This 37-Year-Old Diesel Is THE BEST Mercedes Ever Made!

[@k.k6555]

This is not the best Mercedes ever made.This is the best car ever made.

[@ivannovoselac3518]

Ha ha ha, yo're totaly right!

[@paranoid9678]

yep if your battery dies just push it down a hill and it starts :D

[@thomashoffmann3380]

deirsrs sried stg

[@chekroun2534]

👍

[@paranoid9678]

@B W i hopp it a diesel because only diesel can run without a batterie or power diesel dont have spark plugs to fire the pistons so if you start them they will go on unlike gasoline engines i drove home my little 2007 corsa diesel home one time and my batterie died on the way so i needet to go 12km without power (no tacho, no power breaks, no power sterring, no power windows fu i dont thing i had break lights :/ )

[@taoufikelomrani5640]

Still in our roads as a taxi. In morocco WE love this car so much

[@777torch777]

I was born and raised in Germany and my mom had this puppy as a 300D 1983 station waggon... It was green outside and inside. The car is still on the road with a new owner who commutes between Spain and Germany - last time I have seen him he said that the car is at 1.3 million kilometers plus and it looked brandnew. I will never forget lounging in these seagrass filled seats while cruising on the Autobahn.... I have to buy one now...😅 Thank you for the awesome review - memory lane

[@Kufle]

Totally true, my fathers friend has a W123 and it has 900 thousand km and it still runs, i have W201 and it has half a million and it still runs

[@Deontjie]

Our South African version did not have a turbo.

[@truckeronprivatetour4730]

@@Deontjie The Turbo was made for the american market.

[@truckeronprivatetour4730]

I raised too, in the green back of an yellow 1976 230 without injektion. One of the first W123! And I am still in the fever of old Mercedes.....was gab es SCHÖNERES???😍😂

[@vinnybruce2874]

I agree I own one till this day I have a 1983 240 diesel

[@malcolmmutambanengwe3453]

Greetings from Zimbabwe, Africa. My dad had this 300d, it was pure magic. Made me fall in love with Mercedes-Benz.

[@vieuxbal1253]

The best Mercedes ever made? I think that's an understatement. With more than 2 million units sold the W123 is often considered the most reliable car in the history of the automobile.

[@Engineerd3d]

The ford panther platform produced 9.6 million units. Love these old benzes and i agree legendary build quality.

[@San-uu7qc]

Built to last for a lifetime

[@vieuxbal1253]

@@San-uu7qc you bet!

[@vieuxbal1253]

@Slakerswe're not talking about the same thing. I'm talking about reliability of one single model the W123 built between 1975 and 1985. Lots of W123s especially the diesel-engined ones have been known to easily hit 1 million km with just regular maintenance. You can still find a few them in the Middle East and in Africa where I live. Your data is correct, but it refers to all Toyota Corolla generations since 1966 to date. Don’t get me wrong Toyotas are fantastic and dependable cars. I own one.

[@wisdomandlove1661]

@Slakershow many corollas are on the road today with 1 million miles or more with original engine and transmission??

[@Norasbestyoutubechannel781]

How can u think this doesnt look great. Its so handsome

[@hashassasin9234]

Exactly. Some people like the way a McClaren looks, others like Porsche’s, but I prefer a good old diesel made with some of the best German-engineering ever.

[@sprezzatura8755]

Beautiful Teutonic functionality. Like a tugboat. It is beautiful in a rugged and functional way.

[@leonschumagcher-vantonder]

This car is not the best even taken care off

[@T_Brown256]

i dont think it really has any styling

[@chhindz]

Think CD looks better

[@vonLubrich]

The strip was to protect the car from other car doors hitting it in a parking lot.

[@blinkfan305]

It’s helped me protect mine so many times!

[@vectraB97]

I had a volvo 240 ones. The blower motor was broken, and I accidentally ended up in the ditch because of all the moisture on my windshield. My volvo plowed trough several bushes. A tractor pulled me out of the ditch. I had to reattache the door trim on one side. Otherwise the car was fine. Not a single scratch on it.

[@bobphillips2188]

Agreed. But hey, if it keeps the door handles clean(er) at the same time...

[@dreamdiction]

5:34 The kid is stoopid.

[@paulhunter123]

@@dreamdiction why what did he do say

[@dzulkifleymohdsaid728]

This is a symbol of longevity. In Malaysia thousands are still running strong on our roads, albeit of the fact that they are all at least 35 years of age. Looking at the licence plate easily you can tell that these durable and strong-as-steel creatures have been around for 35-45 years. Either petrol or diesel, they always made thier owners proud and happy driving around in the prestigous three-pointed star emblem at the tip of the bonnet for many, many years. Astonishingly, a lot are still serving loyally as taxicabs and source of money to their loving owners. In this former British colony sovereign land, age limit for vehicles are things you can only dream of. You can own this Benz and drive her for any duration you please. Am I thinking that these lovable carriages will still clock up another 35-40 years down the road? ABSOLUTELY 😃😃😃

[@vapporiesat3125]

my entire childhood was in that car. these sounds man. it feels so warm, like a hug from mom. my dad sold it in 1999 for 2000 bucks and he still could bite his own ass for doing so.

[@kherz_]

I was 5 when my dad sold our w123 for about the same amount of cash, yet he still regrets it to this day. But now we're on a hunt to buy another one!

[@vapporiesat3125]

@@kherz_ nice man good luck on the hunt. my dad ended up buying a w128 some years ago. nice car but does not have that w123 tank feeling

[@aaqibsidhik4420]

We have a similar childhood story mate!

