Is the W123 market over with HD 1080p 

I call my 1983 300D my "Goin' to Town Tractor"! I had a friend alway pick on me about the car. One day, he asked if he could take it to the store for a quick errand. He came back he was mesmerized by the fact that it was just him, a steering wheel, a shifter and pedals... No Screens, No NAV... It totally changed his outlook on what a car "Should Be" without all of the distractions....

Bought a sight unseen 123 240d manual 1100 miles away. I flew out there with a bag of simple tools and a few hoses. It turned out the gauge cluster was not working except for the speedo. The hvac and wipers were also inop. Started driving back and noticed a lot of smoke behind me as well. At this point I had no idea if I had oil pressure or if I were overheating or how much fuel I was going through. In 200 miles (using gps) I stopped at a gas station to perform checks. The oil level hasn’t moved and the radiator was decently cool. I also averaged 35mpg. From that moment on I knew I was going to make it home. A week later it was time to dig in deeper and assess the vehicle better. It was straight as an arrow and had zero rust. It also had zero paint left. The odometer was broken at 256k. Carfax revealed that the vehicle had 254k back in 2002 so it is anybody’s guess what it has 20 years later. Over the 1100 miles home, I lost less than a quart of oil and the smoke was completely gone. Later on during service I’d find out that the previous owner ran some used oil mixed with diesel which explains the initial smoke I had. The worst surprise was that the vehicle had fire under the dash at some point and melted everything down there including the heater box, wiring, hoses and etc. Every single seal was also falling apart on the body. Needless to say, I threw the towel and said I’m not dealing with this since it wasn’t worth it. A gorgeous 124 wagon popped up for sale locally and I jumped on that. The 124 was everything the 123 wasn’t and felt infinitely better. In the meantime, parts started arriving for the 123 - small things such as engine gaskets, filters, proper shifter knob to replace the hideous skull and so on. I figured might as well install them. During the next couple of months I realized that I’m driving the 123 more than any other car I own and it was clear that this IS my car and it was meant for it to come into my life. I decided to do a full blown restoration and never looked back. It really is the connection AND interaction between a machine and a human for me not only during repairs but also during operation. The car is a symbol of better times long gone when people also interacted with each other. It is sad that so many young folks will never understand what I mean by that. At every gas station and red light, there is always somebody reaching out and that brings back even more warm memories.

Good video on the simple truth about the W123. Their higher values were bound to happen. I daily a 1979 W116 turbo diesel that I keep alive and running in great condition. Thanks for the inspiration.

Yes I agree they best car ever made long live the w123

'87 190D 2.5 manual is my forever ride

I love my 1984 300 SD. I agree with everything you say. Thanks

every time I watch you I open another window on FB marketplace and start looking...better get serious this year and pick one up....

The Cash for Clunkers Program caused a lot of perfectly nice W123s to be crushed.

Excellent video Pierre and we knew this message was near. I think the 124 is essentially here as well but we have a bit more time on that. After the 123 and 124… it’s over folks. Everything will be expensive moving forward. Get one while you can

I restored a w123 petrol 109hp. Very nice car👌

Your argument is completely upside down. The market isn't "over", it's more buoyant than it ever has been. The cars are finally being recognized for their excellence, so the demand and selling prices goes up.

I have an 84 300 that is WELL beyond what I would normally restore. 383k on the engine and fires right up. It's looses 2 lbs of rust every time you close a door. What is left though is as good as any example I have seen. Once I bodge this "weld" job together, It will be a perfectly nice car. All it cost me was my soul.

Hi Pierre. I have a 1977 200D W123 here in New Zealand. 1 owner for 38 years. I am the second owner and have had the car for 7 years. At 450,000kms the interior is like brand new. But unfortunately the exterior is showing its age. I will be giving it a very high end paint job, removing the engine to do the engine bay too and removing the windscreen etc. The engine has minor blow by. I am thinking to have it rebuilt. But it seems all kits to rebuild the engine are very expensive. What do you recommend i do? Keep the engine as it is? Or? Thank you very much! I have owned over 100 classic Mercedes and i have about 20 at the moment! I love your videos!

hippies, bring a trailer, and their consequences have been a disaster to the human race

It's not a bubble. It's a scarce commodity. Rich people want them. They have money. We have cars. Price will only go up as long as people want them and have $$

I have been fixing up a the mechanicals on a very aesthetically nice W124 3.2 petrol.

so true!

probably the best car ever made

The W123s, their day has arrived.

Pierre's arrival in W123 to the Patina-Boys garage was sensational. I guess it takes a bit more than a load of money to be cool around these cars...

