Manufacturer Mercedes-Benz | Also called Tiger (Indonesia) | |
 | ||
Production 1976–1985
2,696,915 built
4-door: 2,397,514
Coupé: 99,884
Estate: 199,517 Assembly Sindelfingen, West Germany
Stuttgart, West Germany
Bremen, West Germany
East London, South Africa (Sedan Only)
Changchun, China (FAW Automotive, CKD) Designer Bruno Sacco, Friedrich Geiger (Saloon & coupe: 1973, T-Modell: 1975) Class Mid-size luxury / Executive car (E) | ||
The Mercedes W123 is a range of executive cars produced by German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz between 1976 and 1985.
Contents
The W123 models surpassed their predecessor, the Mercedes-Benz W114 models, as the most successful Mercedes, selling 2.7 million cars before replacement by the Mercedes-Benz W124 after 1985. The additional range of smaller Mercedes-Benz W201 models were introduced in 1982.
Naming
As usual, model names were related to engine sizes, type of engine and chassis type:
As for the chassis codes, W123 is the regular sedan, S123 the estate, C123 the coupé, V123 the Lang, and F123 for the bare chassis as used for ambulances and other conversions.
Model history
Mercedes-Benz introduced the W123 four-door versions on 29 January 1976. While there were some technical similarities to their predecessors, the new models were larger in wheelbase and exterior dimensions. The styling was also updated, although stylistic links with the W114 / W115 were maintained. Initially, all models except 280/280E featured quad unequal-size round headlights and the latter large rectangular units. When facelifted, these units became standard across the range. All W115 engines were carried over, with the 3-litre 5-cylinder diesel model being renamed from "240D 3.0" to "300D" (as it had already been called before in North American markets). The only new engine was the 250's 2,525 cc inline-six (Type M123, a short-stroke version of the 2.8-litre six Type M110) that replaced the old 2,496 cc Type M114 "six".
In the spring of 1976, a coupé version was introduced on a shorter wheelbase than the saloon (2,710 mm (106.7 in) versus 2,795 mm (110.0 in)) for the saloon). This W123C/CE was available as a 230C (later 230CE) and as a 280C/CE in most markets; in North America there were additional 300CD versions with naturally aspirated, later turbocharged 3-litre diesel engines.
It is a tribute to the car's instant popularity – and possibly to the caution built into the production schedules – that nine months after its introduction, a black market had developed in Germany for Mercedes-Benz W123s available for immediate delivery. Customers willing to order new cars from their local authorized dealer for the recommended list price faced waiting times in excess of twelve months. Meanwhile, models that were barely used and were available almost immediately commanded a premium over the new price of around DM 5,000.
From August 1976, long-wheelbase versions (3,425 mm (134.8 in)) were produced. These were available as 7/8 seater saloons with works bodies or as a chassis with complete front body clip, the latter serving as the base for ambulance and hearse bodies by external suppliers like Binz or Miesen. These "Lang" versions could be ordered as 240D, 300D and 250 models.
At the Frankfurt Auto Show in September, 1977 the W123T estate was introduced; the T in the model designation stood for "Touring and Transport". All engines derivative except "200TD" were available in the range. T production began in March, 1978 in Mercedes' Bremen factory. It was the first factory-built Mercedes-Benz estate, previous estates had been custom-built by external coachbuilders, such as Binz.
In early 1979, the diesel models' power output was increased; power rose from 55 PS (40 kW; 54 hp) to 60 PS (44 kW; 59 hp) in the 200D, from 65 PS (48 kW; 64 hp) to 72 PS (53 kW; 71 hp) in the 240D and from 80 PS (59 kW; 79 hp) to 88 PS (65 kW; 87 hp) in the 300D; at the same time, the 220D went out of production.
The first Mercedes turbo diesel production W123 appeared in September, 1979. This was the 300 TD Turbodiesel, available with automatic transmission only. In most markets, the turbocharged 5-cylinder 3-litre diesel engine (Type OM617) was offered only in the T body style, while in North America it was also available in saloon and coupé guises.
June 1980 saw the introduction of new four-cylinder petrol engines (Type M102). A new 2-litre four with shorter stroke replaced the old M115, a fuel-injected 2.3-litre version of this engine (in 230E/TE/CE) the old carbureted 230. Both engines were more powerful than their predecessors.
In 1980/81, the carbureted 280 versions went out of production; the fuel-injected 280E continued to be offered.
In September 1982, all models received a mild facelift. The rectangular headlights, previously fitted only to the 280/280E, were standardized across the board, as was power steering. Since February 1982, an optional five-speed manual transmission was available in all models (except the automatic-only 300 turbodiesel).
W123 production ended in January, 1986 with 63 final T-models rolling out. Most popular single models were the 240D (455,000 built), the 230E (442,000 built), and the 200D (378,000 built).
The W123 introduced innovations including ABS (optional from August, 1980), a retractable steering column and an airbag for the driver (optional from 1982). Power (vacuum servo) assisted disc brakes were standard on all W123s. Available options included MB-Tex (Mercedes-Benz Texturized Punctured Vinyl) upholstery or velour or leather upholstery, interior wood trim, passenger side exterior mirror (standard on T models), 5-speed manual transmission (European market only), 4-speed automatic transmission (standard in turbodiesel models), power windows with rear-seat switch cut-outs, vacuum powered central locking, rear-facing extra seats (station wagon only), Standheizung (prestart timer-controlled engine heating), self-locking differential, sun roof, air conditioning, climate control, "Alpine" horn (selectable quieter horn), headlamp wipers (European market only), Tempomat (cruise control), power steering (standard after 1982/08), seat heating, catalytic converter (available from 1984 for California only, from fall (autumn) 1984 also in Germany for the 230E of which one thousand were built).
North America and Japan
In these markets the following models were offered:
The naturally aspirated 300TD wagon only had a brief career in North America, being replaced by a turbocharged model for the 1981 model year. Most American buyers had found the heavy wagon much too slow with the less powerful engine. The turbodiesel engine also appeared in the sedan and coupé models in America, but only a few months behind the wagon. Manual transmissions were generally only available to North American buyers in the four-cylinder models, and a five-speed was never available. From 1982 until the W123's replacement in late 1985, only diesels were sold in North America. The federalized W123s differ from the European W123s due to United States Department of Transportation requirements.
Notable exterior differences included: