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-   -   Two generations, One garage spot | Which Classic Mercedes wins? 1968 W115 Vs 1979 W123 (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/post-war/293464-two-generations-one-garage-spot-classic-mercedes-wins-1968-w115-vs-1979-w123.html)

Hi everyone,

I’ve decided to add a classic Mercedes to the garage—something I’ve wanted to do for a while. I’m now at the final decision stage and would love to hear the community’s opinion on two specific cars.

Both are right-hand drive, have valid papers for the next four years, and come with fully functional and restored factory air conditioning.

The car won’t be almost like a daily driver; I plan to use it a couple of times a week—for city runs, dinners, weekend drives, and the occasional vintage event.


Image for reference only

Option 1:
1968 W115 – 220 Petrol

• Fully restored, rust-free
• Painted red, with tan leather interior
• Rare front bench seat with column shifter
• No work is needed — turn the key and drive
• The asking price is ₹25 lakh

Image for reference only

Option 2:
1979 W123 – 230 Petrol (Mid-model)

• Original China Blue paint with black interiors
• Currently undergoing complete restoration by a trusted specialist
• Still sometime (3 months) before it’s ready
• The final cost is expected to be around ₹19 lakh
• Strong personal nostalgia — we had a W123 growing up

While the W123 is a more evolved and refined product, I find the W115 incredibly charming — especially in this rare bench-seat, column-shift spec. I understand that the W115 suspension setup is also more sophisticated, even though the W123 refined the overall driving experience.

I’d really appreciate your views on a few things:

• Which one would you pick, and why?
• Which one is more likely to appreciate in value over the next decade?
• And what practical upgrades would you recommend to improve the livability of either car? (For example, period-correct lighting, power steering, brake upgrades, etc.)

I’m leaning one way, but I want to hear from the community before making the final call. This will be a long-term keeper, and I’d like to make the most informed decision possible.

Thanks you for taking the time to read and for sharing your thoughts!

W123 will be a better choice for practical reasons and value appreciation.

They are both lovely cars. But in all honesty difficult to compare as they come from different era’s really. The W123 was a huge leap in technology in just about every way imaginable compared to the W115.

Both the W115 and W123 suffer from rust badly. But the W115 even more so. In general on these cars try to avoid the sunroof option. One of the worst rust traps. Ask me how I know!

There are no rust free W115 or W123. There are some where the rust doesn't show so much. :) Seriously, only by putting the car on a lift and knowing what to look for can you get an idea about rust on these cars. And it is not the visible rust you need to worry about. Its the rust in places where you can't get at easily. You actually need to drill some holes and check with an endoscope to do a proper inspection.

Also, You will need to replace all window rubbers all around the car. After some 40-50 years they wont seal properly and water will seep into all sorts of pockets. I have seen many nice “free of rust” looking w115/W115. But when we started taking the windows and window seals out you would not believe the amount of rust and damage hidden!

With rust dealt with, the next thing is how good a rust protection has been applied? Because these cars will start to rust again, immediately. Good rust proofing of these cars is very expensive and require knowledge and special equipment.

Both of these cars are amongst the most affordable classics in Europe. They are still relatively cheap to buy and maintain. Some parts, noticeable various rubbers are not available anymore. Full restorations on these cars are very expensive. And at least in Europe you will never ever recuperate the expense. These are classic cars for those who enjoy classic car ownership on a budget. Because they are so well build, except for the rust, they will last forever, even when abused and poorly maintained.

At the end of the day it is personal preference. If you get the chance drive them both. Make sure to drive properly restored cars. E.g. Tight suspension, no play on the steering box and so on. There is no doubt that the W123 is the better, more comfortable car to drive. Safer too, if you ever find yourself in a crash.

If you have never driven a classic car it is something you really ought to consider. Classics drive and handle very different from modern cars. Its not for everybody.

The 230 is a very nice engine. My W123 has the 200 petrol engine. The latest version, the M102 engine which also went into the W124.

I have owned my 1982 W123 for over 20 years now. It participated in two Guiness Book of world records attempts for the longest/most cars on the road.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/beyon...ld-record.html

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/inter...23-parade.html

It is getting close to 200k on the odometer. Mine is in near perfect and original condition. You can read about all the various jobs I have done in it since 2016 here

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/diy-d...-mini-one.html

Good luck with making your final choice.

