Mercedes W123 300TD Estate Wagon Driving Review.

The Mercedes-Benz W123 300TD is remembered today as one of the toughest and most reliable vehicles of its age, they were commonly used as taxis due to the fact they could run up over 1,000,000 kilometres (621,000 miles) on the odometer without requiring anything more than scheduled maintenance.
#mercedesbenz #carslover #w123
The Mercedes W123 And The Record Breaking OM617 Engine
Many of these high-mileage vehicles would be shipped to developing countries in Africa after being retired from fleets in Europe, where they would carry on for decades longer. Mercedes of this era proved well-suited to the rough road conditions in many of the world’s less wealthy nations, and vehicles carrying the three-pointed star could be found across the Middle East, Africa, and South America carrying everyone from government officials and dignitaries, to taxi passengers and livestock.
The Mercedes-Benz W123 is an executive car released in late 1975 and sold until early 1986, it succeeded the Mercedes-Benz W114 model. It outsold it predecessor and became the Mercedes with the highest production numbers in history up until that point, with 2.7 million units sold worldwide. Many of these cars are still on the road - somewhere in the world.

[@nirfz]

The rear self leveling suspension: Mercedes put that as standard in all their big wagons starting with the W123 until the W212. (the W213 i have no clue about) And in the smaller wagons (c-class), it was an option (self leveling rear suspension) until the W204 i think. The coolest part of it is that no matter if loaded or not, you don't loose suspension travel and the suspension geometry doesn't change either. Meaning it drives as well loaded as it does empty.

[@granthb]

You're driving one of the safest vehicles built in the 80s. My sister survived a serious t-bone accident in one. The passenger cell of any other car of that era (save maybe a Volvo 240) would have crumpled. But all that safety needs occupants to wear seat belts to keep them in place. Princess Diana died in a W140 for only one reason: she wasn't wearing her seat belt. Bad choice.

[@nirfz]

addition: the only person in the W140 of the former Princess' accident that survived was the only one wearing his seatbelt. And he survived even though he was in the worst seat for that accident.

[@JustinSeara]

Seriously. No seat belts? What gives?

[@OneDolllar]

@@JustinSeara Heavy petting.

[@bartjanflikkema]

There is something about the Mercedes cars of that era. I own an early 1985 W201, one of the early OM601 examples. They started engineering that car from the early 70 and onward, and even though ithas modern car multilink suspension and everything, it also has all the old Mercedes comfort. Same seats as the 123, same steering wheel. Same handling over bumps/potholes etc. But if you throw it into a corner, you can't believe how fast it actually is due to the moders suspension configuration. Fun fact, the reason why Mercedes improved the W123 for the model years 84/85 is to be able to be somewhat on level with the W201. At the time of reveal (1982) the cheaper W201 was so good that the sales of the W123 dropped quite significantly because people rather chose the better car over the only slightly bigger, but less comfortable, less efficient car. At that time, the only real reason to chose a 123 was that there was a wagon available which sadly never came for the W201. My friend has had an early 1977 W123 300d(460000km) and now has an 84 W123 300td(919000km (non turbo touring diesel, turbo was the 300tdt) and the differences are very clear. The earlier 123 is a tractor compared to my 201, while the 84 123 is on level with it. It only doesn't corner that fast, but an old Mercedes diesel isn't really inviting to do that anyways, even though it is a 201

[@davidnorth3411]

Hey guys , she’s a beauty . I Bought my first Mercedes W123 Wagon in 2006 for reasons of exploring biodiesel blending . I fell in love with the model , so much I’ve flipped 35 of them since that time .I Averaged 1 to 2 a year with service that. I call a lite restore , services back up to par and fix any leaking parts . In Houston they were everywhere back 13 years ago , now it’s rarer to see one. My newest arrivals are from the hill country , both are 1982 built with a 300cd and a unique color 300tdt , both with very clean bodies . They are going through my checklist and will roadworthy the couple this following week . They come from one household and belong together as was the offer as it was brought to me , I completely agreed as the offer came via text . Cheers to your next adventure .

[@JustinSeara]

I’d love to see your checklist. Your experience is worth so much!

