Jump to content

W123. Going for gold.


nacho man

Recommended Posts

someone's done that with an online plate maker and used a wanky font. Definitely change them as they're so obviously 'show plates' some jobsworth MOT tester or copper will have you for them.
 
https://www.fancyplates.com/buy-plates/uk-show-plates/
 
Use this and use one of the 'UK pre 2001' fonts (a or c might look good). 
If they're in keeping with the car nobody tends to ask questions. I like mine plain with no borders or bottom text, as often was the way in the 80s. 

Ordered a set of them. Gotta look better that what’s on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Love the order sheet. Not being stalkery (ok maybe a little) have you googled the company/ first owner? Interesting especially as a new merc especially then was a substantial purchase. 

Plus a bit of research gives you your typical overblown classic merc ad 

1. say it’s indestructible

2. go into a lot of detail about the first owners including holidaying habits etc

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I cant read the scribbled over bit of the name- a limited company. 
 

Take a look at the dates- May order for September - how long? Presume they built to order. I’d get bored and have to have something with immediate delivery for my limited company ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I cant read the scribbled over bit of the name- a limited company. 
 
Take a look at the dates- May order for September - how long? Presume they built to order. I’d get bored and have to have something with immediate delivery for my limited company

Just googled them changed name in the late 80’s but still going.

Insurance firm.

Might send a letter to there head office see if they have any info etc worth a try ain’t it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Danterzza said:

80a299cf5cce9ff8a8513086e8674b8a.jpg

Also the handbook suggests the hot start thing is the norm?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Can’t say as I’ve noticed it with mine, but if that’s what the book says I wouldn’t worry about it. 

Id like to do something about the seat in mine, it’s like a collapsed mattress. Don’t think it’ll be an £800 fix though!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mrs T is not a car person one single bit.

She looked out the window and said “what you parked that heap on the drive for”

I tried to tell her that Lada Gaga has one so must be cool.

c585128d2946d034508108313dd416de.jpg

And also that John Lennon used to have one.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/23034/imagine-buying-john-lennons-last-ride-a-1979-mercedes-benz-300td-station-wagon

Still no good.

Must try harder.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/25/2020 at 9:34 PM, J-T said:

Can’t say as I’ve noticed it with mine, but if that’s what the book says I wouldn’t worry about it. 

Id like to do something about the seat in mine, it’s like a collapsed mattress. Don’t think it’ll be an £800 fix though!

Frames were known for collapse and were at one time off the shelf

Aside the seat strength, these cars do (did) granite mileage

That MB breaker at Rushden (if still going) will know what you need 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

No not for daily use, will get regular use and will be used for work quite often.

Gave it a good clean today as been busy last week.

It’s had some bad paint on the front wings at the bottom which is quite noticeable in the direct sun.

f71fbe79879172b252f1b44332c3891f.jpg

It also needs the front two jacking points looking at. They have some fresh black stone chip bashed on. So looking at having that all sorted as the rest is pretty god damn good.

30ee5b2401fa52668475f166d157ecf4.jpg

9e0a3c3e113fa3c2d3cddc7af2093ffe.jpg

69cb0eaa5ae79e7f1b057984c4cff15a.jpg

3064b49030c68c8abe28879d2534b919.jpg

46a8490bb95749f58cbf2ea3ef525caf.jpg

8e7aeb1a7ab3005100df39dbbebf26e8.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

Been putting some miles on this lately.

The ride is sublime compared to all my other motors. My route to work goes through a couple of villages and any modern over the speed bumps is crap. This just glides over them.

Economy seems shit. Filled up a few times now and not getting more than 200/220 miles to a tank. Should probably work it out, but seems juicy.

The radio and it’s two speakers are surprisingly good. I wanted to use this loads and love my music. So might try and sort the stereo into a real nice sounding affair. With maybe some retro components, or at least make it look stock.

Something like this?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122132956107

Or there is a Blaupunkt media player that looks like the old melbournes. But there £300 odd quid. Which is a lot. Been blasting out some Luther vandross tapes at the mo, so no rush. But will probably sort it.

93e5a4d8031c075e9a2d829ecb377017.jpg

The dog is same colour as it which is nice.

I have never had a car which has got so many positive reactions from people. Which is weird as I though most people would think it’s just a old banger really.

