1982 Mercedes-Benz W123 review from North America
"Loved it enough to let it go for a new Mercedes C320, 2002"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
1 New Clutch Slave Cylinder.
2 New A/C Compressors.
1 New Brake Master Cylinder (plus usual pad-changes).
1 New Starter Motor.
1 Set, Bilstein Shocks.
1 Set, Upper and Lower Ball-Joints (+steering knuckles).
0 Muffler/Exhaust-Pipe/Tail-Pipe work!)
0 Clutch-Plate/Throw-out Bearing (!).
General comments?
Best car I had ever owned, to that point, although close second to the previous 1973 Volvo 164.
Car has only 75 bhp, so have to keep the rpm's way up constantly. Only way to do that is with the four-speed, which I loved to drive.
The 1982 240D was the last Mercedes to have roll-up windows. That's why I moved to get it, before I could really afford it. I was not disappointed.
The engineering-thoughtfulness is magnificent (e.g.) :
a. If you happen to run out of fuel (Usually a disaster in diesel engines, due to having to somehow restore compression to enable ignition), the 240D features a small hand-pump, similar to a Coleman lantern, under the fuel compressor. Just add fuel, pump it up to full resistance, screw it back in, and you're off!
B. Caught in a rainstorm, sun-roof open, dead battery? There's a little fold-out crank in the right-hand trunk liner to close it with manually.
FWIW,
AMc, Austin, TX.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Model year | 1982 |
| Year of manufacture | 1982 |
| First year of ownership | 1982 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2002 |
| Engine and transmission | 240D Manual |
| Performance marks | 8 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 10 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 10 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 10 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 12 miles |
| Most recent distance | 225000 miles |
| Previous car | Volvo 164 |
| Date of Entry | 31st October, 2004 |