Mercedes W123

W123-80's

Hi all,

new to boards.ie, been a viewer for a week or so - mostly here in classic cars!

I am looking for some info regarding clearing an early to mid 80's W123 model mercedes from the UK.

I know before July 1st the VRT would have been calculated on the Irish value. Since the new system was implemented I understand it works of the cars CO2 emmisisions.

As the car I hope to purchase is not yet 30 years old so as to be exempt from vrt & tax I assume I will have to pay VRT and tax the car in Ireland in accordance with the new system?
I have not been able to obtain any official records on CO2 emmissions on any model of W123 Merc - Diesel or Petrol. Does this mean in the absence of official CO2 Records I am liable for Max VRT of 36% and max tax rate of €2000.00?
I can handle the 36% VRT because the Irish value is not going to be huge anyway, but car tax of €2000 per year.....!!
If this is the situation I am afraid my dream of driving around in a retro bulletproof Merc have gone up in smoke!!

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

zilog_jones

AFAIK road tax is still on the old system for any car first registered (in any country) before this year. VRT may well be 36% though...

Max_Damage

The tax rate on pre-July '08 cars still goes by engine size, however, the VRT rate is based on emissions, no matter what year the car is (well, if it's less than 30 years old that is).

carchaeologist

Max_Damage wrote: »

The tax rate on pre-July '08 cars still goes by engine size, however, the VRT rate is based on emissions

Totally wrong,why couldnt they leave it on the old system too...money making exercise methinks!!!!Most old cars will be on the higher band il bet!!

Government w@nkers.....

Max_Damage

carchaeologist wrote: »

Totally wrong

Eh, what I said is right actually.

8~)

As an aside from clearing a car - if you have not actually purchased one yet it is worth comparing a UK car to an Irish one. The W123s can rust and the UK ones generally rust due to the salt used on the roads. On my yard I have two w123s of similar age and mileage... but the quality of the bodywork is miles apart.

Have you looked at getting a 'local' car?

Esel

Max_Damage wrote: »

Eh, what I said is right actually.

Pretty sure that carchaeologist meant it is wrong that old cars are on the new VRT system - that they should have been left on the old system!

OP, if the import is to be VRTed at 36%, the minimum amount payable will be €720. Sorry to be the one to tell you! But, If you can get a handbook that states the official mpg figures, the actual CO2 figure can be calculated from that, and the VRT rate should be lower, which would mean that the minimum amount due would also be lower.

unkel

@OP - see the new VRT regime sticky on the main motors forum too for a comprehensive overview of all the changes. You should be able to find all you need in the first post...

Max_Damage

esel wrote: »

Pretty sure that carchaeologist meant it is wrong that old cars are on the new VRT system - that they should have been left on the old system!

Oh right, my bad!

W123-80's

8~) wrote: »

As an aside from clearing a car - if you have not actually purchased one yet it is worth comparing a UK car to an Irish one. The W123s can rust and the UK ones generally rust due to the salt used on the roads. On my yard I have two w123s of similar age and mileage... but the quality of the bodywork is miles apart.

Have you looked at getting a 'local' car?

Cheers for all the replies.
I hadn't realised that the VRT is calculated on CO2 emissions while the tax applicable will still be the same as previously.
That at least is good news.

To answer your question 8~, I've been looking in local classic car magazines and their does not seem to be much choice or availability of this model Merc in Ireland. Unless I am looking in the wrong places!?

Thanks again for all your replies.

Blue850

Don't suppose you fancy a W115? Itching to get something different.

W123-80's

Blue850 wrote: »

Don't suppose you fancy a W115? Itching to get something different.

P.M me with more details, def like to have a look.

mike65

Whats your budget?

http://www.mercforsale.ie/cars-classic/1/

Mike.

W123-80's

mike65 wrote: »

Whats your budget?

Mike.

I have a figure I won't or can't go above.
If you have something that you think might be of interest PM me details and we can talk.

Cheers.

mike65

heh! I have no w123s sat in a yard (you're very coy!).

Mike.

W123-80's

mike65 wrote: »

heh! I have no w123s sat in a yard (you're very coy!).

Mike.

My budget is within reach of a fairly well kept W123 as far as I can see.
I'm flexible to a point depending on the condition and history with the car.

Just not too keen on announcing how much I am willing to part with yet!!

