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Up until a month ago i had a little Classic Mini that i had restored but due to health as I'm having back problems and found it too low and i just didn't feel safe in a Mini these days it had to go  Anyhooz ive got a VW Golf MkV as a Daily Driver and ive come to love German Build Quality ;D and ive always always want a Mercedes Benz ;D Oh Lord Wont you buy me a Mercedes Benz ;D I'm not looking for one right now itll be in the new year but i want to do my homework first so hoping all you Benz Owners can give me some advice? Ive always Loved both the W123 and the earlier W115 and had a positive goal in my head of what i wanted eventually a w123 4 door saloon with the 2.3 engine  Only thing is now ive realised I'm limiting my options so I'm wondering if i should consider other engines too? Ive only got an Auto licence so its gotta be Auto which isn't a problem with a Benz as Autos are more common than Manuals ;D What i want to know is i keep seeing tidy 280e and even the odd 200e in real life terms should i stick with my plans for a 230e or is the fuel consumption really that different between a 230 and a 280? and are 200e too weedy? are they worth getting for better economy or isn't that different to a 230 engine? Or should i go for a 240d for better economy? Worried that i get the Mercedes Benz experience but as soon as i turn the key ill have tractors ringing in my ears  To add to all the confusion I'm beginning to wonder if a W115 may be a better proposition if i get a tax exempt one? then with the W115 theres the 250e to add into the equation Then again I'm starting to think a 190e may be worth a look because they are only 2.0 smaller and probably more economical plus 190e,s are way cheaper than a W123 I'm soo confuzzled!!!!  At heart though i really want a w123 automatic and a 190e would really just be second best and a W115 because of free tax What tax band is a W123 these days and should i limit myself to the 2.3 or is a 2.8 really that different on fuel??? Helpppp!!!!!!! Huggz Jodie  |
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binboy
Part of things
Posts: 317
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I ran a 1974 W115 240d for ages it was the most reliable car ive ever owned. Ok so it was a bit slow but it did over 40 mpg. It had done well over 300 thousand miles as is still on the road today. Ive heard that the 2.0 engine can be a bit weak, my old 2.0 190e had only done about 150k and it was well worn. I think on the W123 they did a bigger diesel too, sorry I'm no Merc expert.
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Slammed 1975 Mercedes 240d back with Dez
1978 W123 Mercedes in yellow
1972 Danbury delux VW camper
1967 Aussie import split screen camper Sold
Slammed 1992 Golf 1.8
1987 Bmw 320i sold
1984 Mitsubishi L300
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230e should do 30 - 35mpg, mine does did that all day long. its been layed up for nearly 3(!) years now. 280e will do 25 mpg or less, depending on how you drive it. keep away from 200 W123s, they get the same economy as the 280, but without the power or speed. personally i'd avoid derv 123s, as they're not that economical, imho. |
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Thanks for the Reply Was the Diesel Noisey??? I know new diesels are quite quiet these days but with the W115/123 diesels being old diesel Technology just w2ondered how noisey they are? Whats noise levels like inside the car? Not bothered about being mega quick I'm past the traffic light grand prix stage I'm no girl Racer no more i just wanna cruise,glide along in comfort and old school luxury I like the idea of the diesel if its still relatively Mercedes Hush inside the car? As far as petrol engines go i want to know if a decent 280 came up should i dismiss it because they are too thisty or is the difference between the 230 and 280 so little i might as well consider a 280? I really want a W123 or 115 only considered a 190e because they are soo cheap now |
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Thread needs pics! So here's my shameless whoring!  It's an early 115 220d, now running a 2.5d from a W124. It's by no means the fastest barge on the road, but it's pretty good on juice and plods along quite well. I wouldn't be swayed in the direction of one just for the tax free tag - you're only saving £200 a year for the sake of running an outdated model! I would expect to spend much less on getting a newer model through its MOT every year than this one costs me! Joe |
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Just saw your last post!
Mine is pretty noisy! It has K&N type filters, as I didn't have room for the airbox. Most of the diesels are ok though - the newer models definately have better soundproofing though.
Joe
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indeed. I'm watching the end of an ebay auction atm, il post some pics once its done. |
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Like TCC says, diesels are pretty slow. A W123 300 diesel is meant to be the one to have out of the diesels but the petrol engines are more refined.
Don't worry, you won't be missing much with a manual gearbox in that era Mercedes. I had one in my W115 and it was a fairly agricultural 'box.
I think the only fuel-injected W114/5 is the 280e W114 (114 = 6 cylinder, 115 = 4 cylinder). The 2.0 in my W115 was a nice engine - smooth, torquey and totally bulletproof. I managed 30+ mpg on a run, and managed a record 14mpg on a particularly freezing cold morning run in town. I reckonan average of 25mpg is a fair assessment during my daily use. If it was an auto I'd expect a couple of mpg less, but it'd be a more pleasant experience.