[@bobalex6323]

As Travis Tritt says (or sings) "They Don’t Make 'Em Like That No More". I love these cars. As I have a place in Europe, I´m looking for one. But even here, they are pricey.

[@w124mercedes7]

I have the 1987 300d with the om603 turbo and I love the way it drives and the sound of the motor. 😊

[@madcat4563]

Damn 160 (km/h) is stupid fast for an old-school diesel, and the rev range is very high for a diesel.

[@morganmcdonagh2663]

It's hydraulic suspension at the rear....not air. It also shouldn't sink straight away when the car turns of unless there is a leak in the system. It should hold its height for days at least.

[@skymuffn]

…much admiration for you guys for giving an old gal some love. I’ve been lucky to have inherited my Gran’s 1985 Wagon when she stopped driving in 1989. It only had 19K miles on it and still is going strong today with 73K miles. I usually drive her each summer to haul lots of alcohol from home in Atherton, CA to the summer home in Ashland, OR. Such a joy to drive even to this day.

[@SirDrifto]

That’s amazingly low miles keep that car!

[@i.p.g8428]

They are great cars for sure. I own a 1982 300 tdt euro model (I live in Spain). My car has 390.000 original km and I have been slowly going mechanically through it (I had my transmission rebuilt, the SLS pump and valve resealed and new spheres, professionally cleaned radiator and cooling system, vacuum system checked and several other things) but there are still two "problems" annoying me that I am not sure if they are "normal behaviour" or not. The first problem is that , having checked compression and being it fine, the car is desperately slow and unresponsive right after starting from cold and while driving under normal operating temperature to the point where, even after a little idling, it struggles to drive ramps up with the transmission in "D". Then after some minutes of driving it performs much better, and at highway speeds it drives almost like a modern car, and the second problem I find is that after the transmission rebuild it shifts "hard" from first to second gear unless I am really gentle with the accelerator pedal (2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th are barely noticeable). As I say I am not sure if these are real problems and there is something wrong or if that is the way these cars are expected to perform, it is a pretty uncommon car over here (in Europe only the tourings got the turbodiesel engine) and I haven't had the chance to drive another "properly sorted" one to compare.

[@SirDrifto]

Honestly I have days mine accerlates fast, and other days it is noticeably slower. I’ve wonder this reason as to why aswell.

[@calebwhite1454]

Where was this filmed? I love it, almost as much as the car ^_^

[@SirDrifto]

Boulder Colorado 🙂

[@danialk8387]

Amazing cars. The best or nothing.

[@SirDrifto]

they really are

[@SpikeArrowood]

Beautiful drive!!! Love a good mountain drive/views. I am picking up my 1982 240d 180k manual transmission.. windows.. sunroof HVAC! Yellow/black

[@SirDrifto]

Awesome to hear

[@ibiker2369]

We simultaneously owned a 240D (4sp) and a 300TD in the 1980s. Loved both of them and put way over 200K trouble-free miles on both. Interestingly, the 300TD got better mileage, which I attributed to often driving the 240D with the pedal to the metal trying to get it going. The wagon was much quicker. But they also rusted badly, probably due to the frequent use of road salt in the winter here in central Ohio. We also had some brutal winters then, and had occasions when one or the other wouldn't start after sitting outside in sub-zero temps all day. If it weren't for the rusting, I would have put block heaters in both and eliminated that problem. But I got tired of the regular trips to the body shop and sold them both. They were the last cars I had rust problems with, until my 2009 F-150.

[@davidklose2072]

Wonderfoul Video He knows what he have! i drive aW124 greetings from Germany Stuttgart

[@alhassanait1749]

As a moroccan , i spent my childhood and teenage traveling as passenger in these w123 taxis .It was great and very respected . But taxi drivers used only 200 or 240 versions, i guess because of insurance and fuel consumption , also they used only manual grear box version . They don't trust the automatic gear . How many miles on yours ? did you ever change the gear box oil ?

[@AndrewCDiprose]

great question. I never changed the gear box oil on my old V70

[@LesterLovesWatches]

Loved that 0-100 test. I counted the 0-60 as about 15 seconds - quite respectable. My 280E is about 10-11, so not much slower.

