My first car! This was my ride to school when I was 16. I called it the Tank. 0-60 in 2 minutes but I drove around like I was BOSS. Treated it like my baby, and the girls loved it!
I have an 85 300D I bought 6 years ago as a temporary car until I was able to buy a new one. As it turns out, my Benz has never broken down on me in 6 years and I made it my permanent car that I wouldn't trade for any other car. Othe than new glow plugs and routine oil changes, it has proven to be the best, reliable car I have ever owned. I love my Benz, yours is amazing too.
First of all, why do you think anyone would want to drive in a stinky 30-40 year old car that has driven a million people in it? Do you think engine is the only thing that can keep the car off the road? Ever heard of wear and tear (interior) or rust? By never break down he means it can relatively reliably do 500000 miles, and taxi drivers do this very quickly. Please never talk about logic again. You fail miserably in your attempts to sound smarter.
If it was a taxi, it's had enough wear to be useless. If it were in service as a taxi for 30-40 years, it'd be worthless after that. I don't know who you "drove" in the car you imagined, it's certainly not 50 different people every day for years. It's cliche to talk about someone's intelligence in youtube comments (you obviously know that), but I have to say you're quite stupid. It's obvious you're full of shit, no matter how hard you try to convince me otherwise. Nice to know you're a kid. Your imagination makes me giggle. If you had a classic Mercedes like you're desperately trying to convince me, you'd name it. This way, it was just a "classic mercedes" (no model number or any other info an man enthusiastic about this stuff would say), you just lied to make a point. You're miserable even for a kid, future psychopath. Please make more comments about my stinky wife, not that I'm going to bother to read about your crap after you made it obvious that you're just a fool. Edit: Just realized you replied to me on some other comment, again trying to sound smart and make yourself feel superior in your psychopath mind, using insults etc. And I didn't even reply to you in the first place. I was referring to the original comment. Man you have some problems, don't you?
Changed the oil and put in a new air filter today on my 79 300SD. My first car and only car, hand to swap the transmission with a 300TD from pick and pull to get it out of the mechanic's lot that i had purchased from. Yes it may cost $170 for a piece of rubber in the duel diaphragm vacuum pump on the 79' and yes it's a little bit grumpy on a crisp winters morning and Yes it's little slow off the start. But I am always going to be able to be able to turn the key and hear that turbo purr at 60mph knowing that i can happily say i can, and am, keeping this car for the rest of my life.
+EveryCrumbCounts Vacumn diaphragm you speak of should only cost less than $ 5.00..it's the same Universal diaphragm Peugeot/VW used on their earlier Diesels....every parts wholesaler sells them dirt-cheap.
EveryCrumbCounts Mine made it 740,000 miles before it tore up and the only reason it tore up was because I loaned it to a friend and they ran it off in a ditch, and knocked the bottom out of the radiator. This was during a snowstorm and it was very cold so they just wanted to get home and they didn’t realize that it was leaking coolant. Blew the motor in my beautiful car
Well i just have a small advice for you, rust is evil on these things! I advise you to get one with the best body thath you can! I am also going to encourage you the get a simple manual diesel car because they are really bulletproof Automatics have vacum tubes to modulate the transmisson and they cause the transmission to don't shift into higher gears or doing so reluctantly, although the parts aren´t expensive and they are easy available, it´s not easy to find a shop that really understands how these old germam cars work! Get a stick shift one or be prepared to spend some Money on rebulild the vacum modulator on these cars..... But once you got it right be prepared to rule the road on probably the best well built car ever... Congratulations and good luck ;) :)
Congrats! I've owned 3 of them and its hard to imagine never having one even though we own 11 cars. Change the oil and filter and have the valves adjusted immediately. Its a 3 hour job.
Mercedes Fitch that’s so cool!! i kept mine for about a year before the issues became too much. there’s nothing more expensive than a cheap mercedes haha. they’re great cars and they’re built like tanks but be wary of rust/body and electronic issues! as long as you’re able to take care of it though you’re gonna have a great time!! i miss mine every day, it had so much character. one day i hope to buy another one
I love these very personal stories. Especially when someone has a vehicle that they appreciate for their own reasons. This guy purchased this car for his pleasure and for no other reason. He didn't care what other people would think. He didn't care if it wasn't the newest, greatest, fastest or most expensive. Bravo.
I bought a 300 D in 1982 and still have it along with two later Mercedes. I drove two days ago and it started right up. These cars vehicle legends. My elderly mother while riding the back in 1986 said that it was the best riding car that she had ever experienced. Appreciation demonstrates wisdom.
Back when Mercedes-Benz knew how to build a car that would last forever. In 100 years, you'll *still* see W123s driving around. Will you see a 2016 Mercedes on the road in 100 years? I have my doubts.
