What are the best MB gassers?
 

So I am new to this part of the forum because I check out the Diesel Discussion every once in a while because as soon as I get the money I want to buy a Mercedes and I was most interested in the W123 and W124 300D as my first car. My interest in the diesels stems from my dad's 1983 240D and 2003 Sprinter 2500. I have only had experience driving the Sprinter as my father loaned out the 240D to an employee and something went wrong causing it to overheat (the employee didn't pay attention to any warning lights that came on) so it is and has been sitting in a shop for the past two years waiting on my dad to either give it up or have it repaired when he gets the money (he hasn't needed the car because he has the Sprinter and my mom has a 1996 Mercury Grand Marquis to drive). So the reason I express interest in gasoline Mercedes is for an obvious reason: better acceleration than the diesels. I may still decide to go with a diesel but thought it would be worth looking into the gassers anyway. So the question is: What is the best gasoline powered Mercedes for under $7000? What I would be looking for is something that is fairly reliable (and fairly inexpensive to maintain), decent mpg rating, decent safety, decent acceleration, and if at all possible has decent leg room. My dad's mechanic said that his favorite line of Mercedes behind the W123 diesels was the w201, saying that both the gas and diesel versions were very good. My only problem with the 190 is that, because of its size, it has little rear leg room and is not as safe as the larger Benz (or land-yachts as some call them). For any suggestions just give me a brief description of the car and why you think it is good.

IMHO, anything with an M104.9xx

for 7K you should be able to get a very nice one.

What do you quantify as fairly inexpensive to maintain? How much can you afford to spend each year on maintenance and what do you consider "decent" mileage? Answering those questions will narrow down what car you want to be looking at.

The gas ones (older) that i see on the road most often are 300E, 300SE, 420SEl and sometimes a 560SEL or a W116 450 SEL. Other than a few of the smaller 4 doors (C280 i think they are? and some w210s) the rest are mainly newer ones or diesels.

300E and 420SEL :D

I'd consider the 300E M103 to be roughly as tough as a 617 diesel or 603 diesel, but with lots more power available and only slightly higher maintenance. Also pretty easy to work on.

M116 is fun but a bit more maintenance needy....and much more thirsty.

Would that include the AMG version in the E36? Might not be able to afford one (can't find one on ebay so I dont know what they cost but I think I did see a E36 Brabus before for $5000) but 276 ponies sounds nice, even though my goal for decent mpg (which would probably be 20 for a gasser) might not be attainable with that engine.