The BEST Mercedes Benz? W123 vs W124 Comparison

Welcome to our ultimate showdown between two of Mercedes-Benz's most iconic models: the W123 and the W124!
In this video, we'll take an in-depth look at these legendary vehicles, exploring their design, engineering, performance, and legacy. Whether you're a classic car enthusiast, a Mercedes-Benz fan, or just curious about automotive history, this comparison is sure to fascinate and inform. Thank you to Kevin for loan of his lovely C124.
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Chapters:
Intro: 00:00
W123 Overview: 00:25
W123 Styling: 01:12
W123 Build Quality: 02:13
W123 Technology: 03:17
W123 Economics: 03:43
W123 Suspension: 04:35
W123 Engines: 05:16
W123 Longevity & Success: 06:11
W123 Closing Thoughts: 07:25
W124 Overview & Design: 08:00
W124 Interior: 09:36
W124 Pillarless Demo: 10:32
W124 Takes the Fight to BMW: 11:08
W124 Engines & Performance Models: 12:04
W124 Technology: 13:38
W124 Closing Thoughts: 14:27
Verdict!: 16:51
Outro: 18:00

[@chadichadi7658]

When there was no car available, my boss used to give me his w123 coupe to cruise through my day . That was in late 90 , early 2000. I fell in love with it. Then I had dreamt to have one . Years goes by and drove the w124 sedan , the choice became harder . Finally, a year ago I bought a w124 , 86 , and I think it’s closer to w123 then to 124 facelift which is I’m loving it. Great video.

[@davidarter9670]

I had a W124 300E -24, a brilliant car that I absolutely loved! I have recently becone the proud owner of a W126 560SEC which is an even mightier car! As an old Benz custodian I feel pretty privileged these days.

[@chrisgee7631]

I sold my w126 560SEC a couple of years ago and regret it, there’s nothing like one. I doubt I could afford to replace it at the moment, enjoy yours!

[@davidarter9670]

@@chrisgee7631 Thankyou!

[@peterandroy]

The unstoppable W123 is our favourite car. We explore the Eastern Cape and it never lets us down. Economical fuel consumption too! Highly recommended. Regards, Roy & Peter (South Africa)

[@julianaburrow7131]

Both the 123 and the 124 are fabulous cars! For me the 124 feels more modern - as it should: the designs are a decade or so apart. For example I find the heater / blower controls more intuitive on the 124 and as was said in the video the handling is a little sharper. I would happily take either on a long distance run - and have done so as I’m blessed to own a coupé version of both models. My 124 (300 1988) is my daily driver, our 123 (280 1985) is for high days and holidays. The 124 can be better on fuel consumption (but that depends on how they are driven, of course)… best ever from our 123 is 26mpg, best ever from my 124 is 30mpg (UK gallons). As for rust? Both can rust for the olympics if not looked after! Performance? My 300 feels quicker than our 280 - but then I don’t drive our 123 as hard as I do my 300… Standing joke between the owner of the coupé in the video and me as he is a great mate - the coupé is a little modified! I’m a purist when it comes to modifications - and he knows that and constantly teases me about it! Great video - loved it! Sorry I’m not up for offering our coupés for a back to back test!

[@petercollingwood522]

I like both. I've owned three 123's and driven in (and been driven in when I was a kid) many more. I agree with you. Peak car. They were the best car of the 20th century. And probably the best car of all time.

[@BEGGARWOOD1]

W123 a great car with a weakness for rust . W124 a better car that rusts less but has a bit more complexity

[@kallaprime799]

Only first series, all other use american lower Qualität steel and water based paint so it rust even faster.

[@paulnash4425]

I love both (own a W123), but it comes down to style preference to me. I know the 124 may be a better car, but just love the classic looks of the older w123

[@solsol1624]

Same here. I was looking for a 123 for ages and couldn't find a nice one, rust, so tried a 124 300ce, which was a lovely drive but also rusty, the a 123 280ce came along which I have nearly 5 years now. So happy I held out, I'd always be thinking I got the wrong car. No disrespect to 124 fans, but it's the older one for me😂

[@kevinhowlett4097]

Brilliant video. Glad you enjoyed my C124.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Thanks again for letting us drive it, Kevin!

