I was faced with the same decision a year ago, had an M2 RWA newer engine and hydro, a very good machine but one that i had nursed along for 10 years. Our dealer had a one owner R52 1996 model coming in on trade with a 520 platform and 6-30 head all from the same 1 owner. Oh my, after the first season last fall I was saying why didn't I take the plunge years ago. It uses more fuel per hour but gets twice as much done and twice the fun and does a better job. Trucking has become a nice problem to have now. I was affraid of parts becoming hard to find for the conventionals and becoming more expensive, 2 series and up are well supported by the aftermarket and have fewer parts to work on anyway. 1996 and newer all have Cummins engines and longer shoes and larger shafts, my understanding was most upgrades became standard in this year, still galvanized, paint became standard in 1998. If you are looking for a machine to run 500 acres or so for 20 years get a 52, resale will hang also, I think it will be the sought after machine for the smaller farmer once they quit making the 55 which will be the abandonment of the small american farmer. If you find one far away, make sure it fits your grain needs, dont buy a wheat machine if you need one for corn and beans, negotiate trucking, whatever you need to do to land it, productivity is worth its weight in gold. The machine we have has given me something to really look forward to, really glad I pulled the trigger. Good luck...