The Mercedes-Benz W123 Turbo Diesel May Well Be The Best Car Ever Built
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- čas přidán 21. 09. 2023
- Sorry for the long intro!
Full review and test drive of a 1983 Mercedes-Benz 300 CD Turbo Diesel Coupe with just 40K miles.
Review by Bill of Curious Cars
Vehicle provided by Dave the Wholesaler, and will be sold on Bring a Trailer
Prior review of a Mercedes W123 wagon:
• The Best Car Ever Buil... - Auta a dopravní prostředky
That old Benz will still be running 500k+ miles easy. Heck, it’ll probably outlive all the cockroaches.
When I was stationed in Cyprus in the seventies with the British army all the taxis were really old Mercedes some of them were older than us sitting in it
Amen to that Brother! As we all know, after a nuclear holocaust, the only things left will be cockroaches, Mercedes diesels, and MB-Tex upholstery. 🫡
@egold2071 and its because of the mechanical fuel system
I grew up over in Albania, which is famous for classic Mercedes. I remember people in my city driving around with a million miles on their W123 300D Turbos. I initially drove a Zastava, which is basically a Yugo, and would constantly break down (although it had an American market air conditioning installed). Later moved on to a 1967 FIAT 500, which was pretty reliable albeit extremely small and hot. Later got a Citroën 2CV which was great, but very much exposed to the elements, ultimately saved up for W123 300D Turbo 5MT which allowed high speed.
Easily, for sure! My friend Simone in Poland inherited this model from her grands, and it's nearing 380k...Very few major repairs, as it's been properly maintained. Another friend's BIL in Dallas has same model in powder blue with 400k+ on the odometer... Both still happily motoring along!
Parents bought one of these new back in 1983. A silver sedan 300 TurboDiesel with blue MB-tex interior. What a terrific car. They held on to that vehicle for the better part of 40 years. It is built like a tank. Other than a bit of diesel noise and obvious turbo-lag...it was a pleasure to drive and got close to 30mpg. Wonderful for long drives.
I bought it from my dad for $5000 back in 1997 and drove it for about 1 year. Sold it back to him for $1, just before taking an overseas business assignment. I cannot count the number of offers I would get from colleagues who wanted to buy that mint car from me. No chance.
I actually got rear ended in the car on I-95, while stuck in traffic at an off ramp. It was a foggy spring morning when I pulled off to exit. Given the conditions...my sixth sense was already going off. While in traffic, I put the hazards on...as I was last in line and just had a bad feeling. I kept my distance from the car in front...by more than a car length...while frequently looking in my rear view mirror. When I saw headlights in the rearview mirror approaching way too fast...I put my car in neutral and took my foot off of the break. WHAM...the hit lifted the rear of the MB and I lurched forward. Slammed on the brakes just in time to avoid hitting the guy in front of me. I pulled further into the shoulder and got out to see the damage. At first...I saw her car...an Acrua. The engine was pushed into the firewall and the hood looked like the Hulk had smashed it really well. No one was injured, thankfully. I then prepared myself to see the rear of the MB. What I found was stupefying. Not a scratch. The rubber around the bumper had to be popped back in and the tip of the exhaust was bent down. That was it. With the police report, I had my insurance fully inspect the vehicle...to include laser alignment and inspection of the frame/body. Aside from the exhaust tip and a little dent in the spare tire well (both easily repaired by the garage), the car was perfect. When I said this car is a tank...I am not kidding. The Acura had to be taken away on a flatbed, as it was clearly un-towable. Frankly, the disparity of damage between those two vehicles was so severe...I began to question if there was another car between us.
A old diesel Benz, from when Mercedes shackled the accountants in the basement and weren't allowed to speak? What a lovely and proper piece to kick off our weekend! Thanks Bill and stay 'safe'! 🤟
This engine was in use well into the 2000's in Dodge, Freightliners and other brands!
Factored for inflation...the sticker price of this car today would be about $117,000
@@turnne THANK YOU!!! I totally forgot to run that. It is always a hoot to hit up the 'ol inflation calculator website and be utterly astounded by what old Benzes' MSRPs were in 'today dollars'. For the love of God... nearly $120k for a car only °slightly° faster than walking! 🤑
The days of reliability & quality & luxury amazing 👍. & a Florida car no rust
The book smart MBA’s have ruined car companies, aircraft manufacturers, furniture manufacturers, the entire textile industry just to name a few.
