Yep if you want the ultimate classic diesel soon to skyrocket in value, then late 1980 116 300SD is tough to beat. With longer legs it surprisingly outhandles 123's. Easy to see how 116's became hollywood stuntman's favorite car for the era. Y'all seen em trashed on James Bond movies and whatnot. Best was Dogs of War, troops seized one and got bombed in car chase at Lebanon.

I think only several thousand 116/SD's been built, dunno how many made it into USA during 1979/80. The later 1980 models are better than '79s on account of superior steel after German steel-workers strike was settled. From 1974-79 all MB's used crummier Russian or Italian steel for sheet metal parts only, hence massive rust issues for this era.

Try and find one if ye can. I'm still pinchin myself to see if I wasnt dreamin when stealing one w/sunroof (notso common option for 300SD) on Craigs with a mere 262k miles and immac rust free body last month. http://reno.craigslist.org/car/411991801.html Dont bother callin the seller, car's now my daily driver. And I will gladly pour thousands into it, knowin not a nickle will be lost. Already done new tires, bilsteins next week.