fahrgewehr,

Remember that my comments are about one 91 300SE and one 87 300SDL. They may not hold for the population.

In my crawling commute I get 17mpg out of the SE and 22mpg out of the SDL. AC is on most of the time.

The SE has more punch off the line but the SDL will take the SE above 30-40mph. When I was bringing the SDL home, my wife couldn't keep up in the SE and she's the speed demon in the family.

The SDL starts in first gear but it's not awkward like starting the SE in first.

Rear seat legroom is okay in the SE. Not better than what you get in an LS400 in my opinion. I'm just under 5'7" and I'd hardly call the rear seat room behind me luxurious. It's hard to believe the SDL is only 4" longer. I'm looking for a set of foot rests like I saw in a 420SEL once. There's that much more room. Plus the rear seat in the SDL reclines.

I'm not sure about the sound system in your 90. My SE has speakers in the doors while the SDL doesn't. Makes a big difference in sound quality. I'm no audiophile but even listening to AM news reports is better in the SE.

The SE interior looks classier with pleated door panels and smooth seat faces. The perforated door panels and woven seat faces in the SDL are traditional MB and look a little dated.

Servicing the SDL is easier because it requires less service and the air filter isn't in the way of the oil filter. Plus you don't drip old oil on the side of the engine with the SDL's cartridge filter.

The SDL is louder even with the belly panels. Not annoying to me but definitely louder. It might have to do with age and use. At 150K miles, the SE is a lot more air tight than the SDL at 260K. Going over the same loose manhole covers, I hear less of a clunk in the SE. But the SE's not quite as water tight. I get a small puddle in the trunk of the SE when it rains

After all this, have you considered a 300SEL?

Regards,
Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD