1979 Mercedes-Benz W123 240d review from North America
"Buy it for the style, not the value"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Ignition switch went.
Fuel injector pump failed.
Lots of rubber needed to be replaced due to the sheer age of the vehicle.
Hood cable broke.
Brake fluid leaked.
The cost of repairs isn't bad now that I've found a mechanic who knows what he's doing. But I had to get ripped off a couple times first.
If you want my advice, have two mechanics; a general guy who knows a fair amount about them and a specialist for those difficult issues. Also, don't buy the cheapest one on eBay. Spend $5-7000 and get a near mint one with low miles with lots of recent maintenance history. Otherwise you'll spend the same in repairs, and have a car that is more familiar with your mechanics garage than your own.
General comments?
Acceleration is semi truck slow, especially with an auto (I prefer manuals). 0-60 mph is 30 seconds! They are very comfy to sit in and feel solid all around. I've never had a problem starting it in cold weather, though a block heater will increase the life of your engine. 17f with no block heater and she started after about five minutes. Parts can be surprisingly cheap at the junk yard. I average 27mpg.
If you want a classic style and decent value, buy this car. If you want the best value and can afford to spend a few grand more, get a Jetta diesel. The fuel economy is more like 47 instead of 27 and it will cost you less to own in the long run. genegenre@yahoo.com
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| The best car I've ever owned! |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | No |
| Model year | 1979 |
| Year of manufacture | 1979 |
| First year of ownership | 2008 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2009 |
| Engine and transmission | non turbo Automatic |
| Performance marks | 3 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 1 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 6 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 1 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 112000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 118000 miles |
| Previous car | Saturn SL |
| Date of Entry | 5th June, 2009 |