1984 Mercedes W123 230 TE

[dapper]

Just got back from a 10 hour road trip from Canberra in my newly acquired W123 230TE. It's gone 2AM here so I'll be out for the count soon but my head is abuzz with what to do. As always, she never quite stacked up to the ad details, mind you I never asked the right questions but I reckon the flight to Canberra and drive back will be worth it in the end. At least I won't be wasting a weekend away to the capital with the missus now. After a quick shufty round the place, apart from taking in a quick tour of Parliament House, it's one that can definitely be left off the year out or visit to relatives down under. Dull as ditchwater with all the architectural merit of a breeze block. The drive home would have been ok, had I not left it so late to leave Canberra. All we (my brother is visiting from the UK and fancied the road trip) had for company for the last 7 hours was the stars and a multitude of Optimus Primes (Wentworth semis), lit up like a waltzer bearing down on us as we cruised our way home.

Very impressed with the old girl. She runs straight, holds the road well, oil pressure remains on 3, pulls pretty well once she's going and never missed a beat all the way home. Ran her well above the limit (100kmh) for a fair stretch and she was strong.

I've been wanting a TE since my CE days back home in Blighty. I have to say though this 1984 model is pretty shabby in the detail, it's better than most sub concours W123s found back home. I dare say, due to the lack of salt on the roads down here and a more forgiving climate.
One day I want something akin to

I dare say it's some way off, whether funds or time allows such an adventure, who knows?

A picture you say. Well that will have to wait till tomorrow as the only decent opportunity for a photo was outside Parliament, but that was halted when I noticed a copper and a no standing sign just where I was going to take a pic.

It definitely won't be like the one above though that's for sure, not yet anyway.

[dangermouse]

Love it, sounds great! I can't wait to see pictures

[jader1973]

Good choice.

Nothing like being tailgated by a B-double with its exhaust brake banging away on the downhill bits before it overtakes you using the extra lane on the next uphill bit!

[grifterkid]

Sounds great, now where's them pictures...?!?!?!

Can't wait to see this gem...!

[dapper]

Long day at work and straight to birthing class tonight. Daylight savings as well. I will try my darndest to get something up tomorrow.

The list of things to do grows after taking her to work today. I have a feeling the vacuum central locking is going to be a pain but most worryingly after not a hint of it on the way home last night, there's an annoying race of the engine to go up a gear when plodding along in light traffic. I fear the scheckel outlay mounting already.

The plan is to get a list together of what's wrong at the weekend and then start prioritising, hopefully with the help of those that have gone before me in W123 land.

[grifterkid]

There is a huge W123 community here, there and everywhere so you're sure to get all the help and advice you could ever need when it comes to ironing out the gremlins in this particular beast!

It sounds like congratulations are in order if you're going to a birthing class...?! Congratulations sir...

Anyhow, get your priorities right and let's see some pictures of this car!!! Only kidding, I look forward to seeing them when you've got a spare few moments...

[dapper]

Finally grabbed those shots. The clean up will have to wait until the weekend.

So here's what AU$2000 gets you down under.... photo heavy I believe the saying goes, sorry I haven't got the hang of making the images smaller.
























?
The body seems pretty sound apart from the rust under the nearside rear overhang which seems to be caused by the seal going on the roof rail???

Sills all look fine. The previous owner hadn't had them done and she's owned the car since 2000. She had an engine rebuild done in 2006 which though appreciated might not benefit me as (in my dreams) I'd like to fit a 300TD from a 98-00 W210. Anyone know of that being done?

In the meantime .... That dash!!! Not likely to get that replaced so I'm going to get in touch with these guys www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.370086566341263.110114.233208393362415&type=3 and try and convince them there's a decent business model in fixing up W123 dashs from around the world.

Paint damage on top was by egg apparently that wasn't cleaned off in time....grrrr. Not keen on the colour anyway but given a respray is some way off, it's a while to live with such dastardly deeds.

Unfortunately, I've no garage, tool collection down under is at the set of spanners and screwdrivers from Aldi stage so this is going to be a long drawn out and given I'm going to have to bow to Aussie labour rates, extremely expensive job. Luckily, she who must be obeyed is adamant we do not need a lateish Liberty/Outback wagon to join the rest of the Brunswick brigade in the vicinity, and wants to stick with her 07 Corolla when the bub arrives. So that means I've got $8K to do some damage on the new beast, most of which I'd imagine will be going on a respray. I'm hoping once I've put a list together with the help of a local garage (still to find my semi-retired Merc mechanic), between you guys and the W123 forums, I should be able to put a gameplan/priorities list to see Izzy (name adopted from previous owner) back to her best.

