Well I just totaled the bill on my daughters 83 240D. All together we have $4700 in the car. The following is the list.

I checked the following and replaced or was happy with the current parts.

Front suspension, replace brake support mounts and bushings, sway bar mounts.
Drive shaft
Rear suspension
Vacuum system, new vacuum pump, all new elements, connectors
Throttle linkage
Power steering, rebuilt pump and hoses
New belts
Flushed radiator, new antifreeze
All new fluids and filters, rebuilt oil cooler hoses
Tranny, new IP vacuum control valvle and rear seal,speedo cable, fluid-filter
Cleaned fuel tank, new lines and filters
All new bulbs
Cleaned and repainted instrument cluster
Doors, new rear window regulators, window switches some trim pieces
Pressure washed the whole car
Detailed the car
New radio, antenna
Lifetime front end alignment from Firestone. $140, consider this guys. Bring it buy as many times as you want FOR LIFE.
Checked the entire car for rust, found on pea size spot, POR15ed and treated
303ed all rubber

As I said, I either rebuilt the items that needed it or was happy with the parts in the car. The suspension was rebuilt 2 years prior to us buying it so the only thing that I did was the brake support mounts, groaning, and sway bar mounts, never touched. Everything else was in great shape. Another example the drive shaft was rebuilt ( flex disks, center bearing and bushing) last summer so I just check it. Glad I did, found one bolt not tightened.

The car is now ready for another 20 years of service.

Left to be done is a new evaporator, , some windlace and door seals and the car will be 99% done

Thought I'd let you know

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car