[@kherz_]

@@vapporiesat3125 Guess what? The dream has returned! Dad finally got one for me as an 18th birthday gift, I literally cannot be happier rn :D :D :D

[@snicksnack9729]

I just found one in mint condition for 1500$ 124k miles some girl inherited it and she doesnt want it

[@akersjon278]

I can just imagine what the German Mercedes engineers thought when in later years the bosses stopped listening to them and started listening to the bean counters instead when deciding how design and engineer the new models. The bosses had a product with a name that was a bi word for quality. A feat that had been painstakingly achieved over the previous decades by making cars that was head and shoulders above the rest in quality and innovation. In just a few years this name and it's reputation was totally demolished. Other car manufacturers must have thanked their lucky stars that they didn't have to be compared to the build quality of the old Mercedes lineup any longer. So sad, so sad.

[@cynicaldodgyknees6248]

So true. See my post above. A neighbour still has a 1990 300D. No rust, unbreakable and totally reliable.

[@brahand]

The ”bean counters” were almost to 100% an effect of that the Americans got around 50% control of MB ca mid 1993.

[@dopemanjace]

W123 300 Diesel The Finest Quality Mercedes

[@Tsimi1234]

Making ultra reliable cars is not financially sound in this capitalistic world of ours 👍

[@delifisektuxedo]

Nope, share holders hire bean counters as CEO. All f*cked up engineering companies has CEO from management background (intel, GM, Toyota, boieng)

[@sonofedmund5004]

It's nice people are getting interested in quality and good solid design.

[@skipcollinge9599]

A proud day when I bought my brand new 1979. 240D and drove it 132,000 miles Replaced it with an ‘84 300D and drove that another 88,000 miles. Consumer report said the 300D, circa 1981, was “the highest rated car they ever tested”. I want to go find the best 300D I can find and buy it all over again! Thanks for bringing back great memories!

[@SY27196]

Longevity and quality are terms forgotten in today's world It is all about fancy stuff now

[@SURENITY]

Unfortunately.

[@darrentylor5473]

What you meant to say was useless and fancy...

[@olliegardner4901]

Shiny pieces of plastic that go 'beep' for 3 years and then break.

[@mickaelcohen6152]

Fancy braking hahahahaha

[@olliegardner4901]

@Benjamin Garrett You have a point, but at the same time this business model throws out the once well known reliability Mercedes had (which was one of its massive selling points.)

[@joergschoettle6959]

Two more interesting features: When you switch on the fog lights and especially the rear fog light and turn off the lights, the switch automatically retracts so you don't drive with them in next time you switch on your lights. A feature other manufacturers needed 20 years to copy. The fuel filler cap fits in the spring mechanism of the lid during fueling. The whole car is full of more clever details than many modern makes.

[@robertcossey8069]

Joerg Schoettle ;y

[@gta4crashesmods212]

We don't call them "Ahead of its time" for no reason.

[@metal-adventures-joerg]

Best Car in the World! Greetings from Stuttgart,Germany!

[@hixamjocular6591]

this's not just a normal car it's consider as an iconic vehicle which carried a lot of history and memories for all the owners around the world!

[@ny3ali]

I cry every time I see one of these cars,My father had one it was a 1979,GOD WHAT A CAR,I drove so many times great car.

[@singing4hope]

Do you still have it?

[@waybachwin1747]

singing4hope obviously not dumb bitch

[@omarchenoui2604]

My father has a 1985 5 gears 240D. One day when I was 8 my father tried to sell it to a business man for around 7000€ and I cried so much to try to convince that man not to buy it. Now I'm 25 and I fiercely drive a 1985 240D.

[@mortvid]

The 240 D had a final production year of 1983.

[@mortvid]

And they never came with a 5 speed. You are a lying dog faced pony soldier

[@paveantelic7876]

@@mortvid uhh no, they were produced until 1986

[@mikedelicus]

@@mortvid they sold 240D and 300D (not turbodiesel) with optional 5 speed. I had a 240TD 4 speed and it was a noisy nightmare at higher speeds. Tried to get 5 speed gear on second hand market but they are very rarely and expensive.

[@mrlaw711]

Good story.

[@davidlp6510]

My grandpa had one of those back then. I was born in 1986 and his car was 1985. When turning on the radio the antenna (aerial) would come up electrically. We had to keep cleaning it all the time as it would get dirty and not work. He kept that car for some 15 years. I showed him your video and he got really nostalgic.

[@apbmusic1]

Best of the best drove this car in euro 400000 miles Keeps a lot noise but it is reliable low maintenance

[@davidlp6510]

@@apbmusic1 Is there a way to reduce the noise? Just before he sold it we could hear the car a block away. It was really noisy.

[@dabig_guy2204]

The ribs on the tail lights had a very important role. It was designed to prevent the air vertices 15 cm behind the lens and minimize the deposit of dust on the taillights. If you drive on the dustiest of roads, the car body may be extremely dirty but you will have the cleanest taillights and be able to observe its illumination. MB spent a lot of time and $$$$$ designing those taillights.

[@Jack-qn4vt]

Interesting, I thought I learn't it was so ice wouldn't build up. Cool either way

[@unwoke1652]

It was so that NOTHING builds up. It was first seen on the rectangular 1976 W114 chassis, of which I owned a few.

[@MichailKnoller]

They probably did it because the left taillight was always pitch - black because of the exhaust - fumes. Burnt oil...

[@Entropy10101]

I never truly appreciated this series until my parents bought a 420 SEL and when servicing it we once had this model as loner. Amazingly, it was more fun to drive! Mercedes were born to be utilitarian cars, not luxury cars...hence the driver's door being manual, it wasn't necessary to add a motor when you could reach it. The tail lights you speak of were designed to be seen during heavy snow and worked out it many ways. In my opinion, it was Asian luxury models that hit the market that forced Mercedes to reinvent themselves to maintain their market standard. Great video that bring back a great memory.

