Mercedes-Benz W123 230 (109 Hp) Automatic


Overall Rating

7.9 / 10
Safety N/A / 5
Not Rated
Engine 2.5 / 5
Value 4.0 / 5
Performance 3.5 / 5
Comfort 4.5 / 5
People\'s Opinion N/A / 5
Not Rated

Mercedes-Benz W123:

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-Benz, 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....(Read more on Wikipedia)

W123 Overview:

Mercedes-Benz W123 (W123). With 186 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. With a weight of 1350 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 13.9 s). The top speed reaches 165 km/h. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.

Safety Rating
Not rated
Euro NCAP Year N/A
Adult Occupant N/A
Stars N/A
Expert Note:
The Mercedes-Benz W123 was produced before the Euro NCAP crash test program began in 1997, and therefore has no official rating. However, for its era, it was considered a very safe vehicle with a robust chassis and advanced safety features like crumple zones and optional ABS.

230 (109 Hp) Automatic Verdict:

Rating 3 stars

Performance Verdict

Sufficient performance for daily tasks, offering a smooth but not exciting ride.

Fuel Economy

Moderate fuel economy for a carbureted petrol automatic.

Best Use Case: City / Suburban driving

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Legendary reliability and durability
  • • Exceptional ride comfort
  • • Timeless, elegant design
  • • High build quality and robust engineering
  • • Strong classic car appeal and parts availability
  • • Spacious and practical interior

Cons:

  • • Performance can be modest on lower-spec models
  • • Fuel economy varies, older petrol engines can be thirsty
  • • Lack of modern safety features (no Euro NCAP rating)
  • • Rust can be an issue if not maintained
  • • Maintenance costs can be higher for specific parts or specialist work

Specifications:

Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(W123: January, 1975 - April, 1985).

General:
Brand:Mercedes-Benz
Model:W123
Generation:W123
Modification (Engine):230 (109 Hp) Automatic
Start of production:July, 1975
End of production:August, 1980
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Sedan
Seats:5
Doors:4
Engine:
Power:109 Hp @ 4800 rpm. Same horsepower
Power per litre:47.2 Hp/l [Same length.]
Torque:186 Nm @ 3000 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:M 115 V 23 / 115.954 More details about the engine M 115 V 23 / 115.954
Engine displacement:2307
Number of cylinders:4
Engine configuration:Inline
Number of valves per cylinder:2
Fuel injection system:Carburettor
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Valvetrain:SOHC
Engine oil capacity:6 l
Coolant:10 l
Engine layout:Front, Longitudinal
Cylinder Bore:93.75 mm mm
Piston Stroke:83.6 mm mm
Compression ratio:9:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Fuel consumption (economy) - urban:15.3 l/100 km
Fuel consumption (economy) - extra urban:10.2 l/100 km
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h:13.9 sec
Acceleration 0 - 62 mph:13.9 sec
Maximum speed:165 km/h
Weight-to-power ratio:12.4 kg/Hp, 80.7 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:7.3 kg/Nm, 137.8 Nm/tonne
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph:13.2 sec
Space:
Kerb Weight:1350
Max. weight:1870
Max load:520
Fuel tank capacity:65 l
Size:
Length:4725 mm mm [Same length.]
Width:1786 mm mm [Same width.]
Height:1438 mm mm [Same height.]
Wheelbase:2795 mm mm [Same wheelbase.]
Front track:1488 mm
Rear (Back) track:1446 mm
Powertrain:
Drivetrain ArchitectureThe Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheelRear wheel drive
Number of gears4
Transmission typeAutomatic
Front brakesDrum [bad for performance and cooling.]
Rear brakesDisc
Steering typeCone worm with recirculation balls
Wheel rims sizeFront wheel rims: 5.5J x 14
Front suspensionDouble wishbone
Rear suspensionTrailing arm

How many miles have you covered in your Mercedes-Benz W123? Share your journey!