Bill, again thanks for not continuing to use zoomer and millenial gadges like POV cameras stuck in every crevice of the car. No one has better test drives than you do. Even waiting for the gate is a work of art. We are IN THE CAR when you do those drives. Thank you for never pussying out. You're the MAN
Pussying out? It’s a car review, relax man
Bill is a LEGEND!
G-d forbid anyone try anything new. Ur comment is soooo boomer I threw up in my mouth a bit. I love and adore Bill if he wants to use better camera’s that’s his choice (which I absolutely approve of) and hope he doesn’t forget his equipment too often.
Did you brush your teeth after you threw up? Maybe you can post a tik tok video of the moment you threw up. @@EndeavorsDnB
Nothing wrong with a GoPro for driving.
When I see these older (70/80s) Mercedes I’m always amazed how well the paint holds up. I never see any cars paint hold up as well of that period.
I've heard that they used to guarantee against rust through years ago. I had a 2002 E320 up here in Boston Massachusetts and stayed rust free.
Bill's deathly fear of the most benign of animals continues to be pure comedy gold.
If there’s one car that will scoop up a deer and deposit it safely out of your way, it’s the W123.
Thank you Bill for this love-letter to a superb piece of machinery. I will never be able to say einspritzung without giggling.
Having worked on these a long time I hated all the quirky stuff but, compared to modern cars these babies are gold!
That engine sounds beautiful.
Sweetest sounding diesel on the planet!
OM602
OM617A
Can you repeat that? I'm sorry, I lost my hearing living in Coral Gables, FL. during the mid-eighties.
Hey Bill, thanks so much for risking life & limb facing all those ferocious beasts & the shitty, muggy curtains of misery to bring us another great video!!! You are truly courageous!!! Enjoy a dose of coronavirus whiskey for me!!! 🥃👍👍
The Beasts!!
He makes my day
Why in the hell can't we take a cue from this and build simple, functional/mechanical, internal combustion engine vehicles right here again? Turning vehicles into computers on wheels is a fools errand. This vehicle proves this. I don't think luxury with this example but QUALITY. Bring back some build quality and some pride in manufacturing and you've got an instant winner every time.
Exactly. Please tell Stellantis, Ford, and GM before we’re all forced by Uncle Sam to ride around in electric Tupperware cars.
Paul Bracq was also a phenomenal Mercedes designer.
My mum had a petrol W123 saloon (guess the nationality from that statement) in red with red steel hubcaps and tan interior that my grandad took as payment for an earthmover he was selling. It was too smart for him so he gave it to my mum. It had the North American round headlights like this one but behind a glass or perspex cover as opposed to the standard Euro spec lenses. We went on holiday to Wales in it and I vividly remember the interior and playing the Brothers in Arms album on cassette. The handbrake was umbrella style. There were orange catch releases in the rear footwell. I would've only been 3 or 4, but I can remember very clearly. My dad removed the hubcaps before long journeys so that they wouldn't go missing.
My parents bought a new W123 300 TD right after I moved out on my own. When I would visit, my father would let me drive it when we went out together. I remember the sense of solid stability that made 70 mph feel like 40. He showed me the small details that made the difference from typical cars. Where a GM or Ford would have stamped steel door hinge mounts, the Mercedes had milled billet pieces. The engineering brilliance was evident everywhere.
I'm a huge fan of the W123. I had a 280E. Bought it in 2007 and drove that thing all around Sydney as my daily commuter car. Loved it. Was immaculate even at 265k (that's what it had on the odo when I bought it). Bit thirsty though. Straight 6 petrol of that era and all that...
On a miserable day out, in Houston, my man comes through with a video.
I remember a 1980's Australian advertisement for the W123. The advert panned along a 300, which had been in a major accident, while the announcer discussed all the advanced safety features. The advert ended with showing the family, who had been in the car, all looking healthy.
I'm pretty certain the car in the advert was a w126. Structural safety cell remaining intact for occupant survival space
My father had one of these. it was built like a tank. I wish he held on to it.
Looking at the perfect line of the body mouldings and the precise door gaps of this car and comparing that to other luxury cars in 1983 really emphasizes how superior it’s build quality really was.
I love these and know how reliable they are when maintained properly…BUT:
at idle they sound like a delivery truck!
Which is absolutely sublime!
Ya, they sound like a bucket full of hammers. But gosh thats the sound of longevity. If I find one of these at the right time, I'm going to buy one. And try to drive the tires off of it. Wonder what one in this shape would go for?