[@SURENITY]

Bryan Wilson You are very correct about Mercedes having to compete against the Japanese.

[@shanilramkhelawan4608]

Thats a w126

[@RUfromthe40s]

more like brands as fiat and renault daimler jumped of that train, but there´s no car more luxurious or sportive car better than mercedes ,have you tried the 90´s CL600 V12 or the maclaren mercedes or just the plain 63 slr(this last two ,some body)

[@benjamingordon2627]

They did at the expense of bulletproof engineering and quality control

[@isiseshisewebhu]

Loaner, maybe. The rear lights also aided visibility in the wet, mud or dust, not just snow. Oh, loner means to be alone, like a lone wolf.

[@mehdiched497]

This beauty is used in Morocco as Taxis in extream roads ..

[@RUfromthe40s]

i went there lot´s of times ,i live 500 km from marocco, they have resorts that have very nice conditions along the coast line ,that are very good to surf or windsurf, this in the 90´s or 80´s ,but the most mercedes that i saw were 500SEL ,the 80´s version by the dozens all automatic gear box (in bad shape)this in early 90´s .Somehow all were wrecked in the driver side from one end to another (this talking about the body),till today i never understood the reason for that, normally is the other side and not all,and not from the front to the back, and the roads(?)(most of them only gravel) when you drive to the mountains sometimes on the horizon you see a dust cloud , it gives time for you to drive to the side of the road ,but far or when the mercedes(it was a w123) that drives through will never reduce the speed and will project a shower of gravel, a friend of mine had just bought a new renault diesel and didn´t get off the road so the right panels and front and right windows were filled with holes ,those guys that you say "get out of there" and they being the first time he drove there ,he replied "he has to stop the car" so a new renault to the garbage(well,they all are garbage),regards (sorry if my english is confusing,i´m portuguese)

[@Nicoo4-4]

True its still used and will never die

[@princetech5701]

True! ❤️❤️❤️❤️😂

[@StudioGuitarra]

Yes and no, morrocan taxis use the 240D because of better consume numbers and more durable gearbox. My grandpa buyed one 240D w123 in 1984 and started to use it as a taxi in Tangier the chasis is over 1.4M km and it only rebuilded the engine two time (every 450K km) and change it when it took 1.1M km. This model is a beast, the 2.4l and 3.0l diesel engines from the W123 are the best diesel engine ever made.

[@StudioGuitarra]

@Dus Cu Pluta hahahahhaa, as a taxi its only can take 7 people (the driver + 2 in the first row and 4 behind). But as a normal car you can take as many people as you can get on the 2nd row of seats because theres no law in morocco against it. So you can perfectly fit 10 or 12 inside one of this mercedes and its totally legal xD.

[@lukehemstreet6895]

When he was talking about the turning radius and put the cones up it measured 31 feet. He then talked to the euro viewers and told them the distance is about 10 centimeters. I died😂

[@Cuetaraflake]

I was looking for this comment

[@Danse_Macabre_125]

Holy grail of turning, if that was true

[@sammymaina4706]

😂

[@HunterMann]

Turning radios… for those calculating metrics, 31 feet is actually 10,000 centimeters, give or take 2.5 kilograms

[@isiseshisewebhu]

Global viewers. Only Americans still use the defunct imperial system. July 4, 1776 was lost on them.

[@hektorianbg]

we had the 200d with 50 horse power. Man this engine could pull over 3.5 tons of weight and manage a cruising speed of 120 kmh, and overtake military convoy transporting tanks. The w123 weighs 2 tons, we were pulling a caravan with weight of 1.5 tons, plus extra fridge, vorzelt and other stuff for camping. amazing.

[@yahyahassine2556]

“The back seats are really pretty tight” Lemme tell ya, moroccan taxis fit 4 people in the back, plus an additional 2 passengers in the front passenger seat.

[@khalidbelfakih7460]

Chkwa lah

[@jiddern973]

Mgharba everywhere 😂

[@colinmacdonald5732]

And another four in the roof rack?

[@AnassHibaoui]

@@colinmacdonald5732 he s telling the truth. Moroccan Taxis still using this type of mercedes, they never let you down. I took a taxi this week, before I arrieved to my destination, the exhaust of the mercedes dropped and started doing some loud sounds, the driver stopped, borrowed a strip and fixed the exhaust Lol and continued our magical drive like nothing wrong. hahahah

[@igorpotocnik7231]

Moroccans are roughly half the size of americans. So your math is about right.

[@GrrMeister]

6:00 *I seem to remember that the 'trim' had a **_rubber insert_** so that if anyone opened a door parking next to you it would save dents in bodywork.*

[@tigertrail3361]

Yes they were a real dent saver

[@Michael-wn4jj]

I had a 240d from '81 to '89. Visited from Turkey to Ireland, Spain to Sweden so many countries in Europe. It was a very reliable horse you could trust in. Also as a young man it was important for me saving some bucks by doing some standard maintenance by myself having good access to that engine. In later years rust and front wheel track stability were a weakness that required attention. Everything else was just wunderbar!

[@davidmilenkovic4515]

Used to be a proud owner of one of those back in 2002, and I agree with you 100 percent, best damn car ever made by any known manufacturer. It was a God damn tank, indestructible. I got goosebumps everytime I heard that engine on idle.

[@brettduffy1992]

And no computer bulshit to deal with

[@arnoldschmid6227]

facts!

[@singing4hope]

I don’t like “smart” cars either

[@watchfan6180]

Dam straight

[@DigitalBathInAZ]

I like 'em. Car running rough, throws CEL. Plug in my $8 Chinese scanner and within 11 seconds I know that cylinder #5 is misfiring and that it's likely the coil pack. So... pros and cons to computers. It's not all bad, you just don't want to buy a car with garbage computers.