I'm lusting after that maroon one with Arab plates and Pentas. That's the look no doubt.

[minininjarob]

Looks good! They are one of my favourite estates.

Maybe use some of that 8k to buy some quality tools so you can at least do some jobs yourself?

[grifterkid]

Superb, this is going to look just great...

[jader1973]

If you aren't already on then get on Ozbenz.

When you find a retired Merc mechanic near you the please let me know! They all seem to be in the South East

There is a guy near Bendigo breaking a wagon with a blue interior, although most of the best interior bits have gone (I got the back seats a few weeks ago). I think it still had roof rails if you need replacements. He puts a lot on ebay.

He actually shipped his rear bumper to Germany because 2nd hand ones there are all rusty, and new ones from MB are 600 Euros!!

[79cord]

Quite a rarity, I can certainly understand traveling a fair distance for it.
Certainly wouldn't have hurt that Canberra is inland when most would have sold to affluent coastal suburbs.

[dapper]

Thanks grifterkid. Newborn on the way next month so probably not the best time to be delving into a project like this but who said anyone into retros/classics has a clear head when old metal becomes available.

Re the tools minininjarob, I think a ratchet set and owners manual are up next. Lack of space is the problem though so it will be a case I beg and borrow until the wife says we can move out of hipsterville and go somewhere I can have a garage.

Jader1973 I'd be interested to know of this chap in Bendigo, there's a few bent up trim pieces if like to replace (unless) there's advice around on straightening them back to best.

On exterior trim, I have various chrome bits from a CE I had to send to scrap back home in England that are sitting in my Dad's garage loft. My uncle has half inched a few for his CE rebuild but if it's bumpers you're after I may be able to help out.

I'm hoping to do as much as possible myself to Izzy but will fall well short of the utterly sublime fabricating & re-engineering work carried out on here. I am in total awe of a lot of the work we get to see and only wish I had the time, skills and confidence shown on RR by so many. As I've said before, it's a wonder how Britain isn't still at the forefront of manufacturing when there is such brilliant ingenuity displayed on this forum.

[79cord]

May 15, 2014 21:25:02 GMT dapper said:

I'd be interested to know of this chap in Bendigo

Looks like he has wagon rear seats on Ebay ending Saturday
link

[Oldbus]

Looks like you´ve got yourself a good un mate.

What´s the spares situation for old Mercs like down under?

[jader1973]

May 16, 2014 13:42:54 GMT 79cord said:

May 15, 2014 21:25:02 GMT dapper said:

I'd be interested to know of this chap in Bendigo

Looks like he has wagon rear seats on Ebay ending Saturday
link

Yes that's him. He's a really nice guy to deal with - offered to get me bits from Germany if I wanted - his mum sends him over parcels of W123 bits every so often! He's actually in Strathfieldsaye, just outside Bendigo.

Fortunately I don't need bumpers. The previous owner got them both re-chromed at some point. I was just amazed that someone from Germany bought one from Australia.

[dapper]

May 17, 2014 6:28:25 GMT Oldbus said:

Looks like you´ve got yourself a good un mate.

What´s the spares situation for old Mercs like down under?

About to find out oldbus but I can tell you one thing, the quality of those still on the road is exemplary. Bought at astronomical prices back in the day, they've generally been kept by the same owner since day one. I can't tell you how many old fellas are still running them down here. A fair few shabby ones like mine that have had a bit too much sun but on the whole, they're treated like a member of the family.
You won't believe the amount of mint W126's running about and they go for pennies

[dapper]

Been a while since I bought the 123 and unfortunately its been sitting outside on the street neglected for the pat couple of months. A mild panic ensued each time I turned into my street these past few weeks as I had to return the rego to the previous owner and seeing as though I wasn't intent on driving Izzy for some time, I didn't re-register her.

The concern finally got the better of me so I've brought her into the back garden until I get her into a state I think is fitting.

That day got a little closer this week with the arrival of this fella and his brothers. I only got one out of the packaging but they are the real deal ATS deep dish Pentas all the way from home.



The centre console trim started out like this....



Not the most important thing on the car that needs doing but I'd like for all the Zebrano to be back to bare and then applying a black tinted lacquer. Any suggestions gratefully received.

Plenty of work to go, but at least it's a start.

[g111mds]

Nice wheel choice. Whereabouts are you in australia?

[dapper]

Thanks g111mds

I'm in Melbourne. The boots aren't on yet. I've just got the RWC so once I find some suitable locking nuts, they will be going on. Hopefully at the same time as a new set of springs so she can have a bit of stance.

Nearly a year on and I've finally got into gear. Back soon with an update.

[mbbelgium]

I'm curious on how the wood will look like