Preserving 80 240D for future generations

[RichMason]

I looked over at my 4 year old son today and made a resolution. My 1980 China blau 4-speed 240D will be his first car. It has 213000 miles, manual everything and no rust besides the corners of two doors and a dented front fender. Cruise works, a/c works, everything works and the car starts and runs great. Besides a few small things, I believe it is the perfect time capsule for my son, who will be old enough to drive in 11 years. The challenge - how best to preserve the car in the meantime? I know I will need to drive it - how many miles per year would be best? Rubber and seals deteriorate - should I go and spray a can of Wurth rubbercare on all of the seals I can get to once a year? I don't have a carport for it yet but one is in the works. The seats already need to be restuffed - I may wait a few years to do that so they will be in tip-top shape in 2016. What suggestions do y'all have for bringing my gem through to the next generation? Also, are there any parts I should stockpile while they are still available?

[Stevo]

I love that blue....I have a really nice, low mileage "85" euro 240D that I only put about 3 or 4k a year on, I wont to keep it around. I run to town now and then and keep it in a car port. I take it on a trip to Ca once a year to blow out the carbon.... Drive it and keep up on all the little repairs, 10 years wont be a problem [] Great first car for your kid, thats what my daughter had and she lived it

[Brian Carlton]

I really hate to put a damper on your plans Rich, but, have you considered what a teenager is going to think of a 36 year old vehicle with 67 hp?

Yes, I know the answer. The wheels are free and he better be satisfied with them. I know I would. But, kids will be kids today, and he might not.

Peer pressure will certainly test his constitution.

[rg2098]

Hey there are a few select teens that still apreciate cars for more then how low they sit and 1/4 mile time. Both 1985 300SD Sady and I are both 15 and love our cars. But alas, all my friends will look at the star and get no further.

[H-townbenzoboy]

Originally Posted by rg2098

Hey there are a few select teens that still apreciate cars for more then how low they sit and 1/4 mile time. Both 1985 300SD Sady and I are both 15 and love our cars. But alas, all my friends will look at the star and get no further.

I had my eye on that 81 300SD for me since 1997. I still drive it from time to time, but I drive the 82 300D primarily. I'm a teen who appreciates an old Benz. Like the commercial said something along the lines of "There's nothing like a car that's faithful to its owner, or something like that."
-Joe

[pawoSD]

I am 18, and plan to keep my SD forever I got it when I was 17, I have the coolest car of any person I know at work or school or anywhere.

[virtualdoc07]

I am doing the same thing with my 95 E300d. I have 5 yers to go before my son takes over ownership with lots of covenants for that ownership. I drive it 2-3K miles per year, change oil, regardless of the miles evey 6 months. I use silicone spray on all rubber parts. and Mobil 1 0/40 and keep fuel tank full at all times of prolonged storage. I change antifreeze every 2 yrs.

He should make it through college and first years of marriage before he will need a van for the kids. Then I might get it back.

Stephen

[dabenz]

RichMason, that's what daBenz's original owner did, except the son was over 60 when he got the car ('dad' bought it for a retirement toy and kept it for 20 years). The 'kid' didn't really want the car, but didn't live long enough to decide what to do with it (about 9 months). So you enjoy the car and keep up with the maintenance, then let the kid decide if he wants the car. Yikes - I just figured out that I've owned daBenz for 14 years.

[Veloce300DT]

Im 20, and I have 6 friends also proudly "rollin" in w123's!

If all goes well in the next 30 years or so i plan on handing down my car to my next of kin (if I actually end up wanting a child/children!) LOL

[benzene]

My latest acquisition was a one-owner car, the guy sold it in part because 'none of the kids want it', and that made me sad

[rickjordan]

The guy we bought our '83 TD from also said his kids didn't want it, but also that he felt they didn't appreciate the quality of the cars anyways. He wanted it to go to a "good home". Seeing me pull up in my then 1980 300SD, told him I was someone who appreciated these cars.

[rmmagow]

My 11 year old kid wants this one :-)

[Rick Miley]

Originally Posted by RichMason

I looked over at my 4 year old son today and made a resolution. My 1980 China blau 4-speed 240D will be his first car.

He'll wreck his first car. Better make the 240D his second car.

Originally Posted by RichMason

Also, are there any parts I should stockpile while they are still available?

Mercedes-Benz has made a commitment to keep all parts available, so that shouldn't be too much of a problem. However, word has it that the tooling for the W123 dashboard broke so they are no longer available. If you really want to keep it pristine, snag a good dash if you find one. Another thing to grab is a spare rear windshield. They're still available, but getting pretty spendy.

Of course you realize the rule of collecting parts is that you'll never need what you have and will always need what you don't have.

[TX76513]

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

I really hate to put a damper on your plans Rich, but, have you considered what a teenager is going to think of a 36 year old vehicle with 67 hp?

Yes, I know the answer. The wheels are free and he better be satisfied with them. I know I would. But, kids will be kids today, and he might not.

Peer pressure will certainly test his constitution.

Just maybe 12 years from now that will be a hot rod - with everyone riding around in their cars with 18hp electric motors

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by TX76513

Just maybe 12 years from now that will be a hot rod - with everyone riding around in their cars with 18hp electric motors

Now there is something that I desperately want to see. A Ford Expedition $hitbox with 18hp trying to tailgate me.