@@paulpeterson4320 it depends on the roads you drive it, and there are slower ones with no confort,if you make long trips ,how a car goes from 0 to 100 it doesn´t matter at all, i own very fast cars but if i´m driving 2.000 km´s i would prefer the mercedes 300D w123
Dad was a Royal Navy chief engineer. He told us when boys.."buy a Rolls Royce and never sell it. That's the cheapest way to own a vehicle". This is because maintenance and depreciation are your greatest cost. However, that was true of a Rolls or Merc in 1975, but not now. As soon as plastic started to be used for car dashboards, you knew there was no way the bloody things would last. Now they're made to use 5 years then throw away. You pay big - you're an idiot cos you get nothing for it except a badge and a dream of what that badge once meant. But a 300D?.. yeh i'd buy one if it was around. Then buy a CNC lathe, a 3D printer and a milling machine to make the parts.
+Edwin Henry Blachford no need for making your own parts, the junkyards are full of w123's. (in the states) I just bought my 1st merc two months ago for $500usd. Why so cheap? it was knocking, bad crankshaft, so i got a used crank from the junkyard for $20, it was a lot of work to put it in but now i have a good running 240D for less than $1000
I've owned an 82 300TD for 20 years now ! Aside from repairs that all cars need, especially used cars like mine, it starts and runs like it's brand new !! I bought it from Richard, the A1 best MBZ mechanic in the Los Angeles area, German Motors, Glendale, for............$2,300.00 !!
The w123 is an icon of automobile design, the fact that so many of us still look at it with desire even now is a testament to the quality of it's design, engineering and vault like build. A truly exceptional vehicle IMHO, and with a ride quality which shames most modern cars and their silly low profile tyres.
Color me excited: I was nineteen when I drove my first Mercedes-Benz and it was exactly my very age; it was a mint condition coupe owned by a very well off individual who entrusted me to look after it while he was out of the country for a month. From that moment forward I always wanted to own a Mercedes but having a father who worked as an engineer for GM (although he was full-blood German) the moment never came for many years: now I am in my fifties. parents both gone, and I can finally 'afford' a Mercedes! I just bought a 1983 300SD today from its second owner, a young man who really didn't want to part with it but was at least thrilled that his baby found the proper new home. Pale gold, purrs beautifully; she's at the mechanic having a few minor issues addressed, then she's really mine.
Lots of fond memories with this car. When I was 7, I went on a road trip in this car in the summer of 83 from New Jersey to Chicago and back. My dad was borrowing it for the week.
I dove one of these in Nairobi for a few days back in the 90's. I loved it. It just soaked up huge potholes and seemed to have tons of ground clearance. What a smooth but controlled solid ride. I would see a pothole and cringe and nothing would happen you would just glide over it. I had a wonderful time with that car.
I have w123 300D. This car is amazing. simply made but i know i will get from point a to b. Its a lil bit slow but ride is smooth and i enjoy every km that i make with this car. Seats are soft lika a living room couch. Fuel consumption its ok. 8.5liter/100km. The only big problem with these cars is rust. Mine will stay in garage over winter and i hope i will repair rust next year. Everytime when i park in garage and look back at car i get smile at my face. Such a beautiful car and i finally have it :)
This car was a bullet compared to my grandmother's 83 240d... I loved her car, It was a bank vault as far as quality and rode exceptionally well but was slow as molasses... She recently sold it with 80,000 on the odo and bought a Merc R350... How about the vacuum door lock system, it was smooth as silk when it worked lol.
you should get one the ride quality is amazing I got my 81 300d a while ago and it rides much better over bumps and potholes than my sisters 2015 honda civic
Eddie, you have some great ideas about owning and caring for this car. Driving and enjoying it, not concerned about fixing every little thing. I think you have a good point about our choice of cars as being somewhat of an indication of who and what we want to be, to show the world. At least at a certain level of being I can agree with that.
Had this exact car growing up. Drove from NY to Montana and back three times. When we sold it with 300k miles on the odometer it was purring like a kitten. Indestructible.
My grandfather has a one owner 81 Mercedes-Benz 300D with 150k and is just immaculate. In my honest opinion its one of the best cars in the world. amazing ride quality with a torque-y 4 speed manual and the best exhaust notes at idle for any car.
When i was little, my dad had a 1978 Mercedes 300CD. If you think this car was slow, my dads car didnt even have the turbo! 77hp of raw diesel power :3. 10 years later and I still miss that baby blue coupe. Beautiful car and over 200k miles strong. Made me appreciate well made boats. I think I'm one of the only young guys my age who even know of these cars.
+unit83 Speaks of anti capitalism, yet has the money to buy a used benz and keep it running. Sure dosent look like a middle class blue collar kinda guy to me. I like the car but don't bs me obviously the guy has a few bucks......