[@henryrollins9177]

@@DigitalBathInAZ But in the first 30 years this Mercedes might not let you down not even once...while a ECU car...well...most likely will never reach that age...and will break on you multiple times in whatever timespan it lasts.

[@neoxmagma4772]

We still have it here in morocco as a taxi 4 passengers in the back and two passengers in the front + the driver what a machine !

[@andreika6681]

in cuba they do much better with 60-70 yrs old chevys :-)

[@Henry-uk9rk]

Best car ever, my dad bought it new in 1981 and I inherited it 5 years ago. Had it restored love driving it everyday only have 245000 km on the clock and people who know say it is just run in and warmed up😊😊

[@PIasmaZombie]

I would put a new drivers seat in, will feel like the car is new. Some sound damping foam under the hood.

[@hamzasanhaji9818]

These are used as taxis in morroco and the're still in use to this day with over 1million km!!!

[@RooiGevaar19]

that's because they're not full of rust after 5 years in Morocco, unlike in colder Germany or Norway with winters

[@thomasweber9332]

Greatings from Germany: Great video, thank you very much!

[@rogerwilliamson7161]

Große Grüße.

[@John-kd4ef]

I absolutely agree with everything you've said about this fantastic vehicle. Back in 1983, I owned a 300 TD sedan and was hit from the rear by a motorist going 60 mph. The crumple zone did its job as it was designed to do and I walked away from that terrible accident without hardly any injury, expect for a sore neck for the next few days. No whiplash, just a sore neck. An amazing car all around. Thanks for an excellent review!!

[@laurathomason7230]

I have a 1983 300TD wagon that I bought in 1987. It still has the original windshield and paint, always garaged. I bought it with 116,000 miles and now it has 270,000 miles. All four of my kids learned to drive with this car. It is still going strong. It’s the best car I have ever owned and I wouldn’t hesitate to drive it across the US.

[@thepapcy3898]

i couldn't agree more, i mean i'm literally inside one of those as i'm writing, we bought this masterpiece back in 1996 and she's been a member of the family since then.

[@ultrablue2]

The W123 is the epitome of “The Best Or Nothing”.

[@derick3482]

how much would you pay for it?

[@aleksiblomqvist1612]

@@derick3482 alot tbh

[@gretchenjana6219]

How do you know if the Benz is W123?

[@miljororforsprakpartiet290]

The Good, The Slow, The Rusty

[@MichailKnoller]

Well, nothing then, thank you.

[@salzen6283]

I learn my driving on this car as a teen, god bless you dad everything about you was super solid even your protège car MB 300D of 35 years too!

[@saltoftheearth8358]

They are tanks, not cars. The best automobile to ever roll on the surface of this damned planet. The absolute best thing to ever come out of Germany

[@SaltySunriseSailing]

As a kid I could hear my dad heading home when he was a couple streets away. This is the best Merc ever.

[@nedkogenov5530]

Same dude, this video brings so much old memories...

[@YalokIy]

Truly impressive feat of engineering, with only 10 centimeters turning radius!

[@hizzzar6271]

My first car was a 1986 300sdl turbo diesel. I still have it to this day

[@motoshedman]

I like playing American football but my swedish friend Celcius thinks it's too cold outside. Subzero. When the water freezes.

[@koloblicin]

could be a german invention

[@nicolasbouyiouclis4726]

Don't say all that to my American family please, is way too complicated.. they prefer the plane and simple Fahrenheit! Sorry..

[@motoshedman]

Nicolas Bouyiouclis I also don't get it why Americans play football with their hands.. And one kick.. that's it?

[@mrpey8199]

And the 30-foot turning circle is not 10cm. At least not over here in Europe!

[@motoshedman]

JF R That sounds just like the same reason why Kinder Surprise eggs have been banned from the US of A.. Well, want an European? Celcius and metric scale with a common sence comes with the price then. Need instructions? "Look! Water froze! Let's put that a zero! Sub zero freezes, above zero melts. Wow!" Puts gradually more heat. " It boils at exactly 100 degrees!! Amazing! Simple!"

[@julioquintano4148]

Dude, I have a w123 240d 1976 and man! I use it, day and night, since I have never but never left me in the street, it is more, it takes me wherever and whenever it is, it is my faithful friend, we love it, I am glad that you give it affection, respect and love that you deserve, and that you drive it daily, they get better!!! haha wish you have beautiful experiences with him :) PS: never sell it, because you will regret forever, I assure you ... greetings!!!

[@VeganRashad]

Julio Quintano I need help getting mine started. I need new hoses, and a battery.

[@julioquintano4148]

