Mercedes 280 TE | Ultimate Review & Road Test | Is the S123/W123 the Perfect Classic Car?

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Mercedes 280 TE | Ultimate Review & Road Test | Is the S123/W123 the Perfect Classic Car?

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Күн бұрын

The Mercedes-Benz 280 TE (S123) Station Wagon or Estate, based on the W123 sedan, is maybe the perfect classic car? We tested a 1979 model on depth, all details, all weird features plus a road test on scenic roads in Phuket/Thailand.
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Videos:
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Rivista Automobilismo
• Mercedes Benz Classic ...
BoziMedia
• 1982 Mercedes Benz 280...
Deutsche Fernsehgeschichte
• Mercedes 250 T-Modell,...
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Пікірлер: 102

@Ainawi 6 жыл бұрын

My aunt used to have a 1983 230TE. She used to drop me to the school along with my cousins. Seeing this video brings the memories back!

@grayfool 4 жыл бұрын

I had a 280E saloon for a couple of years in the nineties and loved it. It's one of the best ranges of models MB has ever made. Perhaps the perfect classic for daily use. Thank you.

@CubeofCars 4 жыл бұрын

Totally agree :)

@dharnamobrien7498 2 ай бұрын

One of the most informative videos I have ever seen 👏

@CubeofCars 2 ай бұрын

Thank you! :)

@hlyee1 4 жыл бұрын

Greetings from Malaysia. Great review on this classic Mercedes. I am a classic Mercedes as well. Own a W123 200 petrol manual and a W124 230E automatic as daily drive. These cars drives beautifully. Spring loaded seats are superb comfortable.

@CubeofCars 4 жыл бұрын

Greetings from Phuket! I was in Malaysia with my Benz last year... maybe you have seen this road trip video already...

@DubSe7en 6 жыл бұрын

Lovely car, especially the colour. As always, great review.

@michaelw3326 6 жыл бұрын

What a great review! Thank you! You are a funny guy. I like you reverting to German for the speed bumps.

@CubeofCars 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching my video! :)

@leonardmorin9198 4 жыл бұрын

This car has always been one of my favorites although I have never owned one. I wanted to buy a 300 TD here in the US but got a W124 300e instead which I loved>

@CubeofCars 4 жыл бұрын

The W124 is one of the best cars!

@TNPTVconnect 4 жыл бұрын

I own a w123 230CE (the coupe) which in fact I bought in Munich and brought to Italy. I love it, it's the epitome of quality, understated style and elegance.

@CubeofCars 4 жыл бұрын

Have fun with your 230 CE! I have bought 2 of my cars in Italy, because usually cars from Italy don't have so many rust issues like cars driven on salty winter roads in Germany...

@TNPTVconnect 4 жыл бұрын

@@CubeofCars Thank you! Yes that is usually the case. I was lucky to find my W123 with no rust at all in Germany, because in Italy the W123 Coupe is quite rare. Looking forward to more of your car adventures. Ciao.

@TNPTVconnect 4 жыл бұрын

@@CubeofCars By the way I love your Fiat 130 Coupe as well. Very cool, elegant and rare car. I also own a Fiat 124 Spider from 1978. Fiat made only very few cars that stood the test of time, the 130 and the 124 are definitely among those, as of course the legendary 500. Projects originating from the mid 70s on are the beginning of the end for FIAT, as they made very shoddy, poorly designed and built cars, crap cars to make it simple. The fact that FIAT destroyed first Lancia then Alfa Romeo through the acquisitions is to this day a scandal I can't forgive them. I also own an Alfa Romeo 75, 2.0 Carburettors (the last real Alfa, ok there is also the SZ), first series, transaxle + De Dion Suspension system, a real delight. Sorry for the long message. Ciao

@beginnerbluester 6 жыл бұрын

Great review, I enjoyed watching it! I would love to hear your review one day of the 230TE and how it compares to the 280TE.

@CubeofCars 6 жыл бұрын

Good idea... maybe I can do that one day...

