You realize, of course, that you are considering a car that is, at a minimum, 21 years old.

IF mpg is a high priority, then a newer Mercedes should be considered, none of the w124 cars will impress compared to newer cars.

For the W124 gassers, the best mileage ones I've owned were the 86 300E 5 speed manual, the 93 400E, and several 94-95 E320s. All of them would approach 25 +/- mpg on the highway using premium.

For the diesels, I've owned an 87 300TD, a 91 300D 2.5 turbo, and a 95 E300. Best I would ever do with the 87 was 29 highway, the 91 and 95 both would approach 35 on the highway. The wagon had the most power, and neither the 91 nor the 95 impresses off the line. Disregarding the wagon body style (which is a favorite of mine), if I had to pick between the 87, 91 and the 95 as sedans, I'd pick the 95. I'd likely still be driving my 95 if I hadn't fallen in love with an 05 E320 CDI (which does absolutely everything better than any W115, W123 or W124 diesel I've ever owned).

For a daily driver, I'd pass right over the W124 line and look at W210 turbo diesels or the W211 CDI.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking W124s, I've owned a lot of them since 1993, and still have my E320 cabriolet (which I'll be keeping forever.). The newer cars have a lot to offer, and pricewise are not much of a stretch. I recently spent week in Tucson driving around in a nice 85 W123 wagon, and when I got back into town, I got in my CDI at the airport and was once again amazed at how much nicer the CDI is in all respects.


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