Keep the W123 and do the swap - forget about the percieved loss of money. Think of it as saving the bit you like and getting rid of the bit that's about to cause you trouble. Part out the rest of the W124 to crabble back some cash if you must.

(Or alternatively think of the rustoleum idea as a really fast way to de-value the car!)

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!