My 25-year certified M-B tech thinks the 123 and 126 series are the last "old school" M-B's. I have a 300SDL that was an interim car following my 16V engine failure. Though not a "diesel" guy, the car has really grown on me. It is a little slow off the line until it hits 2500 RPM where the turbo kicks in. While not 560SEL-quick, I never have any passing situation problems. I had to exorcise some neglect demons but the car is dead reliable and very economical to operate (23-24 MPG; don't let anyone kid you that they get more than this. I have NEVER had less than 20 MPG, however).

The W126 is a truly amazing cruiser, very safe, swift, extremely comfortable, and good-handling for such a big car. I wouldn't be scared of a diesel in Canada. The diesels all have plug-in block heaters. A diesel has longer maintenance intervals than the gas cars.

I am selling mine because the 16V is soon to be back on the road and I am stupid: right brain over-riding the sensible left brain.

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Charles Cleaver
1975 350SE + 1992 300CE-24 SportLine 5-speed + 2002 SLK320 6-speed + 1974 W114 280
1986 190E 2.3-16 (Decomm rear self-leveling suspension; Euro-code headlamps) sold
2004 Audi S4 6-spd - sold
1969 (2) and 1980 Porsche 911T, S, and SC - alas gone
1987 300SDL - Graf Spee; Euro-code headlamps; 16-inch 8-hole wheels - sold
1994 E420+(E500 suspension/E-code headlamps/PAD chip) sold
1968 250SE 4-speed (NICE car) - long gone
1962 220S 4-speed/column mount - long gone