I absolutely love the way these cars sound, idle or cruising, this is the epitome of Mercedes and their quality back in the day .
Back in the 70s oil crisis, my dad had some serious dinner table conversation with my mom about repowering his 66 Coronet with a Mercedes diesel. He wanted 50 mpg and for it to run on cheaper fuel oil. Ah, the 70s...
@@LongIslandMopars Very cool. And that car would still be running today. Cheers
That sound and car reminds my of my old uncle Hans…
As a multiple offender owner of MBs with 5 cylinder diesels i just say klatta klatta klatta…
The 123 chassis is great…coupes, sedans and super useful wagons. But This motor in the 126 chassis is just motoring heaven so long as you’re not focused only on 0-60.
Peak Mercedes from when the brand was more than nice…it was Special.
Bill keep em coming. Your Mercedes reviews are the best it’s how I originally found your channel years ago
Bill, you're a legend. Keep it up. It's an absolute joy to watch your videos
Aboslutely love the Turbo Diesel W123!!!
Can't wait for a review on a W116
the car's masterpiece. I prefer this more than any modern weird cars which are produced today. This is enough to amuse me and meet my needs and just make my times precious. Thank you Bill for this nice review.
What a beautiful yet solid car! I don't think I'm alone getting to virtually enjoy Bill's drives down the road in the cockpit at the tailspin of his videos. Shove me in the backseat on the way to the Rush concert!
Kinda wish they were a bit lengthier tbh!
Thanks for reviewing cars of my early youth.. My family owned several of these Benzes .. we use to live in Venezuela during the oil boom years of late 60’s early 70’s . My father owned these not for snob appeal , but for durability and. Peace of mind … we’d take 8-10 hour trips in 100 degree weather ( like traveling through the Nevada desert ( you had to load up on water and food plus spare parts ..hoses, belts , never let us down …. Our Ford V8 monster would always break down after 3-4 hours of highway riide.. we had a W112 and W123 gas . I learned how to drive in the W123 . It was a manual transmission , well manual everything in that car … dads favorrte car was the VW Beetle, when we moved back to Miami he bought a 911 air cooled , closest thing he could find to the Beetle. Miami 1980s Cocine hey day in a 911 !
A lovely Mercedes that rumbles like an Army truck.
Great vid, love the diesel sound
Greetings from germany ❤
I remember finding a couple of these (wagon variants) in a buddy's junkyard and being shocked at the mileage on the dash. Not least because the leather seats still looked brand new at 400k. These cars were built to a unique standard.
It was probably MB-Tex not leather.
Yes MB Tex.Most hard-wearing fabric known to man.Come the end of the world,there will be cockroaches,alligators and MB Tex 🤣🤣🤣
That is the best sounding diesel ever! Such a wooden sound in the upper register, today's engines don't sound like that anymore. I love it!
Impressed with the video quality to be honest...I hate Apple as a company but credit where it's due...
My neighbor growing up (surrogate grandparents really) traded these in and out every 6 months or so, this vanilla ice cream color was always my favorite (followed closely by the dark brown with rust colored leather). The perforated leather seats were so comfortable. Every time they took my little sister and I to get ice cream or to the movies my favorite part of the night was the car ride. The burble of that diesel is truly gorgeous. Great people, great car, wonderful memories.
Speaking from the eastern side of the pond, some years ago I was on holiday in the Canary Islands and had a taxi ride of about 60 miles from airport to resort. The chariot was a '70s W123 240D - as ordinary as possible, far older than any taxi you'd see on the roads in the UK (if only because cars rusted to bits within a decade on our roads back in those days), with at least half a million kilometres on the clock (so just run-in). It was not what you'd call salubrious, but I had a good time to appreciate just how SOLID it was - no rattles, no loose trim, nothing falling apart, just a great example of of how a dry climate can preserve an old car as long as the car itself was rock-solid from the start.
When I was a car-mad kid in the early '80s (I must be more or less the same age as you, Bill), I could never understand why M-B cars were so pricey. There were ordinary cars, then there was a 50% price hike to BMW and then there was 50% on top of BMW prices to get to M-B, so you could get a really nice car from an ordinary brand for the same price as a very basic (manual everything) Merc.
As for those three-litre diesels, they are legendary. There's a YT channel called Diesel Pump UK run by a company that specialises in uprated fuel pumps for OM605 & OM606 engines for people who want to build ridiculous-power motors (and install them in other cars). They really will run past 6000rpm - quite unlike 'modern' diesels - so the tachometer in that 300CD isn't excessive.
