I drive a beautiful 1985 Mercedes-Benz w123 280e! Come along for the ride.

[@soda_YEET]

One of the best old Mercedes IMO

[@johanlamprecht5577]

Brings back memories. Stunning cars. If i remember correctly the external differences that separated the 280E from the lower 230 and 200 were the mag wheels and the headligts

[@oldmercguy]

Externally just the headlights here in South Africa. Internally, additional wood trim and a 220km/h speedo. All the rest were options across the range, mags/ sunroof/ elec windows.

[@usergvhhyu1223]

Remember in the 80's, as a child, looking into the MBs interior through the window glass and the dash gave this sense of awesomenes. Now unfortunately, lots of cheap plastics and unnecessary LEDs. Not the same feeling. As a child, my family didnt have access to MBs and we owned a Fiat 125. Now that I could afford them, I choose not to buy a MB. Hopefully they could find their way back to awesomeness. Same with BMW. Great video.

[@jacquesvanzyl374]

My dad had a 1979 model 280e......Only problem it had was the reverse gear would shutter a bit when parked on an incline.....Other than that , it was a great car , loved it.....Thank's for great video

[@oldmercguy]

Better than one of the forward gears I guess… Thanks for getting in contact and watching!

[@muhammadkhan-hp4fx]

The dashboard still looks so much upto date.

[@oldmercguy]

everything you need, nothing that you don't.

[@usergvhhyu1223]

Timeless design.

[@KhalidMubariz-h5r]

I had this car in 1990 ,, 85 model Best drive and Excellent munovring,,,, Even fuel Average was 9 km in a litre urban and long drive 12 km,,,, Best machine,,,even 300 D was a great vehicle ,,,, Thesr model were great 👍

[@oldmercguy]

I agree with you

[@craigcohen4936]

I had the W124 280E back in the day which I think was about 145 kw. I was told when I traded it in by the salesman who used to work at Cargo motors in Jhb that they frequently had them coming in with over 1 million km on the clock. At the time mine had just over 200 000 km on the odometer - I suspect that the salesman was eyeing it for himself because he was totally unfazed by the mileage. It was a great car which used no water or oil and gave a fantastic ride. Solid as anything.

[@oldmercguy]

To think that back in 82 these cars cost R26000. Real gems the 280e’s.

[@craigcohen4936]

@@oldmercguy The 280E has always been my sweet spot. I did also have the W124 230E manual. It was extremely light on fuel but had a number of issues which the 280 never had 😀

[@gertvanderhorst2890]

Can heardly watch it, so jealous.

[@oldmercguy]

Me too…

[@alanriddell101]

Great relaxing video, just like the car itself! I have a 1984 280e saloon in fern green. Previous owner wants to buy it back if i ever sell it! Cheers from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@oldmercguy]

Thank you for watching, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Don’t sell it 😃!

[@timjones143]

Another fun, informative video. I do find a M110 motor ... unexciting. It must be "just me" cos so many admire the engine and it had a long run in various Mercs. But as a long distance cruiser it feels too noisy in the cabin for me...and noise is tiring. The 5 speed manual, with that extra gear makes a big difference, but to find one. And on take off it just requires too much huff and puff to access "performance." The valve guides almost always "go" as do the valve stem seals, and unless one doesnt mind the odour and the smoke, one has to see to that. But, yes, the W123 280E can provide a very distinctive W123 experience.

[@oldmercguy]

Thanks for watching and your input Tim!

[@verdict1163]

Thanks for the vid. I just bought an '84 280E from Germany and am having it shipped to the states - can't wait. I'm always telling people how smart the manual mirror adjustment on the driver's side is. Why have the complication of an extra electric motor, wiring, etc. when you can just reach up and adjust it?

[@oldmercguy]

Exactly! If you’re on Facebook please share some photos of it when it arrives to this group of mine: My Beautiful Old Mercedes Facebook group, a place you can share your older Mercedes: facebook.com/share/MxGVQakQMs6DdHy8/?mibextid=K35XfP

[@borismkhwanazi583]

Great car 🎉🎉

[@gotham61]

Cool video. A couple of detail corrections. The easiest way to identify the 280s and CE coupes from other W123s is the wrap around bumpers which extend further towards the wheel openings than on lesser models. Initially, the rectangular one piece glass headlamps were only on the 280s and coupes, but they became standard across the range from late 1982. The exhaust sounds too loud on that car. Perhaps a hole, or modified?

