Power is supposedly a wash but you can't get the dogleg first gear or handling of a 16V in a 2.6.

I think the 16V has 4 place seating only if that's a concern.

I've yet to see a 16V for sale that wasn't driven hard and shows it, but I don't look at all the ones that come up for sale.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD