1983 Mercedes-Benz W123 review from North America

Original speakers were dry rotted.

Drivers seat has broken spring on outboard side.

A/C wasn't charged.

Windshield wipers dry rotted.

Radio antennae doesn't fully retract or extend.

Really dirty inside and paint oxidized where the car sat in the sun for two years without a nice drive or maintenance.

Transmission shifted hard.

I was offered this car for 350.00 dollars U.S. 3 weeks ago. It had a new battery and started so I bought it. After a week and half of cleaning and buffing the oxidation out of the paint, removing the interior and cleaning with lots of soap and water she was presentable, the interior looks almost new, the paint still has blemishes and some scratches. I also removed the wood trim stripped the old varnish off and varnished with Min-wax.

I replaced the headliner, glued 1/2 inch pink insulation to the roof and on the firewall.

Greased the seat rails while the seats were out.

The car still has the original first aid kit which is fully stocked!

Adjusted the transmission per Haynes manual and now the car shifts smoothly.

Replaced dry rotted speakers with new speakers of roughly the same size.

Bought an R134 fitting for the low side of the A/C and recharged with R134 and 2 oz of oil, nice cold air when above idle, warm air at idle.

Took off Sunday for test drive, drove 1054 miles from San Antonio Texas to a Mercedes Benz plant somewhere in Alabama. Drove at 80 miles per hr with A/C blowing. I got 25 miles per gallon, cruise gave out at about 800 miles. Spent two hours at Mercedes plant. Drove to Pensacola Florida and picked up I 10 west to head home. A/C off sunroof open and averaging between 80 and 90 miles per hour. Added 1 quart of oil in Lafayette La, ate dinner at friends house and headed out 2 hours later. Fuel mileage greatly improved with A/C off, nearing 30 miles per gallon. Drove over 300 miles before stopping for fuel, needle was on R, but still had nearly 7 gals of fuel left! Arrived back home at 6 a.m. Car performed phenomenal, I brought enough money for a tow truck, but never needed it.

Car needs tires rotated and balanced.

Kudos to the trunk space, carried a few tools and huge red cooler for drinks and a full size tire hidden underneath the carpet, my other car barely holds an amplifier in the trunk.

I am 37 years old and hooked on this W123. It's my first and most likely last car I'll buy. Unless I pass it on to my boy in 10 years.