The 123 model series

The "Stroke Eight" models were replaced by a completely newly designed model range with the internal designation W 123 in January 1976. The model line-up ranged from a 2.0 l four-cylinder diesel with 55 hp to a 2.8 l six-cylinder with fuel injection and 185 hp.

Facts

Model series

W123, S123, C123, V123

Production period

1975-1985

Vehicle bodies

Saloon
Coupé
Estate
Eight-seat Saloon
Rolling chassis with partial body

Quantity

2,375,440 saloons
13,700 saloons with long wheelbase
8373 rolling chassis for special-purpose bodies

Technical development


Safety steering column and other safety features

Technical development


Safety steering column and other safety features

A technical innovation was the new safety steering column, which featured the steering unit to be connected to the steering column tube by means of a corrugated tube. In case of an impact, the corrugated tube was also able to bend sideways. This further reduced the risk of the steering column intruding into the vehicle interior.

In addition:

  • even more rigid passenger cell with reinforced roof frame structure
  • high-strength door posts and door pillars
  • reinforced doors

The controlled deformability of the front-end structure and the rear end significantly increased the energy absorption of the front and rear crumple zones.

Cutaway drawing of a Mercedes-Benz 123-series Saloon.

Cutaway drawing, Mercedes-Benz 123-series Saloon, from the years 1975 to 1985

Side view of a cutaway model of a 280 E.

Cutaway model of the Mercedes-Benz 280 E, from the year 1976

Top view of a front-end structure of the 123 series.

Front-end structures of the Mercedes-Benz W 123 series. Automation ensured optimal build quality and designed safety.

Starting in August 1980, ABS became optionally available for all models of the 123 series. The airbag was added as another option in January 1982.

Design


Design features of the new models

Design


Design features of the new models

Characteristic design features of the new models were the different sized round twin headlamps; a smaller halogen fog lamp was housed next to the main headlamp under a shared lens. In contrast, the two top-of-the range models, the 280 and 280 E, were fitted with rectangular halogen wide-band headlamps. With the 1982 model facelift, all models were fitted with the rectangular wide-band headlamps. As a result, the round headlamps lovingly called "bull's eyes" were history.

Front view of a 123-series Saloon.

Mercedes-Benz 123-series Saloon with round twin headlamp

Front view of a Mercedes-Benz 123-series Saloon.

Mercedes-Benz 123-series Saloon with rectangular halogen wide-band headlamps

On the outside, the two 2.8 l models differed in three more aspects from their less powerful brethren: both the 280 and the 280 E had a dual exhaust system with twin tailpipes, chrome-plated air intake grilles in front of the windscreen and an additional chrome strip under each tail lamp.

Rear view of a 280 E from the year 1976.

Rear end of the Mercedes-Benz 280 E, from the year 1976

Vehicle bodies


Exterior

Vehicle bodies


Exterior

In keeping with a long-standing tradition, the saloons of the 123 series were also available as a rolling chassis with partial body, which body manufacturers in Germany and abroad fitted out as ambulances, estate cars or other special-purpose versions.

As already was the case for the predecessor series, there again was a stretched version of the 240 D, 300 D and 250 models.

During the course of 1977, three new body style variants were added to the model range of the 123 series over a period of 12 months. The first was a coupé with highly appealing styling presented at the Geneva Motor Show. It was available as a 230 C, 280 C and 280 CE.

Starting in August, the 240 D, 300 D and 250 models became available as 7/8-seat saloons with long wheelbase, which were predominantly used by taxi and rental car companies in shuttle services.

Finally, the so-called T-Models or Estate cars - "T" for Tourism and Transport - were presented as the fourth body style variant at the IAA in Frankfurt in September.

Side view of a Coupé of the 123 series.

Mercedes-Benz Coupé of the 123 series

Rear view of the Coupé, Saloon and Estate of the 123 series.

Mercedes-Benz Coupé, Saloon and Estate of the 123 series

Front view of a Coupé in a winter landscape.

Mercedes-Benz Coupé, wintertime shot in Tyrol

Side view of a 250 model of the 123 series with special-purpose body.

Mercedes-Benz 250 of the 123 series, rolling chassis for Pollmann special-purpose bodies, 1976

Top view of the 240 D / 300 D / 250 Saloon long-wheelbase models.

Mercedes-Benz 240 D / 300 D / 250 Saloon long wheelbase (7-8 seats) in comparison, 1977-1985

Side view of an Estate car of the 123 series.

Mercedes-Benz Estate of the 123 series

Rear view of a 300 TD Turbodiesel.

Mercedes-Benz 300 TD Turbodiesel

All the details of the 123 model series

Classic-M@RS (Multimedia Archive and Research System)

Exterior view of a Mercedes-Benz of the 123 series.

All the details of the 123 model series

Classic-M@RS (Multimedia Archive and Research System)

The archives of Mercedes-Benz Classic hold a unique treasure trove from nearly 130 years of automotive history.

The archives of Mercedes-Benz Classic hold a unique treasure trove from nearly 130 years of automotive history.

Development phases


Development of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Development phases


Development of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class

That is what came next

The 124 model series

Exterior view of a Mercedes-Benz of the 124 series.

That is what came next

The 124 model series

Safety and fuel consumption in the focus of the first E-Class generation

Safety and fuel consumption in the focus of the first E-Class generation

Overview: history of the E-Class

Collage of the development of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Overview: history of the E-Class

New dossiers of historical models at regular intervals: from 1931 to 2018