98/99 300D vs 99-03 jetta for dd

[93Ford]

Which of these cars would you reccomend to get. The plan for the mercedes would be an aftermarket trans controller and use a mechanical pump. Same for the vw, manual trans and mechanical pump conversion. I have a lot of different waste oil and have been using it for a while with no problems so ill be continuing to use it. I live in se ky and the roads here are very rough and the winter/snow/rain sure dont help. There's also lots of very steep hills and curves, the car would be driven 100 miles a day possibly more. So i need something thats comfortable to drive and not super loud in the cab like my 85 jetta is, has good traction for the terrible weather/roads here, and can handle the corners.

[93Ford]

To add a little bit more I would really prefer an auto trans, but it seems the vw auto trans are just such garbage you have to get the manual trans. The mercedes would have a pump to get it up to around 300hp the vw would also end up being more than stock im thinking 150-175hp and I imagine theres no way the vw auto trans can handle that.

[ORCoaster]

I would go for the Benz and leave it stock as that is most dependable for a DD.  But that is just a very conservative opinion.