The series was first introduced to the public in January 1976. Its internal designation was 123. The saloon body variant was used for the premiere; in keeping with tradition it had a “W” put in front of it: W 123.
Preparations for production already commenced in summer 1975; in the end, production would run over ten years and bring forth a total of 2,389,140 saloons. The most successful model was the Mercedes-Benz 240 D, of which, in all, 448,986 units were manufactured.
Models
|
Internal designation
|
Production period: preproduction to end
|
Number of units
|
Saloon
|
|||
200 D
|
W 123 D 20
|
1976 – 1979
|
378 138
|
220 D
|
W 123 D 22
|
1976 – 1979
|
56 736
|
240 D
|
W 123 D 24
|
1976 – 1985
|
448 986
|
300 D
|
W 123 D 30
|
1976 – 1985
|
324 718
|
200
|
W 123 V 20
|
1976 – 1980
|
158 772
|
230
|
W 123 V 23
|
1976 – 1980
|
195 920
|
250
|
W 123 V 25
|
1976 – 1985
|
114 796
|
280
|
W 123 V 28
|
1975 – 1981
|
33 206
|
280 E
|
W 123 E 28
|
1975 – 1985
|
126 004
|
200 (M 102)
|
W 123 V 20
|
1980 – 1985
|
217 315
|
230 E
|
W 123 E 23
|
1980 – 1985
|
245 588
|
300 D Turbodiesel*
|
W 123 D 30 A
|
1981 – 1985
|
75 261
|
Long-wheelbase saloon
|
|||
240 D lang
|
V 123 D 24
|
1977 – 1985
|
3 841
|
300 D lang
|
V 123 D 30
|
1977 – 1985 div> |
4 679
|
250 lang
|
V 123 V 25
|
1977 – 1985
|
5 180
|
Total number of saloons
|
2 389 140
|