w123 230e things to look out for?

[nayf]

hello. My beloved alfa is possibly beyond economical repair. Thus i'm looking at something mechanical i can actually learn a tangible skill on. It's an automatic 230e with around 117000 miles on it. What should one look for when inspecting it, and what should i be aware of as regards to the ownership experience? Mods, if there's an identical thread please delete this one if ypu wish and bump the other, posting via phone on 3g you see. Car has ruston the outside wheelarches. Obviously i'll check that...

[r129sl]

Rust and maintenance.

Rust is obvious.

Maintenance, or the absence of it, less so. Has it been run into the ground, or has it been kept up. Like as not, it'll need a comprehensive overhaul of anything on the underside. Brake and fuel lines. Subframe bushes. Shocks. Engine mounts. And then ordinary service stuff: fluids and filters, discs and pads. Should keep you out of trouble. Worn steering box is a bore.

[Paz565]

Check the battery tray for rust as it starts to work its way onto the firewall? leading to leaks into the cabin.
The rear screen on most of the ones I've seen has had some sort of rot under the rubber seal, open the boot and put your had in and under the metal to feel for rough stuff.
If the steering is vague (think comedy vague) the steering box might just need an adjustment, I'm told it's easy to do but I haven't got round to doing mine yet
If its an auto, check the transmission fluid has been kept topped up.

.....I can only suggest them I'm afraid, I can thoroughly recommend the W123 though, my 1982 200 has been a pleasure to own. She's long overdue a refresh but she soldiers on and on and on........

Get one bought!

[chazola]

Timing chain on these- it's single row as opposed to double on the later versions of the M102 engine and is quite well known for going- a friend bought a low-ish mileage 230CE and the timing chain went a few hundred miles after he got it. So look for it in the history or budget to have it done. Great little peppy engine though.

[nayf]

Thanks all - how much are parts?
Say if there was a fair amount of replacing that needed doing, how hard is it to do it yourself?
The relative lack of electronic gubbins is a bonus.

[W124Bob]

Sunroof drain channels clog leads to rust in the bulkhead,check footwell carpets,they ride much better on correct tires with tall side walls,engine mounts can go particularly rear ones.Check the top hose around the clamp to the rad .In day to day driving auto is just a bit better on fuel.According to this http://www.flexfuelkit.com.au/articles/8/1/Can-my-...
any pre '86 cars are not suitable for E5/E10 fuel see plenty of other threads here and I'm sure theres an additive around,heres my favourite colour currently up for sale at €14.900 its a LHD 4spd manual with 81000km,heres some one having fun in a W123

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARoDjKw5pyo&fea...

Edited by W124Bob on Thursday 14th June 00:20

[W124Bob]

This mans business is fixing older Merc's its based in the US but his booklets,youtube channel and forum are very useful https://mercedessource.com/

[nayf]

update: Alfa rides again, for the time being.
Still had a look at the W123. Was a bit of rust on the battery bit but no sign of ingress into the cabin. Aside from the aforementioned rust bubbles under the paint around the arches, there were no obvious signs (to me, a relative beginner at spotting and interpreting these things. Didn't get a chance to have a look at the paperwork, but did drive it - what an experience! Complete polar opposite to the 'tautness' of the alfa, in a good way.
Bittersweet news is that because Alfa lives on, I'm not sure my finances stretch to two cars. But housemate is interested.

Anyway, thanks all for your input into the thread!