1984 300D, one owner, 57k miles, no rust, everything works, like new - or...
1996 E300 Diesel 160K, great shape, every option.

These two cars are priced very closely on CL DC. If you had $12-13k, which would you pick? I think I'd be all over the E300...

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1984 300Sd 210k

Former cars:
1984 300D 445k (!!) (Strider) Original (and not rebuilt) engine and transmission. Currently running on V80 ( 80% vegetable oil, 20% petroleum products). Actually not, taking a WVO break.
1993 300d 2.5 275k. Current 120/day commuter
1981 300SD 188k (Hans) Killed by a deer