I prefer old European stuff, and I refuse to buy a car thats not RWD. Personal preference.

I also love diesel...
I'd love to build a Mercedes Finnish super diesel.
I like big cars, Q ships as the Brits call them, so I would love to build one of these:
Find a very clean 350SD with bent rods, remove good but somewhat weak 3.5L 603, replace with:
OM606, which has the twin cam 4 valve head. Same block so its drop in, and the trans will bolt right up.
Massive Holset turbo.
Myna tuned injection pump with large elements. ($3k!!)
Massive custom intercooler
This allows you to crank boost and on a diesel more importantly fuel up. The trick is to keep your EGT's down so you don't melt the pistons.
With these mods I should be over 400hp, not bad for a diesel...

On the car I'd do Bilstein HD's, and H&R springs all around with some period correct AMG wheels.
I'd also put a 2.47 limited slip rear end into it from the 560SEL, because of the power it would still accelerate from a stop just fine. But I'm not looking for a 0-60 car, its a Mercedes after all they don't do that. I'm looking for passing power...80-120.

M120 into 560SL (With Pictures!) - ShopForum

Lots of Mercedes tuners, this guy is putting the freaken sweet M120 V12 into a 560SL, very clean and complicated install.



I love anything AMG.