Jeroen

IMHO, with these old historical cars, it isn't about which is the "better" car. A modern, used 530d, E350d or even Skoda Superb will drive better than them and do 99% of the things better. You could even get a beautiful W221 S-Class :).

Classic Cars are emotional purchases. They are bought based on emotion, nostalgia, childhood memories and posters you had on your walls as a kid. Speaking for enthusiasts like you, not investors.

Because of this reason alone, I would recommend getting a W123, whether this example or any other. Give your family a surprise they'll never forget :thumbs up.

Oh, my dear friend from work have it and its a privilege, parking right next to it :loveit. What a beautiful machine!

To me, W123 is a far more pleasant choice. At an age when I was largely innocent of any car related knowledge except my father's (and his friends') stories of their golden age in the 1950s and '60s, I was smitten by the elegance of the W123 and later, the W124. I never liked the 'longitudinal' headlights of the older models. But if you ask me what I would buy, I would say that I won't buy an old car anymore! I have outlived my romantic phase of petrolheadedness!

W123 would be my pick due to:

1) You can oversee the restoration to understand and have an idea on what all has been done and missed (to be cautious about future repairs)
2) 230 Petrol is a very rare engine.

I would suggest not to buy the car of it getting appreciated in the future.
Buy it to enjoy the ownership of the car and sell it before it's too late (getting bored of it, finding no time to use it, moving abroad or no space to store it safe).
This investment should be viewed more as an experience than a material possession.

Based on my personal opinion get a good A/C fixed to beat our summer heat, I had an W124 and one of the reason to sell it was the A/C was not sufficient for me to drive during peak summer.

Keep us all informed in your decision, all the best :)

I have used both the w115 and 123 extensively , as well as the 124 and 140. W115 handles much better than the 123, ride quality is similar. The 115 manual steering coloum shift is a delight to drive specially with a 6 cylinder engine. Brakes are just superb . Use only those high profile cross ply tires, low profile radials will ruin the ride and steering.

123 powersteering is lifeless , floor shift gears are soggy and least enjoyable . Try for the w115 230.6 if possible with coloum shift and manual steering , it feels like a sports car compared to 123.

For the looks alone, I will go for the W123. Used to be super excited with W123s passing through as a kid. Considering that you have had one in the family before, that seems to be the way to go.

The W115 is at its best as a 6 cylinder petrol - There was the 230, 250 and 280E. I remember driving a 250, these had a Stromberg Carb that needs a little skill to tune.
Later on, the four-cylinder 230.4 came along during the facelift.

The 4 cylinders were underpowered

Again, these cars rust and parts are difficult to come by.

The W123 is more practical, especially the 230e. The diesel 300d is decent. The lower petrols are okay, but the fuel-injected ones have adequate power.

If its rarity - W115, practicality - the W123

Regarding value appreciation, both models will appreciate but the gap between the two would only narrow with time. In next 10 years, you may need to spend a tad more on upkeep of 115 simply because replacement parts would be harder to find and procure. That way dent may be more with 115 when you sell after ten years. Also, it would be much easier to run the 123 for more miles per pound of maintenance.

When it comes to classic cars, there is no right choice - it’ is purely a matter of heart & passion: you need to choose the one that “talks” to you, i.e. tugs at your heartstrings!
Whether it’s a Beetle or a Bentley.

You are clearly smitten by the W123 due to its history with you.
Personally, I would go for the W115 because it’s a rarer model. Conversely, since W123 is so common, the maintenance and spare parts may be easier.

By the way, please forget about analysing potential future values - any classic car is a thing of passion that will cost you heaps of money, and most probably you will end up in the red. No one can predict which would be a better investment.
You will lose money unless you are a mega rich guy who can afford to buy a classic Ferrari or Lamborghini supercar.

Update: I Chose the W123 — A Build from the Heart (and With the Head)

I just wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who responded — Jeroen, GTO, tvk1991, Pennant1970, Frankenstein, Amjat, and many others.

This thread — and this community — gave me far more than advice. It gave me clarity, confidence, and a bit of conviction. I’ve read Team-BHP for years, quietly. And today, I’m finally sharing something back.

The Decision
I’ve gone ahead and picked up a 1979 W123 230E Automatic in China Blue with the M102 engine. It’s a strong base. It’s not a show car yet — but that’s the point.

