Thanks for all of your replies. I'm not sold on the DVD format, so the HDD and miniDV comments are helpful.

It seems that there are enough pros and cons for all formats, makes, and models that a decision isn't going to be easy.

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1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles
1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles
2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)