The car was currently given to me by my former co worker thanks I really miss him as a good friend especially I love my 1983 Mercedes W123 is the best car I've ever had as a used car.

I own a 1982 300 TDT euro model (I live in Europe) rust free and all original including paint (I believe only the tailgate might have been repainted but, if that's the case, the paint job is so old that is really difficult to tell, and looks exactly like the rest of the panels). The car is less than 400.000 km, matching numbers and I have had the SLS and the auto gearbox rebuilt among other things, being its third owner (I know the previous two owners of the car, both from my area and the car has never been crashed or messed with). I could define it as a really clean honest car but not concours. I also own a 1989 R107 300SL fully loaded and less than 150k km that my friends and family (most of them non "car nuts") always find much more appealing. Even my wife refers to the S123 as "the hearse" (good thing it is ivory white) and is not particularly fond to riding on it. But I have to say that while I recognize the level of refinement that my petrol R107 has is not comparable to the turbodiesel 300 TDT, there is just something on the wagon when driving uneffortlessly down the highway at 60 mph looking at the bonnet star with the manual windows rolled down that is really pleasant and that my modern cars really do not have.

I blame it on BAT….

Completely agree. I have seen the market changing dramatically over the last 5 years. And even though there are still uncovered gems over there to be found, average prices went up significantly and will keep going up.

I've slowing been doing a rolling restoration on an '82 300d for about 3 years now. $400 for a good used rear window regulator is a perfect example of the inherent difficulties and challenges. Don't forget we are in the middle of a diesel swap craze. Guys are pulling good om617s from scrapyards to go in their Jeepy Jeeps and what not 🙄 Cheers!

The W123 is spectacular! Fantastic topic Pierre!

My daughter still has the 300D Turbodiesel I gave her when she graduated university, almost 30 years ago, and she has vowed not to ever sell it. It shares her garage with an AMG CLS and a G-Wagon. I'm a retired dealer, and I still think the 123 is the best car Mercedes EVER built...which is to say one of the best cars ever, by anybody. However, these cars are getting OLD, and old Mercedes are by their natures expensive to fix. However, at least you CAN fix a 123...but it ain't a 356, it's a mass market car built in serious (for Mercedes) numbers. Mind you, the coupes have already attained "collector" status, and prices, but I don't really believe that is coming for the sedans...at least for some years. Until there are a LOT fewer of them.

So true . In Australia W123 are like hens teeth to find a half descent car that you can afford. W126 are starting to head in the same direction.

I love my W126 and purchasing one in great condition in today’s market would cost a small fortune. I see the same thing happening with cars from the same period. Cars from the 1980s and 1990s are becoming the new classics.

I love my daily '85 W123 and would never buy anything less. This motor is just brilliant. Cheers to Mercedes Benz.

"with" what ? There are a number of ok-ish W123 relatively close but you are correct. Even in the last 3 years the prices have sky-rocketed.... even for junk.

I'm always amazed when I see an older (classic) vehicle here in Fl being driven around with all stages of rust eating it away. Clearly the owner did absolutely nothing to stop the rusting, as if they think someday they'll just get another one.

You guys in the States probably have a little more time, but eventually you'll be in the same dire situation as we are in Europe, where these cars are quickly becoming uneconomical to daily (or even frequently) drive, so that in the long run only afficionados will drive them. Meaning restorations will very much be of a similar "exclusive" variety as with other classic Benzes. Meaning probably we'll see less and less of them over time, even though they could be perfectly usable even today. In the short run, prices may even drop as they become less attractive as dailys and aren't yet rare and sexy enough to be as valuable collector's cars as say a Pagoda etc.

GM and thanks for the insight Pierre...I had been lamenting on the sale of this my 3rd W 123 240 D manual. I am near retirement and relocating to a region that I'm unsure I can keep him on the road unless it just for occasion. Right now I drive it daily but recently a bit less trying to make it last.. "Jazz" is a '81 with working A/C, power roof, cruise,14 inch alloys...silver/blue 268k. with a near perfect interior...without sag. I was close to a sale a few months ago ,but will consider carefully what I have now before entertaining any offers. Now empowered with a better understanding of its place in car history a definitive knowledge of it being a worthy collectible. P.S..out of the 3 240D 4spds...this one I own now runs the best!...previous 1983 pwr window ,Blu/Palo,chrome wheels...very nice and clean...1979 Ivory /Bamboo...only pwr roof, leaked water but was extremely loyal. Good Luck in your Search my friends..."The Optimist Wins!"

