In general, I agree with LarryBible and LarryBible, i.e., the newer car is a better buy if $ is not an issue.

Being a current 124 and 210 owner, I do want to offer a few counter points.

1. The interior material quality in the 210s is not as good as the ones in 124s, IMHO. The dash is an excellent example. Somehow MB is using the soft vinyl type of stuffs in 210s and they crack at the high stress points. On the Edmonds Discussion boards, there are several 210 owners having that crack. My 1997 E320 has two cracks on the dash. I cannot see how the 124 dash can crack and my 10 year old 300E does not have any crack.

2. The 210 trunk is a bit wider but a lot shallower than the one in 124. At one time, I was moving four wheels/tires and I can fit three in the 124 truck easily but not in the 210 truck as it was very shallow.