If there is one premium car brand that has the deepest roots here in the Philippines, it definitely has to be Mercedes-Benz, which can trace its introduction 75 years ago when businessman Charles Lee ventured to Stuttgart to secure the distribution rights in the country.
Mercedes-Benz was also one of the pioneers in automobile CKD assembly with Universal Motors, assembling the W120 180D Ponton and the W110 Fintails at its plant along Pasong Tamo. It was succeeded by Commercial Motors Corporation assembling the W115 ‘Strich Acht’, the W123 200 sedan, the W124 E-Class, and the W202 C-Class at its Pasig plant on what is today the East Raya Gardens on Mercedes Avenue.
During its heyday in the ’70s, Mercedes-Benz was selling about 2,500 units a year in the Philippines, surely partly fueled by the introduction of the W123 in 1976. Available as a sedan, coupe, wagon, and even a limousine, it was penned by legendary Italian designer Bruno Sacco, whose other notable works include the W126 S-Class, the W124 E-Class, and the R129 SL-Class.
ALSO READ:
Rebirth of a legend
Retro review: Drifting around an AE86 Corolla Coupe GT Levin
Sacco designed the W123 around the concept of ‘Proportional Harmony,’ focusing on clarity, balance, and engineering honesty. The horizontal headlight placement and tall grille projected authority, while the proportioned overhangs and wide stance exuded solidarity and stability. The beltline trim was positioned precisely to lower the car’s stance and enhance road presence. At the rear, the now-trademark ribbed taillights matched the rest of the car perfectly. All W123s came with 14-inch steel wheels and color-coordinated hubcaps as standard equipment and ‘Bundt’ or ‘Benz 1’ design alloy wheels as an option.
There were 11 available engine choices throughout the car’s lifespan, ranging from the bulletproof OM615 2.0-liter diesel in the 200D to the range-topping M110 twin-cam 2.8 liter petrol found in the 280E, both of which could be paired with a selection of manual or automatic transmissions.
One of the real standout features of the W123 has to be its ride comfort. It is so soft and supple that this 1.5-ton car seems to float over the worst of Manila roads while still maintaining its poise and precision. This was achieved by a four-wheel independent suspension system with double wishbones, coil springs, gas-filled shock absorbers, and a stabilizer bar up front with semi-trailing arms and coil springs at the rear. It was so good that I believe only today’s air suspension-equipped cars can match the ride quality and handling of the W123. Brakes on these were way ahead of their time, with discs all around and ABS available as an option beginning in 1982.
The interior takes a lot of its design cues from the W116 ‘Sonderklasse’ introduced just a few years earlier, and will be a template for Mercedes interiors in the succeeding years. The dashboard layout is simple and everything is where it needs to be: Three large analog gauges at the center; lights, wipers, and indicators on the left; and classic ignition switch on the right. A center panel houses a series of switches, the automatic A/C panel, and the single-DIN radio. Power-window switches are just aft of the automatic transmission shifter, which is typical of German cars of the era.
Most impressive here are the materials used on the dashboard, door trims, carpets, and even the roof liner. Soft to the touch and everything just feels of high quality—no shiny black plastics here. The switches are heavy, solid, and produce a positive click offering you a firm, satisfying sensation that gives the impression that the car will last for decades.
The top-of-the-line 280E sedan featured today was ordered by a diplomat (hence the flag pole mounting) from Commercial Motors in 1984, featuring the 182hp fuel-injected M110 engine and an automatic transmission. Said diplomat selected a Forest Green exterior matched with a Parchment leather interior, and being the top model, a good number of options were added to the car such as an electric sunroof, automatic climate control, headlight wipers, and power windows. With the odometer showing just under 100,000 kilometers, the car has been lovingly preserved in its original state, and as you can see here the condition is very good for a 42-year-old car.
Taking a first glance at the W123 sedan makes you realize how much cars have grown in the last half century. This was the E-Class of its day, but is now small by today’s standards, measuring just 4,725mm long. Stepping into the W123, you are greeted by the familiar ’80’s Mercedes smell of horsehair seat padding, crayons, and petrol. While closing the door brings a certain level of satisfaction from the solid, bank vault-like ‘thunk.’
The front seats are wide, softly sprung, and comfortable for long journeys, but offer little lateral support. With a wheelbase of 2,795mm, rear seat room can be best described as adequate, and just like up front, the rear seats are also softly sprung and let you sink into them. Over at the rear, the 500-liter trunk is deep and square, allowing you to maximize luggage capacity once you get to navigate the higher liftover.
A familiar, deep rumble greets you once the twin-cam six-cylinder comes to life. After shifting into Drive, a pull on a knob on the left side releases the parking brake with another satisfying thunk. Even with 182hp and 240Nm of torque, acceleration can only be described as leisurely, and most owners attribute this to the power losses in the older torque converter automatic transmission.
Once you get going, there is no doubt that the 280E can reach or at least come close to its 200kph top speed rating, but the most impressive part here is how stable and quiet the car is at highway speeds. Ride quality is excellent as expected, if not a bit on the soft side. The power-assisted recirculating ball steering is on the lighter side, especially with the large diameter steering wheel that houses a center horn pad that, when pressed, emits the familiar ‘bing-bing’ Benz horn.
After just a few minutes behind the wheel, the 280E begins to feel like an old friend making you feel one with the machine. It is easy to drive and does not feel cumbersome—to a point that it is still possible to daily-drive one of these cars.
50 years since its introduction, the W123 Mercedes remains one of the most iconic cars ever built, and still fascinates enthusiasts worldwide. The designers bucked the styling trends of the ’70s, and this has allowed it to remain timeless even after so many decades. Over 2.7 million were built in its 10-year lifespan, and many of them are still running today—especially in Eastern Europe and in Africa where they continue to be used as taxis. There, mileages of over 500,000km are not uncommon, making it one of the most reliable and durable cars ever built. This is a true testament to the golden era of Mercedes-Benz, where engineering ruled and cars were built to a standard and not to a cost—an era which we may never see again. Prost!
SPECS: Mercedes-Benz W123 280E
Engine: 2.8-liter DOHC Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection I4 gasoline
Transmission: 4 speed automatic transmission
Power: 182 hp @ 5,800 rpm
Torque: 240 Nm @ 4,500 rpm
Drivetrain: Front engine rear wheel drive
Front suspension: Double wishbones with coil springs, gas shocks and stabilizer bar
Rear suspension: Semi trailing arms, coil springs and gas shocks
Seating: 5
More photos of the Mercedes-Benz W123 280E:
