Side Discharge or Rear Discharge?

For those who have experience with both, which style finish mower do you prefer - side discharge or rear discharge?

I have a 72" Rhino side discharge mower (2nd Picture). Blades are due to be replaced and one tire was replaced with a cheaper option by the previous owner but other than that, it's in great shape. Picked up this mower this weekend for $250 (1st Picture). Same model but rear discharge. Blades are COMPLETELY worn out, all the wheel bearings are shot, caster spindle bushings are toast, seller said the middle deck spindle is out of it but it feels tight to me and half the driveline is gone, but other than that, the gearbox feels good, the hitch isn't all bent up and the deck shell is straight. I've always been curious about rear discharge mowers but have never been around one. Do I transfer all the good parts off my mower onto the rear discharge deck or just get a couple wheel bearings and put one of the proper wheels on my deck to replace the HF pneumatic tire that is always flat?

Either way, can't go wrong - only gave $380 for my mower, so I have 2/3 the money in both of these mowers than you can find a decent used finish mower for around here. There are currently several of these mowers (same model) listed on Marketplace for $900-1,800 within 100 mi of me. Even used 6' CountyLine finish mowers go for $1000+

I had a side discharge King Kutter for 25 years.
Now I have a rear discharge one I bought a couple of years ago.
Would never go back to the side discharge one.
It leaves too much of a mess that has to be mowed over again to spread out on the lawn.
Richard in NW SC

I would think side discharge takes more power. Has to move mowed grass across the mower and then out. Rear just throws it out the rear. Less windrowing with rear too.

Does it distribute the clippings nice and even or does it leave clumps/wads of grass?

(quoted from post at 11:02:46 06/17/20) Does it distribute the clippings nice and even or does it leave clumps/wads of grass?

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If the grass is a little long my Woods rear discharge three point mower is much better at dispersing the clippings than the high dollar side discharge belly mower on my Kubota. The Woods can not compete on quality of cut if the grass is maintained at normal turf height. I have a second Kubota with the same deck and rear bagger that is what I use for true lawn quality cut. It vacuums up everything as long as the grass is dry and under 6".

TOH

Rear, by far. Side piles stuff up, and has a greater tendency to launch rocks and other projectiles

I’ve had and use both. IMHO rear is by far the best way to go. Among other considerations. It distributes the cut grass more evenly.

Mostly even unless you are in tall wet grass.

Thank you all! Sounds like I will be swapping a bunch of parts whenever I get the opportunity.