Happy New Year's Day to you lot all, in addition to welcome to our offset weblog of 2019! As our real successful Essential Buyer's Guide serial demonstrate (we've sold to a greater extent than than 175,000 copies worldwide!), hither at Veloce nosotros convey buying a machine real seriously, especially when it comes to classics – modern or otherwise. And if you're considering buying a Mercedes-Benz, in addition to so you're inwards the correct place. Julian Parish, writer of 3 Mercedes-Benz EBGs, in addition to translator of a fourth, has written a practical two-part remove to assist you lot create upwardly one's heed which Mercedes is correct fo you lot – only continue reading for business office 1 …
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| W123 in addition to W124 business office of a story of mid-sized saloons from Mercedes lasting 50 years. |
Why select Mercedes?
Whether it’s the latest S-Class saloon or a fashionable ‘Pagoda’ SL from the Sixties, for many motorists at that spot is zip to check the prestige in addition to feel of occasion that comes from driving a machine amongst the three-pointed star. When it comes to Mercedes’ historic cars in addition to fifty-fifty its so-called ‘modern classics’ built until the mid-1990s, the manufacturer’s applied scientific discipline in addition to create character is unrivalled.
More than a quarter of a century later, its cars from the 1970s to mid-1990s tin brand a superb introduction to the pleasures of classic motoring: the Mercedes-Benz 190 (W201), W123 in addition to W124 series – forerunners of the modern C in addition to E-Class models – on which this weblog focuses are amidst the most durable in addition to reliable cars of their generation in addition to tin soundless live enjoyed today.
The 3 serial featured hither include saloons, estates, coupés in addition to convertibles, all amongst infinite for at to the lowest degree 4 passengers (we’ll exit the two-seater SL models for roughly other time). If your partner or children are anxious most travelling inwards an older car, Mercedes was amidst the offset manufacturers to invest massively inwards security features, amongst anti-dive braking systems, deformable crumple zones in addition to all-round spot belts, fifty-fifty on the earliest W123 models, which are straightaway xl years old.
Many of these 3 serial of cars are soundless available at surprisingly affordable prices (but don’t hold off likewise long!). Parts availability is mostly excellent, in addition to service items at to the lowest degree are non likewise expensive. There is a broad pick of cars on sale in addition to plenty of independent specialists to assist continue your machine running well. In the offset one-half of this two-part blog, we’ll assist you lot select the correct model.
We fifty-fifty receive got a special offer to brand the determination easier still!
Deciding which model is correct for you
Which torso style?
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| Like the W124 that followed it, the W123 was available inwards saloon, coupé in addition to estate form. |
Each of these 3 serial of cars has its fans, so how should you lot create upwardly one's heed which is correct for you? Let’s commence amongst the torso style:
If open-air motoring amongst room for all the theater unit of measurement is your priority, at that spot is alone 1 convertible available: the A124 model, introduced inwards tumble 1991 in addition to available amongst a gain of fuel-injected four- in addition to six-cylinder petrol engines. The multi-layered hood ensures that the machine tin live driven inwards comfort throughout the year, land pop-up hoops behind the bring upwardly seats contribute to security inwards the number of an accident.
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| Electric folding hood on fashionable A124 convertible. |
If you lot are keen to relish 1 of Mercedes’ fashionable two-door models but prefer a fixed roof (perhaps amongst the optional sunroof fitted to many cars), you lot tin select betwixt the C123 in addition to after C124
coupés. Both serial receive got Mercedes’ famous pillarless styling, but the C123 stands out for its generous chrome trim. Make sure though that the horseshoe-shaped side window cut is inwards skillful condition: a replacement volition run to nearly £1000! Most C123 coupés came inwards four-cylinder 230CE in addition to six-cylinder 280CE form, but inwards North America, the coupé was also sold inwards diesel-engined 300CD spec, latterly amongst a turbo, to run into the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) requirements there. The C124 models which followed are to a greater extent than modern to await at (which you lot may or may non prefer), but also receive got a to a greater extent than up-to-date experience on the route in addition to increased power, especially inwards the instance of the six-cylinder E320 models.
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| All these Mercedes coupés – from Stroke Eight (background) through C123 (centre) to C124 (foreground) had elegant, pillarless lines. |
Not worried most the looks of a coupé or convertible, or inwards need of to a greater extent than space? Opting for a
saloon gives you lot the biggest pick of all amidst Mercedes’ mid-sized modern classics: the 190 (W201), W123 in addition to W124 serial were all available every bit four-door saloons, amongst a huge gain of diesel fuel in addition to petrol-engines, all the means upwardly to the mighty 5-litre V8 fitted to the 500E/ E500. The mainstream models (particularly those amongst four-cylinder petrol engines) tin live 1 of the most affordable ways of driving behind the three-pointed star, amongst all the character in addition to comfort of their two-door relatives but for less initial outlay. The 190 (aka the ‘Baby Benz’) is noticeably smaller than the other 2 serial though, so brand sure it’s roomy plenty within for your family.
