1978 Mercedes-Benz W123 300CD review from North America
"Finest automobile ever put on the road"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Cruise control kicked off irregularly: replaced the cruise control module and no further problems.
Door lock vacuum plungers replaced once.
Replaced power window regulators once.
Replaced power antenna motor twice.
Replaced automatic climate control regulator at 260,000 miles.
Alternator replaced every 100,000 miles.
Added a block heater at ~350,000 miles to overcome the cold winters in the Northeast US.
No breakdowns in 25 years, and the engine has never been opened.
General comments?
The car, while seemingly slow to accelerate, handles incredibly well with great cornering and, at 5450 pounds, provides a very smooth ride at all speeds, regardless of road condition.
Steady fuel mileage of 35mpg, both in-town and highway: this is a very inexpensive vehicle to maintain and drive. With the large fuel tank, I can easily drive 700 miles between refuelings.
Due to the cold winters in Upstate New York, my old 300CD has retired to our winter place in Key West. I only drive her 3-4 times per year, but still enjoy this car more than any I've ever owned.
Recommended reviews
  | 1979 - W123 300D 3.0L 5 cylinders diesel Great car if you can find a good one |
| Comfy, cheap, fun classic! |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| First year of ownership | 1986 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.0L diesel Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7/10 |
| Reliability marks | 9/10 |
| Comfort marks | 9/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 4/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 145000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 685000 miles |
| Previous car | Mercedes-Benz W124 |
| Date of Entry | 31st July, 2003 |