1981 Mercedes-Benz 230E Sedan

Description

The original compact W114/115 range of Mercedes-Benz models had proven so successful for the Stuttgart company, it was hard to see how their engineers could improve on what was an already outstanding motor car, but the replacement W123 managed to set new benchmarks for quality, safety and luxury. Launched at Geneva in 1976, the W123 range once again consisted of both four and six-cylinder models, with a combination of carburettor and injected engines. The modern, attractive styling was unmistakably Mercedes-Benz and the W123 had passive safety features years ahead of its time, with careful attention paid to crumple zones, side-impact protection, interior padding, a steering column that deflected sideways as well as telescoping in the event of a collision. Active safety features also played a part, with all round disc brakes, zero-offset steering geometry to name but two. The dependable 230E saw the introduction in 1979 of new SOHC M102 four-cylinder engine equipped with the latest generation Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection (the first time Mercedes had offered injection on a four-cylinder engine), putting out 136 bhp at 5100 rpm, sufficient to propel the car along at quite respectable speeds. Although Mercedes-Benz' policy of not offering much in the way of standard equipment was true of the domestic and American markets, here in Australia where even the 230E was marketed as a luxury car they came very well equipped with both power steering and automatic transmission. The W123 dates from an era when Mercedes-Benz really did set the benchmark for build quality and it's not uncommon to find well cared for cars doing daily service today, many showing incredible mileage, with the utmost reliability