| Mercedes-Benz W123 | |
|---|---|
.JPG) 1982 Mercedes-Benz 280E (W123) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Daimler-Benz |
| Production | November 1975–January 1986 2,696,915 built[1] 4-door: 2,375,410 Coupé: 99,884 Estate: 199,517 Limousine: 13,700 Chassis: 1,353 LWB chassis: 7,020 |
| Model years | 1976–1986 |
| Assembly |
|
| Designer | Bruno Sacco, Friedrich Geiger (Saloon & coupe: 1973, T-Model: 1975) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Executive car (E) |
| Body style | 4-door saloon (W123) 2-door coupé (C123) 5-door estate (S123) 4-door limousine (V123) |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Mercedes-Benz E-Class |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 4-speed 722.1 automatic 4-speed 4G-TRONIC automatic 4-speed manual 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | Saloon: 2,795 mm (110.0 in) Coupé: 2,710 mm (106.7 in) Limousine/ambulance/hearse: 3,425 mm (134.8 in) |
| Length | 4,725 mm (186.0 in)[3] 4,849 mm (190.9 in) (US bumpers) 4,640 mm (183 in) (Coupé) 4,763 mm (187.5 in) (Coupé US bumpers) 5,355 mm (210.8 in) (Limousine) |
| Width | Saloon: 1,784 mm (70.2 in)[3] |
| Height | Saloon: 1,435 mm (56.5 in)[3] |
| Curb weight | Saloon: 1,625 kg (3,582.5 lb) (turbodiesel, automatic) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mercedes-Benz W114 |
| Successor | Mercedes-Benz W124 |
The Mercedes-Benz W123 is a range of executive cars produced by German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz from November 1975 to January 1986. The W123 models surpassed their predecessor, the Mercedes-Benz W114, as the most successful Mercedes, selling 2.7 million units before production ended in the autumn of 1985 for the saloon/sedan versions and January 1986 for coupés and estates/station wagons.[4]
Following a slow production build-up during the first year, customers who placed their orders faced a lengthy waiting period of nine to twelve months. A black market emerged for the customers who were willing to pay more for immediate delivery. The slightly used W123 commanded about 5,000 Deutsche Mark premium over its original sale price.[5]
Like its predecessors, the W123 gained the reputation of being well built and reliable.[6] Many taxi companies chose the W123, and they were a common sight in Germany.[7] Reaching 500,000 or 1,000,000 km with only minor mechanical issues was common with W123s used as taxicabs.[8][9] Once the W123 reached the end of its service life, they were often shipped to Africa and third world countries where they were highly esteemed for their ability to travel on rough roads and to not require frequent maintenance.[10]
W123 production ended in January 1986 with 63 final T-models rolling out. The most popular single models were the 240D (455,000 built), the 230E (442,000 built), and the 200D (378,000 built).
- ^ Deutsche Autos, Band 4, 2001, p. 99.
- ^ de Feijter, Tycho (8 May 2010). "FAW based Mercedes 200 in China". Car News China. Archived from the original on 20 February 2016.
- ^ a b c Hutton, Ray, ed. (16 September 1978). "Autotest: Mercedes-Benz 200". Autocar. 149 (4271): 26–31.
- ^ JAY RAMEY (1 February 2016). "Mercedes W123 hits the big 4-0 The grandfather of the E-Class is still a daily driver all around the world". Autoweek.
- ^ Richarz, Hans-Robert (1 September 1976). "Sterntaler: Mercedes-Wagen zu Schwarzmarktpreisen" [Top Dollars: Mercedes cars at black market prices]. Auto, Motor und Sport (in German) (18): 8–9.
- ^ "Simply Refusing To Die: Here's What Makes The Mercedes W123 One Of The Longest Lasting Cars On The Road". Hot Cars. 3 April 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "CC Outtake: A Mercedes-Benz W123 Taxi In 2016". Classic Curbside. 11 March 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "The Mercedes-Benz W123 Is A Classic German Sedan That Could Last You 1 Million Miles". Hot Cars. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "8 Mercedes Cars That Have Driven More Than A Million Kilometers". Hot Cars. 4 April 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
- ^ "Is the Mercedes benz w123 the cheapest mb to maintain?". 18 January 2005.