The 123s were never known as “E Class,” particularly since many of the cars – the 250s only, for example, had carburetors. The “Class Thing” did not start until the 90s with the 124 chassis cars. The “E” indicated a fuel-injected car, not a “Class.”

Sorry to sound like an **** putz about this but I find the retro reCLASSification of the 123 annoying.


Rant off…

 

I understand what you're saying, that during it's time, it was not known as the E-class. But, the re-classification is not entirely "retro." During it's time, the 123 series was known as the "midsize" Mercedes, the other "classes" did exist, just that the name of this one's class was not part of the model name. The names that came about were as follows:

C - Compact
E - Executive (Midsize)
S - Sonder (Super)

So, calling the 123 an E class is just applying a newer name to an existing class.

 

What's more annoying to me is people putting the letters before the numbers on cars before 94.

 

This is correct, the first time the car was called an E class I believe is 1994, when the E was put in front of numbering instead of after. Before that there was no such thing as an E-class.

 

I've seen one person an a forum label his W123's as E240D and E300DT.

 

well i think adding of an E or not adding it will not change it from being W123 its a good car

 

It will distract people trying to help you from knowing the correct model.