1. No rust

Possibly doable in your area, although some minor rust is the most likely case.

2. Reliable and ready to daily drive. No major leaks or mechanical issues (rear main seal). No massive amounts of burning oil or smoking.

You've set a low bar, here.

3. Working A/C that doesn't need to be topped off regularly

Maybe 50-50 here.

4. Vacuum system all working properly (locks and trans)

Usually found working in a W124, less so on a W123.

5. Original paint (would rather have faded original paint than a crappy respray, but open to QUALITY resprays. No maaco junk)

Good luck. Your price point doesn't support this wish. A quality respray alone exceeds your price.

6. Working windows

Improve your odds, try for 3 out of 4. Seriously, this is an easy area to make right. Use the non working windows as a basis to reduce the price.

7. Good headliner (W124s)

Not to expensive, around $250. Good negotiation tool.

8. Good Tires

True, but I'd rather have worn tires so I could "pick" what I like, not what was cheap or a tire I don't care for. Worn tires can tell you quite bit about the suspension and the way the car has been driven.

9. No Beige

No comment.



My budget is around $3500. For the perfect car I could go a bit over.


Your budget will buy an average car, but not a car that meets all your requirements. Remember, these cars are now a minimum of 18 years old, some are over 30. Everything you will look at will require work. Prioritize the top 3 or 4 items on your list and try to find an example that meets those attributes. If it meets more, then that's great!

Jim

__________________
14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles