My latest Automotive ADD (I've been clinically diagnosed—My wife, an RN, has pronounced me a jackass) dilemma has been choosing my next classic car. I can't decide between a fintail Mercedes or a BMW Bavaria.
I think the Bavaria would be sportier, but the fintail would fit my quirkiness better.
Then again, maybe I'll just ditch the babyseats idea and go for an MGB.
I really like the Bravaria idea, but it's been a long time since I've seen one A) running, and B) not rusty. But then what a project car be without one or two of the above! 
They look and drive nice though.
Mercedes; never been a fan of the fintail. The only one I've driven was neither exciting or satisfying. Just slow and bouncy. Of course the one I drove might not have been a good representative sample.
Also, what about an early small bumper 100LS? They seem to be in the same ball park as the BMW and Mercedes.
Saw a few clean bavs pop up when I was looking for my e28. I had a 73 with an auto years ago - get a stick. Nice driving car. Plan on going to California if you want one without rust. Body parts/trim can be hard to come by. One with an S38 swap would be spectacularly entertaining.
I prefer the Bavaria, but have you considered a Volvo 122s? I'm partial because I have one, but it's the wagon.
It's a classic four-door with sporting flair.
I occasionally see some Bavarias popping up in California. Bavarias are nice drivers, but boy, they can easily outrust a Mercedes.
Personally I'm not a big fan of the fintail Mercedes so with those two choices I'd go for the Bavaria or alternatively look for a W108 S-Class instead.
I was actually driving my 73 Bavaria during the early 1980s. Yeah, that time when BMWs were getting that "yuppie" rep. Before everyone knew what they were, I described the Bav as, "..kinda like a Mercedes, but they handle well.."
Fintail for looks & comments from the public, but E3 for actually getting down the road. Gotta admit, tho..everybody else is right about finding a good one. The only reason there's not Alfa-style jokes about the rust is because people still want to find Alfas, and they've all forgotten the E3.
Mine back in the day (the day I brought my Grey Market E21 home, IIRC):
Nice Bimmers, FGC!
I say Bavaria. More sporting.
A couple of years ago I had a shot at buying a 4-spd man. 3.0S, hesitated too long, and it sold to someone else. Occasionally, like now, I think about that car and regret not jumping on it. It drove really nice, and had a cool history, (one former owner, a pilot.)
Were I in the market for a Bavaria, I would give this one consideration:
http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?t=85587
Having owned both brands (though not a Bav), I would think BMW parts would be much more readily available. Additionally, the BMW CCA is a great club with a fantastic "newsletter" and one can't own an interesting car without belonging to the appropriate enthusiast organization.
That is a nice one.
I already owned a 122. I've decided that I only want one of something from now on..and I've already owned a 122 and a 142.
I've I were choosing between those two......I'd buy a Jaguar. 
If you look long and hard enough, there may be a decent ~3.8 or 3.4~ out there (or even a 2.4 or similar Daimler).
Another excellent choice (and I think a real sleeper in terms of classics) is the late XJ sedan, called the ~X308~. The small grill and the round lights makes these much better looking than the earlier XJs. Some of these have V8s and others have the 4.2 six. I've seen these at very decent prices.
I think I'm now leaning towards something sportier for autocrossing (hey, I said I had AADD). I've been noodling around the idea of a 2002 for F Street Prepared. They're capable of winning Nationals. Not sure if that's something that interests our Classic readers, but it certainly interests me.
I'd vote Bavaria... as cool as I think M-B's are, recent experiences with the inlaw's 300TD makes me run away from them now - fast. DIY-friendly -NOT.
A FSP-prepped 2002 sounds really neat... although I look at pictures of the Nationals winning car and wonder where the "street" is... 
Would make a for a great/fun auto-x car... but as a street car, I'm not so sure.
A 2800 or 3.0, on the other hand... those are the essence of what a BMW should look like.
I'd vote 2002 over the others, so consider this an enabler vote!
I've been toying with the idea of selling the 240 and getting a 2002 as well for a couple of reasons. Lately it's dawned on me that getting time to properly restore the 240 is getting pretty tough. And second, we now have a grandchild and I'd like to have a toy car with a back seat.
Per Schroeder wrote: I think I'm now leaning towards something sportier for autocrossing (hey, I said I had AADD). I've been noodling around the idea of a 2002 for F Street Prepared. They're capable of winning Nationals. Not sure if that's something that interests our Classic readers, but it certainly interests me.
Since the "Classics and Autocross" thread was one of the more popular in recent history, I'd say there's at least some interest.
The 2002 stirs me more than a Bavaria or Mercedes.
I'd vote Mercedes. BMW's in a car enthusiasts hands. Wow, never hear about that sort of thing. It's been done so much it's almost boring.
But taking one of those Mercedes and playing with it from a performance perspective. That would be different.
Go for the gusto, get a 190D and see if it can be modified enough to get up over 65 mph.
In reply to oldtin:
I'd never seen a fintail Mercedes in rally trim before. Nice find!
KaptKaos, they already did a 122, turned out nice.
Bavarias can get lost in a world full of BMWs. I'd vote for the fintail because anything called HeckFlosse can only be cool.
Well turned out and handling well I think it would turn even the heads of non-car types, it's different and has a nerdy quirk factor unseen in other rides.
....that's just me.
http://www.heckflosse.nl/
Yea, they're purty.
Luke wrote: Nice Bimmers, FGC!
Thanks, Luke! Every once in awhile, I go looking for another E21 323i, but it seems that they're one of the few "grey market" cars in the US that have actually retained some value.
Luke wrote: I say Bavaria. More sporting. A couple of years ago I had a shot at buying a 4-spd man. 3.0S, hesitated too long, and it sold to someone else. Occasionally, like now, I think about that car and regret not jumping on it. It drove really nice, and had a cool history, (one former owner, a pilot.)
The reason I bought an E3 (even back then) was because I couldn't find a solid E9 in my price range. I should have just learned how to weld. 
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