1982 Mercedes-Benz 230E Sedan

Description

Launched at Geneva in 1976, Mercedes-Benz' replacement for the compact W114/115 range set new benchmarks for quality, safety and luxury. The W123's modern, attractive styling was unmistakably Mercedes-Benz and the new model 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 disc brakes all round and zero-offset steering geometry to name but two. Built in both four and six-cylinder versions, the W123 proved a huge success for Mercedes-Benz commercially, selling strongly in all markets. The 230E launched in saw the introduction of a 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 at no extra cost. The W123 dates from an era when Mercedes-Benz really did set the standard 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.