+kevin6154 I have this car, 1984 same color. Had it 8 years and still runs great. Only done regular maintenance and always synthetic oil. I paid $2000 for it. I work in a warehouse. I live near Chicago, it starts Every time. No bs here...
Thanks for the video ! I , my self own a 1985 300D and was recently offered to sell it ; could not depart from my old Benz ! Still very reliable for an 28 yo car ; taking the road from Ontario Canada to South Carolina USA in a week and I have full confidence in it ! :-)
I absolutely love these cars! My dad had a 1980 300d and I fell in love with that car. I currently own a 2004 Volvo XC 90 and it reminds me of the engineering and build quality of European design and quality. I have 306,000 miles on my volvo to date (2.5l turbo btw) and it’s still running like a top. Maintenance is key!
Thank you for reviewing this car. I have a 1984 300D and it is solid. Everything works, and everything feels so solid! Although slow, it is an example of what true car quality should be.
I had a 240D; a 300D is an E63 in comparison. But it had that same extraordinary solidity and sense that it would drive to the end of the earth in perfect comfort and dignity. Hope it never has to do what mine did for me, though - I put it into a big tree one fine early October night at about 40 mph. Walked away all but unharmed. Those are magnificent machines.
A buddy of mine used to have one of those "Cat Bodied" Mercedeses. Same color, year and model, even had the same "Tree" license plate. Although it was the butt of many cat jokes (We used to place a bowl of cat food in front of it and say we were chipping in for fuel) the car was nice to ride in and ran well. They aren't as common on the roads as they used to be but every time I see one, it makes me smile.
I own a 300SD 85. I got it seven years ago!!! Up to this day, she is still serving me well. In the seven years i only spent around $1500 dollars for its maintenance, like change oil, tires, transmission fluid, new shock absorbers, glow plugs... that's about it. No major repair what so ever. I will never sell her!!!
They are very reliable if you maintain it. You can't just not change the oil or not pay attention to sounds in the car, etc. My dad has a 1983 240D with a 4 speed. It now has 320,000 miles but the engine is shot. Not because it is a poorly made engine, but because it was not maintained properly. My dad loaned the car to an employee who took it to his buds to have them work on it instead of a reputable shop and the engine overheated. They are extremely well made and safe.
Great video. Dad had an 84 300D and I just recently sold my 73 450SEL. There really is nothing like an old Mercedes Benz in terms of build quality and comfort.
I really like these old car reviews. They come with a story about the time spent over years of living with it that you can't get in a new car review. Also, brown is a great colour for a car.
I had an 81 about 19yrs ago. I was just married and sold it because I was afraid of a huge repair bill. Should have kept it, I loved it, I have never driven a car with the feel of quality that this thing has.
we had one in the family...my younger sister ended up with it while in college and never changed the oil...killed it! That was a sad day. We sold it to a Benz mechanic so it might still be out there. Great car...felt tank-like solid.
Got to love the quality of those old Mercedes Benz w123's. I get the same feeling riding down the road in my '88 Volvo 240. It has a distinctive smell and sound to it that newer cars lack. I could identify one coming down the road just by hearing it's engine. You get a wonderful feeling driving in an old car that you just cant get in today's cars.
Thanks for that - I love my weekend car, a 1984 W123 200 (not Diesel). It is so relaxing to drive it, let the modern cars pass by in their hurry, although it is not even slow - but it changes my way of enjoying to drive a car.
My first car was, and still is for that matter, a w201 euro spec diesel. Two liter diesel engine with 72 horses when it was new, so it's really not a fast car by any means possible. However, despite the lack of speed and power it still is a very soothing car to drive. On an open back road on a warm day I often find myself with the window rolled down, arm hanging, of course, the sunroof open and just enjoying the ride. That enjoyment of slower speeds really is lacking in newer cars.
My father had a 1984 300SD which had the same engine, so I know just how slow it could be (and even worse since it was in a bigger car). One of the big problems was needing to have a block heater if you were going to be staying anywhere for more than a few hours because otherwise it had lots of trouble starting in the winter. Always loved the thud you would hear closing the doors; it felt like a bank vault. These were great years for Mercedes!
I love your car Eddie! So amazing what MB does. The love of my life is my 2004 E500 fully loaded. It’s just incredible. You gotta fix it and make it your own. Show that turbo diesel some respect! 💞
I just bought an '83 MB turbo diesel. LOVE IT. The best car for a New Yorker to own. It's a dream to drive, very tough, very willing. Wait - did I mention I lost my virginity in the back of a MB in the '80's? Hm, maybe that had something to do with the purchase....
It Made feel someway special ... you know ? ... It just brought me made sad ... of all gone memories ... the happy memories ... Really really nice review ...
Definitely more of this-- not the car itself, but the notion of the personal vehicles of C&D staffers. What car they choose to buy with their own money and why they made the decision they did, and how they fell in love with a particular make and model is interesting.