[@user-ey9eu1zb5f]

I fully agree, w123 of course. It's a legend. Thank you for the video.

[@wollaminfaetter]

Not a single mention of the cars glorious automatic transmissions, which was second to none back then? Way above the competition in the 70's. Way, way above!

[@AlpinaBiturbo346]

Great episode... never owned a 123,, but had 300CE 500E and 400E.... i adored the 500E,, but the 400 does so close,, except the body of the 124036 is gorgeous

[@johnlancaster-lennox3363]

I just spent 2 months in a A124, I covered 10,300km. Visited 12 countries and it was totally amazing. the W124 is best, but I do love a W123, would love an amazing Touring in green.

[@jamesfranklin2203]

For three years I did enjoy driving the strached 7 seats 240d and 300d W123 as well as the 200d and 250d W124, all of them wonderful cars

[@philcurtis8420]

I bought a brand new W123 200 automatic in 1983. I drove it for 6 months until, one horrible day, my wife was obliged to drive it and discovered it was easier to park than a Mini. From that day on I was no longer allowed to drive it, and was demoted to the company truck. 😭 42 years later, my wife still drives it every day, and I still love both of the old girls - she's still more comfortable than my ML320, though not quite as fast (the car, I mean.😉)

[@nickyarusso9045]

Back in high school my dad bought my sister and I a 1977 300d, cream color with the hub caps to match. Beautiful car, we shared it all through high school, but once the head gasket blew we knew we needed a new car. The next logical step was to upgrade to the 1982 190e. Of course once COVID came around and I was sent home from college, I dismantled that thing and swapped it with the 3.0 liter inline 6 out of a 300e. Little extra boost in horsepower! Looking back on those cars, I don't think I fully appreciated the class of the 300d or the ingenuity of the 190e. Fantastic video, making me miss the old Mercedes even more!

[@sonofjak1971]

I'm fortunate enough to have owned both once upon a yesterday and you have it absolutely correct 100%. I currently run a low mileage W201 and for many of the same reasons you gave i would say they are only a little behind the 123 and 124. Probably let down by the looks but still built in a similar way. Great video.

[@verdict1163]

W201 is considered a design icon more so than the W123 or W124.

[@stroopwafel4577]

124 coupe looks so well designed. It's a big car but looks relatively slick and harmonious

[@Beechams1042]

Never driven a w123 - and doubt I could afford one. But I love my base spec, W124 coupe 220CE. But I'd agree w123 is peak merc. The w124 is classic enough to be cool and different, but modern feeling enough to be used daily - as mine is. HOWEVER - eco-wiring is an issue. So if you're getting one make sure it's been done - of priced accordingly for a new engine wiring loom, coil harness, and throttle body wiring. I'll be fitting the latter two on the 220CE soon (channel plug....). Rust is an issue too - but they're both old cars and are issues. As I know Joe knows about all too well.

[@lawrenceholden5716]

As a triple Mercedes owner and enthusiast, I'd choose the 201 series 190 and the 204 series C class as well built reliable affordable cars.

[@Columbo777]

agreed on the w204...righted the wrongs of the awful w203 and to an extent the w202...great car especially in limited form such as black series/edition 507

[@SLAmey-mu9hd]

Really enjoyable review..... Thanks for putting it all together.😎

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@alexandrecouture2462]

I think Joe really likes his car, and it's great, have fun!

[@Suprahampton]

Surely the W201 should be in the running

[@dorkomatic]

I was going to say the same thing.

[@Columbo777]

@@dorkomatic not really. Not a chrome Benz

[@renierdutoit1]

Great video👍👍👍Out of all the Mercs I owned I prefer my W201 190e.

[@LaureanBotDragan]

The W123 impact on market was bigger than W124…both are spectacular cars!

