For a reliable 80's manual with decent performance go with a e28 535is...I have a 1988 w/170k miles and almost immaculate condition. The last e28 535i I had clocked 290k miles before I sold it to a guy who drove it up to Vancouver (where it is still his daily). Plus the climate control is not as troublesome as the w123.

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"Time's never wasted when you're wasted all the time"