Oh gosh i was so close to buying this car. Before i looked at this car I had my doubts. But when I drove it, I fell in love with the way it smoothly glided over the road. Though it doesn't have much pick-up, it felt like you were driving much faster than you were going. Not only that, i like the design of the interior it's simple, but i like how it's not luxurious , but it has a luxurious feel. I didn't get this nice car because the a/c didn't work and didn't have a clean interior.
oh i had a 85 300d non turbo euro model and let me tell you some thing i finally got the trunk open and do you know what i found? I found the previous owners groceries from years back and im not going into details
Yes they do last a very long time. As for being over engineered, there is never such a thing as over engineered. I would like to have one car last my life time and almost never fail. I do know that you still have to maintain them but buying fewer parts is always nice. These days cars are built intentionally not to last and I think that is just plain despicable when you look at the price for parts. It is horrible!
I know one that did almost 2 million kms with the same engine. A friend of mine got hold of one with 80,000 kms - it spent most of its years on a garage. Lucky bastard!
My first car! This was my ride to school when I was 16. I called it the Tank. 0-60 in 2 minutes but I drove around like I was BOSS. Treated it like my baby, and the girls loved it!
Currently 16 and this is my first car lol
@@talongloy same
@@talongloyis it really that slow?
@@unclejubu7129 I mean it did 0-60 in 18 seconds so pretty slow lol
I love this car.. I think it's the most beautiful car ever engineered. ❤
I have an 85 300D I bought 6 years ago as a temporary car until I was able to buy a new one. As it turns out, my Benz has never broken down on me in 6 years and I made it my permanent car that I wouldn't trade for any other car. Othe than new glow plugs and routine oil changes, it has proven to be the best, reliable car I have ever owned. I love my Benz, yours is amazing too.
300 D's are the best Mercedes cars ever made they're literally a tank
You still have it?
Your post was 5 years ago. Now 2021 you still have MBenz ?
I bought a 1985 300D last September :D
Taxi drivers all over europe still cry today, remembering the 123 as a car that never broke down.
First of all, why do you think anyone would want to drive in a stinky 30-40 year old car that has driven a million people in it? Do you think engine is the only thing that can keep the car off the road? Ever heard of wear and tear (interior) or rust? By never break down he means it can relatively reliably do 500000 miles, and taxi drivers do this very quickly. Please never talk about logic again. You fail miserably in your attempts to sound smarter.
If it was a taxi, it's had enough wear to be useless. If it were in service as a taxi for 30-40 years, it'd be worthless after that. I don't know who you "drove" in the car you imagined, it's certainly not 50 different people every day for years. It's cliche to talk about someone's intelligence in youtube comments (you obviously know that), but I have to say you're quite stupid. It's obvious you're full of shit, no matter how hard you try to convince me otherwise.
Nice to know you're a kid. Your imagination makes me giggle. If you had a classic Mercedes like you're desperately trying to convince me, you'd name it. This way, it was just a "classic mercedes" (no model number or any other info an man enthusiastic about this stuff would say), you just lied to make a point. You're miserable even for a kid, future psychopath. Please make more comments about my stinky wife, not that I'm going to bother to read about your crap after you made it obvious that you're just a fool.
Edit: Just realized you replied to me on some other comment, again trying to sound smart and make yourself feel superior in your psychopath mind, using insults etc. And I didn't even reply to you in the first place. I was referring to the original comment. Man you have some problems, don't you?
They never broke down. They are all in Northern Africa now.
And the w124 as the last of the Mohicans. 123's a 4's now serve the Third World as Taxis
@@TrueLeft-n6j because they bought new ones. They wanted to experience something new
Changed the oil and put in a new air filter today on my 79 300SD. My first car and only car, hand to swap the transmission with a 300TD from pick and pull to get it out of the mechanic's lot that i had purchased from. Yes it may cost $170 for a piece of rubber in the duel diaphragm vacuum pump on the 79' and yes it's a little bit grumpy on a crisp winters morning and Yes it's little slow off the start. But I am always going to be able to be able to turn the key and hear that turbo purr at 60mph knowing that i can happily say i can, and am, keeping this car for the rest of my life.
Respect.
+EveryCrumbCounts Vacumn diaphragm you speak of should only cost less than $ 5.00..it's the same Universal diaphragm Peugeot/VW used on their earlier Diesels....every parts wholesaler sells them dirt-cheap.
EveryCrumbCounts Mine made it 740,000 miles before it tore up and the only reason it tore up was because I loaned it to a friend and they ran it off in a ditch, and knocked the bottom out of the radiator. This was during a snowstorm and it was very cold so they just wanted to get home and they didn’t realize that it was leaking coolant. Blew the motor in my beautiful car
I'm getting one of these tomorrow as a first car! Mine will be a 1984. I test drove it and I love it, despite its issues and quirks!