[@lesklower7281]

The Mercedes Benz 123 are still around after over 40 years which is a testiment to how well engineered and l regularly see one at a mechanics workshop and is a 300D because it is parked up with the rear to the fence but one day the bonnet was up and there it was that five cylinder turbo charged considered one of the most reliable engines ever made because l do think reliability is the most important thing when it comes to any vehicle unfortunately many vehicles built today are not reliable but there is a couple of car makers that still build reliable vehicles and 6our 123 very nice and still going down the road are these the absolute best classic car

[@runoflife87]

Well, I'd rather choose w124 over w123 because of design and rear suspension engineering. My choice for classic Merc is w114.

[@michaelbacon561]

The W114 was also a cut above the opposition. I had a 280CE and should have kept it, but being a car of that era, there was not the knowledge to protect it from rust and it put me on notice that it was going to consume lots of money. You could also go back to the "fintails" before that - by then Mercedes' reputation for superb engineering was in the ascendant. Shame it was trashed in the late 80s and 90s, never to fully recover....

[@LosihoTTT]

The correct answer is neither of them - it's the 126.

[@andabossftw]

I wish to drive both one day

[@LolkeDijkstra]

I much prefer the w114 over the w123. A wonderful driver. I used it for regular daily commute from Friesland to Amsterdam (during the summer) between 2000 and 2003. A joy to drive. I owned a 230.6. Unfortunately it was lost in an accident. I also owned a w124 280E.

[@lourdesorive5293]

Thanks!

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Thank YOU! :D

[@AledPritchard]

I really like a C124, an original spec one to this day, brilliance and beauty.

[@olliesgrandad]

By pure change and luck in 2000 I bought a 10,000 mile dry driven only 1990 124 300ce. Beautifully built car. What you have to remember is though the price of tnhese cars new. My car was £42,000 when originally sold which would tody equate to £119,000. As you say there were all sorts of options available. My car had been specified new with a long range fuel tank of 90 litres. I sworked out the previous owner only needed to refuel 20 times in his 10 years with the car! I used it as a daily driver and took it ti Mercedes club meetings. Eventually on a whim I sold it and rteplaced it with an ultra rare BMW Z3 2.8 orinoco edition. That's another story. i've owned another 2 modern Mercs since but the build quality is just not there any longer.

[@sydnorth5868]

The 123 is the last of the classic Mercedes. The 124 is the first of the modern Mercedes. You only have to look at the bumpers!

[@getty5788]

w124 is solid had one with 700000km on the clock, no problem.

[@void0094]

Calling the W124 the first modern Mercedes is an insult.

[@LaureanBotDragan]

@@void0094in Europe, especially Germany they call W124 modern classic!

[@void0094]

@@LaureanBotDragan In Germany they call it "the last real Mercedes".

[@qwertyui90qwertyui90]

W123 forever :P

[@markcarter9476]

There's nothing like an old Mercedes. As a car guy family & friends often ask which car they should buy and I always say buy an older Mercedes. They are plentiful, hence cheap, and the build quality puts all other mass manufactures to shame.

[@arthurdardalis]

I had a W123 280E and a MK2 Granada 2.8iGhia, the Granada had as standard equipment everything that was optional on the Mercedes. The only extra on the Granada was A/C Both were 1980 models, the 123 was rusting at 10 years old, the Granada was rust free. I own from new a1987.W124 in showroom condition , I will say it was better built than the W123

[@LaureanBotDragan]

Only first series of W123 was rusting, overall Merc was better built than Ford…I’m a lorry driver and seeing on the roads almost every day W123-W124 series, Granada none…this is the best answer, who was better!

[@Julianpms]

An invidious choice, but my vote goes to the W124. Living in continental Europe, I'm lucky enough to own an E420. All the power and refinement of the six-cylinder models, but turned up to 11. A peach of a car.

[@Bizmyurt]

You can not compare a base standard w123 200 to an updated, lowered and widened 6 cylinder w124 coupé!

