xudeck

Hey folks,

I used to have a W124 1988 300E, sold it last year, got a bimmer and crashed it. Im feeling Benz all over again. Obviously the fuel prices and economy comes into play. Also the uniqueness of a car is very important.

I came across a 1981 300CD, with 270,000 kms on it. Yeah, I am all the way up in Canada..lol !!

I don't know much about W123, other than the fact that, they are dead reliable and sold over 2 million units worldwide and these beasts are still running all over the world and specially in the deserts of Africa taking a beating everyday.

I am aware of its reputation, but what I am looking for is, what are its modding and tuning opportunities.

I don't know how fast the 300CD is or how powerful its, if it even turbo or not. I definitely want to lower the car, get some decent rims, Euro lights with HID's, maybe a subtle exhaust.

This is where, I am looking for all your valuable information and experience.

Looking forward to all the advices.

Thank you all in advance.

xudeck

So......nothing available?

Or W123 are strictly against modding ...lol !!

240D 3.0T

Get a Honda.

xudeck

What floats your boat, doesn't float mine !!

xudeck

I don't get people driving older Benz. Its an old Benz, doesn't mean your mindset has to be old as well. I am not asking for opinions here, I just want pure info and people fail to provide me with anything, but they are more than happy to mock me.

What is this the dark ages of the Auto Industry? Whatever happened to the pure passion of an automobile.

I'm not trying to rice a Benz. I'm trying to gather some info, so I can make a beast out of this thing.

And until now I thought people at other forums were rude or uptight. This is the worst I have ever seen.

And everyone likes to call them automobile aficionado's hah !!

240D 3.0T

Thats what you really should have said.

xudeck

What YOU should have really done is...kept your mouth shut !!

240D 3.0T

What you really need to do is GTFO.

xudeck

OoOo....I'm soo scared Mr. E-Thug !!

Flatlander1961

There isn't a W123 that can be modded into a street performer. Even a turbo diesel has small horsepower numbers. I have seen some 190E's from roughly the same years made into street cars, I have no idea how well they perform. The problem you will run into is that most folks who own one of these cars feel that they are just about perfect for what they do. They won't get you there fast, but you WILL get there. Personally, I really enjoy the horn honking behind me and the fingers flying out of the windows in front of me. You want to run over me? OK, I AM driving a tank.....

240D 3.0T

OoOo....I'm soo laughing Mr. E-Ricer !!

Polar Bear

I would not recommend a 1981 300CD for what you are wanting to do. A 1981 is a non-turbo 5-cylinder diesel. It is not known for its performance. It will last a long time, but is not fast. The air conditioning and climate control system on this model is old and does not perform the best.

Not sure where you would find HID headlights for a W123 unless you purchase the sealed beam replacements.

From your description, I just don't see a W123 satisfying you. The other poster which you seem to be involved in a flame war with is very knowledgeable with getting performance out of these cars, but keep in mind what you are starting with. It takes some work and money to get them up to what some expect "normal" performance.

If you are looking for a classic automobile that will last a long time and are not wanting to be "flashy" a W123 might fit your need. People that have these cars in good condition like them for what they are and typically don't try to mod them with suspension mods, wheels, etc.

xudeck

That is exactly the kind of information what I was looking for.

Thank you Polar Bear

I have decided not to go for a W123 just as yet. Another W124 or a W201, who knows.

240D 3.0T

Good, better you stick to ricing BMWs.

tunayballa

You could do all that with a W201.

discoduck

I agree, 201 is a good choice.

Holson

My first car was a 300CD Turbo. It had decent get up and go, but if speed and mods are what you are after I suggest the W201 190E with a gas engine, or another BMW.. but I think older MB's just age better than older BMW's.

tanktube67

if you want realibility then, you need to have a second car, regarless what you drive

harkgar

Hi from TO. The comments are largely right on this page. If you want power do not go for the W123 diesels. Go for later gasoline engines. The diesel 300 CD output is around 123 bhp or so. Even the 560 SEL puts out only 238 bhp. I have seen Finnish 190 series cars with 5 cylinder diesel engines but they were never imported to North America.


I like the 300 turbo diesel for their ruggedness, ease of maintenance and economy.

Untertürkheim

Actually, the NA 617 has about 80 hp.

240D 3.0T

80hp.

harkgar

Shoot! My 1999 VW Jetta diesel TDi had 90 horses and I thought I was horsepower poor!

Our friend should really forget about tuning an older 300 D unless of course, he is an experienced diesel mechanic like you, Mr. 240.

kanui

I saw a couple of strange videos on youtube pertaining to a 123 cd with additional horses. Mercedes 123 burning and Mercedes Drifting I don't really want to lower my ride...but I sure would like to have the additional horse power on hand...just sometimes. I love my cdt. I know its not the perfect car for everyone...but it's the perfect car for me..id just like a little more horse..not rice...I hate rice burners. I don't wanna smoke the tires or nothing like that. I do know you can enrich the injector pump by turning the screw on top counter clockwise a couple of turns. You will get a little less fuel milage..dropped mine by about 1 mile per gallon but the extra pick up was worth it. I make and use high quality bio diesel which cost me about $1.25 per gallon to produce. It's very hard to find info on how to boost the hp on these cars but as you can see in the youtube video...it can be done...though I wouldn't want to go that far.