@@VeganRashad Hi bro!!! I hope you can get the hoses, if not, you can send them to a hardware store, after you have the metal coupling, they manufacture the hose, either transmission to the radiator or power steering pump or to the conduit of oil that go from the oil filter to the oil radiator and return. And when you go to turn it on after a long time I recommend: First of all, I recommend adjusting valves, on the internet there is the valve adjustment diagram for om616 and om617 motors, it is the same for the two motors, only to omit the 5 cylinder; you can do it yourself, if you do not have the 14 "keys you can make them by molding 2 long keys of 14" which is what I did. 2: I recommend you buy a good battery that goes from 850 Amp on, no less than that, if it is 1000 Amp would be better. 3: Clean all the negative terminals in the chassis and in the motor for a better flow of electricity in the starting system and also in the charging system (crucial and indispensable) 3: That the starter is in good condition (it is essential for these engines as they are low compression engines) you can disassemble yourself and change the internal brushes that over time wear out and do not perform the same doing a poor turn of the engine and more likely not to turn on. If in such case this is turning well, leave it like this. 3: Indispensable to have good glow plugs for the ignition; It is also important to have all contacts of the glow plug system clean and without corrosion for a good flow of electricity in the system. 4: Make sure the diesel is reaching the injectors without any air pollution in the injection system and start until it turns on hahaha xD 5: And if it does not turn on having done all of the above, I recommend using ether 3 or 4 times and if that still does not turn on, something I have done but I do not recommend, only in case of emergency is to connect 2 batteries in series to create 24V in the ignition system or connect a 24V battery but first you have to disconnect the alternator and disconnect the glow plugs system to not run the risk of burning the system, but you feed the glow plug system independently putting a positive cable from the positive pole of the battery in the positive pole of the first glow plug, important in this procedure you must be very careful because you have to connect all the positive and negative terminals very well, otherwise they will be soldered or melted creating sparks and damaging the batteries that is to create a headache :( I hope it is helpful and that you give your friend Benz another life, he will thank you and with these first 4 maintenance tips his friend always start as new :) regards! Rashad Glover of all, I recommend adjusting valves, on the internet there is the valve adjustment diagram for om616 and om617 motors, it is the same for the two motors, only to omit the 5 cylinder; you can do it yourself, if you do not have the 14" keys you can make them by molding 2 long keys of 14" which is what I did. 2: I recommend you buy a good battery that goes from 850 Amp on, no less than that, if it is 1000 Amp would be better. 3: Clean all the negative terminals in the chassis and in the motor for a better flow of electricity in the starting system and also in the charging system (crucial and indispensable) 4: That the starter is in good condition (it is essential for these engines as they are low compression engines) you can disassemble yourself and change the internal brushes that over time wear out and do not perform the same doing a poor turn of the engine and more likely not to turn on. If in such case this is turning well, leave it like this. 5: Indispensable to have good glow plugs for the ignition; It is also important to have all contacts of the glow plug system clean and without corrosion for a good flow of electricity in the system. 6: Make sure the diesel is reaching the injectors without any air pollution in the injection system and start until it turns on hahaha xD 7: And if it does not turn on having done all of the above, I recommend using ether 3 or 4 times and if that still does not turn on, something I have done but I do not recommend, only in case of emergency is to connect 2 batteries in series to create 24V in the ignition system or connect a 24V battery but first you have to disconnect the alternator and disconnect the glow plugs system to not run the risk of burning the system, but you feed the glow plug system independently putting a positive cable from the positive pole of the battery in the positive pole of the first glow plug, important in this procedure you must be very careful because you have to connect all the positive and negative terminals very well, otherwise they will be soldered or melted creating sparks and damaging the batteries that is to create a headache :( I hope it is helpful and that you give your friend Benz another life, he will thank you and with these first 6 maintenance tips his friend always start as new :) regards! Rashad Glover

[@bigtoothfilms4615]

I had a 1985 300D turbo diesel. It did 0-60 in about 30 seconds. Worse when it was cold. It was a great car though, and I wish that I kept it. One of the best things about the car was the visibility of the road around you. The view out the rear window was just enormous too.

[@peterjahn2596]

I love the look of those old Mercedes. I also love that diesel sound. I just picked up a VW Tdi and am very happy

[@adoreslaurel]

You just bought a car from the "Monkey Spankers"?, You have my sympathy.

[@jmbpinto73]

@@adoreslaurel The five cylinder sounds much better than the TDI, imho.

[@adoreslaurel]

@@jmbpinto73I am not familiar enough to comment. but am sure you are right.

[@MultiArrie]

@@jmbpinto73 but is alot faster, turbo works just above idle and easy to reprogram the ecu for more torque+HP and less fuel consumption.

[@lashlarue7924]

Well, now that it’s been about a year, I guess it’s definitely too late to warn you that any VW TDI made today is light-years worse than that old Benz in terms of quality. You have my sympathy.

[@BrianK586]

I had a 1979 240D and drove it until 2009 with 250K on it. Extremely well made but front fenders are prone to rusting. Also - the glow plugs initially were in series so if one failed none worked. Dealer replaced the system with a parallel system. Worked much better. As it aged it became hard starting when it went below 10F. The 240D was horribly underpowered but once up to speed, it went forever. I got 28MPG all the time. The seats were the most comfortable I have ever sat in and a 5 hour drive was very enjoyable. I had quite a few problems with the injector pump but that was about it. Easy oil changes too with a cannister filter accessible from the top. This car looked like a Mercedes - not like the new ones that look like every other car on the road. And you were right - the door closed like a bank vault door. A very solid car.

[@alvinatorjehosephat7777]

I drive an 82 240D and it fires up every day and runs like a top. 200 thousand miles and doesn’t skip a beat. Absolutely lovely specimen you’ve got there though I love the turbo w123’s

[@akishot6735]

Love my 86' 300e been past 115 on the freeway with it without feeling it. Bet a 240d can't do that, but I bet you can parts on the cheap!

[@alvinatorjehosephat7777]

orion deschamps hahahaha I use mine on dirt roads in cattle country. All my buddies got big trucks and I’m still popping along in the old 240 lol. Currently it’s running on used motor oil and some off-road diesel. It’s unstoppable 😂

[@akishot6735]

Alvinator Jehosephat what color?

[@alvinatorjehosephat7777]

Beige paint and the tan MB-Tex interior. Light colors are very good for the heat here lol. I carry a couple of hounds usually and never had any damage to the seating. Amazingly durable

[@mattpipes5106]

I love the little wire cage on the inside of the fuel door to store the fuel cap while refueling… the attention to detail on these cars is incredible!

[@frankliebenberg1609]

Agree! I live in South Africa. This was my third Mercedes Benz and it ticked every box. It was not fast but could cruise at the legal maximum all day. Great car!

[@zgypsy8027]

I’m thinking of buying one soon. I’m concerned at how much services would cost. Do they still stock parts for this?

