilt and rock beneath you as you drove. This also is normal.

The following two things can happen

1) All of the rubber parts on the suspension are rotted and dead
2) Cheap alignment places often do not get the job done correctly


It is not uncommon to find W123s that handle like the "Good ship Venus" but look at the design => It is a nice design and can be made to make it feel a little bit more like you're driving on rails (not the sleepers). Saying that you'll not get the handling of a Mazda MX5...

The W123 (and W126 though less-so) are not exactly "track ready" cars in terms of their handling....its like driving a ship. Going between my W126 and my W201/203/210 is night and day in terms of handling. But the old ones have a road presence missing in the newer models.

Stretch: I agree totally. Will keep at it.

The coupe is a bit lighter in the rear than a sedan I believe (I have owned a CD and lots of 240s and 300s). the 280 is heavier than any of the diesel engines I think so that might contribute to the rear acting loose. And you did not mention tires. Tires are a huge part of good handling.

Yeah, the 123 will lean a lot but it will corner. I autocrossed one for a year and a half. The handling should be pretty neutral and it will corner hard once you get it leaned over if shocks suspension and tires are sound. I had h and r lowering springs on my 280e euro that I autocrossed and it did not help all that much because the sway bars are pretty soft. Good luck finding the springs and the after market sway bars are not available that I ever found for a 123.

Its not a sports car but it is a very competent family luxury sedan which will treat you right in an emergency situation.

I don't want you to get addicted to another hobby but have you tried a W124? The multi-link rear suspension was supposed to improve on the w123's semi-trailing sway arms. I've driven both but not aggressively. Both have long suspension travel, which is an MB trademark. But the W124's rear wheels do not turn in when cornering.

What tires are you using? That has an impact too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have driven the W123 and I have a W124. Great on the highway, not so good on curvy back roads. The suspension is very good but the steering is not. It's heavy and slow and turn-in takes an big armful of wheel. I feel a faster ratio steering box with fewer turns lock-to-lock would make these cars perfect. Or even better, rack & pinion....

I replaced the front shocks on my 280ce with standard Bilstein's, rather disappointing, the Bilstein's on my 300cd are much stiffer, much more satisfying handling and smooth enough ride. There are stiffer Bilstein's available for these chassis. One other thought, find a W123 "Touring", i.e. "wagon" parts car, "re-purpose" the front swaybar, it's larger diameter...

I have noticed a massive difference between standard and HD shocks too

When I was still working and used my W123 300D as my work car, putting on 800+ km/week, I had a shop install new shocks. The guy was a great MB mechanic, but also a racing guy - mostly bikes. He decided to put heavy duty shocks on my car. I noticed right away the much harsher ride, especially on some of our rough local roads. I put the standard Bilsteins on my 350SL and it now feels like a modern car - smooth as silk. That is what I prefer - no narrow windy mountain roads to navigate here. Just smooth straight highways mixed with not so good rural roads.

When our 300D was much newer, it would drive as if on rails. Probably the best of the cars we owned at the time. But now, like Paul Lefebre, the car feels loose on the road and has harsh ride over bumps.

I need to check the steering/suspension linkages for wear (Have probably been replaced just once in 440k km). I suspect new front sub-frame mounts would make a difference to ride. On my 350Sl they made a big difference. Need to check front wheel bearings for play too. All when I get time. But at least the old girl IS on the road and my daily driver of choice once again :)

Finally Paul - Seems trivial, but check your tire pressures. Set them exactly according to the numbers on the fuel fill flap. Too high a pressure on my front tires makes the car feel like it is "floating"!

Body roll makes me question the anti sway components. Are the links good?

Plastic ones on the back do break - and there's a "feeling" the early metal ones (on the W123 / W114./5) are better. I dunno for sure though...

The HD Bilstein experience I have had was very jiggly on cobbled / paved roads but better on tarmac. The other "comfort" shocks didn't notice the cobbles.

(So the two nuns riding down a cobble road on bicycles joke didn't apply with the comfort shocks)