I've been looking at perhaps getting another car for some time, and I'd like it to be a Mercedes. There's two locally that I like the look of and I'd like some advice on them.

The first is a 1992 300SD, tan interior, burgundy exterior with 127,000 miles. The seller says that it's recently had a new timing belt (I presume he means timing chain, and not the accessory belt), new brakes and two new tyres. Asking price is $12K.

The second is a 1993 500E - yes, the one with the Porsche engine. Black interior, grey exterior with 103,000 miles, asking price is $16K.

I know that the early W140's have evaporator issues, but the diesel engine should be solid and reliable in the 300SD. However, the W124-bodied 500E should have a lot of features common to the W124 I already have, but I've heard horror stories about timing chains and starter motors on those engines (M119).

Thoughts and opionions on either are welcome.