1983 Mercedes-Benz W123 Sedan nonturbo review from North America

Injector leak from return lines.

Radio and dome lights do not work.

Instrument cluster lights do not work.

Fog lights do not work on one side.

Lazy shifting automatic transmission.

It is average in durability, despite people's many optimistic praises. Germans definitely do not have their electronics correct. There are many electrical gremlins. A Toyota of similar vintage is much more reliable in the electronics area.

To start off, power door locks are air, so that is prone to problems when a leak occurs.

The dash lights are very dim, and sometimes do not work at all, despite replacing the potentiometer on the gauge cluster.

Clock sometimes works and sometimes not.

Dome light and radio cuts out from time to time.

Mechanically it is decent, but rust develops in the wheel wells.

The injector return lines (3.2mm ones) are prone to leaks. These lines are secured by barbs (no clamps) at the injector. They are also tiny and braided, and available only from Mercedes dealers. Leaks here can be a fire hazard. It would have been better if they used hard metal lines instead of flexible rubber return lines.

Performance wise, it is very slow, barely getting up a steep hill. Mileage is also not so great (24mpg) probably because of large weight. Its only redeeming quality is that it is immune from emissions requirements (even though it probably pollutes more than a regular gasoline). That opens up the possibility of an engine upgrade without government intervention.