1983 Mercedes-Benz 300D | Engineered Like No Other Car In The World
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 พ.ย. 2019
- Thanks to my day job at Kelley Blue Book, I drive and review lots of cars. This 1983 Mercedes-Benz 300D isn’t one of them. It’s actually owned by my buddy Ed Kim. Ed is the 300D’s 2nd owner and if everything goes right it should top 300,000 miles in the near future.
The 300D represents the W123 generation of Mercedes’ midsize sedan. Built from 1977 till 1985 the W123 was the pinnacle of German automotive engineering for its time, merging stately styling and a plush interior with stable road manners and forward-thinking technological advancements.
The “D” in 300D is your cue that the engine is a diesel. Specifically, a 3.0L inline 5-cylinder paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. How does 125 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque sound? Well, to my modern standards it sounds awfully slow. The acceleration question is one that we explore in this video along with a range of other quirks and delights. Is the 300D family friendly? Is it safe? How much does it cost? What mysteries hide within the car’s untouched 1983 first aid kit? So many questions and so many answers are revealed in our review.
And just so the premise is ultra-clear, this is not a definitive review but rather a fun look at the 1983 Mercedes-Benz 300D, while I live my normal life. Simple. Fun! #MicahDrives
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I drive a 1885 300D for work Monday through Friday. My wife thinks I need a new car, and my daughter hate it. They don’t understand my complex love relation with this 1985 lady. After I invest around 4000, no issues at all other than oil change. I paid 950 dollars for this car and it was running. This car runs forever, and I have drive 200 miles away from home.
I
Am still driving my 1985 300 TD with 350,000 miles on it. No one will steal it. No inspection as it is an antique. Always starts and always goes. If I wear my "fedora" everyone stays away from me! Insurance is cheap. Ride is solid and comfortable. No car payments. I am confident that it will out live me, and I am seventy eight!!
Chris Anderson That’s so awesome to hear. Glad your 300 is treating you right. 👍
Amazing!
driving a 1977 w123d myself here. its my form of meditation, a zen feeling when in the car.
Am thinking about buying an 84 sd myself thats good marc still driving around in a 77 take care
One the best cars ever made.
RIP427 totally agree
@@skdksotksoxo5546 my grandpa's survived a month in the water in Thailand......
TWICE
Joe Hi, me too survived two accidents on highway and the Toyotas at the front and rear of my Mercedes were totally ruined! My 1st car was ‘85 W123 /200 and I still drive at least once a week nowadays! No matter how many new cars I have owned in between I never sell this beauty! Frankly speaking, the Mercedes made much better car than the BMW during the 80s. I know that very well because all the BMW E12/28/30 that I still own always need to be repaired here and there every month!!
@@skdksotksoxo5546 I'm trying to find a 300D wagon for a good price as a road trip car... Pretty hard
@@skdksotksoxo5546 that 80s MB was doing something right
The steering box has an adjustment on it to minimize the free play. And with some new bushings and an adjustment, the accelerator pedal linkage can be tighted up as well -- often with these old Mercedes the accelerator linkage gets loose enough that even when you floor the pedal you're not actually reaching full throttle, making the car feel slower than it really is. With no vacuum leaks (essential since the transmission shifting is vacuum controlled) and everything properly adjusted, these W123 turbodiesels should do 0-60 MPH in about 13 seconds -- slow by modern standards, but one of the fastest diesel cars back in its day.
These guys need to watch some mercedesbenzsource videos...!
Don't forget... when today's plastic electronic cars are junked due to high repair costs... this MB will still be on the road, reliably serving its owner.
Mercedes Diesels of this era are forever cars, I won’t drive anything else !!!
It's a vacuum controlled transmission as is nearly everything on the car, though there is a gear shift linkage on the outside of the tyranny and a kickdown switch under the accelerator pedal that will help it shift smoothly. I'm on my. 3rd 83 300d Turbo.. 5th Antique Benz. .I do my own work. Good Luck.
Cmon im sure you have a honda civic out there man!
@@catherinewestDD is there also a kick down switch on the '84? My sons car is rough when it shifts, especially 1st to 2nd. Any suggestions?
They are million miles if maintained properly. They are lifetime cars.