[@SirDrifto]

I've heard the 280e is peppy.

[@landsky5925]

You have a great family guy charisma Man

[@MrMfaust5]

Thanks man for another wonderful scenic review. I've been to Colorado many times; beautiful State, but it has gotten very expensive to live in during the past 15 years. Bring your girlfriend and come visit my country of Lebanon 🙋‍♂

[@SirDrifto]

Would absolutely love to see Lebanon!

[@MrMfaust5]

@@SirDrifto You're both very welcome; consider it like your second country

[@4WHEELBIKER]

Exactly right...that exhaust sounds like a truck ! Definitely an acquired taste.

[@CMA8104]

Amazing video and car but genuine question, isn't the chasis code S123 for the estates vs W123? Not trying to correct anyone, I am ignorant to Mercs and trying to learn.

[@SirDrifto]

You actually are correct. The wagon is designated as s and I believe the sedans are w, however when you mention s123 it’s hard for many to relate but when you mention w123 they automatically recognize.

[@CMA8104]

@@SirDrifto thanks for taking time to reply. That makes total sense and again great video my dude.

[@halexic1]

Not using seat belts is not penalized in USA?

[@MrTesedgar]

Man nice video. I wish my 78 go through all gears like yours I only get 2 shifts. It's has a turbo engine but the trans is the original to the car . That might be affecting the performance. Any input that u have would work thanks.

[@therealcarlmarti]

they start in 2nd gear under partial throttle so two shifts would be normal. if you start with your foot to the floor it will go down to 1st.

[@bryancelis9041]

Hey man random question but do you recommend a 1975 Mercedes 240d?. I’m currently looking at one

[@SirDrifto]

Absolutely if you want reliability and simplicity of working on it. Absolutely not if you are always in a hurry and don't like the smell of diesel.

[@bryancelis9041]

@@SirDrifto Thanks . Really like your car content keep it up 👍🏾

[@franciscozabalaga4871]

thanks!

[@SirDrifto]

👌🤙

[@litarmleka3511]

What's with the muffler?

[@acejktheboss1590]

You should lock the sunroof when it's open (turn clockwise), otherwise it will slam forward with huge momentum if/when you brake hard

[@SirDrifto]

Good news my doesn’t move that easily I think I could get into an accident and it wouldn’t move when opened 😅

[@acejktheboss1590]

@@SirDrifto I said that because once in my friends 300td it did just that and we almost pissed ourselves, it was that loud 😁

[@adrianaguirre1641]

Please tell me what you did to make it sounds like that

[@SirDrifto]

I cut the exhaust off and did a side exit straight pipe. 😆

[@scrapbotsfl]

How is the third row rear facing seat? Can it fit an adult that's like 5 foot 6 in it? Lol

[@SirDrifto]

I'd say if you're shorter than 5'10" it's pretty comfortable

[@andrnut]

Why your Benz is soooo quite?mine sounds like old tractor. Turbo make this difference maybe 🤔

[@SirDrifto]

When did you service the injectors. That cuts down on noise when they flow corrrectly, diesel purge helps a ton

[@andrnut]

@@SirDrifto I think my general problem is rusted exhaust pipe) and zero soundproofing with bad door seals.

[@adrianaguirre1641]

How come it’s sounds good?

[@bartjanflikkema]

5 cilinder prechamber OM617. That says enough 😋

[@paulk9985]

Not wearing seat or shoulder belts???????? And the pooch?????????

[@SirDrifto]

What about the Pooch? The seat belt clips don't release in my front seats so I'll need to order some at some point

[@paulk9985]

@@SirDrifto What about the pooch? It's called Dog Seatbelt Harness.

[@SirDrifto]

@@paulk9985 Mercedes didn’t offer dog seat belts In the W123 .

[@paulk9985]

@@SirDrifto Please tell me you are joking. You buy the harness on Amazon.

[@SirDrifto]

@@paulk9985 I am, but that wouldn't be period correct for this car. Just like adding head rests to my 1968, though safer wouldn't be period correct either. To each their own. Otto would disown me if I made him wear a dog seat belt. Thanks for watching