Good advice -fad,

Lesse -- in '84 MB switched to a double-row timing chain, so Sam, make sure you go with that year or later (you probably know that ). Converting from single -> double is a couple grand proposition.

If you have the money, how about a nice 450SLC? ($4-7 grand) They're not too expensive, you have decent performance and 2 doors.

Ya, I know, as a student, "messing around" with car issues is not a top priority... Been there, done it (and doing it again as an adult student.)

Again, good luck and let us know what transires...