W123 230E

2cv

Hi,

Just wanted to show you a few pics of my latest acquisition, a 1983 Mercedes 230E, the W123 series. It has one previous owner, has a full Mercedes Benz main dealer service history and has 47k mls on the clock, which are documented by the service history and the old MOTs. The car came in from Devon and is totally rust free.

Gary ITR

Gorgeous. Stunning.

I want one myself. I'm in the middle of purchasing a VR6 Mk2 Golf and a nice Benz will be next

2cv

Thanks, she drives like a brand new car. I was very impressed with he myself.

carchaeologist

Lovely car there lad!! Well wear.:) Will you be taking it to mercedes for its servicing to keep the full history up?

2cv

I will if i can find a decent Mercedes dealer... We're all out of those in Cork
LOL

carchaeologist

2cv wrote: »

I will if i can find a decent Mercedes dealer... We're all out of those in Cork
LOL

Even if it was just once a year to keep up the stamps..

2cv

carchaeologist wrote: »

Even if it was just once a year to keep up the stamps..

Recommend a good dealer and i will :-)

unkel

Looks like a minter. Love the turquoise metallic paint

If you don't mind me asking - how much did you pay for it?

2cv

unkel wrote: »

Looks like a minter. Love the turquoise metallic paint

If you don't mind me asking - how much did you pay for it?

Not enough for what it's worth and more than i could afford.
Usual story like :-)

unkel

2cv wrote: »

Not enough for what it's worth and more than i could afford.
Usual story like :-)

So less than 10k but more than 1k?

homer90

:eek: Stunning !

real nice find.... Minter, How did you source it ?

Soon I tells ya ......

shawnee

Love the colour, most original looking motor, certainly not to be found in this side of the water. Hope you enjoy it and am sure we'll see it out and about some day.:)

2cv

unkel wrote: »

So less than 10k but more than 1k?

Something along those lines yeah :-)

2cv

shawnee wrote: »

Love the colour, most original looking motor, certainly not to be found in this side of the water. Hope you enjoy it and am sure we'll see it out and about some day.:)

It was brought in from Devon by a friend of mine, just before christmas.

8~)

Looks very nice. I'd like to try out a genuine low mileage w123 just to compare.

The colour is unusual and really suits it... I know of one other one around in that colour:
http://www.octane.ie/garage/car.php?id=410

tc20

Well done 2cv - great car, and +1 on the colour. I've only ever seen one other in that colour, also a W123, but a 240D. She looks factory fresh :cool:
Happy motoring!

make that two in that shade - just saw 8~) post

MercMad

8~) wrote: »

Looks very nice. I'd like to try out a genuine low mileage w123 just to compare.

The colour is unusual and really suits it... I know of one other one around in that colour:
http://www.octane.ie/garage/car.php?id=410

.....wonder who owns that ??

Thaty 230E is lovely, I dont suppose it was an eBay car ?

2cv

8~) wrote: »

Looks very nice. I'd like to try out a genuine low mileage w123 just to compare.

The colour is unusual and really suits it... I know of one other one around in that colour:
http://www.octane.ie/garage/car.php?id=410

If you're ever around West Cork, pop in and you can take it for a spin...

2cv

8~) wrote: »

http://www.octane.ie/garage/car.php?id=410

Looks like a nice car too... At least, at 172k mls on the clock, it's run in. Mine isn't run in yet

tc20

what is the name of that colour?

2cv

MercMad wrote: »

.....wonder who owns that ??

Thaty 230E is lovely, I dont suppose it was an eBay car ?

Dunno actually, must ask my friend that brought it in. But it could well be an eBay car yes

2cv

tc20 wrote: »

what is the name of that colour?

Dunno... Anyone??

here.from.day.1

Looks great, enjoy her!

tc20

2cv wrote: »

Dunno... Anyone??

re the colour, there will be a paint code on the MB VIN plate when you lift the bonnet. iirc the code is a 2 letter/3 digit code, possibly the third line on the plate. I'm sure some of the MB heads on here can decipher it from there.
Love that colour - quite rare, and bold even, for a Merc, without being hard on the eyes.

2cv

tc20 wrote: »

re the colour, there will be a paint code on the MB VIN plate when you lift the bonnet. iirc the code is a 2 letter/3 digit code, possibly the third line on the plate. I'm sure some of the MB heads on here can decipher it from there.
Love that colour - quite rare, and bold even, for a Merc, without being hard on the eyes.

I did fall in love with that colour yes. And i think the colour coded hubcaps really set it off as well....

I've a 1977 280SE (W116) as well, which has the original alloys and to be frank, i think i prefer the hubcaps

tc20

2cv wrote: »

i think the colour coded hubcaps really set it off as well....
I've a 1977 280SE (W116) as well, which has the original alloys and to be frank, i think i prefer the hubcaps

Quite a collection you have there 2cv - i like the other Citroen in the background of the van pics, a GS ?

