For many of us thoughts immediately go to the W123 range when someone tells us to think of an “old” Mercedes. Is this the definitive and affordable classic example of the Three Pointed Star? We head to MotoVillage outside Cape Town, who recently sold this example, to find out.
Words and photos: Wilhelm Lutjeharms
The W123 Mercedes-Benz is for many car enthusiasts the definitive classic Mercedes-Benz. Not classic in the way that the multi-million dollar Gullwing is, for example, but still desirable, albeit in a different way. The W123 represents the solid build quality we’ve come to expect and appreciate from Mercedes-Benz during the production run of the W123 and its siblings.
The W123 range also offered buyers, at the time, and today, a few model options. There were the sedan models, the station wagon and also the coupé. There was never a true high-performance version, but that hasn’t stopped some enthusiasts from taking them racing, as we’ve reported before. The race car referred to above is also the only W123 sedan I’ve ever driven, which made a drive in a standard, well-maintained version much more special.
Behind the well-aged ‘wheel
It is worth pointing out that this car has 200 000 km on the odo, and I have seen cars with less mileage that doesn’t look as good as this one. The dark blue interior is a beautiful colour and presents a wonderful contrast to white exterior. With so many modern cars being overbearingly grey or black inside, this blue hue truly stands out.
To my left is the centre armrest which further encourages you to relax behind the wheel. There are a few places where this car is showing its patina, but nothing more than you would expect from it considering its age and mileage. Through the steering wheel I have a perfect view of the three large analogue dials, while it takes a few minutes to get used to the steering wheel which almost rests in your lap. The rest of the cabin is simple, with the ventilation controls above the gear lever and the ignition to the left of the steering wheel. Higher up and to the right, there is even a stalk for the cruise control function.
The large steering wheel (with power steering) makes manoeuvring easy and as I point the 280E towards Kalk Bay, the gearbox moves quickly up the ratios before we settle into a 70 to 90 km/h cruise. If you are used to some of today’s large, modern cars, you will be surprised by the relatively small footprint of the W123.
When you put your foot on the throttle with intent, the nose does pick up a little, and that is the same scenario when you turn into a corner at some speed. There is initial body lean, but then the car settles, offering an old-school sense of stability at the same time.
Move the gearlever from its position in “D” to “S”, and now the gearbox will keep longer to a gear and let the engine rev to over 5 000 rpm. The six-cylinder engine becomes more vocal and the speed increases with some determination. However, after you’ve done that once or twice, it feels more natural to settle back into a cruise. At the same time, it is good to understand the performance capabilities of the car, should you wish to use it. Furthermore, the Becker radio is still in place and there are also electric windows. In the rear two adults can be seated, although knee- and legroom is rather limited for taller occupants.
Verdict
If you are considering a classic car that is useable, relatively affordable, which won’t depreciate and which you could arguably use on a daily basis, it is hard to find fault with a W123 280E. Being 41 years old, there are a number of perishables and small things the new owner might want to attend to, but other than that the car presents well. From behind the 'wheel the W123 feels solid and sturdy, whether you are driving on the road, or shutting the doors once parked. No wonder there are still so many W123s being used in North Africa, especially as taxis.
Specifications:
Model: 1983 Mercedes-Benz 280E (W123)
Engine: 2.7-litre, six-cylinder, petrol
Power: 136 kW at 5 800 rpm
Torque: 240 Nm at 4 500 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed automatic, RWD
Weight: 1 475 kg
0-100 km/h: 10.8 seconds
Top Speed: 195 km/h
Price: Around R189 900