Overall ownership rating so far = enjoyable.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, Danterzza said:

Economy seems shit. Filled up a few times now and not getting more than 200/220 miles to a tank. Should probably work it out, but seems juicy.

I'd expect no more than high-20's from this.  Not sure how big the tank is, but being a saloon, it's vertical behind the rear passenger seat and is smaller than the estate one.  Depends how much you're putting in for 220 miles.  if it's about 36 litres, you're ok.  If more, that's less good.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 minutes ago, Talbot said:

I'd expect no more than high-20's from this.  Not sure how big the tank is, but being a saloon, it's vertical behind the rear passenger seat and is smaller than the estate one.  Depends how much you're putting in for 220 miles.  if it's about 36 litres, you're ok.  If more, that's less good.

I think they’re 55 litres for the saloon and 70 for the estate/extended range (an option on the saloon). 

230e is Einspritzung- Injected. Single point. If you are indeed getting 18 to the gallon then something’s not quite right! Does it look/smell like it’s running rich? There is mixture adjustment but it’s been a long, long time.

It’s worth taking it to someone like Albert Lock at Rushden (as mentioned by @flat4alfa). He knows these things inside out and back to front, plus he’ll have any bits you need too. 

This is lovely. I really really want a 123 before the ship completely sails. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

+1 on the loveliness factor.  For me these are the ultimate Benz. Your can keep your gullwings and give me this. 10 years ago I had a coupe, saloon and estate and life was GOOD 

Now I have a beaten Up MPV.  I’ve got the memories. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, Danterzza said:

It is 4 speed auto.

They feel a bit like a 3 speed as they start off in second unless you boot it from the get go.

The ratios may explain why you'll only get mid-20s mpg out of it. W123s were never particularly economical, except for the diesel....which was just slow.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

31 minutes ago, BorniteIdentity said:

I think they’re 55 litres for the saloon and 70 for the estate/extended range (an option on the saloon). 

230e is Einspritzung- Injected. Single point. If you are indeed getting 18 to the gallon then something’s not quite right! Does it look/smell like it’s running rich? There is mixture adjustment but it’s been a long, long time.

It’s worth taking it to someone like Albert Lock at Rushden (as mentioned by @flat4alfa). He knows these things inside out and back to front, plus he’ll have any bits you need too. 

This is lovely. I really really want a 123 before the ship completely sails. 

It’s going in to my local man for a full service,  so far got, oil, oil, fuel and air filters, plugs, leads, dizzy cap, rotor arm. Auto box filter and fluid, radiator, coolant, diff oil, drive belts, 

Will see if this helps it, if not will get it off to a specialist to sort the hot start issue, will also measure the economy to see where we are at. If not I have seen that Albert Lock come up in searches for specialists for these. Northampton is only a hour away roughly from me.

Also bornite I have a ace, our very own vulgalour, hand drawn pic of the super Sierra, I think it should be passed onto you. If you want it pm me your address. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yep that’s normal for the speed/ revs. Similar also for first gen w124 4 cyl petrol autos. Try 3.4k rpm at 70 for the 4 cyl auto variants. You’ve got to go manual to avoid that.

By 1984 4 speed manual w123 was the standard transmission with 5 speed manual and 4 speed auto cost options. My 200 carb 4 speed would sit happily at 90 but the engine would be thrashing away some way over 4K rpm. Relaxing enough if you averted your eyes from the tacho.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mine’s a 230E and I’d say it’s pretty good on fuel for what it is. Granted, I’m comparing it to 3.2 V6 Alfa so it’s a bit like saying drowning is pretty good compared to death by stoning. I’ve never worked out the numbers but I get more miles out of £20 in the Merc.

I think it’s Bosch K Jet, so there’s a bit of adjustment in it 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 7/25/2020 at 5:17 PM, Danterzza said:

80a299cf5cce9ff8a8513086e8674b8a.jpg

Also the handbook suggests the hot start thing is the norm?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I had a Sierra years ago, don’t know if it was the prescribed way of starting it but you had to start it with a half throttle. Probably the autochoke was fucked.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Injection tuning is done with a long alen key down a hole/tunnel thing, I seem to remember that it could be accessed through the air box via a plastic bung.

 

I could be wrong: it was a LONG time ago I last played silly buggers with the injection on these.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...