[190E2.6]

The Mercedes-Benz W123 family is now officially considered "classic" according to Mercedes...

The Mercedes-Benz W123 family is now officially considered "classic" according to Mercedes-Benz standards. Mercedes-Benz classifies their vehicles "classic" when they are out of production for around 20 years. I believe the W123 is one of the greatest Mercedes-Benzes ever made. As a child, I remember being driven around in my mother's brown W123 and my father's blue W201. It has been a long time since, I still have a two page ad of the W123 hanging on my wall, framed and well protected. The Mercedes-Benzes of the 80's are no doubt the best that we have seen from the company. My mother's W123 has since been sold but I am looking to buy a familiar one or maybe the coupe version. If you are a W123 owner, take pride in your great car(s), one of the very few cars in this world built to last a lifetime. My mother's W123 had 291,000 miles on it when it was sold.

 

[Ed Mclass]

Best Mercedes-Benz in the past 50 years

No doubt the 123 Diesels have earned their reputation! My first, a 1983 240 D, had well over 320,000 miles when the engine finally gave up! I have also owned 5 123 Wagons, my favorite model of all. One 300 D Turbo, also a very sound sedan. If you have one of the 123 Diesels you are welll aware of the longevity of model. The old saying "They don't build the like they used to!" applies here. Amazingly, there are not only plenty of parts, but the price on many parts has been reduced to clear inventory at MB warehouses. Load up! []

 

[190E2.6]

Have you ever heard of the New Jersey doctor who is still driving his 1 million mile + Mer...

Have you ever heard of the New Jersey doctor who is still driving his 1 million mile + Mercedes? Its a 1961 model and has been restored three times. Wow.

If you have restored a car before, give me some advice. This will be my first time. I have a 1985 190E 2.0 that is in a decent shape but about 50% of the car can be replaced or rebuilt. Should I take it to a Mercedes dealer and start replacing parts or take it to a restoration shop and restore the whole car? How much does this usually cost?

 

[Ed Mclass]

Restoration and Return

First you should decide "why" you are restoring the car. Is it to re-sale later to someone or is it for you to keep for your inventory. If you are restoring it for re-sale, there are many other models that would give you a greater return on your money. If you are restoring it for yourself, that's another matter. A good MB paint job and full replacement of all the worn rubber items, i.e. windshield gasket and rear window gasket, could run $4,000 parts and labor. If the engine is in need of an overhaul, plan on another $2,000. At this point you would have $6,000 invested. If you can do these things for less or do them yourself, all the better. Good examples of this model with low miles, unmodified and entirely stock, go for the high $10's today. I personally like the 124 wagons, 300 TE, and 300 TD, for restoration and re-sale. You can make a modest profit and enjoy the car as you return it to its oringinal condition. Fewer on the road and lots of used parts from the 124 series fit the wagon too. I have owned two 190 E's. I owned a 2.6 and sold in for a slight profit after driving it for a year. Great cars!

 

[BeanTownCoyote]

This is great news. I have purchased a gorgeous 1978 300D, with (I am serious) a whopping ...

This is great news. I have purchased a gorgeous 1978 300D, with (I am serious) a whopping 38,000 miles. It was kept in pristine condition by the elderly lady who just passed away. (This is the kind of thing I just read about... someone pinch me to see if I am truly awake). Had it checked out, and there are only a few minor things that need to be done on it.


Reading about this classic designation is icing on the cake for me.


It's part of an estate, and I will take possession at the end of the month. I'll post a picture of my baby afterwards.


So glad I found this forum!