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If you're buying a MBZ to keep for a long time and figure on working on it yourself, buy either a 240D with a manual transmission or a 300D.

The 240D are simpler to work on. No a/c heater probelms, no electric windows, better handling, quicker steering, lighter and best of all, you can stuff a 300D or a 300DT engine in later and have the best of all possible worlds.

Check out this website in L.A., www.recycler.com for MBZs from 1977 to 1985. This is where you'll find rust free cars. Maybe you could arrange to vacation there and look at cars while on vacation. Oh, chcek the salvage cars, too.

Ben