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| 190 saloon has to the lowest degree interior room, especially inwards the bring upwardly seats. (Courtesy Julian Parish) |
None of Mercedes’ saloons from this era had folding bring upwardly seats, so if you lot need to a greater extent than luggage room, an
estate is the obvious answer. The 190 was unique inwards that it was offered alone every bit a four-door saloon, but at that spot is plenty of pick to live constitute inwards the S123 in addition to S124 models, amongst a broad gain of petrol in addition to diesel fuel engines and, inwards both cases, an optional fold-out spot inwards the luggage compartment. This characteristic makes Mercedes’ estates 1 of the few classics able to behave a theater unit of measurement of 7 inwards comfort in addition to security in addition to has helped stimulate upwardly prices for these models today. Many of these estates receive got had a difficult working life, so convey your fourth dimension if you lot are looking for a machine inwards skillful status amongst moderate mileage in addition to a total history.
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| Fold-out spot inwards luggage compartment was available on both S123 in addition to S124 estates. |
Which engine?
Whichever Mercedes you lot create upwardly one's heed on, zip volition touching on the experience of driving it to a greater extent than than the engine you lot choose.
Mercedes’ diesel engines, especially inwards naturally aspirated form, are amidst roughly of the longest-lived units ever produced, in addition to receive got plenty of fans for their solid, imperturbable character in addition to moderate fuel consumption. But if you lot are buying a machine straightaway for high days in addition to holidays, intend carefully earlier choosing a diesel: the smaller four-cylinder versions especially are real tedious past times modern standards, developing every bit petty every bit 55bhp inwards the W123 200D. More in addition to to a greater extent than European cities are placing access restrictions on older diesels: that may non worry you lot straightaway but could larn inwards harder to sell on your machine inwards a few years’ time.
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| Countless High German taxi drivers relied on Mercedes’ long-lived diesels, such every bit this W123 inwards service inwards Stuttgart. |
Most buyers today volition in all probability opt for a
petrol engine. The four-cylinder units are dependable in addition to reasonably refined, although non peculiarly fast. Mercedes’ in-line sixes add together to a greater extent than performance, but to a higher house all an extraordinarily shine powerfulness delivery. Among the mainstream cars, the twin-cam engine fitted to the W123 280E in addition to the 24-valve unit of measurement fitted to the W124 300E-24 are the sportiest powerplants, especially if mated to a five-speed manual transmission.
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| M102 four-cylinder petrol engine was fitted at unlike times to all 3 serial inwards this feature. |
If functioning is your psyche goal, the selection is narrower, but choosing is sure as shooting no hardship! Mercedes took the 190 into touring machine racing amongst swell success in addition to produced an outstanding sports saloon inwards the shape of the 190E 2.3-16, amongst its Cosworth-developed 16-valve engine in addition to uprated suspension. Mercedes’ traditional customers may non receive got liked the bodykit in addition to spoilers of the 2.3-16 in addition to the larger-engined 2.5-16 which succeeded it, but it remains a compelling alternative to contemporary rivals such every bit BMW’s E30 M3.
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| Spoilers in addition to bodykit fitted to 16-valve 190 models (here a 190E 2.5-16) were non to all buyers’ tastes. |
With the larger W124 series, Mercedes took a unlike approach, shoehorning its 5-litre V8 nether the bonnet of the 500E saloon in addition to taking its functioning to a unlike degree altogether. Built amongst assist from Porsche, this was a European musculus machine amongst uprated treatment to check its extra power. If the 500E is only a fleck likewise much for you lot (or your wallet!), you lot may desire to await for 1 of the rare six-cylinder E36 AMG models (available inwards the other torso styles every bit well) or the 400E/E420 saloon amongst its 4.2-litre V8 in addition to totally criterion outside appearance. This model was alone sold inwards LHD, primarily for the North American market.
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| W124 E500 cornering fast on the examine track. |
Which transmission?
For decades, Mercedes had the reputation of edifice the best automatic transmissions inwards the business, offering the smoothest if non ever the fastest changes. They are good suited to the refined grapheme of the six-cylinder petrol engines or the torquey turbodiesels. In addition, the W123 in addition to W124 serial were fitted amongst a foot-operated parking brake, which many drivers observe awkward for colina starts on cars fitted amongst manual transmission. There are no such worries amongst the 190, however, which has a conventional centre-mounted handbrake; the Getrag manual gearbox (with its odd dogleg first) is a skillful check for the sporting 190E 2.3-16 in addition to 2.5-16 models.
All the Mercedes presented inwards this characteristic came amongst rear-wheel drive. If you lot regularly need to stimulate your Mercedes inwards wintry weather but desire a to a greater extent than luxurious all-rounder than the rugged G-Wagen, await out for 1 of the rare 4Matic saloons or estates, fitted amongst all-wheel drive. This transmission tin live to a greater extent than expensive to hold inwards after life, but a 300TE 4-Matic tin brand an interesting classic alternative to BMW’s 525iX in addition to after cross-country estates from Audi in addition to Volvo.
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| Cutaway sentiment of the 4Matic transmission offered on selected W124 models. |
Which cut degree in addition to generation?
All 3 serial of cars presented hither hark dorsum to the fourth dimension earlier Mercedes introduced cut levels such every bit Avantgarde in addition to Elegance, or the complex equipment packs it offers nowadays. Individual buyers chose the specific options they wanted, in addition to at that spot tin live a huge departure betwixt a basic ‘poverty-spec’ 190 or W123 200 saloon in addition to a ‘fully-loaded’ late-model W124 E320 Coupé. The newer the car, the to a greater extent than equipment it is probable to have, but sure options – such every bit leather upholstery, a sunroof or menstruum radio (usually from Becker) – volition ever add together to a car’s appeal.
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| Fully optioned 190E 2.3-16 amongst air conditioning, Becker stereo, 4 electrical windows in addition to heated forepart seats. (Courtesy Julian Parish) |
Mercedes traditionally kept each of its models inwards production for many years (the R107 SL roadster lasted an astonishing xviii years!), amongst 1 or 2 facelifts along the way. In the instance of the 190 in addition to W124 series, for example, cars next the major facelift (in 1988 in addition to 1989 respectively) tin live recognised past times the plastic cladding panels fitted to the lower side of the body. Mercedes also improved its cars on a continuous basis, amongst smaller cosmetic changes, enhanced criterion equipment in addition to fifty-fifty novel engines beingness introduced betwixt these major facelifts.
When buying now, it makes feel to purchase on status in addition to history to a higher house all else. Be ready to settle for a unlike color or forego a item item of equipment if you lot observe a machine inwards the correct condition. Even accepting a slightly unlike model or twelvemonth of production may live the best decision. In general, though, cars inwards master specification are worth to a greater extent than than modified vehicles, unless the torso or mechanical parts were fitted inwards menstruum past times top-end firms such every bit AMG or Brabus.
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| Late-model W124 saloon, amongst plastic side panels in addition to Mercedes star on bonnet rather than grille. |
Find out more
In the instant business office of this blog, nosotros volition innovate roughly of the psyche points to await for when choosing 1 of these Mercedes, roofing inwards plough the exterior, interior in addition to the engine in addition to mechanical components.
But if this characteristic has already whetted your appetite to observe out to a greater extent than most these swell cars, why non convey wages of our special Essential Buyer’s Guide offer? Get 3 guides – 1 for each of the models mentioned inwards this weblog – for the cost of only two, saving you lot £12.99.
You tin observe out to a greater extent than most each volume in addition to the special offering over on Julian's
Drive Guide Guru website, in addition to you lot tin
purchase straight from us.
If your heed is already onset the W123, nosotros also spot out the definitive remove to its history in addition to development, from renowned motoring historian Brian Long.
About Julian Parish
Julian Parish is the writer of 6 books for Veloce, including the Essential Buyer’s Guides to the Mercedes-Benz 190 in addition to W123 series. H5N1 fellow member of the Guild of Motoring Writers, he also translated the Essential Buyer’s Guide to the Mercedes-Benz W124 serial from High German into English.
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All photos courtesy Mercedes-Benz Classic, except where otherwise shown.
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As our real successful Essential Buyer's Guide serial demonstrate (we've sold to a greater extent than than 175,000 copies worldwide!), hither at Veloce nosotros convey buying a machine real seriously, especially when it comes to classics – modern or otherwise. And if you're considering buying a Mercedes-Benz, in addition to so you're inwards the correct place. Julian Parish, writer of 3 Mercedes-Benz EBGs, in addition to translator of a fourth, has written a practical two-part remove to assist you lot create upwardly one's heed which Mercedes is correct fo you lot – only continue reading for business office 1 …