Well i just have a small advice for you, rust is evil on these things! I advise you to get one with the best body thath you can! I am also going to encourage you the get a simple manual diesel car because they are really bulletproof Automatics have vacum tubes to modulate the transmisson and they cause the transmission to don't shift into higher gears or doing so reluctantly, although the parts aren´t expensive and they are easy available, it´s not easy to find a shop that really understands how these old germam cars work! Get a stick shift one or be prepared to spend some Money on rebulild the vacum modulator on these cars..... But once you got it right be prepared to rule the road on probably the best well built car ever... Congratulations and good luck ;) :)
Congrats! I've owned 3 of them and its hard to imagine never having one even though we own 11 cars. Change the oil and filter and have the valves adjusted immediately. Its a 3 hour job.
marry me
i know this was three years ago but i test drove a 300TD ‘84 today as my first car too !
Mercedes Fitch that’s so cool!! i kept mine for about a year before the issues became too much. there’s nothing more expensive than a cheap mercedes haha. they’re great cars and they’re built like tanks but be wary of rust/body and electronic issues! as long as you’re able to take care of it though you’re gonna have a great time!! i miss mine every day, it had so much character. one day i hope to buy another one
I love these very personal stories. Especially when someone has a vehicle that they appreciate for their own reasons. This guy purchased this car for his pleasure and for no other reason. He didn't care what other people would think. He didn't care if it wasn't the newest, greatest, fastest or most expensive. Bravo.
God bless these cars may they continue to live forever
I bought a 300 D in 1982 and still have it along with two later Mercedes. I drove two days ago and it started right up. These cars vehicle legends. My elderly mother while riding the back in 1986 said that it was the best riding car that she had ever experienced. Appreciation demonstrates wisdom.
Dream car. .....wish they were still made today. ...top shelf this.
Back when Mercedes-Benz knew how to build a car that would last forever. In 100 years, you'll *still* see W123s driving around. Will you see a 2016 Mercedes on the road in 100 years? I have my doubts.
+LMacNeill you won't see them in 20 years. The w123 will carry on.
+LMacNeill the w220 was falling apart while still in warranty......
Supcharged it rusted in catalog.
W123 and w126 are Mercedes
Video
I have W204 C180 2011 with almost 200 k km (around 130 k miles) and is almost indestructible
I Love my 81' 300SD!!!!!!! Droped 4 inches 3'inch full exhaust, alda turned off, 3'inch intake, pump turned up, a hair. Love it for ever!
Lost it at "0-60 is from 13 seconds to 2 weeks." I can confirm this as a 84' 300TD owner.
Wonderful german car. A Beast!
Ana Napoleão
as a w124 om603 owner, I can confirm this
How anybody can stand driving a car this slow is beyond me.
@@paulpeterson4320 it depends on the roads you drive it, and there are slower ones with no confort,if you make long trips ,how a car goes from 0 to 100 it doesn´t matter at all, i own very fast cars but if i´m driving 2.000 km´s i would prefer the mercedes 300D w123
Back in the day such numbers were quite common. You get used to it. I have driven much slower cars and enjoyed them.
Dad was a Royal Navy chief engineer. He told us when boys.."buy a Rolls Royce and never sell it. That's the cheapest way to own a vehicle". This is because maintenance and depreciation are your greatest cost. However, that was true of a Rolls or Merc in 1975, but not now. As soon as plastic started to be used for car dashboards, you knew there was no way the bloody things would last. Now they're made to use 5 years then throw away. You pay big - you're an idiot cos you get nothing for it except a badge and a dream of what that badge once meant. But a 300D?.. yeh i'd buy one if it was around. Then buy a CNC lathe, a 3D printer and a milling machine to make the parts.
+Edwin Henry Blachford no need for making your own parts, the junkyards are full of w123's. (in the states) I just bought my 1st merc two months ago for $500usd. Why so cheap? it was knocking, bad crankshaft, so i got a used crank from the junkyard for $20, it was a lot of work to put it in but now i have a good running 240D for less than $1000
Edwin Henry Blachford good idea
Edwin Henry Blachford I’m selling the most pristine 300td on the market 6126002370 send me a text
I've owned an 82 300TD for 20 years now ! Aside from repairs that all cars need, especially used cars like mine, it starts and runs like it's brand new !! I bought it from Richard, the A1 best MBZ mechanic in the Los Angeles area, German Motors, Glendale, for............$2,300.00 !!
I'm so glad to say that I will be getting one of these for my first car!
The w123 is an icon of automobile design, the fact that so many of us still look at it with desire even now is a testament to the quality of it's design, engineering and vault like build. A truly exceptional vehicle IMHO, and with a ride quality which shames most modern cars and their silly low profile tyres.