[@msumungo]

Loving the fact that videos about these old reliable brands and models are emerging more and more at YT. Says something about people getting frustrated with modern disposable crap.

[@millomweb]

11:05 Front back fader for the radio - you wonder why it's nowhere near the radio ? Try sitting in the back and adjust the radio volume !

[@fordnut4914]

I just bought one of these been setting for years good solid body pretty good interior 96000 miles only gave 250.00 for it.😮

[@roblogified]

Can't argue with you. My family had two of these growing up and the last one kicked the bucket just two years ago. My father was a MBUSA mechanic and even he was reluctant to give up on her.

[@Azraltarux]

My dad had a 240d and he got hitted by 2006 Mercedes S-class almost directly with 200km at collision. My dad got away only with broken leg and the Fire brigade used 2 cutting disks and 15 min to open the chassis and get him out. This car is a tank on wheels !

[@goldammerchannel8426]

Great video. The ribbed taillights 06:20 were also designed to stay visible in heavy snow. Keep it up.

[@conzmoleman]

genius

[@mestengo22]

Outstanding video when I was a younger man I would see these & I thought that a dirty grimey 300D was the coolest thing still feel like that cheers

[@kevinfestner6126]

I beg to differ. This era of mercedes was very classy. The 300 D proportion was beautiful.

[@SURENITY]

Agreed! Simple, Elegant, and Understated!

[@ScienceAlliance]

Same

[@wackowacko8931]

The trim piece running down the belt line of the car isn't primarily a shield for the door handles. It might be possible that it was a secondary afterthought, but it is more likely a happy accident. The trim is placed on the vertical apex of the door panel to prevent door dings from parking lot "rash" - or in other words it prevents door dings coming from people next to you in a parking lot opening their doors too hard and denting your doors. Quite a few car manufacturers have incorporated this feature into their own car doors for precisely this reason. Also - 10 cm turning diameter? Really? More like about 10 meters.

[@zoranbg]

I had to scroll too far down to find this comment... You are absolutely right!

[@gippo80]

It was my same thought, nothing to do with what he said..

[@millomweb]

Me too - also - if you open your door and hit a wall, it's the rubber that hits the wall, not the paintwork. I don't think door handles will be splashed from the wheels in any case. Probably someone else told him to wind him up ! :)

[@kanggoo57]

Thats the turbo version, try the 200d without turbo youll need a calendar for the 0-100

[@stfuliberal]

My 240D was insanely slow off the start. What a joy to drive at speed.

[@Igbon5]

If you pull the trim off the doors and need to work on the switches and plugs for the electric windows you will find a tiny little circuit diagram inside the plug showing the correct wiring pin out.

[@strayhound3842]

The W123 is the last car that was designed for "eternity + 1day"

[@basshead.]

W124*

[@shonemumy]

the wolksvagen golf 2 is the last car that was designed for "eternity + 1day" fixed that for you.

[@basshead.]

+autistic jedi The Golf 2 is a death trap.

[@strayhound3842]

@@basshead. Yesno! It is a really good car but the W123 was the one that made the parts dept at Mercedes screaming. There sales improved with the W124.

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@shonemumy sadly it´s just a dream ,my father either than working in a bank,sold used cars ,since late 70´s till late 90´s i had in front of my house 20 to 30 cars ,so i tested every golf model since the first one,they were great but not that resistant to the passage of time ,i did owned 4 or 5 ,don´t get me wrong i liked every golf that came out ,but there were problems , the gear box was (manual, automatic in my country never saw one)a common problem to all series , with the passage of years some problems started to appear ,normally every series had a problem ,and rust was the end of it , they were nice cars but not comparable with mercedes,if you retrocess some years the known "bug or beatle" was a incredible machine ,in africa they were incredible ,this in the 60´s , the landrovers used to get stuck in the jungle ,my grandfather was called almost everyday to retrive them with a VW1300 ,that still was driven by my grandmother in the late 90´s this in lisbon (Portugal)where the traffic is wild at some hours of the day and night till she died with 96 years old,never had an accident, now is rotting in the backyard of my house(the car, not my grandmother), but again the mercedes were the best in the jungle ,the unimog truck with the 230 engine it was able to climb 90 degrees (natural)walls in the jungle , it was the main vehicle used by the portuguese army in the war on africa, regards

[@therainmaker9817]

Hopefully no Tesla owners watch the part about panel gaps being near perfect on an 80s car.

[@Tom.J.O]

Those who choose to own a Tesla can literally find fault with any other car...

[@jordanbell4420]

Lets be honest, would a Tesla win a quality comparison test against anything?

[@implodingbaby]

@@jordanbell4420 GM?

[@jordanbell4420]

@@implodingbaby Not really. Tesla build quality and reliability is about on par with a 1970s Chevy Vega. No match for a modern GM vehicle

[@uweschroeder]

LOL, good one :-)

[@gelert66]

I had one 30 years ago and I wish I'd never sold it! Best car ever!

[@mrlaw711]

I have owned more than 80 vehicles in my lifetime. Some fine German cars, and many American and Asian sleds, and trucks. This was one at the very top for reliability, and comfort.

[@lemuelcasillas7572]

Still have mine but needs a good engine overhaul before I put her back on the road. Looking for a rebuilt is difficult to find.

[@andreasvenator]

After the German Economy got rolling and people from any- and everywhere in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) started working in Germany they were the envy of their home towns when they went on their first holiday with the predecessor (w 114/W115 "/8"). In my hippy days there were gas stations from Marocco to Afghanistan that could maintain and repair these cars as well as VW Busses...amazing!

[@karol23982]

It’s Mercedes man I own 4 of them , 79 300td wagon , 89 420sel , 89 560sec and my daily is 91 420sel love them all

[@gassaize]

Wow realy cool!