@bimbeano 6 жыл бұрын

My grandfather bought a new 230 E in 1982. I drove it a lot from 1988 till +/- 1996. It was a real joy, unfortunately my mother sold it. It is the greatest regret i have in life :-( .... .

@moonlightmelodrama 6 жыл бұрын

I drive an 87 220e. Love older Benz's. Your videos are quite nice.

@inspireaspire278 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful video. Informative. Pretty wagon 😍 I ❤️.

@ItsTimePictures 5 жыл бұрын

Lovely. I might be in Phuket this summer and would love to see your car.

@CubeofCars 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your interest in my Benz. Unfortunately I stay in Phuket only during high season...

@seddam 4 жыл бұрын

Beautiful color!

@CubeofCars 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks :)

@rudischacher6562 6 жыл бұрын

good story about the best build Mercedes ever...

@CubeofCars 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching my video! :)

@tanakiat73 6 жыл бұрын

Nice car you've got. I used to have W123 300D in Bangkok, still missed it. Now, I'm using W124 E220. Just small comment on your voice over, it is a bit low volume when comes to tell the detail. Maybe adjust the voice level a bit higher next time for your next video. About the fuel type, I know it's hard to find regular 95. Some PPT and SUSCO sell regular 95 (in Bangkok). Try to avoid gasohol because it will make your tank rusted (happened in my w124) and also the injection system will not last long (happen in my BMW e30). The injection was sticky when use it for a long period.

@CubeofCars 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot for your feedback! I will check these gas stations in Phuket... hope they sell regular 95. Voice over problem is noted down... will try to make it better in my next video! :)

@sweetiepie3722 6 жыл бұрын

Great car--never new this model existed

@KMisty1 Жыл бұрын

I like the video. I think the model is referred to as a two eighty TE and not two hundred eighty TE.

@MQ-xv2su 6 жыл бұрын

Hey, Mike. Glad I’ve found your channel. I’m looking for a W123 sedan or, preferably, an estate. Do you know anyone here in Thailand with whom I could have a chat about locating one of the early 123’s?

@CubeofCars 6 жыл бұрын

Hi Moshe, I would recommend to regularly look at Taladrod and One2Car. That's what I did for 2 years on a daily basis to find my 280 TE... not easy, because there are not many good ones around. Here are the links: www.taladrod.com/w30/iSch/SchC.aspx?fno:all+mk:5+gr:b+y2:1990+gs:n www.one2car.com/en/cars-for-sale/mercedes-benz?max_year=1990

@MQ-xv2su 6 жыл бұрын

Cube of Cars ah groysah dhank.

@MQ-xv2su 6 жыл бұрын

Cube of Cars also, it’s important for you to know that you have taught me a lot about the 123 Mercedes. You’ve got an absolute gem of a car, mate. Enjoy it!

@CubeofCars 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot! Good luck finding a nice 123.... Please keep me posted :)

@pisamynwa5629 6 жыл бұрын

I love this review.

@CubeofCars 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! :)

@alexmercer8042 6 жыл бұрын

Numberwise it looks to be similar to it's MSRP, otherwise the exact today price for 1978 models, 40000DM as you mentioned is 47500 euro. Which again is very good depreciation for such a car

@CubeofCars 6 жыл бұрын

Yes.... with inflation the calculation looks worse, I agree with you ;-)

@francklinua 5 жыл бұрын

Nice review , very interesting

@CubeofCars 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks :)

@kewlbean 5 жыл бұрын

Great video. Wonderful car.

@CubeofCars 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot :)

@bimbeano 6 жыл бұрын

Great review !!!!

@CubeofCars 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! :)

@paulhackett1313 6 жыл бұрын

Very good review, on a great car.

@CubeofCars 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! :)

@johnhunt-fi2mt Жыл бұрын

A wonderful car, i have two [ 230TE ] cars but how do you remove the luggage side windows to repair the rust? a big problem on this car if left .

@CubeofCars Жыл бұрын

Sorry, I don't know. Luckily I did't have to do that yet.

