I bought a '83 240D (4-spd std trans) back in January have have done a bunch of work to it since. It was cheap due to a failed alternator and vacuum pump.

most important:
- new alternator
- rebuilt vacuum pump
- oil change
- diff and gearbox oil change
- new injector return hoses
- lubricate and adjust throttle linkage
- inspect flex discs and suspension bushings
- new motor mounts + trans mount (I had lots of driveline bucking when letting off the throttle; this mostly fixed it)
- new fuses
- clean all drains and hood hinge pockets; check for rust

to be done if needed:
- removed and cleaned interior
- removed floor sound deadening to check for rust
- 3 new door check straps (check these -- I had one break and couldn't close the door until I pulled the door card and removed it)
- drilled out broken trunk lock and replaced with rekeyed PnP one
- lubricated all door windows and locks

optional, depending on your goals
- fixed central locking leaks
- driver's manual window reg swap
- new door window wiper rubber
- refinish i wood trim
- solder broken window switch
- clean and rebuild dash switches


Since it runs well and has good power I've been putting off the valve adjustment + fuel filter change until some diesel purge and a new gasket came in the mail. Which they did, so i should probably get that over with!

But with this work done, i've pretty confident in it as a driver. Some things are obviously higher priority than others.