The car is currently being restored by Jatin Patel at WagenWerkz, someone I’ve admired for years. This isn’t a flip. It’s not a “value” play. It’s a personal build—something I hope to drive for years and leave behind for my daughter one day.

The Community Helped Shaped This Decision
@Jeroen — your posts gave me a masterclass in what to expect, what to watch for, and how to do it right. Your threads reminded me that it’s not about the flash — it’s about doing something correctly. You’ve set the bar.

@GTO — you said something that hit hard: classic cars are emotional purchases. This one is. I come from a simple background. I’ve worked hard to get to where I am. And I’ve reached a point where wealth is meaningless. Joy is all that matters. And this car, this journey — is joy.

@tvk1991 — your point about being able to oversee the build struck a chord. That’s precisely what made this the right choice. I bought the car as-is, where-is. And now I get to build it, ground up, with the right hands.

Why Not the W115?
Truthfully, I was smitten by it. That bench seat, the column shift — it had real presence. But what I really wanted was a W108. And I couldn’t find the right one in time. So, I’ve decided to focus on the W123 now — and if luck has it, a LHD W108 may find its way into the garage in the next few months. Fingers crossed.

What I’m Building (and What I’d Love Advice On)
This isn’t a showpiece for concours events, but I do want it to be a car that people notice for the right reasons — a car that reflects restraint, attention to detail, and personal pride. Something you see and instantly know — “Yep, someone cared.”

Exterior & Finish

• Flawless China Blue paint — touch-ups and corrections where needed, not over-restored
• Ceramic coat to bring out the depth
• Body-coloured steel wheels, matching hubcaps, and proper whitewall tyres
• No alloys, no showy mods — just the silhouette done right

Mechanical & Reliability

• An investigation and, if needed — a rebuild of power steering, auto transmission, and suspension
• Fresh braking system, all belts, bushings, hoses, and mounts replaced
• Factory A/C to work ice-cold
• Rear power antenna must work — these little details matter

Interior

• Clean, tight, original-looking interior
• Dashboard, door pads, headliner, and carpets to be refreshed — nothing flashy, just solid and respectful to the original
• Restore where possible; replace only when absolutely necessary

Subtle Upgrades

• Discreet audio upgrade — classic-look head unit, modern sound behind original grills, maybe a hidden sub
• Improved lighting — H4s or similar, relayed, no LED drama
• Considering a mild suspension drop if it can be done tastefully and reversibly

What I’d Love to Hear From You All
What else should I be looking at?

I’d love to hear from fellow owners. What have you done to make your W123 more livable, fun, reliable, or just a little bit more modern? What would you never do again?

I plan to use this car — not daily, but definitely a few times a week. City runs, Sunday drives, and maybe a light outstation trip occasionally. I want to build for use, not just admiration.

Thank you again to everyone. I’m deeply grateful for the advice — and incredibly excited to be building something I’ve dreamed about for years.

More than anything, I’m thrilled to finally share the journey with the community that helped shape it. More coming soon.

Congratulations!

One thing though, the 1979 230 version did not come with the M102 engine. The M102 engine was introduced in 1980. A 1979 230 would still have the M115 engine. At least that is my understanding and I checked in the W123 bible written by Martin Buckley and Mark Cosovich.

You can easily tell the difference. The M115 on the 230 would have the Stromberger carburettor and the M102 on the 230 would have the Bosch K jetronic injection system.

Although the M102 is considered to be a big improvement over the M115 and other engines, it does have one disadvantage. It requires more short-term interval services. Notice it has a Simplex distribution chain design. Works fine, but the chain does need replacing every 100K km. Even though MB never specified that as such, that is what the current status quo is with these cars. If oil is not changed regularly, you might also run into trouble with the hydraulic chain tensioner. Leading to a potential broken chain.

In my fiddling thread you can see me changing out the distribution chain and installing a new chain tensioner as well. If you have the M102 engine, I would urge you to at least replace the chain and tensioner. It's not that big a job and it will save you from potential disaster!

Enjoy your W123, they are lovely cars!

Jeroen

I am happy you decided to go with the W123, Please update us on regular pics and updates. I have spent countless nights reading threads in Team-Bhp for W124 before buying one.

Congratulations :)