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The Mercedes diesels were quite reliable. Finding ones that don't have 400,000 miles and is generally worn out is getting difficult. As of late, finding good quality replacement parts has become harder... there's a lot of knock off crap on the market.
From what I've read a 1984 Cadillac diesel wouldn't be too bad. Their fuel injection system is not as robust as the VW, and much less than the Mercedes. Finding parts for the GM will be difficult (For example, the fuel injectors). By 84 the 5.7 diesel had also been de-tuned to just over 100hp.
The 3.0 iron head Mercedes 5 cylinder turbos (78-85) are 125 hp, the 3.0 6 cylinder aluminum head is 144, and the 3.5 aluminum 6 is 134 (less hp, but more torque than the 3.0). I have a 91 S Class with the 3.5.
The turbo diesel S Class was sold in the USA and Canada only from 78-80 (W116) and 81-91 (W126). Starting in 91 you could get the W140 300SD (still with the 3.5!) globally.
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