I once had a 1973 115 220D. It just ran. And ran. And ran. It was indestructible. If something needed to be repaired, which wasn't very often, it was simple and relatively inexpensive.

What happened? Few of you are old enough to remember, but in 1971 President Nixon stopped the convertibility of the US Dollar into gold, and a relentless decline in the value of the dollar against the German Mark and the Swiss Franc began. Suddenly Benzes were not affordable for smart people, only for rich ones. They had to put all of that luxury stuff on them (electric windows, climate control, etc.) in order to appeal to the rich people.

I now have a 1980 123 300D. All of those luxuries for rich people are a nightmare. Anyone want to buy an evil servo? Cost you a thousand dollars.

Richard