MercMan Ben

Hi there,

did you have a look and www.prestigeclassiccarsales.ie? Mervyn has a few very nice examples in stock.

Always keep in mind, when buying a classic. The better car will be the cheaper car in the long run.

Best of luck,
Benjamin

mike65

14,500 for a 1985 280e? Sure top spec but similair could be picked up from private seller on a Merc message board for half that.

Mike.

MercMan Ben

mike65 wrote: »

14,500 for a 1985 280e? Sure top spec but similair could be picked up from private seller on a Merc message board for half that.

Mike.

not in that condition, though. I have rarely seen a better example - no rust, very original... :-)

MercMad

mike65 wrote: »

14,500 for a 1985 280e? Sure top spec but similair could be picked up from private seller on a Merc message board for half that.

Mike.

...............compare that car and others you could buy for €14,500 and look at the longevity and durability you'd get with a perfect W123 compared to some modern disposable rubbish.

Good W123's are getting scarce indeed, but very good ones are near impossible to find at any price !

mike65

Fair enough! If you have 14.5k buring a hole and you must have the best...

Mike.

8~)

...and I had just this week come around to the idea of selling my w123, when the likes of this discussion persuades me otherwise.

My car is very original and I know that with the few faults corrected it could be very good. I already sold it once and bought it back.

I saw so much at Trim and I have this odd desire for 70s Vauxhalls and Opels... lovely wedge Princess too...

For all round greatness I can't think of a better alternative than a w123.

MercMad

If you sell that W123 and buy a Princess........................I may have to kill you !!

3ps

8~) wrote: »

...and I had just this week come around to the idea of selling my w123,

I would if I could but I can't so I won't

tc20

mike65 wrote: »

14,500 for a 1985 280e?

Not being pedantic, but that price is for the 280CE.
I recently purchased a 280E from Prestige (its still on the website). Although the price might have been higher than similar on the market, they were comparable only in the way that when new they were the same.
The condition of the cars for sale at Prestige is quite simply excellent. I previously owned a W114, and sold it with a W123 in mind. I searched quite extensively for a 'good' car, and believe me, the vast majority of them (123s) out there just dont cut the mustard. I viewed numerous candidates, but almost all had fallen foul of neglect, poor maintenance, and tinworm over the years. MBs of that era are well known for their mechanical longevity and durability, so cars with 100k plus (and thats a big plus), if well tended, should be able for many more miles. The provenance & complete history that came with my car is simply staggering, every bill and service record from day one!
From my dealings with Prestige, it is clear that they deal only in top notch, quality cars, and not just high-end models - all their stock is superb.
As MercManBen put it - "the better car will be cheaper in the long run". I also like to believe that in most cases (and not just cars), you get what you pay for. If that means you pay a bit more, it also brings peace of mind. My 280 is 26y/o and has 134000mls on the clock, yet feels as if it just left the factory.
Its not a weekend toy, its my daily driver.

my 2c

8~)

Here's the issue.. I drove an FE Victor a while back with a view to purchase and declined it; same with an Opel Commodore... yet I keep thinking of the pristine Rekord in Trim. Princess... yeah, be nice for a while but would probably bore of it after a week. I couldn't swap the w123 for a Princess, not really. Wonder could I outrun MercMad?

The W123 is integrity. Every drive is a reminder of how solid they are from the second you pull the door handle. What I like about my own car is that its history testifies it's been a daily driver all its life, had a bit done here and there but is essentially very original even after 24 years. Well minded, but not cherished, and still going strong.

MercMad

8~) wrote: »

Here's the issue.. I drove an FE Victor a while back with a view to purchase and declined it; same with an Opel Commodore... yet I keep thinking of the pristine Rekord in Trim. Princess... yeah, be nice for a while but would probably bore of it after a week. I couldn't swap the w123 for a Princess, not really. Wonder could I outrun MercMad?

..........in what ?

A Princess ??

BTW for what its worth having seen TC's W123 at Terenure I can vouch for what he says. You would be hard pressed to tell that this car was more than 2 years old from its condition, and if Daimler A.G were still building cars to this standard today I shudder to think of what the list price would be !

3ps

is this W123 green?

MercMad

3ps wrote: »

is this W123 green?

.......which one ?

3ps

tc20's 280E

tc20

3ps wrote: »

tc20's 280E

nope, its kinda maroon. I think its called Pagett Red.