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They are common an inexpensive. If your interested in buying get one with the OM-617 5cyl Turbodiesel. The 123 chassis and the 126 chassis both came with this engine. The 123 chassis is probably the "worlds cheapest car" because it is built with the simplicity of a Volvo 240. Contrary to the previous "Mercedes Mechanics" advice these cars are extremely cheap to operate. Parts are abundant an inexpensive and even if abused they still want to run forever. Correctly maintained they are very cheap and provide a lifetime of dependable service. From 1981-1985 they came with ugly headlights on the US versions. My car has European headlamps and is a 1982 model with 380K miles. Timing chains are a normal maint item and should be replaced at 200K and just like any other mechanical component will eventually fail if you run it outside of its normal operating lifetime (its cost about $300 to replace the last time on mine including labor). AVOID at all costs the 3.5L diesels as they do have a design flaw that makes them prematurely self destruct if your not religious about your maint program. A fully maintained 126 chassis S class car is like no other (to steal the new MB advertizing campaign) on the open highway. Plenty of road feel but a comfortable controlled ride that is not too mushy but not bumpy at all.

I am very much learning a lot about my new 240 wagon. Personally as much as I like Mercedes Benz cars the Germans sort of loose the concept of the wagon. The 240 and its solid rear axle gives lots more space than in the German cars. While the 300TD's and 300TE wagons handle better their full independant rear suspensions and hydropnumatic load leveler systems intrude into the usable cargo space. With 6'2" feet of space I can get almost 6 full sized swedish grandfather clocks into the back of it (stacked and on their sides of course). Ironically its nice to have a Swedish antique in the garrage as I deal in Swedish and Scandinavian Antiques. I have yet to "bottom out" the suspension in my 240 even with the cargo section loaded full with cases of heavy leather bound Swedish books. :)