[@oldmercguy]

Thanks for watching! On South African manufactured w123’s we had the extended rear bumpers across the range, not the shorter ones on any of the models. Also on SA manufactured w123’s, only the 280/280e got the rectangular headlights, the lesser models and diesels had the round element ones right through until the end of production here in 1986 (the w124 only commenced production here in October 1986). Interestingly the headlights with the round elements included a reflector between the main beam and fog lights, something that was also specific to SA manufactured models. If you look at the recent video I did on the 230e manual, the 200 or the one on the 300d that comes out tomorrow on the channel, you’ll spot them.

[@zactormak]

old cars are the best

[@martinsv9183]

The 280 also had chrome strips instead of rubber under the tail lights, at least in Europe. I think same for the cabin air inlets on top of the hood. Chrome vs plastic.

[@oldmercguy]

All South African built w123’s had the chrome strips under the tail lights and all pre-83 ones built here had the chrome wiper grills. After that they were all black.

[@martinsv9183]

@@oldmercguy Interesting. The "lesser" models here only had rubber under. Cant remember if maybe the 300D also got the chrome.

[@absaly]

they used to float down road like luxury liner

[@oldmercguy]

Still do. More so if the shocks haven’t been replaced in a couple of decades…

[@chriswhite670]

Fantastic car ask me I've had 7 I think, not aloud to drive anything else ! Christopher "Chappies" White

[@gideonbasson8040]

The smooth ride of your Mercedes-Benz W123 280E is legendary! The W123 series is known for its exceptional comfort and ride quality, thanks to: 1. Long wheelbase: Providing stability and reducing body roll. 2. Independent suspension: Ensuring a smooth ride and precise handling. 3. Hydraulic shock absorbers: Absorbing bumps and vibrations. 4. Anti-roll bars: Reducing body lean in corners. These features, combined with the 280E's robust engine and precise transmission, create a driving experience that's both comfortable and engaging. Some tips to maintain the smooth ride: 1. Regularly check and replace shock absorbers. 2. Maintain proper tire pressure and alignment. 3. Replace worn-out suspension components (e.g., ball joints, bushings). 4. Consider upgrading to modern shock absorbers or suspension upgrades. Enjoy your smooth-riding 280E! Have you taken your 280E on any memorable road trips or scenic drives?

[@Grilousmane]

I had the manual 280 Carb was a great car, replaced the Solex 3A1 with a twin throat 38 down draft weber, that brought the car into its own. Should never have sold it :P

[@oldmercguy]

Yes the Solex can be a bigger, they tend to warp. The 280’s are fantastic cars, enough power but with the added simplicity of a carb, very cool!

[@nealyardy4602]

Yip fitted a big Weber to my W123 250 as well. Runs as well as a 280 without the complicated twin cam setup.

[@craigmorgan4676]

Mine doesn't sound nice, got a c180 98 w202!I wonder y ,it's only done 77k,love it!💪👍🤝🇬🇧🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦

[@nealyardy4602]

Lovely cars Lovely sound, but anything than a performance car. Of the era a XR6 would have run away from them on acceleration. Not to mention BMW 528i and the 535i which was the fastest local car you can buy. You must be a bit younger than me as back in the day I used to terrorise these cars with a golf mk 1 Gti. I have owned many 280's Lovely car but actually donkeys, my 4100 commodore would leave it like it was parked. Great videos though, keep it up.

[@oldmercguy]

The manual 280e was a fast car back then, off the showroom floor 0 to 100 was despatched in 8.7 seconds and it had a top speed of 200km/h. An XR6 in comparison did the 0 to 100 run in 9.5 and had a top speed of 182km/h. To be fair though in 1982 a new XR6 was R11640, a new manual 280e was R26095. For interests sake the much faster and bigger engined 535i was only R27500. Where are they now though those E12 535i’s? The one I wanted in 1985 though was none of those, it was a 333i. But then I was only 17. By the time I could afford a quicker car it was 91 and I bought an Uno turbo which I eventually replaced with a 325i. Thanks for comment and I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos. Thank you for following!

[@nealyardy4602]

I am not a Ford fan , no comparison to the quality of a Mercedes Benz. But Andre Stander chose XR6 Interceptors as a getaway car for a reason.

[@oldmercguy]

The Interceptor was a very different car to the standard XR6 though, twin Webers for one. Saw one up for sale the other day at a 560sec price.

[@TM-tm2bm]

I'll pay the owner R500k for this one.