I hear you. I never saw myself driving MBs.
I bought my first two years ago to "play" with biodiesel. The VW was too small, The old GMs not reliable enough, The Volvos, and BMWs too hard to find a good diesel. So I bought a 85 300D.
Now I have 3 plus a parts car. My newest a 116 body 79 300SD.
The 300SD is really the best of both worlds. Still an S class big body benz, but turns tighter and out handles the smaller 123s. As simple as the 123 turbos, and with more room to work on them. Manual seats, manual adjusting mirrors, etc. Oddly though I find the 123 to have more leg room.
My .02

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes