I'll add that my brother-in-law has an LS400 that is approaching 350,000 miles and has had hardly anything go wrong. It has required little more than normal maintainance. While I like my '89 300E, I have spent a lot of money on repairs. Just replacing the AC when I moved form Seattle to Orlando cost over a couple of dimes. I always repair things even when it questionable so that adds to the cost.

The interior in my car is MB tex while his is leather. The w124 seats are in my opinion more comfortable and supportive. The straight line acceleration is great in the LS400, it doesn't really compare to my car.

Handling is not drasticly different. I think describing a regular stock 300E as sporty should be qualified as sporty for an older Mercedes sedan. If you plan to use it as a daily driver I don't think there is much of a difference.

My brother-in-law like his car because he never has to think about it, it's fast when he needs it to be and the general non gear-head public is impressed by it. I prefer the w124 because of its old-school character and looks.