The Mercedes-benz Type 123 series is renowned for its robustness, reliability, and timeless design. While celebrated in various body styles, including the saloon and coupé, the Mercedes-Benz Type 123 truly distinguished itself with the introduction of the estate version, internally known as the T-Model (Touring and Transport). Unveiled at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) in September 1977, this variant marked a significant milestone as the first Mercedes-Benz officially produced estate car to join the model range. Production commenced in April 1978 at the Bremen plant, which was undergoing a transformation from commercial vehicle manufacturing to passenger car assembly.
The Mercedes-Benz Type 123 estate mirrored its saloon counterpart in terms of technology and styling, save for the distinctive rear-end design necessitated by its estate configuration. Virtually all mechanical components, including the aggregates, braking system, and chassis, were directly adopted from the saloon models. This meant the estate also benefited from the well-engineered semi-trailing arm rear axle. However, in its standard configuration, the estate was uniquely equipped with a hydropneumatic levelling system, ensuring a consistent ride height regardless of load, and a double-wishbone front suspension with zero steering offset for enhanced handling.
The market response to the Mercedes-Benz Type 123 estate was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. Initially, the model range offered a selection of both diesel and petrol engines, featuring the 240 TD, 300 TD, 230 T, 250 T, and the top-of-the-line 280 TE. Similar to the saloons, the exterior trim varied across models. The prestigious 280 TE was easily identifiable by its rectangular wide-band headlamps and chrome air-inlet grilles positioned ahead of the windscreen. The remaining models sported the classic twin headlamps and black air-inlet grilles.
Throughout 1978 and 1979, the engine line-up for the Mercedes-Benz Type 123 estates evolved in parallel with the saloon versions. August 1978 saw an upgrade to the 240 TD’s performance, boosting its output to 72 horsepower. A year later, in September 1979, both the 5-cylinder diesel engine of the 300 TD and the 6-cylinder carburettor engine received power enhancements, further refining the driving experience.
Between June and November 1980, the Mercedes-Benz Type 123 estate range expanded with three new significant additions. June marked the debut of the 230 TE, replacing the carburettor-equipped 230 T that had been in production for two years. This new model featured a thoroughly redesigned 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine with mechanically controlled petrol injection, delivering a robust 136 horsepower. This advanced engine not only superseded the carburettor version in the estate but also across the coupé and saloon models.
October 1980 witnessed the start of series production for the 300 TD Turbodiesel. Initially showcased the previous autumn, this model boasted a 125 horsepower iteration of the 3.0-liter 5-cylinder engine, which was concurrently utilized in the S-Class export model 300 SD. The 300 TD Turbodiesel held the distinction of being the first turbocharged Mercedes-Benz passenger car available on the domestic market. Reflecting its premium positioning, and mirroring the 280 TE, it featured the upscale body equipment including rectangular wide-band headlamps and chrome air inlet grilles.
From November 1980, a further estate variant, the 200 T, joined the production line. Also presented in June alongside the 230 TE, the 200 T was powered by a newly developed 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 109 horsepower. This engine, along with the 136 horsepower 2.3-liter injection engine, were both part of the entirely new M 102 engine series. Furthermore, power steering became standard across all Mercedes-Benz Type 123 models, with Automatic Locking System (ALS) available from August 1980 and airbags as an option from January 1982, enhancing both convenience and safety.
In September 1982, the Mercedes-Benz Type 123 estate, along with the other body styles in the series, underwent a comprehensive model update. The most visually striking change was the adoption of rectangular wide-band headlamps across the entire range, previously exclusive to the top-tier models. The air-inlet grilles in front of the windscreen were now uniformly finished in black. To reduce wind noise, the protective covering of the A-pillars was refined. Numerous interior equipment details were also enhanced. However, these improvements arrived too late for the 250 T, as its production ceased in August 1982.
Production of this pioneering Mercedes-Benz estate range concluded in January 1986, having paved the way for its successors which had entered series production in October/November 1985. Over its eight-year production run, the Bremen plant manufactured an impressive 199,517 units of the Mercedes-Benz Type 123 estate, cementing its legacy as a highly successful and iconic model in Mercedes-Benz history.
