W116/W123

[marku]

Just bought a new drag link and was surprised to see that it was a 123 part. The 116 seems a much larger car and yet the link fits. Have used parts from the 123 before on the 116 mainly trim. Wonder what other parts will fit?

[ptashek]

Just bought a new drag link and was surprised to see that it was a 123 part. The 116 seems a much larger car and yet the link fits. Have used parts from the 123 before on the 116 mainly trim. Wonder what other parts will fit?

The 116s, especially the later ones, share quite a few parts with the 123s and 126s.
There's also parts shared with the 107 and 115, too.

W123 parts I know will fit a late W116 for certain (I have those in my 450):

A1233211584 (front axle spring rubber buffer)
A1234280535 (front brake hose ends)
A1234601505 (front axle centre tie rod)
A1233304707 / A1233304607 (track control arm, front axle, upper right / left)
A1233500068 (rear axle bearing)
A1233500168 (axle shaft rubber)
A1238000078 (central locking valve)
A1232411713 / A1232411613 (engine mount, front left / right)

[marku]

Just posted to another thread about how surprising I find it that the 116 contains so many parts from other vehicles. Understandable really but wouldn't it involve a certain amount of compromise rather than a new design? Certainly when working on the 116 there are components that are so difficult to access that it could not have been the result of considered design. Doesn't dampen my enthusiasm for the 116 though even though there have been moments when I have said "I'm not going to do this any more" but I always go back.