This was my family car when I was a kid along with a 1982 vw vanagon westfalia. I couldn't have possibly asked for anything better for a childhood
Nice childhood. We had a 10-year-old used Chrysler.
@@alliejr hey those are great too tbf. We also had a clapped out red green special 89 grand Voyager before either of those cars and I loved it. Mini vans will always have a place in my heart
@@thetetons744 Haha... I was talking about a 1964 Chrsyler, not 1984.
@@alliejr LOL. Either way, gotta love these "older" cars. Here's to many more years of having them on the road
Edit: did that old chrysler seat about 20 :p?
I just bought a 1984 300d. I’m planning on fixing it up and making it super nice!
how's it coming along!? about to buy one tomorrow!
@@draggonwagon8444 awesome. Best car I’ve ever owned and driven. Join the Facebook group “Mercedes Benz w123, North America” and it will help you a lot! :)
My grandpa has a W123 200d in the Philippines. That thing will barely get up to 60 mph, but damn is it tight as a drum!
One of the best if not the best car ever made. The 300D being the pick of the crop for longlivety, economy and effortless cruising
I own a 1982 200D and it does 0-60 in 27s, there is also the 220D which can be even slower, so the 240D is not the slowest ;)
Quite simply one of the greatest cars ever made.
That's a very beautiful classic. My brother had this in coupe. It was one hell of a looker.
the steering box is worn out that's why there is lots of play, it can be fixed . The sunroof can also be repaired. or opened manually from the trunk.
I'm so proud I drive a Mercedes Benz.. A few brands can make you fall in love. Own a Mercedes once .. you will never buy another car. I promise you.
Before about 1995, your statement is true. Since then?... mostly rubbish.
alliejr true. New ones are unremarkable at best, mostly ugly truth be told.
@@alliejr agreed. i have a 1987 300sdl. with over 300,000 miles. and shes my daily driver. check out her youtube page. 1987 Ms. Bailey 300sdl
@@alliejr Not true. Even now. Drive one and everything else then feels like a downgrade. You can see why others cars are cheaper.
@@SDav21 Depends. I wouldn't think of buying a CLA or A class. But the new C class is really nice
As an overly-prideful W123 300D owner, I want to congratulate you on your working rear windows and sexy blaupunkt head unit. Keep motoring!
I just repainted an 85SD. The entire front end has been rebuilt. It drives like a new 1985 Mercedes - it's beautiful. As far as safe, there have been threads on the forum where people have survived roll overs. I was in a yard looking for parts. One SD had been hit hard both front and rear. All 4 doors opened and closed perfectly meaning that the passenger compartment was completely intact. MBZ had working crumple zones even back in the 80s.
Elegant efficiency. It was my fav car of the era and still is. Thanks for testing an icon. Great video.
Best car ever made. It’s my first car and my daily driver. Drive as good as any modern car.
I want buy One too, can u give me some information?
@Mathias Monguzzi can you google?
Just an awesome car! I had a 240D, the slooooower version, still loved it!
And the owner is incorrect. The W123 240D should do 0-60 MPH in about 18 seconds with the 4-speed manual or 20 seconds with the automatic. I had a 1981 240D with the manual gearbox and it had no trouble keeping up with traffic as long as you're not afraid to put your foot in it. Mercedessource did a video showing how even with the automatic, the 240D isn't that terribly slow as long as there are no vacuum leaks and the transmission is properly adjusted.
There also exists a 200D, even... slower.
W123 is the greatest car ever made. Rock solid. Luxury car for it's day. Engineered as it should be. Independent suspension, disc brakes on all four wheels plus drums for parking brake. Pneumatic central lock. This one is diesel but also so much more. In the event of world cataclysm it will run on anything combustible.
I agree and imagine peanut oil, what a find. This car would be OK on a safari lol
Way back when I had a friend with the "slower version" and we said an awful lot of prayers merging onto freeways in So Cal....I think it was "go baby go!!" Maybe "dear Lord"!
240D?
@@johnadamczyk6213 yep
My dad own this car when I was. Little kid and we went for summer holidays with it. Seein the steering wheel and the Interior made my day. Beautiful memories….
Ed has a great car! I always wanted one as a red wagon.
One of the most favorite cars I ever owned. Mine was a 79 240D. Beautiful car!
This car can roll over and the roof will hold 100%.