I have a 280E, also with the colour coded hubcaps - its an '82, and i think its just a bit too modern for the hubcaps. It looks grand with them, but anytime i see a W123 wearing those alloys, ( i think they're known as 'cake-cutters') i want them!
btw, my 280E was also ex-UK. It was a one owner company car, which became part of a retirement package. Always garaged, full MBSH, and just about to turn the dials to 140k. Still feels rock solid.

2cv

tc20 wrote: »

Quite a collection you have there 2cv - i like the other Citroen in the background of the van pics, a GS ?

I have a 280E, also with the colour coded hubcaps - its an '82, and i think its just a bit too modern for the hubcaps. It looks grand with them, but anytime i see a W123 wearing those alloys, ( i think they're known as 'cake-cutters') i want them!
btw, my 280E was also ex-UK. It was a one owner company car, which became part of a retirement package. Always garaged, full MBSH, and just about to turn the dials to 140k. Still feels rock solid.

the car in the background is a 1978 Citroen GS Club, which used to be mine. I sold it recently to make space for other things :-)

Well, the hubcaps, that's an eternal discussion isn't it. I had a 1983 200 at one stage, and it had the alloys. I've always preferred the W123 with the hubcaps...

2cv

By the way tc20, a 280E must be mighty fast.. I think my 230E is a bit of a rocket, so the bigger engine must be even faster again :-)

But then again, maybe i'm just too used to driving 2CVs
:D:D

mike65

Here's a full MB code list, a Japanese site but the numbers are in Engerish.

http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp/~mtor/mbcodedsc.html

or

http://old.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng

tc20

2cv wrote: »

By the way tc20, a 280E must be mighty fast.. I think my 230E is a bit of a rocket, so the bigger engine must be even faster again :-)

But then again, maybe i'm just too used to driving 2CVs
:D:D

well, lets say it has adequate power Its a 4sp auto, and will cruise all day at autobahn motorway speeds.. You can get the tail out if you want easily enough There's a lovely snarl from the I-6 when you give it a bit of kickdown!
The guy who used to look after my W114 raced 2CVs at Mondello (24hueres du Mondello i think) - he said that they might be left for dead on the straights, but in the twisties they held a lot of much more track orientated cars at bay.

2cv

tc20 wrote: »

well, lets say it has adequate power Its a 4sp auto, and will cruise all day at autobahn motorway speeds.. You can get the tail out if you want easily enough There's a lovely snarl from the I-6 when you give it a bit of kickdown!
The guy who used to look after my W114 raced 2CVs at Mondello (24hueres du Mondello i think) - he said that they might be left for dead on the straights, but in the twisties they held a lot of much more track orientated cars at bay.

what's the bhp on that? is it 186? I think my 280SE has the same engine/gearbox...

tc20

2cv wrote: »

what's the bhp on that? is it 186? I think my 280SE has the same engine/gearbox...

I think 182, (M110 engine), i guess a few horses have dropped off since new, but doesn't feel like too many. Its my daily driver, my commute is only 5 miles each way, so usually get 20-21mpg. Country runs will bring her upto around 28-29.

2cv

tc20 wrote: »

I think 182, (M110 engine), i guess a few horses have dropped off since new, but doesn't feel like too many. Its my daily driver, my commute is only 5 miles each way, so usually get 20-21mpg. Country runs will bring her upto around 28-29.

Ouch :-) I don't even know what my 280SE does to the mile. I'm afraid to check :-0

MercMad

tc20 wrote: »

Quite a collection you have there 2cv - i like the other Citroen in the background of the van pics, a GS ?

I have a 280E, also with the colour coded hubcaps - its an '82, and i think its just a bit too modern for the hubcaps. It looks grand with them, but anytime i see a W123 wearing those alloys, ( i think they're known as 'cake-cutters') i want them!
btw, my 280E was also ex-UK. It was a one owner company car, which became part of a retirement package. Always garaged, full MBSH, and just about to turn the dials to 140k. Still feels rock solid.

...........your 280E is a lovely car. The "Bundt Cake" wheels are made by Fuchs, but replica's are available by Ronal and ATS and probably more. There are actually several styles, all looking almost the same the differences is in the shape of the holes and the shape of the rim. There are 3 rim sizes too as well as 14" and very rare 15".

The factory Fuchs wheels can be identified by a metal insert where the bolt holes are.

I have a set of correct factory alloy wheels, with worn 205/70x14 Tyres (Dunlop I think) which would be sorrect for a W123. The came off my 280SE Coupe which I changed back to correct steel wheels and hup caps.

If anyone fancies a swop or whatever let me know ! They aren't perfect but are good and undamaged !

tc20

2cv wrote: »

I'm afraid to check :-0

ah sure i dont think the words Mercedes and economic are commonly found in the same sentence..
The W116 are a rare enough sight on our roads. I was considering either one of those or the W123 when i changed last year. The last one i saw was a gold NI reg 450SE on the M50/M11 last year - looked great as it cruised by.
Is yours a UK car or ...?