@athulad 3 жыл бұрын

great video, don't use ethanol mixed fuel, keep the trans serviced,

@CubeofCars 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Yes, I try to avoid ethanol mixed fuel, but not always easy in Thailand...

@philstarmer3651 2 жыл бұрын

Love your car , the colour combo is awesome . Do you know the colour code please and is it genuine Mercedes’? Phil

@CubeofCars 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Phil, it's supposed to be 504 englischrot, but seems to be more orange than the original color. Interior is 104 MB-Tex Bambus. Cheers, Mike

@Philip.Magnusson 6 жыл бұрын

I wish it was easier and cheaper to convert a non ac w123 to one with ac, because in Sweden where I live you cant find one with ac, so a spare unit is hard to come by plus it's a hell of a job, but it's really nice and cool to have functioning ac in a classic car such as the w123.

@CubeofCars 6 жыл бұрын

In Thailand you couldn't survive without A/C, so most older cars have already been converted years ago. As work is cheap here and people have lots of skills to adapt things, convertions here are quite easy. Maybe look in Germany for a W123 with factory A/C... there are not many, but usually there are a few available on mobile.de

@Porsche996driver 6 жыл бұрын

coolakiIlen007 Yes the ac just adds to the early luxury solid feel. The motor is well-paired here.

@Marklin15 6 жыл бұрын

Look for a euro model in a dry US state with factory or aftermarket AC. My euro 300D has factory AC and you'll be glad you bought an AC car when it gets above 30 celsius. I almost bought another euro 300D without AC and even with the windows down its not fun driving these cars when its 35 degrees with no AC since the factory tinted glass acts like a greenhouse when the sun is out and the temperature is high. I discovered this when I had to drive my car when the AC broke on a cloudless 35 degree day, its great motivation to fix the AC.

@Philip.Magnusson 6 жыл бұрын

Yeah,I have actually got a 1980 240TD non ac of course. But it's a rolling restauration, but as I was getting ready to get it inspected (MOT) i got sideswiped in the rear left corner of the car so now i must get a new fender panel and a new bumper tail light etc... really frustrating! I do have a s124 250TD -95 with working ac and thats great!

@moonlightmelodrama 6 жыл бұрын

Beatle John Lennon loved his TE.

@CubeofCars 6 жыл бұрын

Yes, and his was the first 300 TD imported and registered in the US...

@karlp8484 5 жыл бұрын

The W123 is going to take off as a classic car, and I think that time is right now to buy them up because they are still cheap. A well-restored car will steadily escalate in value.

@simonflint5303 2 жыл бұрын

What tyre size have you got on this W123? They suit it perfectly.

@CubeofCars 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Simon, that are 195/70 R14...

@timram3766 6 жыл бұрын

How would you compare the Mercedes’ 280 and the Fiat’s 130 engines in terms of power delivery, smoothness, consumption etc?

@CubeofCars 6 жыл бұрын

I think the characteristics of the 130's engine are more exciting than the 280's. It sounds better, it's feels faster and more sporty when accelerating, even if figures on paper are very similar. But maybe it's unfair to compare a manual Fiat to an automatic Mercedes. Both engine run smoothly. The Fiat is more thirsty, maybe 2 liters more on average.

@JackpodyDK 5 жыл бұрын

Hi! Beautiful car - I have one just like it, same colour and everything, just in the 200T model (so mine has about a third of the horsepower of yours!). Can you tell me what make and model the white wall tires are? I'm looking for some for mine, and yours look really nice!

@CubeofCars 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Chris, I have just checked out your "Return... W123" video.... so funny. I hope there will be more videos about your 200T in the future! Currently I am not in Phuket, but if you have a bit of time, I will check the brand and model of my tyres when I am back next months.... I will let you know then :) Cheers, Mike

@JackpodyDK 5 жыл бұрын

Haha, glad you liked it! This video was a lot more in-depth than anything I could imagine doing, but I really enjoyed watching your commentary! I'd be really nice if you would check it out just whenever the time is there because your W123 looks absolutely stunning with those white walls!