This engine was in use well into the 2000's in Dodge, Freightliners and other brands!
No not the OM617. Last used in 1991. However, a modified version of the OM616 is still used in India licensed to Force Motors
OM602 is also awesome
@8:05-8:30 - Absolutely LOVE this bit and thanks Bill! It is an honor that you find a Mazda Miata a similar caliber of intended purpose excellence as this car.
Bill does these amazing videos with sprinkles of wildlife, banter and jokes but it costs us a lot of money. I just bought a CSL after rewatching his reviews. Just had to do it. And now this.
I've bought a Jaguar XJ-S & Series 3 XJ6 for the same reason!
Just don't buy a plane! lol
Bill can sell manure to a Dairy Farmer 🐄
I've owned two W123 cars and I agree with your assessment of them being automotive perfection. I'd not recommend owning a non-turbo unless you're never in a hurry. These things allow almost zero road noise and give the feeling of traveling down the freeway in a safe, solid, rolling brick.
Great cars. I owned a China blue 1980 300CD, a 1979 300D, a 1973 280C, and currently a 1991 300D (W124). The 123 series is still my favorite. Great video, even with your iPhone. Keep doing what you do so well and just be Bill!
I had a 1980 China Blue 300D non-turbo for about 5 years and while not the fastest car on the planet I was very surprised by the engineering of it and quite a few cool features. The worst part of the car was the Chrysler designed vacuum system that always had a leak somewhere. Mine had about 250K miles on it and still got around 22 city and 27 highway and for a car that weighed around 4400 lbs. that was quite a bit better than any vehicle I ever owned.
@@RedBud315 mine was also a non turbo. Previous owner had upgraded the climate control servo to the Unwired Tools electronic conversion, eliminating the Chrysler servo. It worked nicely. I miss the car but I sold it to a friend so it is local and I see it every now and then. Great memories, like you surely have as well! Cars aren’t built like that anymore.
It's beyond debate: these are truly exceptional cars. Nice review too, Bill. In North America the color on this car is a nice pastel yellow, but in Germany this is the identical color used to paint every taxi on the road. But this never prevented well-healed and perceptive American buyers from buying this car and in this color, and I say "well done" to all of them.
We used to call that "Palm Beach Yellow" back in the day, in Florida.
Bill should review an 80s cigarette boat down in Miami as he smokes cigarettes.
Always loved this, what a beautiful example. It's kind of a small detail but, I love how they chromed the rear view mirrors... Very classy.
Still driving my '79 240D.
Same here (1979) and my claim to fame is that my car came with the optional rear seat headrests.
Ahhhh, I love the sound of these cars. Such awesome vehicles. Thanks for showcasing this beauty!
Hey Bill, I hope you've had a good non shìtty muggy week.
When I think of Mercedes, THIS is what I think of. These were everywhere for years and years, and whenever you see one even today, it puts a smile on my face. I prefer American machines, but these old Mercs were really pretty great.
Awesome review as always. I also think that Dalton did an amazing job detailing this Benz. Good work Dalton. 👍🏿
Gorgeous car, Bill. If I ever buy an old car or classic, I really think it’d be one of these beauties. Thanks for your continued good work.
Great vid again Bill, appreciate your insight and detailed review.
This incredible tank of a car will still be going strong by the time they outlaw internal combustion vehicles. I hate to say it, but we all know it’s gonna happen eventually.😣
But until then let’s keep celebrating all these beautiful curious cars. Another gem Uncle Bill. Keep ‘em comin.👏🏼👍🏼
Only if we let them.
@@maxwellsilver3115 I Like your spirit Buddy. I’m a bit cynical about the future I guess. You can bet I’ll be driving internal combustion as long as I can though.
Thanks for the weekend treat Bill!
Moving to Europe in Oct, and this is Exactly what am going to buy.
Bill, I loved the plane review! You do YOU! I love all your stuff! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
As always great show Bill
I owned 3 of these back in the 80s. I loved them! Sorry I sold my last one, an '83 in black with saddle interior. Thanks for the memories, Bill!
Bill "Planes-Trains-Boats-Automobiles I LOVED IT !!!!!!
"Cocaine mirrors" made me spill my coffee. I knew them as "vanity mirrors" and maybe it's some sort of euphemism. lol
Great car; lovely and pristine! Thanks for sharing.