[@nikojevtic6709]

Yes W123 is far superior

[@phillipevans9414]

They areboth great cars...but personally, I'll have an R129 SL500 please. Cheers!

[@serz1885]

the best clearly w126

[@alexandrebeinotti3359]

Word

[@HypocriticYT]

123 are solid

[@rob5944]

I guess Toyota took over the mantle of durability and reliability after the German marques lost it, especially the ethos of evolution rather than revolution that is the vouge today.

[@saccoearth007]

Where did you get that t-shirt?

[@timjones143]

Yes, the W124 is more comfortable and clearly more modern. Less road noise. Handles better. Mote comfortable seats. But the W123 was/is way more robust. And simpler to maintain, tho parts increasingly hard to get.

[@AlexanderInChile-x3y]

W123

[@peterj5751]

I actually think the 300 CE 24 was the peak Mercedes. Of course that is my opinion only and I’m sure others will disagree.

[@michaelbacon561]

A couple of comments below have mentioned that the W123 rusted. Some seemed to be worse than others, if I remember rightly. That was probably because paint and rust protection technology was not that advanced; every steel bodied car in those days rusted, regardless of price. It certainly seemed to have advanced with the W124 which will rust, as others have mentioned, but it did seem to resist it for a very long time and it was far better than the rubbish that was to follow it. Now they are old enough to warrant a thorough check

[@paulnash4425]

@@michaelbacon561 I’ve seen many comments about w123s rusting. What people fail to appreciate is the high mileage a w123 is capable of. Most cars of the era were knackered after 100k miles, compare that with w123s in the US dry states with several 100k miles and no rust

[@LesterLovesWatches]

W123 rust-protection got better after around 1980/81 but of course they still do go.

[@anakinskywalker4113]

Either of them has its pros & cons They both suffer from rust although the W124 less so than the W123.

[@grandtrousers]

W124 coupe fitted with a diesel from DPUK would be my weapon of choice 👍

[@marial8235]

I had a 124 red coupe for a short time (a dumb hoe ran into it and demolished the front end). It really was a joy to drive. I’d love to get another on e…

[@taunuslunatic404]

Which one lasts longer?

[@bengtpersson6405]

For me it's the W114 that is the best classic MB

[@sputumtube]

If you buy one for 'a couple of grand' as you suggest, you'll never have your bank account in the black. Like they say - "there's nothing so expensive as a cheap Mercedes".

[@philcurtis8420]

I disagree! My W123 is now 43 years old and is still the cheapest car that I have ever had to run. Mind you, I love to tinker, and I do any infrequent repairs myself. Just fixed the automatic door locking system for about $50.00.

[@Richard-Bullock]

If that was a 123 versus anything but a 124, I'd say without a moment's hesitation it has to be the 123. But in this instance, hmmm. I want both. C123 280E as my weekend toy, and a W124 300D as my daily driver.

[@Ebonyqwe]

First 😮

[@Ebonyqwe]

@@alancrisp1582it’s my first time, let me enjoy it

[@artureff3046]

SLC 450 5.0

[@ChiroJohnston]

IMO it's a turbo diesel w123, no gasers please. Don't bother driving either in the winter, it just wrecks'em

[@wackodoggames]

Best..? Without S-klasse..?

[@carloscanziani1644]

The w123 was indestructible as fathers are to his sons. W124 is his son.

[@V8_screw_electric_cars]

124 because they had V8s

[@andabossftw]

There were a few W123 500E and 500TE AMG cars built

[@nikvandeneede1228]

not a W124...... it is a C124

[@qwertyui90qwertyui90]

The W123 will outlive the W124 every day of the week. Why you ask ? well, one answer. A distinct lack of computers in the W123.

[@gtpicasso4794]

the w123 is a better machine the w124 is the better car

[@TheMuzikall]

Biased towards the w124😡 Both should be Coupes🙏 Not a Taxi w123 vs Boulevard w124Coupe😂😂😂