Mercedes-Benz W123
| Mercedes-Benz W123 | |
|---|---|
1984 Mercedes-Benz 280E (W123) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Daimler-Benz |
| Production | November 1975 – January 1986 2,696,915 built 4-door: 2,375,410 Coupé: 99,884 Estate: 199,517 Limousine: 13,700 Chassis: 1,353 LWB chassis: 7,020 |
| Model years | 1976–1986 |
| Assembly |
|
| Designer | Friedrich Geiger, Bruno Sacco (Saloon & coupe: 1973, T-Model: 1975) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Executive car (E) |
| Body style | 4-door saloon (W123) 2-door coupé (C123) 5-door estate (S123) 4-door limousine (V123) |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Mercedes-Benz E-Class |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Transmission | 4-speed 722.1 automatic 4-speed 4G-TRONIC automatic 4-speed manual 5-speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | Saloon: 2,795 mm (110.0 in) Coupé: 2,710 mm (106.7 in) Limousine/ambulance/hearse: 3,425 mm (134.8 in) |
| Length | 4,725 mm (186.0 in) 4,849 mm (190.9 in) (US bumpers) 4,640 mm (183 in) (Coupé) 4,763 mm (187.5 in) (Coupé US bumpers) 5,355 mm (210.8 in) (Limousine) |
| Width | Saloon: 1,784 mm (70.2 in) |
| Height | Saloon: 1,435 mm (56.5 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,390–1,650 kg (3,064.4–3,637.6 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mercedes-Benz W114 |
| Successor | Mercedes-Benz W124 |
The Mercedes-Benz W123 is a range of executive cars produced by German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz from November 1975 to January 1986. The W123 models surpassed their predecessor, the Mercedes-Benz W114, as the most successful Mercedes, selling 2.7 million units before production ended in the autumn of 1985 for the saloon/sedan versions and January 1986 for coupés and estates/station wagons.
Following a slow production build-up during the first year, customers who placed their orders faced a lengthy waiting period of nine to twelve months. A black market emerged for the customers who were willing to pay more for immediate delivery. The slightly used W123 commanded about 5,000 Deutsche Mark premium over its original sale price.
Like its predecessors, the W123 gained the reputation of being well built and reliable. Many taxi companies chose the W123, and they were a common sight in Germany. Reaching 500,000 or 1,000,000 km with only minor mechanical issues was common with W123s used as taxicabs. Once the W123 reached the end of its service life, they were often shipped to Africa and third world countries where they were highly esteemed for their ability to travel on rough roads and to not require frequent maintenance.
W123 production ended in January 1986 with 63 final T-models rolling out. The most popular single models were the 240D (455,000 built), the 230E (442,000 built), and the 200D (378,000 built).