2cv

tc20 wrote: »

Is yours a UK car or ...?

Yes, it came in from the Portsmouth area, about two years ago. It now has 121,000 on the clock. I bought it in Feb '07 with 120,000 on it :-)
I've all the old MOTs. The mileage in 1999 was 116,000

I'll post some picuters tonight if anyone's interested...

tc20

would love to see some pics!
I only sat in a W116 recently - one of the lads at the MB club brought his along - i think it was a 450, with the very 70s corduroy & velour interior
I think they're a very underrated classic, imposing (of the era) shape, almost elegant in a teutonic way. Thats if they're cared for, a ratty one can be a very sorry sight

2cv

tc20 wrote: »

would love to see some pics!
I only sat in a W116 recently - one of the lads at the MB club brought his along - i think it was a 450, with the very 70s corduroy & velour interior
I think they're a very underrated classic, imposing (of the era) shape, almost elegant in a teutonic way. Thats if they're cared for, a ratty one can be a very sorry sight

I totally agree with you on that one. W116 is (in my humble opinion) one of the most beautiful cars of that era and very understated indeed. Mine's in very good condition, as the pictures will show you.

MercMad

The W116 was always my favourite car when growing up, I knew everyone in the area. Most were 280SE's with the odd 350SE. Occasionally I would see a 450SEL and as said I'd nearly drop to my knees !

They really became a "banger" in the mid 80's early 90's, and so many were scrapped. There were so many around in horrid 70's solid colours but the darker metallics looked superb.

I also recall all the W123's in my areas as a kid a recall many of the reg numbers too, very few Irish ones left now though, W116's or W123's.

I'd love to see some photos please !

mike65

/drools a bit.

Blue850

I must get some photos of a W123 300D one owner daily driver near me, its on an 1986 FZM reg but it was bought new in the UK a few years before that possibly 82, it was cleared in 86 to get the old styler reg, Its never been garaged and is in mint condition, its been around so long now its a local landmark:)

2cv

I'll post them pics of my W116 this evening at home.

I know of a few W123s in the area here. Amongst them is the dark blue 300D owned by James McNaulty, the resident judge in Clonakilty.

L-M

Lovely car 2CV... I was describing it to the cousin this morning, (not knowing the year and bits). We came to the conclusion the name for it would be "The Proper Merc". Lol, very nice motor.

2cv

Limerick man wrote: »

Lovely car 2CV... I was describing it to the cousin this morning, (not knowing the year and bits). We came to the conclusion the name for it would be "The Proper Merc". Lol, very nice motor.

"The Proper Merc", nice .. I'll think that from now on i'll refer to it as that.

tc20

2cv wrote: »

"The Proper Merc", nice .. I'll think that from now on i'll refer to it as that.

thats a good moniker..whenever i try to describe a W123 to a non-merc aficionado, i refer to them as "The Beirut taxi" * - people seem to visualise it straight away then.

* Beirut taxis are probably all 200Ds, but you get the idea

L-M

There's actually a similar Merc to yours MercMad in Limerick. Saw it parked outside a petrol station in Raheen. Blue estate i think...

2cv

tc20 wrote: »

thats a good moniker..whenever i try to describe a W123 to a non-merc aficionado, i refer to them as "The Beirut taxi" * - people seem to visualise it straight away then.

* Beirut taxis are probably all 200Ds, but you get the idea

Hehe
I was in a taxi in Brussels once, years ago, and it was a W123, a 200D. I looked and it had 40,000 kms on the clock. I asked the driver why it had such low mileage, and he told me: "that's not fourthy thousand, that's a million and fourty thousand kilometers... at 750,000 we did change the engine and put a 2.4d in though"
I nearly had a stroke. The car was still in very good condition.

tc20

I had occasion to visit Stryker in Raheen Ind Est on business during the course of my previous job - spotted a LHD duck-egg blue fintail in the car park several times. Might you have seen this one around too LM ?

L-M

tc20 wrote: »

I had occasion to visit Stryker in Raheen Ind Est on business during the course of my previous job - spotted a LHD duck-egg blue fintail in the car park several times. Might you have seen this one around too LM ?

Not that i know of anywho. It wasn't an estate was it?

On a similar note of high mileage, last year a lad came in with an E220 Cdi with 400,000 on it. The outside and inside were absolutely immaculate.

tc20

Limerick man wrote: »

Not that i know of anywho. It wasn't an estate was it?

No, a saloon similar to the black one in the E-bay thread also running presently in this section. On a tangent - the W123 was the first estate designed & factory built by MB, however there were Fintail estates called "Universal" iirc, which were bodied by Zaventem of Belgium.

2cv

tc20 wrote: »

No, a saloon similar to the black one in the E-bay thread also running presently in this section. On a tangent - the W123 was the first estate designed & factory built by MB, however there were Fintail estates called "Universal" iirc, which were bodied by Zaventem of Belgium.

Zaventem is not a company, it's a town