Why the W123  people do ask on a regular basis. and the simple answer is I don't really know. I honestly cant remember the first time I saw a W123, however my first real encounter with one was probably 1986 when my father sold his Vauxhall Royale and came home with a 1981 230E In Milan brown with Quartz cloth interior automatic gearbox and cruise control. I actually remember driving the car for the first time I was 17 so it was quite a big deal at the time it was something of a contrast to my Vauxhall Chevette I might add. The first time I went out in the car was on the streets of Barnsley where I was living at the time one summer night. The car had done around 80,000 miles at the time and to me drove like a new car the ride comfort and the air of supremacy it gave was almost a magic carpet ride (remember im driving a chevette). It was I think the first automatic car id driven and the 2.3 engine seemed to get you away with ease. The brakes were good and steering and handling were sharp and made you feel like you were in control and that it would do anything you asked of it. Then there's the looks the chrome bumpers on the car to me made it seem like a classic car at the time although it was only a year out of production. Most of the new cars on the road in the mid 80,s were plasticised by now so the W123 really stood out as well as the chrome there was the Milan brown paintwork yes it was of its time but I love the 70,s / 80,S colours. The car was with us for only a couple of years before it was swapped for a W124 200 carburettor model. while there is a place for the W124 its not a W123 by any stretch. I was hooked from then on and bought my first in 1994 a China blue 200T, And I felt like a king since then only 4 models have alluded me a 280c, a 200 & 220D And a 300 Turbo diesel. there's plenty of time.