Thinking About buying a W123 Merc.

[Franconia91438]

I've been tossing around the idea of picking up a 300TD as a DD while I put the E30 under the knife this winter. I don't know about the rest of the country/world, but in Portland, OR they're ridiculously expensive for their age and miles. I blame hipsters.

[PorscheH6]

My 87 190 2.5 turbo

http://youtu.be/Hr_C7IT4JbI?t=8s

[einhander]

One of the best cars ever made.

As long as you don't ruin it with bags and silly paint.

[FasterSoonerNow]

Lol +1 for dangerously slow. Merging is the worst, and going over mountain passes is laughable. Safe to say I've gone sub 25 on interstate freeways in the slow lane, looking in my rear view mirror praying I won't get smashed into by the traffic that's doing 75+

My first care was an '84 240d. So classy, such a tank and so fucking slow. My house was on a windy road and you could never see what was coming when you pulled out of the driveway. I used to just floor it and then watch cars slam on their brakes in a last ditch effort not to rear end me. It was almost liek slow motion driving.

[Habla]

Ummmm, yes please!

[MonkeyMadness]

Love that... but i'm not a touting fan. But i love the look of that white one. Again this will only be used as a highway flyer and i plan on doing Major engine surgery to get the torque and speed I need for a vegas runs.

I'm still looking for the right car in my area, range, and color. This will be my project after i finish my v8 swap. So I'm not in a big hurry to buy one just yet but the more i think about this the more i want to build it...

[750]

Have a 1980 300td. Once you get the shade tree tuning down, it has been very dependable.

One day, would like to pull the thing apart and drop in a crate V8. Strip out all the vacuum advance crap(put in regular key locks), and that 16 ton pop up seat in the back.

[Vtec?lol]

Ummmm, yes please!

This post is full of sekks

[Ether-D]

Yeah, that white one is fly as a bird.

[MonkeyMadness]

Bump... I'm still looking for a car...uhg

[kingston]

Kinda want this now...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-300-Series-Wagon-4-Door-1981-Mercedes-Benz-300TD-Turbo-Diesel-Wagon-/151113567483?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item232f120cfb&vxp=mtr#v4-43

[Plynch2]

I jest picked up an 83 300d with 60553 miles. PO thought the trans was out because first gear slipped and the car wouldn't go until it shifted in to 2nd gear. I did some research and it ended up being a 150$ part that can be replace with out removing the transmission. b2 piston that is.

I have seen plenty of cars for sale saying it needs a transmission and more than likely this is the problem. hope that helps you find a car for cheep.

http://mbz.org/articles/transmission/b2/why/

[GillesBigCowboy]

I had a 240D with 4 speed loaned to me a few months while in college.
I think it was a 76... Pearl with very nice blue leather seats.
Lots of fun, solid, and girls liked it more than any car I ever had.

[Klug]

Great thread- Nice to hear the e30 guys giving props to the W123.

I plan on purchasing a W123 300d wagon in the coming months, giving it a good overall run through and prep it for going cross country in September. I've gotten a fair amount of diesel experience with my Mk1 Rabbit which is a great start. I also used to have a '82 380SL (R107) when I was younger- they sure are a different beast.

Going cross country in a 300d wagon has been on the top of my bucket list since I can remember- and now is the perfect time to bite the bullet and do it. I have a few months to spare switching jobs and relocating from SC back to PA.

Any insight will be appreciated- I've been doing a decent amount of research on Peach Parts and getting to know these german tanks. It seems that the strong running ones can be had for under $3k- which is a great price point. And I guess if worse comes to worse and it doesn't plan out as thought- the e30 will be the second car in the running for doing the trip.

[jalopi]