My dad has an old C123 300CD Turbo 5MT that he bought used back in the 80’s at UGA. It has (probably) 400,000 miles on the original engine and transmission. He and a bunch of his hippy friends in Athens, Georgia, had some contraption set up in somebody’s shed that they’d all use to filter the bejesus out of waste vegetable oil over the period of several days from local restaurants and what not and my dad would use that to fuel his Mercedes and his Isuzu Turbo diesel. And then once he would take the dirty lubricant oil out of those, he’d throw it in the Detroit Diesel and it would just straight up eat it. Mercedes diesels were better to all other diesels for 4 main reasons. 1: They used cast iron heads. 2: They used timing chains. 3: They were analogue, pump was chain driven. 4: They used inline Bosch mechanical fuel injection pumps, much like the Cummins 5.9 Did after they got rid of that stupid VE Rotary injection pump that didn’t even have a timing mark on it. And 5: They were infinitely serviceable and rebuildable.
Fully agree on serviceable. But its been more difficult in the past 10-15 years as part quality of all types has gone to crap. Thinking of suspension bushings and such that seem to be junk no matter who is making them…even the former MB OEM stalwarts like Lemforder, Febi, Mahle (and I can’t remember the motor mount OEM)…all went way downhill, so keeping these running is much more of a chore than it should be.
Probably Corteco, like in my Volvo. Btw, these are all brands that Volvo also once used to build their anvil strong 240s. 740s and 940's and that I have used on my '90 740. @@tonyInPA
Luv your stuff Bill. Had one in the 80's, same color. Very nostalgic for me.
Really great video Bill. Thanks. Also enjoying your X posts. Best wishes to you.
Thanks, Dave - I appreciate that.
I had an 85 300D. My father bought two over the years and I always hated them thinking they were old slow and heavy but now I realize that they were just tanks and they went for a long time and I still see them in 2023 on roads
Love the weather / wildlife report before the reviews!
Did you see the menacing way that fawn stared down Bill?!
Sadly us Brits never got the turbo diesel on any W123/4 due to RHD and the position of the turbo. One or two South African built cars have now started to appear as imports in the UK.They have some unique features, I believe the ride height is very slightly higher, most have sump guards and the leather is a very high quality . Values in the UK and Europe have gone through the roof, particularly wagons and coupes with the six cylinder 2.8 cars holding a big premium . It's still possible to get 2lt petrol and diesel models at affordable prices. The unloved models (and rare) are the 2.5lt 6 cylinder carburetor engine cars and a short lived 2.2lt diesel.
absolutely right about the non-turbo diesels, old man had one with an automatic. Once up to highway speeds it pulled like a freight train, it was getting there that was the problem 😅
ANOTHER super review!
Had sedan, same year, same Light Ivory, wonderful car. Liked it more than the 17 new MBs I've had since. Thanks, as always. TFS
Thanks for doing this video!
Hi Bill, Totally agree. I have a 1978 280CE, a magnificent machine. It shares a driveway with my 1990 Mazda MX5 (Miata) and my 1994 SL500 (R129). The 280CE currently has 385,000kms and has its original interior and runs like a tank.
Its the narrative that you applies, Bill.
A English that everyone can understand!
We don't follow the cars that you review. We follow the way and the style wich you review!!
Great show.Bill.
Brought one in from Europe in 1985. The 4 door was $25k landed to Houston. 9 kilometers on it. Bullet Proof engine.
1:29 - Little bit of an aggressive stomp there Bill, looks ready to charge. They are terrifying.
Video starts @ 7:30
Great job Bill. Wonderful car.
First time ever, with the diesel car that can run 4ver if you want it and ignore the noise/smell of the engine.
And the price of diesel fuel >
@bextar6365 these can run on vegetable oil
@@richlee509Yes. I researched grease car kits as part of my biodiesel thesis. Better off just creating a biodiesel refining setup in a garage. Pick up used cooking oil at local restaurants and you've got your fuel source. Wanted to pitch the idea to NYC transit for them to do an arrangement where they pick up cooking oil from city restaurants and then refine it at the bus depots to offset their dino-diesel usage. I knew that idea would be doomed with city politics and now they're using a lot of hybrid buses.
Hello from Seattle thank for video
Thank you Dave! Always loved the wagon version of this... friends family had two; one of which was an olive green and I wanted it so bad.
