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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - Successful six-cylinder model with a star

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Created on December 6, 2019

Text:

Daniel Koch

Photos:

Daimler AG

33

Bruno von Rotz

27

Daimler AG

33

Bruno von Rotz

27

Mercedes-Benz 280 E (1981) - top model with steel wheels and hubcaps

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - The fronts have been continuously modernized over the generations - in the middle a 280 E from 1981

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - Three generations in the upper mid-range from Mercedes

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E (1981) - still an unagitated but elegant and well-kept appearance today

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E (1981) - classic three-volume sedan

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E (1981) - just over 4.7 meters long

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - The indicators went around the corner for the first time

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - The dashboard was described by "auto, motor und sport" as a "class role model" in 1978

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - Clearly legible dashboards

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - Switch for parking, low beam and parking lights

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - The operation is no mystery

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - Classic Mercedes air vents

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - The automatic transmission was an option

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - A lock on the glove compartment cost CHF 18 (DM 21.09) extra, the previous owner of this vehicle apparently found this expense unnecessary

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - Robust, comfortable textile upholstery

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - Cranking by hand - An extra charge of CHR 908 (DM 1043.40) had to be paid for electric windows

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - The W123 model series quickly became a successful model

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - The top-of-the-range engine is proudly displayed at the rear

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - Wide-range halogen headlights, standard on the 280 E

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - zero to one hundred in 8.7 seconds

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - Six-cylinder engine with two overhead camshafts

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - The top speed of the 280 E was just over 200 km/h

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - The six-cylinder 2.8 liter engine with fuel injection

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - Type plate

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - It wears the star proudly on its chrome grille

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - alloy wheels were available for an extra charge

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E - The star that everyone knows

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Mercedes Benz 200 D (1976) - Taxi of the W 123 series

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1976) - alloy wheels and metallic paint naturally cost extra

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1976) - a reliable companion even in wintry conditions

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1976) - well equipped even in winter

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1976) - in the snow

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1976) - in winter

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1976) - longitudinal model

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1976) - with rectangular headlights and six cylinders in series

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1976) - cutaway model of the top version

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1976) - cutaway model of the top version

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1976) - freed from snow

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1977) - in winter conditions

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1977) - in winter

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1977) - winter still picture

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1980) - the more expensive models hardly looked any different inside than the basic version

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1980) - with velour upholstery

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1980) - Bad road on the Untertürkheim entry lane

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1982) - all car series in 1982

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1982) - the top model was also ordered in red

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1982) - the six-cylinder variants have rectangular headlights on the right

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1982) - six-cylinder version

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1982) - even on the top model, aluminum wheels had to be ordered at extra cost

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Mercedes Benz 280 E (1983) - together with its brothers - all car series from Mercedes incl. S-Class, Babybenz 190 E, SL, SLC etc.

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Mercedes Benz 300 D (1976) - the diesel models of the W 123 series - 200 D, 220 D, 240 D and 300 D

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Mercedes Benz 300 D (1982) - with optional airbag

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E (1976) - From a time when people still dared to buy a car in a bold color

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E (1976) - A car for the whole family

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E (1976) - Elegant appearance

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E (1976) - Mercedes-Benz Saloon, Coupé and Estate, 123 model series

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E (1980) - Trunk with warning triangle and luggage set from 1976 to 1985

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Mercedes-Benz 280 (1975) - the M110 in-line six-cylinder engine in the carburetor version

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E (1975) - The hood was designed so that it could be opened 90 degrees beyond a special stop for workshop work

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Mercedes-Benz 280 E (1977) - clay model in the "Development and Stylistics" in Sindelfingen

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Summary

In the seventies and eighties, the Mercedes W123 model series was an integral part of the everyday street scene. In addition to private individuals, its regular customers included cab drivers, who appreciated the comfort, reliability and durability of what was then the most successful model series. Today, the W123 is a popular classic, but there are no longer many of them in our part of the world, as some have been exported and are used as cabs or limousines abroad.

This article contains the following chapters

What the new car had to be able to do
Top engine in the 280 E and a long list of options
Small differences in the Mercedes W123 models
Many body variants
Safety goes hand in hand
The competition was fierce
Engine and driving performance
Driving behavior: Rear-wheel drive versus front-wheel drive
Built for ten years

Estimated reading time: 7min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The W123 was built from November 1975 and presented to the press in 1976. A total of around 2.7 million were built and it was the successor to the already successful W114/115 ( also known as the Strichacht). With the top engine, the 2.8 liter six-cylinder engine, the 280 E was a clear statement: "I can afford it!". It immediately became a success, customers had to put up with long waiting times and soon annual cars were appearing on the used car market at new car prices. Safety was high on the list of requirements, but comfort also had to play a key role. The approaching oil crisis also meant that the engineers could not neglect the economic efficiency of the engines. Nevertheless, the W123 could be ordered with a 2.8-liter six-cylinder engine - those who wanted even more displacement had to opt for the more expensive S-Class of the W116 series, which had been introduced three years earlier.

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