In my opinion you won't get anything better than you have for under $1000. I wouldn't buy any BMW or Mercedes-Benz for under $1000. You should be thinking "Honda". I fully agree with Brian that it is much cheaper in the long run to buy high-middle or better with regards to MB. The only BMW's I have owned were a 2002 and 3.0, both 72's. They were good cars. A mid-late 80's 3 series that has been maintained would be a good vehicle in the 4-5K range (still not better than a 123 IMO). That said, a better idea might be to condense into one vehicle. You have 4 vehicles listed in your sig and money seems to be a consideration, so consider selling 3 and putting the money into the other one, or sell all 4 and buy a nice 123. Maybe you're spread out a little too much...

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1982 Mercedes-Benz 300CD
1982 Mercedes-Benz 240D - stick