His name ain't Dave. Don't insult him like that
Phantastic car, Great Movie, love your comments and Expressions.
Very nice vids very well done.🔥👍🔥.
Hey Bill, Great review as always! I noticed you are a bit of a watch guy! Class! Anyway, Hello from Ft Myers
Nice, not a fan of foreign cars, but this is a nice one. Thanks for sharing, Bill.
At first I thought I had accidentally started a video of Sunday Morning with Charles Kuralt, but it was indeed another great episode of Curious Cars. BTW there was another engine being built like that, it was just much larger. The 3406B Caterpillar. And like the Benz they’re still putting in work too!
I loved the plane review BTW! I was def getting used to the better audio of ur other equipment 😅😋 Apple def needs to improve their mic’s. all good tho. I’m right there with you about the weather here in S FL. I don’t trust this relief will continue yet.
Hey...rolling bordellos are awesome! Love my Lincolns, hehe.
Man! You've got some of the most interesting and informative reviews in the business. Your videos feature a great variety of both memorable and obscure vehicles along with the background information and video footage making sure we aren't left to our own devices to get the full understanding of the subject matter. Absolutely wonderful! ... But it's your non-stop complaining about the least significant things in daily life that makes it so hard to watch. Of course, this you've known from childhood and truly have no intention of changing. It's just the price I have to pay for something (optional) that I truly want. Oh well! Keep up the good work 👍
agreed
Disagree. That's the root charm of it all. Like a BLT without mayo, it'd be too dry otherwise.
@@pauliej4208 I'm in agreement (to some extent). Mayo is definitely an ingredient not to be overlooked. However, it has to be used judiciously in order to enjoy the entire sandwich.
The colour in this video really pops Bill. First I've noticed of it (Never mind, just heard you talk about the iPhone). Fantastic video as always, Those birds are terrifying.
OMG!!! That is such a dream!! I love that a lot and I can remember that as a kid, and that was such a cute cat at the intro!!
What an incredible example of possibly the best ever vehicle to ever have been built ❤
I had a new one in 1980 300cd diesel no turbo. slow but an absolute tank i drove for 13 years , loved it.
Love this channel 👍👍👍
mb-tex comment on durability: concur. take a look at 190E's and such with it from the 80's. its crazy. and that was 70s/80s tech. also what a wonderful interior. the 70's and 80's did minimalism better than today's 150K+ EVs :p. if one drives an 80's mercedes say in the rain on an freeway today at the speed limit and then jumps in a "modern" even AWD car, they would feel more comfortable in the benz. 100% on the engineering. today it seems like someone's atlassian suite made the car and everyone playing agile poker has never driven anything.
My 1979 240D also has MB Tex and the seats are flawless.
My dad had an 82’ 300 TD SW, he bought it new in 82 and kept it until his death in 2008. It was that same yellow, about 300k miles on it when he died, it was rust free and ran beautifully.
Smoking a blunt wearing bright yellow tennis shoes and a tshirts that looks like a ladies medium 😂😅🤣😂🤣. That killed me!
Very Nice! My Father actually had a 300D (not the CD) in the 80ies. I remember the fuel indicator did not work so good, actually it was the fuel warning sign the worked. Anyway my father drove it dry sometimes and then it did not help to just fill up the Diesel as these Cars did not have an active fuel pump. So you had to get assistance to put pressure on the Diesel tube.
Love that car…hate the wildlife…
Take a shot!
The W123 Benz are worthy of your love…
Keep it going…love your channel.
I miss my 300TD wagon so much I might cry tonight..!
So cool! (The lights.)
You'd think from looking at it that it had a four light headlight system, but no! It's a _two light_ system with _foglights_ that look just like headlights😗!
I love car light systems. (Not that you'd be able to tell.😁)
had one of these while stationed in Bamberg germany, great car.
Tip for viewers: skip to 7:30 where he finally starts taking about the car.
Towards the latter end of the run of these ... I remember the Chrysler Fifth Avenue with 2 barrel 318 cube V8 and 3 speed Torqueflite being similar size. They were worlds apart in fuel economy and in silent acceleration. It struck me as a little bit of the emperors new clothes syndrome as the Chrysler was so much quieter and smooth. Hindsight shows these Benzes were something special ... but one probably could've scored two Mopar flagships for the price ... and they were long lived beasts in their own right.
318s are great. Reliable yet can produce decent power to have fun without grenading....
Those birds can pick a body clean in no time 😮