This was an awesome video. I want to see more like these! 😎
This car reminds me so much of the Mercedes my buddy had in Germany when we were stationed there back in the late 80's in the U.S. Army. His had an orange exterior and beige interior and I can still picture us waiting on those glow plugs before cranking it up and the subsequent diesel rattle.
I’ve got one of these, a 1983 300d with a 5 speed manual. Love driving it. My daily is the replacement an s124 (estate) both are very cool motors.
This is one of those cars I really wanna drive before I die.
Just go buy one now because if you drive one, you're going to want one😁. I'm speaking from experience here, I've owned 10 or 11 over the last 30 years, three were 300D's.
Love theese cars!! I own a 240d and a 300d
These are great cars, nice video
The radar detector was not a joke. Remember, when this car was sold, there was a National 55 mph speed limit, which this car could easily exceed. The police often aggressively enforced this ridiculous limit, leading to a boom in radar detectors to give warning of speed traps. Also leading to the CB radio phenomenon, where long haul truckers used mobile radios to warn each other about speed traps on highways. (There were no mobile phones or Waze back then.)
Micah, I didn't think you'd ever get that car out of the driveway...
Great car. My father’s friend had one that he got in Germany 🇩🇪 and did a European tour and then shipped back to Atlanta.
Mate great Vid ! Brings back memories of when I was an 11 year old. My Dad bought one brand new exactly the same except his was a yellow colour ( yeah I know right yellow 🤢) here in Australia 🇦🇺. Was right hand drive obviously, but exactly the same. Come to Australia mate we got some old clunkers here too lol.
Cheers mate 👍🇦🇺
Great video Micah! Been a big fan of your kbb vids for many years now, and really enjoying watching your own channel. Keep doing you, man!! Looking forward to the collab of you, Jakub, and Yuri!! My wife and I moved to SoCal a few months ago from Upstate NY, and she was very confused at my excitement when I suddenly saw kbb while driving on the 5! 🤣 Take care🖖🏻
Micah, that's a fun video and Ed is obviously pleased that you've made his car a superstar! I stumbled into an '85 300CD out here in the suburbs of Chicago a few years ago. There's nothing like the old W123's! Distant memories of my childhood in Long Beach, CA pop up, thanks to you. Keep doing what you're doing!
Long Beach childhood. Mercedes fan. It's like we made this video just for you!
Thanks for watching and leaving such a nice comment. Cheers!
Hey guys! Nice video and nice car!! :)
I am from Germany and I had 4 W123 in use in the 80's and 90's. A 200 (1982, gasoline with carburetor), a 230E (1984, gasoline with injection), a 240D (1982, Diesel) and a 230CE (1983, coupe, gasoline with injection).
The 300D from this video is definitely not from 1983! You can see in the video many hints that the car is from 1981 or earlier. An example are the 4 buttons from the locking system on the doors, the pattern of the seats, the controls in the cockpit, in particular the heating / air conditioning.
And one more thing: you can adjust the steering clearance. There is an adjusting screw on the steering gear, with which a spring is tensioned or relaxed in the steering gear. Over time, the steering clearance is getting bigger, but you get it set against zero again and again. But you must be carefully and not overdo it, otherwise the steering gear can block. You need experience and feeling for it.
A few words to the interior: Standand is textile, in your 300D is plastic. This was an option that was especially popular for taxi drivers because the seats were easier to clean when a drunk guest had puked or peed. When I drove my own cab in the early 90's, I was very happy with this option.
And then the cracks in the dashboard: these cracks only occur in regions where the sun is hotter than in Germany, like Italy or Spain. For real! The engineers could not know that at the time ;) (or should they?). In Germany and especially in northern Germany where I come from, there are not these cracks.
Thank you Star Tra ... äh google for the translation :)
Jst stumbled across this video, as i have the late night news tv on mute,
Enjoying a few bourbons & looking at car stuff as I do for enjoyment, I find you to be quite entertaining and taking a fresh approach to this old classic, well done indeed Mr.
Gotta check out some more of your stuff...
james h Man, what a lovely comment. I appreciate you taking a look.
I have this same car, but mine is an '82 model with the Bundt wheels. It is the most reliable car I've ever owned, period!
