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I have own my E200 for 27 years, and throughout my study on YouTube, I saw remarks on the smaller nearside wing mirror. This prompted me to recognise that I use the nearside wing mirror as a parking help while manoeuvring it into my garage. If the wing mirror clears the garage door post as seen from the back, then the bodywork will remain undamaged.
Additionally, since the wing mirror is positioned on the nearside, it is less likely to collide with other wing mirrors in congested traffic scenarios or be struck by people when parked next to the pavement.
I see that several manufacturers have now equipped their vehicles with folding wing mirrors; maybe Mercedes-Benz was more innovative than previously assumed.

That is just it. The driver's side mirror is broader to enhance visibility of cars approaching from the offside rear, while the passenger side mirror has a higher, more rectangular design to aid with curbside tasks.

Each day is an opportunity for learning. I have often contemplated it as well while seeing earlier Benz models.

The configuration was same on the VW T4 Transporter; the driver's side was 'landscape', while the nearside was 'portrait'.

One aspect I like about (particularly older) Mercedes is their thoughtful design of the vehicles.
Similar to how the window switch lighting ceases when the rear windows are deactivated, or the little blind that descends in the middle of the screen on a W124.
Both minor and major aspects are significant.

It is prevalent among more vehicles than one would assume; upon closer inspection, one will recognise the many automobiles equipped with larger passenger mirrors. In addition to the aforementioned reasons, you are seeing a mirror positioned four to five times further away than the driver's side mirror, therefore necessitating a larger size. It pertained to several Volkswagen and Audi models from the 1980s and 1990s throughout my tenure in sales.

Another little detail on the 124 coupés and cabriolets (exclusively) is the small window in the passenger door pocket. The service book was not adapted for right-hand drive cars; rather, it serves as a visual reminder for the next service, which drivers of left-hand drive vehicles see each time they open the driver's door. I took this photograph of my vintage coupé years ago; if you have seen this same image before, it belongs to me!

Security. I recall seeing Wayne Carini (CCC) inspecting a 1980s Mercedes-Benz saloon and elucidating to the audience that the absence of the passenger door mirror was not a defect in that specific vehicle, as it was an optional feature in the USA, and the individual who commissioned that car did not choose that option.