@CubeofCars 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks :) You will hear from me in November then...

@CubeofCars 5 жыл бұрын

Hi Chris, finally I have checked the tyres: Dunlop SP 601 in size 195/75 R14. In Thailand they are sold for about 100€ per piece.

@JackpodyDK 5 жыл бұрын

@@CubeofCars Thank you so much! I'll definitely look into those as I'm still on the look out for a nice pair. Thank you a lot!

@CubeofCars Жыл бұрын

This Mercedes 280 TE is now for sale. Please contact me, if you are interested.

@leochan1706 10 ай бұрын

Hello, is this car still for sale?

@CubeofCars 10 ай бұрын

@@leochan1706 It's sold already.

@nazi1944 6 жыл бұрын

Very nice

@CubeofCars 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks :)

@DubSe7en 6 жыл бұрын

Still watching, but a small observation, your voiceover sounds quiet in parts especially when the background music is playing.

@CubeofCars 6 жыл бұрын

Yes, you are right... will have to turn up the volume next time :)

@monsrigi89 5 жыл бұрын

Any chance you could post something about the aftermarket aircondition?

@CubeofCars 5 жыл бұрын

Unfortunately I don't even know the brand of the aftermarket A/C, as I bought the Benz with the A/C installed already.

@monsrigi89 3 жыл бұрын

Too bad, would have been interesting. Thanks anyway

@Sa300dvideo 5 жыл бұрын

Yes, W123 the perfect car!!!

@CubeofCars 5 жыл бұрын

Absolutely right! ;)

@Porsche996driver 6 жыл бұрын

Driving this orange beauty in Thailand.

@Porsche996driver 6 жыл бұрын

10:00 that exhaust and 13:25 the straight 6 train is pulling!

@Porsche996driver 6 жыл бұрын

Wow really impressed your production quality and location! I’ll be a new/neuer Sub!

@CubeofCars 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching and subscribing! :)

@user-mt5tk9wk7o 3 жыл бұрын

Where did you get the sea there in Moldova ... or ... sorry, you're from Albania ...

@CubeofCars 3 жыл бұрын

Does the number plate look Albanian?

@user-qe6no6su8i 5 жыл бұрын

私もW１２３（S１２３）を数年乗っていましたが、過去に乗っていたシトロエン（BX、Xantia、２CV）よりも乗り心地がよく「ラグジュアリーと実用を両立できる車種だった」と今でも思う車です。しかし、現代の道路事情（速度やペース）での実用には、やや不満を抱く運動性能でもありました。結果、現在は同じ足回りを持つW２０２（S２０２）の最終モデルに乗っています。 W２０２も生産終了より２０年が経過して、古い車となって来ましたが・・・古く良きメルセデスと現代版メルセデスの中立的な車種で”趣味と実用の両立”という意味では、無難な車種だと思います。でもまたいつかW１２３に乗りたいと思いますね！！

@CubeofCars 5 жыл бұрын

Is it still possible to see W123/S123 on the streets in Japan? Or are they already gone?

@user-qe6no6su8i 5 жыл бұрын

日本でもＷ１２３は見ることが出来ますが、東京を中心とする一部のファッションリーダー的な人たちが好んで乗っている印象です。どちらかと言えば、趣味車に属する傾向性が強い車種の為、実用的に（例えば通勤で乗る様な）Ｗ１２３を所有している人は少なく思います。

@CubeofCars 5 жыл бұрын

Here in Thailand some W123 sedans are still in daily use. But the S123 TE is very, very rare :)

@user-qe6no6su8i 5 жыл бұрын

このＹｏｕＴｕｂｅを観て、右ハンドルがＴＥに存在する事に驚きました。日本で走ってるＴＥは殆ど左ハンドル車です。

@CubeofCars 5 жыл бұрын

Here in Thailand people prefer European cars to be RHD. I am always surprised that European cars in Japan are often LHD.... isn't that unhandy in traffic?