THis is great! My parents had this car when i was growing up, except it was orange-ish brown
Micah those 300D were tested at 60-100 side impacts and roll overs they are far more safe than any new cheap small car around you should watch the crash test videos on these cars
💜 awesome video as usual
Howdy, awesome video always! This was a very cool and Ed seems very nice!😸😻😸
Ed is super nice, as is his car. Cheers!
Love this. Can't wait for more like this one. That is a pretty nice 300TD.
DT, 300DT. 300TD is the naturally aspirated estate. Then there's also the 300TDT, Turbocharged estate.
Thanks for correcting. Meant to say 300D.
The car in the video is a 300DT. 300D Turbocharged diesel.
One of the greatest MBs ever produced.
Once you drive a W123 you will understand that it's the finest auto ever made. I have a 1981 300D Euro (123.130) with the 4 speed and it's my daily driver. Wear items are inexpensive, tires are affordable, it's economical on fuel consumption. I love it!
Hey, I wear gloves while driving, too! Helps when Honda gives you a stickshift that burns or freezes your hand in summer or winter. Also makes my glovebox feel accomplished for living up to its name.
It'd be awesome to have you review my CR-Z, but I live on the other side of the country and you already reviewed one for KBB. Looking forward to others' cars though. :)
My grandpa used to ride in one. Cream exterior and avocado green interior. It had this strange flowery smell. I love that car when ever he picked me up from school.
Rad! I have one... try doing a valve adjustment, woke mine right up
My 1st car was ‘85 W123 /200 and I still drive once a week nowadays! No matter how many cars I have owned in between I never sell this beauty! Frankly speaking, the Mercedes made much better car than the BMW during the 80s. I know that very well because all the BMW E12/28/30 that I have always need to be repaired here and there every month!
Great car. I have the 1981 Mercedes 240d with a 4 speed manual transmission. I have taken trips to San Diego and It gets on an average of 30 mpg. These are Incredible cars. There is an internet company by the name of Tops and I replaced my seat covers and took the horse hair out of the seats and put in upholstery foam. I have Amsoil in the engine, transmission and the differential.
Thanks for sharing that because I need to upgrade to foam in my w115. I found the horsehair stuff but that's too expensive for what it is. Foam is more comfortable, so I'd rather have that.
I have a silver 1981 240d manual. My interior is blue. Driver seat has torn thread on door size and horse hair falling out. What is the exact company? Is horse hair better or worse than foam? Thanks!
Fantastic and classic car~~!!
What a beautiful W123!
From 9:00 onwards, talking about the recirc. ball steering box typical few degrees of play: you need to have the steering damper (looking like a shock absorber, which it basically is) in good working order so that it absorbs the force impulses coming from the road, wind etc, or otherwise there isn't much of any stability as the road but you feel like driving a power boat at harbor speeds.
I have a 1984 and a 1985 300D. My favorite car, hands down!
Proud owner of three w 123s. Nothing but the best, Very honest cars. Mine are all original,
Ed seems like a cool dude.
I own two. 300D and 230e. People often remark on large steering wheel. But actually made that size for extra safety. Diameter is the same as average persons shoulder width. So in case of a frontal collision the chest does not take the full force before the collapsible column does its job.
Hi, i'm a newbie. few questions.
1) is all 300d diesel?
2) which one is better, in terms of performance & longevity, 300d or 230e?
Thanks!
37 years old! WOW NOTHING bad can be said about that car. 300,000 miles + WOW
I’m considering fixing up a 78 240D from a friend and getting rid of my other cars. Just drive it another 30 years.
it was neat seeing this flashback. thanx for sharing Micah.👍🏾
EXCELLENT!!!
That armrest probably flips out like that so it stays put. My parents had a Buick Roadmaster and it always fell down especially after driving around 6 kids
Loved my yellow over burgundy 83 turbo diesel “ Inga” now I have a 2014 Passat TDI. If you care to come test it we can drive from Naples to Miami on Alligator Alley. If you want an excuse to come to Florida would be happy to have you.
Love a 300D :)
Such a beauty
Nice throwback. My parents had a 1980 Audi 5000 and it certainly wasn't a looker, but it was a solid car!
Best car for first time buying a classic car.
I love the old MBs. I also love tacos!
This is my favorite car and I've been wanting to pick one up out here I'm 36 and I want the 84 300D in white I live in Phoenix Arizona and drive a 2014 VW Passat 1.8T
In the past they made Cars, now they make Toys.
