Introducing the Legendary Mercedes-Benz W123 Wagon
Editor’s Note: Our Motor1 colleagues in Germany recently visited an old friend, the Mercedes-Benz W123 wagon. Here’s the experience in a special “first drive” review of this legendary Mercedes Estate. I imagine that some of you feel like I do when it comes to these older Mercedes-Benz models. Why on earth didn’t I buy one when they were cheap? That would be around 10 to 15 years ago, when every German car from the 1980s wasn’t being traded as if a 100-pound sack of diamonds was stuffed under the back seat.
The History of the Mercedes-Benz W123 Wagon
The very first Mercedes-Benz T-model wagon was highly controversial among the company’s executives prior to its launch. There was a fear that a mundane workhorse would not fit the Daimler image. Bruno Sacco, the legendary designer primarily responsible for the W123 wagon said: “There were two factions at the time. One absolutely wanted the station wagon, the other not at all. But Werner Breitschwerdt [Mercedes CEO at the time] wanted the car and finally pushed it through.” The boss proved to have the right instinct. In the first full year of production, the target of 18,000 units was exceeded by more than 10,000. Throughout the entire production run, 200,000 wagons were built. This makes it the second most popular variant of the 123 series, ahead of the coupe.
The 280 TE: The Classic Wagon Everyone Wants
The 280 TE is the classic wagon everyone wants today, and you know what? It was also extremely popular back then despite the almost $4,000 premium for the six-cylinder engine. 19,789 units of this—the king of the 123 wagons if you will—were built between 1977 and 1985. Most of them were in 1979, 4,059 units to be exact. The base price at the time was just under $20,000. For that, you got a 2.7-liter straight-six engine with hemispherical combustion chambers, two overhead camshafts, a crankshaft with seven bearings, 24 valves, an aluminum cross-flow cylinder head, and, unlike the other six-cylinder 250 E, two exhaust tailpipes (the 280 station wagon, however, has to make do with one pipe). With mechanical Bosch K-Jetronic injection, as in this case, the engine produces 185 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque.
The “First” Drive of the Mercedes-Benz W123 Wagon
That was plenty for my 15-year-old self, but the Wagner of 2024, who is quite spoiled for performance by virtue of his job, understands it’s still plenty adequate today. Still, memories of this engine from my youth clash with reality. The 280 TE pulls with reassurance and moves easily with traffic, but it doesn’t seem particularly fast. Let’s face the facts: It takes 10.2 seconds to reach 62 mph, which is barely enough to beat modern small cars. And the noises it makes aren’t exactly a paragon of grandeur. It runs a bit rough, making more noise than sound, if you know what I mean. I notice that it does get lively at the top of the rev range when I reach the hilly curves of the Swabian Alps. I feel a bit shabby as I chase the old warhorse over the hills—perhaps a bit too harshly—but it handles my treatment with surprising ease. Thanks to the exemplary care provided by Mercedes-Benz Heritage, it’s in astoundingly good condition for a 45-year old machine. I don’t have a tachometer, so I just pay attention to the gear shift recommendations on the speedometer. Take first to 55 kph, second to 85, third to 145. Cogs are definitely moving, though it all sounds like work being done with enormous protest. Back then, tachometers were only available on request. Instead, gear shift recommendations were shown on the speedometer.
The Drive Experience and Features of the Mercedes-Benz W123 Wagon
Only the 280 TE had stylish chrome air intake grilles. The changes feel amazingly modern. And this 280 doesn’t drive like a museum piece from the distant past. The servo-assisted recirculating ball steering is connected to tiny 14-inch inch wheels, so there are some limitations to feedback here. And you have to saw the wheel quite vigorously to effect change. Admittedly, the 195/70-series tires aren’t the epitome of grip. But actually, the big practical Benz staggers through the demanding mountain roads with astonishing self-confidence, agility, and—I’ll just say it now—great pleasure. Especially on downhill routes, it always surprises me with its relatively stable, easy-to-control brakes and safe handling. Inside, you sit like a king. Well, at least I do. Proud as punch and more moved than I’d like to admit, I’m an extremely relaxed king. This is due to the wonderful suspension (hardly anyone builds comfort-oriented cars these days) and the fantastic all-around visibility. Sadly, the seating position doesn’t contribute to my comfort. Adjustments for the steering wheel and seat height are a pious wish, forcing me into a “monkey on the grindstone” driving position with the wheel wedged between my thighs. It’s not any better in the back.
Conclusion
After this short interlude with an old friend from my past, I can easily imagine setting off for a trip in the 280 TE, somewhere far away. It’s hard to imagine any such trip being undertaken in a more dignified and classy way. If only I’d thought about this 15 years ago, before prices went bonkers and when my bank account wasn’t so brutally beaten to submission.