Maybe this is part of the supply problem. I have an unrestored non rusty 300TD. Shares daily driver duty with a 1955 triumph for short trips at least. It is probably ready for paint, the clear coat is peeling off. Original except for deleting the trap oxidizer and egr etc. 410K, newly on third set of injector nozzles. I’ve never checked the compression. It starts immediately, probably doesn’t burn as much oil as it leaks, plenty of power, and doesn’t smoke. Suspension including hydraulic self leveling rebuilt. I’ve dealt with whatever needed attention for about 12 years now myself except for pressing a few suspension bushings and alignment. About to address vacuum pod issues in the climate control and put in a new compressor for A/C again. Then everything will be up to snuff - - until the next thing. Even if I could get $7,500 to $10,000 for it, what could I possibly get for that amount that would be as good. As Pierre said in one of his videos, better the devil you know. Mine won’t go to a scrap yard, but it probably won’t be for sale or “restored” until my kids take my car keys away.

Im getting a 240d back on the road. Very very close. Its happening before 10/15

Well Said!

How bad is the damage from vegetable oil? Can't the engines be rebuilt?

thank you for this video really good. I plan on collecting and restoring these beauties. I have a 1982 300SD and I am slowly restoring it. Looking for a driver seat in gray color, now? Believe it or not, it is tough to find people to work on these cars- at least in my area. I am in the SF Bay Area anyone knows a good trustworthy mechanic besides the junkyard a place to source a driver-side seat? much appreciated!

Wax/oil (melted together) could have stopped all the rusting. Look up DIY Cosmoline

I think cash for clunkers probably killed as many w123s.

The w123 is just about the best mercedes right behind the w126

In all fairness, there are a few things that seem to be over engineered on the w123, the fuel system on the idi 6.9’s and 7.3 is just about as bulletproof as you can get. That being said, I absolutely regret having to sell my very nice, not perfect’84 300D turbo sedan😢.

Great cars, quality cars for sure. Unfortunately more and more parts are NLA, and while I’m not a person that thinks a car needs to make a lot of power, they are fairly underpowered by modern standards, especially if one is talking about a 240D. And to spend $5.75/gal on diesel to get 72-128 hp and only get 30ish mpg isn’t great. But let’s face the real elephant in the room… paint and rust. These cars were built with a high level of quality, but they can still be very prone to rust if you live in a climate that is wet and/or salty. Bad rubber parts create water entry points that result in internal and external rust. Paint fades and fails in time, clear coat paint especially…. At that point if a car is a repaint, it’s no longer original and it doesn’t get the same premium.

Agree Pierre. So many were destroyed and ran into the ground.

I have actually noticed prices trending down for W123 diesels, since for the longest time diesel was cheaper than gas at the pump and now diesel is actually more expensive.

Good! Those vegetable oil freaks, the off-roaders and other neglectful pigs that drove these cars into the ground or parted them out are the ones you have to thank for the high prices we have today. Next in line are regular 201 & 124s

Grow a pair and buy a 123 so that will ensure that you never ever have to splash lube anything ever again.

W126 300SD here occasionally running homebrewed bio (yes, I know what I'm doing) and veggie dewatered and filtered to 0.5 microns... No issues 👍

My Hyundai rocks.... Just kidding. I restored my W123 and W115 diesels to like new condition using genuine MB parts only. It wasn't cheap but they cars are now worth much more than the cost of acquisition and restoration combined!

Cant run average diesel fuel without issues tho.

Leaning 115 or 116 Im a 70s guy anyway.

They’re going to have to pry my w123 from my cold dead hands…..

Base

Love the older Merc diesels. Currently have a 1986 W124 300D, W124 E300D 1994 and getting a 1976 W115 300D sorted to get back in the road. Would love to have a W123 300D but hard to find down here in New Zealand.

126 is way better ;)

Obama wasn't the president in 2008. Diesel prices peaked at $4.70 in July 2008, when George W Bush was still president. By two months into Obama's presidency, the price had dropped to $2.09.

Open rebuke is better than secret love. Proverbs 27:5

Pollution from diesel is the worst for the environment. These should not be restored to pollute and add to bad air quality and global warming.

My 83 300td is not for sale because you can't replace it. Not even for 15 grand.

Duuude! My Chevy Spark's like the BEST car I've ever owned.!.!.! Seriously though. I've been wondering about this myself. And I was also thinking that it might be possible to try importing some of these 123's from Europe. Isn't there some age limit beyond which the DOT doesn't require ludicrous mods to vehicles before you can bring them into the country? I don't know if thats true or if so what the year is but if it is, then there may well be a bunch of lower spec, simpler 123's knocking around Europe that might be feasible to bring into the US, help alleviate some of the shortage.