1984 Mercedes-Benz W123 300D review from North America

The climate control is badly designed and tends to fail due to poorly designed solder joints. Even when operating properly, the climate control is really outdated and blows either too hot or too cold without decent modulation. Having said that, I still consider it acceptable.

First the bad stuff. The diesel, like all older passenger diesels or truck diesels is characteristically very noisy even inside the car. Acceleration from a stop (even with the turbo) is slow compared to gasoline engined cars.

Now the good part. All in all, this car is one of the finest cars I've ever owned. The design may seem a bit outdated but the construction quality and fit and finish are nothing short of superb. Interior quality is excellent, if not plush like many modern luxury cars. I actually prefer the understated rather than the overdone.

The excellent visibility with huge front and rear glass is difficult to match with most other cars of any age.

Handling is excellent with a solid squeak free limousine like ride that you might expect from Mercedes. Even with over 150,000 miles this car looks and operates like new. The reliability of this car's engine is, to use an overused word, legendary. If you change the oil every 2,500 miles (as recommended by Mercedes) and adjust the valves every 15,000 miles it's difficult to say when this engine will stop running.

My experience with fuel economy, despite wildly exaggerated claims I've heard from others, varies from about 26mpg (city) and if you can keep the speed between 55 and 60mph I get almost 32mpg highway. Pretty fantastic economy from a large luxury car.

When considered from the standpoint of durability, quality, reliability and luxury and economy this car ranks among the finest ever built. This is a car that Mercedes Benz has to take great pride in producing.