Thanks for the reply!

You certainly are right about the plastic in the W124 -- I wish it wouldn't have it, but it does. Still, I am hesitant to buy such an old car, such a the W126 you cited, since it will have problems but I don't know them. At least I know what I have in store for me with the one I have.

I probably could buy my neighbor's 420SEL if I wanted it. It is a backup car for them, and it is driven only rarely. It is not in perfect condition, but it has been cared for reasonably.