So I am starting a new job that has an 80 mile commute, round trip. It just so happens that my second car, a 1989 VW Jetta, is dead with over 300K miles of faithful service under its belt on the original GAS (not diesel) drivetrain.

Anyhow, I've been looking at many German cars to pile the miles onto, and (if you guys have seen my posts here lately) I've kinda narrowed it to the E28/E30 BMWs, or the W123/W201 Mercedes Benzes.

Now I think I've narrowed it just to the W123, which is where I was in the first place. I keep coming back to this car. Maybe that should be a sign...

Anyhow, I checked out a 1981 300D today.

The basics: 1981 300D non-turbo; 4-speed automatic

Silver/Black MB-Tex

201,XXX miles on a working odometer

NO rust on an original California car.

NO dents (though the paint is kinda faded, but not awful.)

It doesn't have the awful ACC servo, because it's an '81. And speaking of ACC - the air conditioning works! The compressor is near new.

The transmission was rebuilt recently.

I'm buying it from the original owner, who (when I looked in the glovebox) had a stack of service receipts (or I can only assume they were).

Tires are newer, with good tread.

Driver's seat doesn't sag.

Rear-end rebuilt recently.

After a relatively long glow cycle (which I can assume is chalked up to not being started in a few days), it started RIGHT up and idled perfectly.

Steering wheel play wasn't there.

The downsides:

Some belt, I think it's an accesory/AC belt squeaks badly under acceleration sometimes.

Windshield has a chip.

Hood has a scratch in it that needs a repaint of just the hood.

Passenger side front turn signal lens is broken.

Passenger side window switch is busted.

Door locks are KINDA slow, but all work well.

He's asking $1900, but says the price can be negotiated.

I think it sounds like a good deal, any thoughts?

Lastly, would a 300D NA 4-speed auto be a better highway cruiser than a 240D? I'm not worried about acceleration, as my commuter is completely flat and I don't have any OMGfasterfasterfasterfaster on ramps on it, but I don't want to be bombarded with 4500 RPM of OM616-style clatter that I would be if I was in a 240D.

Thanks to all who help me out!