[@junkman6456]

Good choices.

[@Izrealeu]

Great taste in cars. Would love a 126 coupe. Currently, 1994 S124 (wagon) 300d (om606 NA) as daily , 1992 C124 300 24v (coupe) for fun and a 1997 W140 S 300 TD (om606 turbo) for long distance travel.

[@karol23982]

Izrealeu the coupe might be 4sale soon

[@Izrealeu]

@@karol23982 Where you are located? I am in Europe.

[@younessbenazid6294]

Mercedes 240d works as a taxi between the city until today in Morocco. The photo of the beige taxi at the beginning of the video is my city Marrakech. We love this car since it is the only car used in taxi so each has a beautiful history with her .wawo

[@jmenge4253]

You are absolutely right ... I have had one myself and never experienced a problem. I sold it with 350000 kilometers and it was still running like a sewing machine Mercedes has never built such quality again.

[@singing4hope]

Do you regret selling it?

[@oliverfloiger1034]

I learned to drive in a 240d these are my favorite cars in the world I even banger raced one and it never let me down , brilliance with style and reliability I will never drive anything else.

[@Zickcermacity]

Excellent tour and review of what I regard an example of the 'pure Mercedes Benz' era. The solid construction, the seats look sublimely comfortable, but... at 12:29, that is not a moon roof. It's a subtle distinction, but a moonroof is made of a see-through material, such as glass. A sunroof, on the other hand, is made of sheet metal or other material and painted to match the surrounding car roof and body.

[@robertshowe2417]

I owned one in yellow and it was my favorite car I ever owned, Got rid of it at 500,000 miles (was still like new) because I no longer needed a car living in the city. Wish I had kept it.

[@MissionaryForMexico]

I own a MB 300SD 1983 turbo, my favorite car, and what a joy to drive and do my own repairs! Built like a tank!

[@gkelly941]

Yellow fog lights are to reduce visible refraction, which makes it harder to see ahead when you are driving in fog, heavy rain, or falling snow.

[@watthaile2053]

I had an 85 300D for about 15 years. I loved it. Rock Solid. Safe. Basically Indestructible.

[@andrewgage6942]

The best looking, most reliable vehicle, I loved them from the day I first saw them, I was only 10 at the time

[@robertrodrigues7319]

Me too!! Since I was 10 in the 70s. Great memories

[@MTSVW]

The only car better than this is the wagon version of the same car.

[@raycroal]

@@matthewharding919 you mean the 600?

[@nirfz]

Mark Summerford: i had one (300TD non turbo) , and i agree.

[@kanes5105]

Plus the third-row seat facing rear

[@ivanrichthofen8061]

matthew harding Never heard for the 770k Grosser?

[@burtreynolds9912]

The wagon version of the W123, correctly named S123.

[@SlightReturn666]

We used to have a 240D. Slow as molasses but built like a proverbial brick shithouse. Should never have gotten rid of it. Best made car I ever saw in my life.

[@Tom.J.O]

I'm intrigued as to what you replaced it with? :)

[@MrBoreray]

What I remember about it was how 'solid' it felt to drive,no body flex whatsoever(240d)but a bit sluggish

[@abdullahal-shimri3091]

My dad had a 1996 S300.

[@geraldrukasin9176]

I had a French Girlfriend who one. She maintained it. Impeccable! She knew that vehicle backwards and forwards. The vehicle was very comfortable , road great and held up fantastic. The only drawback was the idling noise from the engine. It had plenty of room, Throughout. But what ruined it was Mercedes came out with the smaller and cheaper made 300 series. What a big difference. They change their engineering completely. And the key thing was Mercedes must have use the phrase “ MAKE IT OF CHEAP MATERIALS AND FUNKY ENGINEERING ! They have never been the same. The bean counters Win again.

[@durisimooo97]

My father used to have one of these, with over 1 million km. They are certainly incredible cars

[@12345678981010]

still dont beat a volvo p1800 longest driven car on the planet

[@philnorton9723]

The car that earned Mercedes its reputation for toughness, and they still live on it today even though all they make now are unreliable rotboxes.

[@clooperman3745]

And they look like overbloated shiteboxes!!!!!!!

[@Bowwow30]

The switch for the rear dome light is because the model was used as a taxi in western Europe (the Mercedes E-klasse still is the typical taxi in Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the Netherlands). The old ones are used in Morocco and other (northern) African countries as taxi.

[@anoukpoelmans2768]

This video reminds me for restorating my own 200D from 1980. I was 19 when I bought it as my first oldtimer, now hedding towards 36 this year, it is a decade that it has seen the road. Lately I drove a recent Mercedes CLA from work ), but nothing compares to this true Mercedes where the recent A-class as mentioned before is for me just a tuned up Renault Megane, even my daily Mini R55 Clubman has more space inside. Just look at the Citan, wich is actually a Kangoo. Their slogan from more than a decade ago "Das beste oder nichts", "The best or nothing" took a real dive since they worked together with Renault/Nissan.

[@miramichi69]

I love those cars!! I was the proud owner of a 1983 volvo diesel and loved it, was always an adventure driving it :)

[@derick3482]

how much are these cars right now ?? if they're in good running condition

[@dreamville59]

@@derick3482 about 7k-10k for a good one

[@richardchambers3533]

The best cars! I had one identical to that . it was a 1985 300 D Turbo. Bought it with 150,000 miles, and sold it with 380,000. Never had anything major wrong with it

[@kewlbean]

Not just the best Mercedes ever , but the best car ever made.

[@wopalongcassidy]

@@PistonAvatarGuy : It will keep up with most NA 4 cylinders if properly maintained. And EGR BBd....

[@WindozeCS]

@idontcare80 170 lb-ft of torque is quite a bit more than modern 4-cylinder NA engines. My 300D would smoke a honda fit (not something many people would brag about haha). After looking up the numbers, 300D turbos have more torque than 2019 civics, imprezas, corollas... They certainly keep up just fine with modern traffic.

[@WindozeCS]

@idontcare80 Alright kiddo, jump in your honda fit and meet me at the drag strip. Race for pinks

[@WindozeCS]

idontcare80 Woah dude relax. Just joking around lmfao. Had no idea that you would legit get upset IRL over this. How red is your face? I know I wouldn't be winning any races in a 3.0L diesel from the 80s, calm down.

[@WindozeCS]

@idontcare80 I apologize if I hurt your feelings, I honestly didn't know that I hit the soft spot. If you get this worked up over playful comments on the internet, you may wanna take a break for a few hours.

[@caseyholden-my9vj]

I agree it’s just simple and last forever if you understand how they work and can fix them.

[@justmei2243]

Thats what we have in morocco as taxi for years and years and still now in 2019

[@TheLogiko]

Hell are they immortal?

[@Forgotten_Foods]

First time my eyes teared up from hearing an engine sound.. =O

[@scottyg9167]

There’s a very good reason why these nearly indestructible cars are iconic: they’re awesome. And you do a great job explaining why. I so miss the MB of yore

[@prakashseshadri8218]

My Dad bought an 83 300D turbo and gave it to me. In its 16th year of ownership, a Lincoln Towncar t-boned me going about 40. The car saved my life. I was actually able to drive it home despite it looking like a crescent moon.

[@mymusings1293]

I've always love the satisfying clatter of a mercedes diesel car. It literally makes me sigh with pleasure.

[@WARD5KUSTOMZ]

My Musings you are not the only one

[@akeelmukhtar1808]

Same hear I love it😊

[@dragonsaxophonist9082]

My sounds exactly like that. 87 300 td. Lol. I wake all my neighbors at exactly 7 am every morning. Lol

[@iPhonePwn]

could agree more, i often think its the only constant in life :P

[@silasmcgee3647]

iPhonePwn I would happily both drive in and ride around in one of these old Mercedes diesel’s it’s got a lovely rattle to it and even though the majority aren’t perfect they have terrible electronics anyway The mechanical stuff is always what dies last because they’re over built tanks and you’ll probably die before the Car does

[@bengtjohansson6364]

I had a W123 once, and I agree: great car, comfortable and reliable. Unfortunately also very rust prone, at least in the parts of the world where roads are salted during winter. Not many left in Sweden nowadays.

[@alkiviadiszournatzis4161]

Mercedes benz has a same in museum took it from greek taxi driver the car had 4,8 million km without rebuild

[@maximasje1]

that's a w115

[@MsJoao101]

There's a Portuguese Taxi there too a 190D the engine was never opened just maintained. 1 Million Km! Just regular oil and filters changes and normal stuff.

[@dv84sure]

The 300D W123 ride and comfort is amazing, and very quiet inside. Back then I thought some cars would get even better ... but they did NOT.

[@hammoutiabdelmajid4280]

In My country Morocco, The Mercedes 300d is a symbol of Power and for me is the best car ever made, I want to get one like this 300d in the future.

[@chakegames5039]

I’m from Morocco 🇲🇦 they always use these for taxis mostly 190 d and 200d

[@Andalous_Sevilla]

Hammouti Abdelmajid No , they use Mercedes 240d

[@younesabbabb1032]

I am from morocco to and i can tell you the germans did a very good work with this car 👍. Safly this is no longer the case now with this very expensive unreliable cars from 2000th till now.

[@Untoldtruth-f9y]

Best car ever made, only those that never been in one would disagree. I love the way you illustrated the engine sound!

[@chad3358]

Love the video and love the old Merc. I'll be driving mine clean across Canada from Alberta to St. John's Newfoundland come August. I don't know why you think the engine sounds bad, I think it sounds great. These old diesel Mercedes sound like a tractor but go like a dog on a rug.

[@ianboard3555]

I had one for about 15 years and loved it. I managed to find a copy of the repair manual (the one garages used, not the Chilton's). It had extremely detailed instructions for everything - things like the correct torque settings for the screws that held the visor bracket. You got a feeling for the amount of thought that went into the engineering on the car. I loved working on the car.

[@barrettabney]

We had a car accident in a 1983 300D. That car saved us from certain death. Even though my wife was 6 months preggo, we all survived a 45 mph head on T-Bone into a large sedan.

[@gamwpanagia]

God bless that car

Just recently got mine's front left smashed by a VW Phaeton when they changed lines without looking into the mirror. My 3 year old kis ín the back seat. We had a heavy braking and one panel and a front light + prob. bumper to replace. 1.5 tons of German steel to protect you + every bit home replaceable. GENIUS DESIGN!

[@sunbeam8866]

Having owned and driven a number of W123s over the past two decades, my vote is for the European version - non-turbo 300D, with manual tranny, manual windows, & manual heat-ac. I currently own a so-equipped Euro '84 300TD, with the rare factory 5-speed. Main issue with my wagon is fair amount of noise from the open cargo area. A friend had a 4-speed-stick Euro sedan which was much quieter. I don't really miss the turbo. As a friend once told me, these cars feel 500 pounds lighter with a stick-shift!

[@rossi55200]

Best car in history of cars, still running as taxi in mountains of marocco😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️

[@natevanlandingham1945]

Don't forget the fast idle thing on the dash where you can turn the idle speed up.

[@jastern949]

how do you do that? i have a 1985 300d (american) but dont see any idle adjuster on the dash..

[@natevanlandingham1945]

@jastern949 if I remember right it looked similar to a little plastic key? A black plastic looking key end that permanently hung out of the dash to the left of the steering wheel.