I finally did it, I bought an 84 300D. Orient Red over what I think is Palomino. Car has 124k and runs really well. The power is great once you get to 2500+ rpms. It doesn't seem to have any mechanical issues other than a vacuum leak. I'll have to dig into that. The vacuum is only affecting the door locks at this point, but I'm afraid it might get worse if I let it go. The door locks work great if the car has been running for 15 or more minutes in the last hour, but you can't open anything but the driver's door otherwise. Even the trunk can't be opened.

Anyway, looking forward to getting lots of tips on maintenance and eventually running some biodiesel from the forum.

One entertaining note. I drove the 300d for about a week and then got in the E500. I almost killed my whole family pulling away from the curb. "Slightly" different throttle action.

__________________
I never go far without a little Big Star

1994 E500 199/Gray 82k
84 300D (Salty) Orient Red/Palomino 141k
88 300CE (Ersatzhammer) 904/Java 163k -- Turbo Technics twin turbo kit, AMG Gen I body kit, Sportline steering box and steering wheel, Sportline/Eibach /Bilstein Sport/500E suspension, Quaife LSD in 210 mm diff case, Silver Arrow brakes.
88 300CE Brabus 3.6 199 on Black 44k