You have some tough decisions to make.

Basically, it all boils down to your budget and how much you want to afford on maintaining your new acquisition.

I traded a 1985 300D w/ 200K for my 1991 300CE (starmarked at 70K miles) seven years ago. I now have over 161K miles on the car. Having lived with both, I feel that the W124 has given me less trouble "overall" and I love the way it looks and drives. My W123 had some minor rust issues, etc. because it was a "northern car"....New Hampshire.

Personally, I think the W140 is a very good car, but I would not want to afford the service bills. Again, boils down to the cash issue.

Bottom line, don't be afraid of a W124 gasser....they are good cars. Will they be more expensive to maintain than a 240 4-speed with manual windows and no sunroof or air? Hell yes!

Pick the car you can afford that stirs your soul! That's the best advice I can give.

E.P.