Color me excited: I was nineteen when I drove my first Mercedes-Benz and it was exactly my very age; it was a mint condition coupe owned by a very well off individual who entrusted me to look after it while he was out of the country for a month. From that moment forward I always wanted to own a Mercedes but having a father who worked as an engineer for GM (although he was full-blood German) the moment never came for many years: now I am in my fifties. parents both gone, and I can finally 'afford' a Mercedes! I just bought a 1983 300SD today from its second owner, a young man who really didn't want to part with it but was at least thrilled that his baby found the proper new home. Pale gold, purrs beautifully; she's at the mechanic having a few minor issues addressed, then she's really mine.
Congrats!
Thank you! What a great car. Cannot believe it is 35 years old!
Amazing, I bought a 1984 Turbo 300 D. It's unbelievable, our 7 th mb. Very blessed.
Great video, I remember reading his column about this car. Nce to put a voice with the photo. More like this, please!!
You know what? Watching this video, really does put a smile on my face. Thank you. This is entertaining.
I love my 300D, its never been "touched up" but its aged so well people constantly compliment its condition and how iconic these cars are.
I love these old diesels. So much character, and such great quality.
my neighbour has one of these. 30 years old and still no problems at all. pure mercedes benz quality
Lots of fond memories with this car. When I was 7, I went on a road trip in this car in the summer of 83 from New Jersey to Chicago and back. My dad was borrowing it for the week.
I dove one of these in Nairobi for a few days back in the 90's. I loved it. It just soaked up huge potholes and seemed to have tons of ground clearance. What a smooth but controlled solid ride. I would see a pothole and cringe and nothing would happen you would just glide over it. I had a wonderful time with that car.
I have w123 300D. This car is amazing. simply made but i know i will get from point a to b. Its a lil bit slow but ride is smooth and i enjoy every km that i make with this car. Seats are soft lika a living room couch. Fuel consumption its ok. 8.5liter/100km. The only big problem with these cars is rust. Mine will stay in garage over winter and i hope i will repair rust next year. Everytime when i park in garage and look back at car i get smile at my face. Such a beautiful car and i finally have it :)
This car was a bullet compared to my grandmother's 83 240d... I loved her car, It was a bank vault as far as quality and rode exceptionally well but was slow as molasses... She recently sold it with 80,000 on the odo and bought a Merc R350... How about the vacuum door lock system, it was smooth as silk when it worked lol.
Every time a w123 shows up on craigslist I watch this video again.
you should get one the ride quality is amazing I got my 81 300d a while ago and it rides much better over bumps and potholes than my sisters 2015 honda civic
Falling leaves and matching pants. After the litany of issues, the romanticizing commences. Absolutely brilliant production here.
Eddie, you have some great ideas about owning and caring for this car. Driving and enjoying it, not concerned about fixing every little thing. I think you have a good point about our choice of cars as being somewhat of an indication of who and what we want to be, to show the world. At least at a certain level of being I can agree with that.
Had this exact car growing up. Drove from NY to Montana and back three times. When we sold it with 300k miles on the odometer it was purring like a kitten. Indestructible.
My grandfather has a one owner 81 Mercedes-Benz 300D with 150k and is just immaculate. In my honest opinion its one of the best cars in the world. amazing ride quality with a torque-y 4 speed manual and the best exhaust notes at idle for any car.
I absolutely love these reviews! We should focus on older cars, too - that's how new cars are so great
When i was little, my dad had a 1978 Mercedes 300CD. If you think this car was slow, my dads car didnt even have the turbo! 77hp of raw diesel power :3. 10 years later and I still miss that baby blue coupe. Beautiful car and over 200k miles strong. Made me appreciate well made boats. I think I'm one of the only young guys my age who even know of these cars.
I am a Honda / Toyota guy and this old Mercedes are amazing. I am scouting one out now preferably a wagon 300d
It's because some stuff may fail on it but it will ALWAYS keep going, ALWAYS. The mechanics of them are absolutely astonishing.
The most personal and honest review of the Mythical Mercedes Benz.
"Very over engineered. I like the simplicity of this car."
+unit83 Simplicity of its design is what he meant I think. As in more understated and muted rather than the flashy mercedes' of today
+unit83 Speaks of anti capitalism, yet has the money to buy a used benz and keep it running. Sure dosent look like a middle class blue collar kinda guy to me. I like the car but don't bs me obviously the guy has a few bucks......
+kevin6154 I have this car, 1984 same color. Had it 8 years and still runs great. Only done regular maintenance and always synthetic oil. I paid $2000 for it. I work in a warehouse. I live near Chicago, it starts Every time. No bs here...
I hear that. but when it dose need repair it aint gonna be cheap
+kevin6154 Which is damn near never.
You just said all the right words. Solid W124 driver. Long live the Kings.
