280 E (W123)

The 280 E was the six-cylinder version of the W123 range, the mid-size executive Mercedes built from 1976 to 1985. It became one of the most durable and best-loved cars the company ever made. Its 2.8-litre M110 twin-cam inline-six with Bosch fuel injection (the "E" is for Einspritzung) ran smoothly and with refinement, and was the strongest engine in the saloon line-up. The W123 was known for over-engineered build quality, and many cars covered very high mileages, which built its reputation for longevity. The range was sold as a saloon, estate, coupé and long-wheelbase saloon. Nearly 2.7 million were sold, and these cars worked everywhere, from European families to taxi fleets in the Middle East and Africa. Today the W123, especially injected versions such as the 280 E, is valued as a classic and reflects the engineering approach of Mercedes in the 1970s and 1980s.