NOOOOOOoooo, RUN! The MB is much better from a parts availability stand point.

1980 SAAB 900 3 door,
I bought it in 1986, used it, then it made the rounds between Mom / Dad and me depending on who needed a car. I finally took it off the road in 2010 due to parts being too much of a battle, I was pretty rusty at that point as well. It isn't easy keeping an obscure car running when it is Dads daily driver and they are some distance away. Sold 2011.

Lol....I look at Mercedes parts as you look at Saab parts. Hard to find, but then, I know all the sources for Saab parts since I was into them for so many years.

With the help of this list I'm learning the MB parts sources, some are still difficult, haven't found the copper sealing washer for the fuel filter for instance....

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Eric, CPO, Submarines, retired.
Here's a sig line...
Mine: '68 Corvette LS1/4L65E, 83 240D, 2000 GMC 4x4, 08 FLSTC Anniv
Hers: '72 Corvette 454/4spd, '99 MB SLK, '93 Metro vert, 78 240D, '92 Silverado, '65 Fjord Rustang, '59 Fjord Fairlane, '17 Slingshot.

I have to run often enough to find copper sealing washers. I have toyed with the ideal of making them with my gasket punch set. Last week it was Kubota injector seals at 2.00 each for eight of them for a hydralic pump.

It is not the money particualrily as much as finding a source fast for some sizes. That's why I thought as I drove back. Why not see if you can make them yourself if you can locate a sheet of copper.

Annealing the old ones can sometimes get you by. Just heat them red hot and let them cool. Removes any work hardness.

The OP is in Richmond VA , a place I'd expect a decent number of Mercedes buyers to be. And, they always can stop be the local dealer and buy parts.

For SAAB, they were not sold in large numbers and few models made their way to the US further reducing the parts pool. Also, there is no longer a dealer network. Sure you might be able to order parts, but the supply is rapidly shrinking.

Try and find the following at an auto parts store, on a Saturday for a 80 SAAB 900 ( with a B motor ).

Water pump ( in block )
Front rotors
Front wheel bearings
Front calipers.

92 was the last year for the classic 900, the on the spot parts supply for those isn't exactly great either.

It isn't that I can't keep the car running ( I have a fully equipped shop ) it is more of a practical issue keeping it running in one day.

Copper washers are no big deal just measure the ID and OD, they are standard sizes.

If stranded, old ones can be reused either by heating to anneal or by tightening to standard torque and looking for leaks. ( If reusing, put back the way it came apart. ) If they still leak, hammer the banjo bolt head to imprint the washer then retighten.