Just bought one 782k been sitting for 7 yrs primed the engine and cracked the injectors and it started right up! Great cars
Thanks for the video ! I , my self own a 1985 300D and was recently offered to sell it ; could not depart from my old Benz ! Still very reliable for an 28 yo car ; taking the road from Ontario Canada to South Carolina USA in a week and I have full confidence in it ! :-)
I absolutely love these cars! My dad had a 1980 300d and I fell in love with that car. I currently own a 2004 Volvo XC 90 and it reminds me of the engineering and build quality of European design and quality. I have 306,000 miles on my volvo to date (2.5l turbo btw) and it’s still running like a top. Maintenance is key!
My husband and I have a 300 SD and it's a sweet car!
Brenda Sheldon w126
Never ever let her go.
Mercedes - Benz : das beste oder nicht's!
That car is indestructible. Last forever.
Thank you for reviewing this car. I have a 1984 300D and it is solid. Everything works, and everything feels so solid! Although slow, it is an example of what true car quality should be.
I had a 240D; a 300D is an E63 in comparison. But it had that same extraordinary solidity and sense that it would drive to the end of the earth in perfect comfort and dignity.
Hope it never has to do what mine did for me, though - I put it into a big tree one fine early October night at about 40 mph. Walked away all but unharmed.
Those are magnificent machines.
Same here, 1985 300 D. Love mine starts every time. Would never get rid of her.
I've wanted one of these for so long. Currently own a 1989 300TE station wagon!!!
awesome, the fact that these old ones are still being used as taxis in Africa is a testament their quality!
Best sounding diesel engine ever made.
Hi brother! I also own a 1985 300D and I just love it! With all of my heart!
A buddy of mine used to have one of those "Cat Bodied" Mercedeses. Same color, year and model, even had the same "Tree" license plate. Although it was the butt of many cat jokes (We used to place a bowl of cat food in front of it and say we were chipping in for fuel) the car was nice to ride in and ran well. They aren't as common on the roads as they used to be but every time I see one, it makes me smile.
I own a 300SD 85. I got it seven years ago!!! Up to this day, she is still serving me well. In the seven years i only spent around $1500 dollars for its maintenance, like change oil, tires, transmission fluid, new shock absorbers, glow plugs... that's about it. No major repair what so ever. I will never sell her!!!
I'm a Toyota/Lexus guy but man I would kill for one of these. The reliability of these old Mercedes diesels are crazy good.
Dispite this car being a classic, could this car still be a good first vehicle for a first time driver in your personal opinion?
They are very reliable if you maintain it. You can't just not change the oil or not pay attention to sounds in the car, etc. My dad has a 1983 240D with a 4 speed. It now has 320,000 miles but the engine is shot. Not because it is a poorly made engine, but because it was not maintained properly. My dad loaned the car to an employee who took it to his buds to have them work on it instead of a reputable shop and the engine overheated. They are extremely well made and safe.
Editor in chief....are you still driving the best car ever made?
Yeah right. Well it broke down on me at Mt. Siskiyou. Because the rubber in the transmission broke.
Quality is a luxury that isn't offered anymore.
This is the type of videos C&D should be doing. Great work.
Great video. Dad had an 84 300D and I just recently sold my 73 450SEL. There really is nothing like an old Mercedes Benz in terms of build quality and comfort.
This guys dry humor is outstanding loved it
This car never breaks, in the Mercedes museum there is one 300D with 2.800.000 in the odometer
I really like these old car reviews. They come with a story about the time spent over years of living with it that you can't get in a new car review.
Also, brown is a great colour for a car.
I had a 1984, ran 100% veggie. Loved it! Got a 97 300D, and as much as I loved her, I missed my 123!
I had an 81 about 19yrs ago. I was just married and sold it because I was afraid of a huge repair bill. Should have kept it, I loved it, I have never driven a car with the feel of quality that this thing has.
we had one in the family...my younger sister ended up with it while in college and never changed the oil...killed it! That was a sad day. We sold it to a Benz mechanic so it might still be out there. Great car...felt tank-like solid.
These old ones are probably some of the most reliable cars on earth.
Got to love the quality of those old Mercedes Benz w123's. I get the same feeling riding down the road in my '88 Volvo 240. It has a distinctive smell and sound to it that newer cars lack. I could identify one coming down the road just by hearing it's engine. You get a wonderful feeling driving in an old car that you just cant get in today's cars.
Thanks for that - I love my weekend car, a 1984 W123 200 (not Diesel). It is so relaxing to drive it, let the modern cars pass by in their hurry, although it is not even slow - but it changes my way of enjoying to drive a car.
My dad's first Merc W123 is the 300D. He used it as a reliable workhorse to go into logging camps where he works.
This is how car videos should be. Not just a black and white logical review, but the emotions also.
My first car was, and still is for that matter, a w201 euro spec diesel. Two liter diesel engine with 72 horses when it was new, so it's really not a fast car by any means possible.
However, despite the lack of speed and power it still is a very soothing car to drive. On an open back road on a warm day I often find myself with the window rolled down, arm hanging, of course, the sunroof open and just enjoying the ride. That enjoyment of slower speeds really is lacking in newer cars.
I love it. Every time I see a 300d I want to find one for myself.
Most honest, down-to-earth used car review I've ever seen. Makes me want to pour a shot a whiskey, log onto Ebay...
Mine has 311,000 miles and going strong. Love my car, makes me relax because it is slow and floats down the road.
Best part: "I've never opened the trunk."
Jesus christ.
Farts McGee hahahahaha... he was doesnt want to break his car...
I can open my trunk except it lost the keyhole thing but it opens but sticking your finger and pushing the little lever inside
Farts McGee The jacks for these go for about 300 bucks on eBay. If it has the original spare tire and the medical kit it boosts the price way up
Same thing that happened to my grammas 300d car the trunk didn’t want to open
Now I'm missing my 123! Haha. Excellent video sir. Thanks.
My father had a 1984 300SD which had the same engine, so I know just how slow it could be (and even worse since it was in a bigger car). One of the big problems was needing to have a block heater if you were going to be staying anywhere for more than a few hours because otherwise it had lots of trouble starting in the winter. Always loved the thud you would hear closing the doors; it felt like a bank vault. These were great years for Mercedes!
I love your car Eddie! So amazing what MB does. The love of my life is my 2004 E500 fully loaded. It’s just incredible. You gotta fix it and make it your own. Show that turbo diesel some respect! 💞
SOLID TANK! One of my relatives had a 1960 Mercedes Wagon and kept it for 30 years
Great Story/ Old cars are so much more charming then new ones. Like my 88 Accord. Love you found the car in Oregon.
This really brings back memories of my dad's '85 300D
Love W123 , Love the 300D , Love Mercedes-Benz !
Feel blessed for owning one like that !
I would love to see honest videos like these more often. Keep it up c&d. I've owned s500, 300te, 190e and they are greatly built.
I love this model.
I LOVED this. Haven't seen many C&D videos before but this was really good.
This is such a unique car. Please keep videos like this comming
I just bought an '83 MB turbo diesel. LOVE IT. The best car for a New Yorker to own. It's a dream to drive, very tough, very willing. Wait - did I mention I lost my virginity in the back of a MB in the '80's? Hm, maybe that had something to do with the purchase....
I would love to have one of these, a true classic.
Wow...that bumper sticker was awesome! :D
Eddie, I can't stop smiling, thank you for this video guys!
It Made feel someway special ... you know ? ... It just brought me made sad ... of all gone memories ... the happy memories ... Really really nice review ...
One of the best cars ever made. I absolutely love my W201 84 190D 2.2 OM601 5 speed. My dream car.
I fully understand. Mine is a 1983 Lincoln Continental Mark VI (4 door) Signature Series with every option.
I too love those slow country drives.
Definitely more of this-- not the car itself, but the notion of the personal vehicles of C&D staffers. What car they choose to buy with their own money and why they made the decision they did, and how they fell in love with a particular make and model is interesting.
Oh gosh i was so close to buying this car. Before i looked at this car I had my doubts. But when I drove it, I fell in love with the way it smoothly glided over the road. Though it doesn't have much pick-up, it felt like you were driving much faster than you were going.
Not only that, i like the design of the interior it's simple, but i like how it's not luxurious , but it has a luxurious feel. I didn't get this nice car because the a/c didn't work and didn't have a clean interior.
oh i had a 85 300d non turbo euro model and let me tell you some thing i finally got the trunk open and do you know what i found? I found the previous owners groceries from years back and im not going into details
LOL That is awesome. I test drove a 1990 300SD and the guy didn't even have the trunk key for it. Some things man was not meant to know.
oh lol thats gross
This is the exact year, model, and color of the car my parents had when I was a kid. OMFG!
love these reviews ! car and driver we want old cars to be reviewed !
What a good time to refresh my TH-cam page!!!
The engines in these last a life time
Mercedes guaranteed them for a million kilometres. (621k miles). When maintained at the Mercedes dealer
I believe the engine's name is OM617 Right?
Yes they do last a very long time. As for being over engineered, there is never such a thing as over engineered. I would like to have one car last my life time and almost never fail. I do know that you still have to maintain them but buying fewer parts is always nice. These days cars are built intentionally not to last and I think that is just plain despicable when you look at the price for parts. It is horrible!
Ford Fan 2904
Yes 5 cylinder OM617. I have one of the same color.
A friend of mine had one with over 750.000 Km and it clattered like a tractor but never missed a beat!
Does Eddie still drive this thing? Lol. I hope so! Best car ever made. Period!
I know one that did almost 2 million kms with the same engine. A friend of mine got hold of one with 80,000 kms - it spent most of its years on a garage. Lucky bastard!