123 turbodiesels were popular in the US coz they never released petrol engines there on the 123 series. even the coupes were diesels, either 240D's or 300D's and typically with embitex interior. However a lot of 280E's were personally imported which involved stringent federalisation. Even the W126 released 300SD in the US.
in fact that gold one looks like my friends who lives in the bay area..might be the same one..i'll ask what his plate is. It has covered over 300k the last time i was in it, and of course with a massive steering play.
The conrods bend due to the downward pressure of the pistons, this then causes the piston to run off true and heavily wear the cylinder wall.
100k miles is a good life for one of these.
But how much did you have to tip at the end of the night...
Somewhere I might still have a really small Hooters T-shirt one of the girlies made me wear... Not sure my tripple A's were upto the job, but it was fun..