I high original mileage W123 300D turbo or 240D with stick-shift is another one of my dream cars for my collection. And the less oil consumption, the better. I have a 2004 Jaguar XJ8 (silver w/black), a black 2012 Mustang which is my daily driver, and the rest of my stuff is old Chevys. After Mercedes Benz phased out the W123, I lost at least some interest in that make. I sure do wish MY '77 300D Diesel I had back in 1989-96 could've lasted on one full motor like it should've. That's had a lot to do with what I've just had to say. The quality in the last few years of Mercedes cars, from what I've heard, has now gone downhill. No wonder more car enthusiasts are starting to actually appreciate these. for the longest time, I've had local mechanics tell me that there not worth spend much money on and should be junked in favor of some other cars, any car to serve as transportation. That was one of the things that made me go Jaguar starting in 2000 until 2010, and eventually had me considering an late '80s Cadillac Fleetwood Broughm as well in 2015. I like this video. This and ones like it are starting to tell me that I shouldn't apologize for liking the W123s.
I remember these being used as taxi cabs in other Countries.
You can retract the sunroof manually from trunk woth 17mm wrench. Id guess the grease is hardened up, try leaving it in hot sun and see if it opens . Ive had 12 of these cars and still daily one:)
There is also a 200D which first only had 55hp and later on 60hp. Top of the range was a 280E gasoline engine with 185hp.
In Europe we only had the 300d non turbo. It had only 88hp. Did 0 to 60 in about 17 sec. And a top speed of 155kmh. The 5 cilinder engine sounded a lot better than the extremely slow 4cilinders. It was good for at least 1 million miles. In Greece they found a taxi driver with 3 million Kms (1875000miles) on the tachometer with the same engine and never rebuilt. Mercedes-Benz Greece put the car in a museum and has given the driver a brand new Mercedes.
Just finished some X-ray Spex. 👍🏼👍🏼
My mom had an ‘84 MB 300D that they kept for 20 years. My dad had a Bricklin, that he had for about six months, and got rid of because the gull wing doors kept breaking. He also had a Saab, which lasted about two years. Those Mercedes were built like tanks and lasted forever. Bricklins and Saabs not so much!
A fellow Korean that drives a German car, I feel a kinship here with Ed.
Just the best car ever!
Ohhhh, the 80s. I knew a lawyer who owned a 300SD (the S-klasse diesel) in the 80s. It was glacially S-L-O-W
This car is on my shopping list, I just found one for sale.
Im amazed at the knowledge Ed has as a new Benz owner,Kudos. Yes the sunroof will open manually, good plug. I have a blue interior 240D that I love to death and will not need gloves as I cannot drive in winter. My baby is in the garage, Thanks Ed, you get it, drive like a trucker, plan ahead for the hills!
introduced in 1975 in Germany. It’s still a great car!
I want this car!
300D lovers my Dad got one in Kenya in 1978... it hás sat in a garage these last few years...I drove it last in 2006.... trips home since then i only would Just pump up the tyres... Any advice before i try stating it up...after nearly 20 years of being iddle... it hás 210 000 on the colco
how fast do these cars go? are they noticeably slow? they seem like great cars. i want to get one
90’s Toyota MR2s had a blue interior as well. On the white cars.
The best and most beautiful car of the '80s..!!
Thank you for the video. But there is a 2.8 petrol version. 0-60mph in less than 10sec. That is the fastest version of w123. ;) Cheers and good luck to everybody! :)
Elvijs Mamedovs Ah. Good to know. Thanks!!
original headliner looks amazing - given the age
This car is the definition of "slowly but surely".
Reminds me a bit of my 81 European Ford Granada mk2s2
Got one of these, slammed it and put a W7 subwoofer in the back
I want one 😍😍
Good one.
We have an 83 just like this with 208k miles on it and it's pretty loud inside. Is it supposed to be loud? Or is that some problem with our car? Our 83 seems like it's happy right at 55-60mph but revs a little higher at 65 which is the new speed limit. I guess ours is pretty good on the inside for an 83 but has some paint problems. Did these have clear coat because part of our car has clear coat that is peeling. The paint on ours is a bit of a mystery.
Any update to your problem?