W114/5's love to rot. You can pick 'em up for six or seven hundred but they'll invariably need sills, inner wings, front wings, rear arches and possibly footwells (ask me how I know! ;D)
I think the 230E W123 is the perfect balance between power and economy. It makes a great package, and I was seriously considering finding a 230E engine for my W115 until I got all daft and fitted a 500 V8... ;D
Whichever Mercedes you go for, you won't be disappointed. I reckon the W123 is one of the greatest cars Mercedes ever made. I've never had the pleasure of owning one but I will do at some point!
You can count on the RR Mercedes Mafia to help you out with any advice you may need.
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Last Edit: Aug 2, 2010 20:48:02 GMT by BenzBoy
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230e should do 30 - 35mpg, mine does did that all day long. its been layed up for nearly 3(!) years now. 280e will do 25 mpg or less, depending on how you drive it. keep away from 200 W123s, they get the same economy as the 280, but without the power or speed. personally i'd avoid derv 123s, as they're not that economical, imho. Thanks i had a feeling the 200 would have the same problem as my present dialy golf ie engine too small car too heavy My Golf only does about 26 urban and 37ish average (its a 1.6 auto) just ordered my new daily I'm getting a 2.0 tdi DSG next time ;D If the 230 benz gets 30-35 and the diesel only about 40 it doesnt seem worth getting a diesel Right now thats narrowed down don't bother with the 200,a 240 d may be worth considering but if a decent 280 came up is it worth holding out for a 230 instead? and there is a real difference between 230 and 280 fuel consumptions? |
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Thanks guys everytime i post ive had more replys while ive been busy typing ;D
So it looks like keep away from the diesels,the car wont be my daily so i want a balance i don't want to feel like my tank has a hole in it but as my new daily ill have by then will do 50mpg avg if the 230 will do 30-35 I'm more than happy with that ;D
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stacklight everyday if you can find a non rusty one, they have an older more retro feel but drive pretty much the same, loved my 280 coupe, was a thirsty curse word but i was happy to put up with it though cos it went ok with 180bhp under there. |
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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The W123 300D is pretty slow, but it makes you relax. They are bulletproof too. I know an example that had run almost 300.000km (sorry no miles) and started at the first stroke after 5 years standing in the open air.
The w123 280 has a twincam engine (the 280E as well) and is a marvellous engineered engine. It can do 20-25 mpg with an autobox. And did I already mention the gorgous sound?
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 Click picture for more |
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The W123 300D is pretty slow, but it makes you relax. They are bulletproof too. I know an example that had run almost 300.000km (sorry no miles) and started at the first stroke after 5 years standing in the open air. The w123 280 has a twincam engine (the 280E as well) and is a marvellous engineered engine. It can do 20-25 mpg with an autobox. And did I already mention the gorgous sound? Mine did more like 14 or 15mpg in the real world, less if you hurried, it did push the old barge along at 120mph one day laying a smoke screen as it went, still, not bad for a 1974 car.  |
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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MrSpeedy
East Midlands
www.vintagediesels.co.uk
Posts: 4,786 
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Can't really comment on the ' older ' merc's ( other than I want one ! ) but my 2.0ltr 190e is one of the best cars I've ever bought. Cheap to buy, cheap parts (gsf) has a bit of go when you need it, but is no tarmac burner, and returns real world mpg of about 30ish. And definately the most comfortable! Have some blatent self whoring pics;   |
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Last Edit: Aug 3, 2010 13:12:29 GMT by MrSpeedy
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here's some pics of my 230ce on air.    I'd agree with all the above, the performance is what I'd call 'peppy', munes done 129k miles and is whispa quiet, you can stand next to it while it's idling and not hear a thing! Fuelwise I get mid 20's to low 30's, and don't dismiss the coupe, a pillerless coupe is fantastic!! |
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Remember the days when sex was safe and motorsport was dangerous. Vintage bling always attracts pussy. |
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levismerc
Part of things
Learning all the time...
Posts: 205
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If it's pics you want, pics you shall have... What all the above have said re fuel and the engines sounds about right. 200s are a bit underpowered for todays traffic and use a lot of juice trying to keep up. 230s have a reasonable turn of speed but can still do good mpg. 280s are the one to have for fun and great noises. Mine can be a bit thirsty if I'm just pootling in town or really clogging it but not too bad at all if you have a lighter foot. Oh, and coupes are GREAT!  Levi |
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'83 Merc 280CE  |
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Thanks Guyz ;D I do like the Coupes but as my new daily driver will be a 3 door Coupe and ill miss the rear doors of my Golf it would be nice to have a 4 door benz I'm not saying i would dismiss a Coupe but would like a 4 door saloon as first choice ;D I havnt really got a heavy right foot but i think the 230 would probably be best for me ;D Thanks and keep those pics comming  Jodie |
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I've been using a 190e 2.6 as a daily for the last 6 months or so and it's been pretty much perfect not bad on gas / insurance, easy to work on & get parts (not that it's needed much above servicing), comfortable & roomy without being too big around town, great on a run... Typical Benz really   I'm currently trackday / drift prepping ruining it - link in sig |
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