It Doesn't Get Much More Jalop Than This Brown W123 Diesel 4-Spd Benz

"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo)
06/10/2016 at 12:02 • Filed to: Daily Turismo, Blog, Diesel, W123, Tank, German

Here is a chance to buy into the world renowned bank vault quality that is the Mercedes Benz W123 for less than 7 monthly payments on a new Camry. Anyone that was around in the 70s or 80s will remember their favorite dentist or math professor driving one of these. The low asking price and E-Z parts availability of these cars ensures that this one can be used as a daily beater without too much difficulty…well at least in cooler weather, as no mention is made of working AC. For Sale in the sunny San Fernando Valley in SoCal is this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! with a 4-speed manual transmission offered for $2,500.

The front shot of the car shows a beautifully straight (minor dings and dents notwithstanding) car with lovely Chestnut brown car that beautifully pairs with the car’s timeless lines. Some of the body panels have paint that is a little hazy…but if it is OG Mercedes Benz Paint, an afternoon with some mild paint compound will bring out the shine like it was 1981. The W123 body style Mercedes Benz came in several different engine combinations, but the ones most likely to be around today are the 240D and 300D. This manual trans 240D is the one you want due to a much simpler vacuum system as compared to the 300D. Vacuum is used to lock and unlock the doors on the 300D’s…this 240D won’t give you those problems. The Manual transmission will give you freedom from the eventual expense of rebuilding an ugly power robbing automatic.

No engine shots are provided, but imagine a simple, rugged 4 cylinder engine under the hood with lots and lots of metal (not plastic) parts under the hood. As you never have to smog a Diesel this old, you can remove the EGR system to clean up the appearance a little…while you are at it, if the cruise control doesn’t work, and you live in a densely packed area where it is of no use, you can remove that too. Once you get used to the big ol’ German steering wheel, big windows, great visibility and general panache of driving a sober German classic you can go look for a cheap 300D turbo with a busted auto trans, and swap that Turbo 5 cylinder into your 240D for big power (125hp instead of the 240D’s 70hp) AND the efficient manual transmission for max power.

The interior shots provided show a generally clean tan interior, made from industrial strength MB TEX vinyl. The tan interior complements the dark brown exterior nicely...sort of like a chocolate and peanut butter Reese’s candy. The owner claims only 235k miles. If the mileage is correct this car should have plenty of life left with only a moderate amount of tinkering. This car has been languishing on craigslist for weeks and weeks…so the owner is probably going to be agreeable to some negotiation. I believe it was first being offered for $3900…I would try to get it for around $2000 bucks. Someone please buy this thing so that it quits tempting me.

See a better old brown diesel? !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Originally written by Al and published as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on Daily Turismo.

Al is an accomplished life long auto enthusiast. This affliction landed him in Detroit for several years working as an engineer in the auto industry. When he is not busy scanning Daily Turismo, Craigslist or one of the other fine car sites for great finds he works as an engineer on baggage tractors, or hones his tolerance for BS by landlording.

DISCUSSION (9)

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > DailyTurismo
06/10/2016 at 12:07

Sometimes these get oil thirsty about that mileage, and if it hasn’t had a timing chain done, it’s due. Not too shabby, though.

fintail > DailyTurismo
06/10/2016 at 12:11

Dearly needs a bath. Looks ignored, but maybe not abused. Glad it’s a manual, if this was an automatic it wouldn’t be able to keep up with its own shadow.

DailyTurismo > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
06/10/2016 at 12:14

My grandpappy used to say “engine rebuilds are expensive, oil is cheap”

DailyTurismo > fintail
06/10/2016 at 12:16

I’ve owned/driven many W123 and feel the driving experience of the 240D with 4-speed is far superior to the 300D with slushbox or even the 300TD with slushbox. The autos make it feel more like a city bus and less like a semi truck....which is bad.

fintail > DailyTurismo
06/10/2016 at 12:22

Yeah the autos aren’t exactly for fun driving. Second gear start with a low hp engine only gets you so much. For merging and higher speed traffic though, an auto 300TD might be less stressful or rage-inducing.

I have a friend with a 4-speed 240D and a 300CD (auto of course). the coupe doesn’t “feel” much faster than the 240D, but the latter works harder and seems more active, it might deceive. My 220SE fintail, also an auto, doesn’t seem to have a problem keeping up with the coupe, and dusts the 240D. Funny comment, first thing I thought on the first time I drove the fintail, with its huge steering wheel and steep windshield angle “this is like a bus”.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > DailyTurismo
06/10/2016 at 12:24

True, but there’s a 240D stick out of service at my place as we speak due to having #1 get thirsty beyond all ability to manage. Rings, IIRC, but so badly that it might just as well have been a holed piston. So much blow-by that it was airing the crankcase beyond the ability of the PCV tube to carry.

Steve in Manhattan > DailyTurismo
06/10/2016 at 12:36

The wheels were an option that year ... ordinarily came with wheel covers.

EyeFuzz > fintail
06/10/2016 at 12:38

I have an Auto 240d... You are not incorrect. Foot to the floor it’ll do 75mph, on a good day, eventually. Still a great car. Simple, well built, good hunk of metal.

fintail > EyeFuzz
06/10/2016 at 13:30

They are great cars for those who don’t have to drive in rat race suburban arterial traffic or across mountain passes. Very comfortable and solid.