240d -81- 230k help!

[zitor]

From Chicago and Googling around I found another forum that lead me to this forum and I am really happy to be here. I just bought a "new" Mercedes Benz 240d, 1981, 4 speed. I did not test drive it. The old man that sold it to me had it for about 20 years (according to the title it had 50000 when he got it). He said he did all oil changes at 3000 miles. That it runs good, no oil leaking anywhere. That the amount of oil he puts in he takes out after 3000 miles. The AC worked last summer. When he showed me the car it was under two feet of snow in a cool morning. The car started in less that 15 seconds (he even said that the car was sitting there for a while), it has rust here and there and the driver seat cover needs to be replaced. The most convincing part was that he was asking $200 for it. I hesitated for a while but then I took my cash and he gave me the title signed. He gave me also a couple of books to service the car myself. The car is now in his garage next to his other Mercedes, waiting for me to go and drive it home.
What should I do first?
What should I be mostly concern about?
Is there something like a timing belt?
Any suggestion will be highly appretiated.

[Smooooth]

Good Morning - And Welcome.............
Great Bunch of Folks here that are very willing to help.
Be prepared to learn how to use the Search function on the forum. Many times you will find the answers to your questions because - guess what? - you're not the first!!!!

I am sure that many will pop in here with specifics to the 240D - My opinions at the moment are rather generic.

If you can do it yourself - Great - But if you don't have the time or space - Have an Indy "Change Every Single One Of The Fluids Now!!!!!"

Plan a strategy to stop the rust as best you can ASAP.

Next biggie is typically the Vacuum System - A Mighty Vac is a great little tool to own. Diesels rely on the Vacuum System for just about everything.

Again - these are just a high level view of some of the first things to look into. As time goes on there will be certain little things that you will need to address and that is what the forum is all about.

Congratulations and Best of Luck.........

Stephen

[Brian Carlton]

Welcome to the forum. For the sum of $200. you basically stole the vehicle.

Since you are purchasing it from a private person who has owned the vehicle quite a long time, the maintenance and repair records are the most important thing for you to get, before you lose the seller.

If he has no records, ask him the following questions:

1) When was the last time the valves were adjusted?

2) When was the last time the timing chain was replaced?

3) When was the last time the front end had work done to it? Work done would include ball joints, and various rubber suspension bushings that are shot if they are original.

4) When was the last time the fuel filters were changed?

Answers to the aforementioned questions will help to steer you in the right direction. However, if the oil changes have been done religiously, there is nothing that needs immediate attention until it warms up a bit.

BTW, have you ever driven a 240D before? Many forum members love them, but they only have 67 hp. This is vastly different from just about every American vehicle that you would typically drive. Merging the vehicle on the highway requires some serious rpm's and some careful planning. They are very durable vehicles, however, you won't be winning any races with anybody other than a bicycle.

[leathermang]

You CAN WIN races with Automatic 240d' s......

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by leathermang

You CAN WIN races with Automatic 240d' s......

...............against a pedestrian.

[zitor]

Thank you everyone for your welcome. I am eager to run to the seller with that list of questions. I want to do it right from the time I get to put the car on the street and give it a long lasting ride.

[Legal Eagle]

Never mind running with questions, Run with cash ! And then if you want to double your money I am willing to make the sacrifice
Luc

[PatrickW]

Originally Posted by zitor

I just bought a "new" Mercedes Benz 240d, 1981, 4 speed. The most convincing part was that he was asking $200 for it.

Congrats on your good fortune.

For $200, it's worth more than that just for parts. And you got the 4 speed.

[edited so as to maintain secrecy]

- Patrick

[leathermang]

Patrick , lets keep that info to ourselves for a while... we don't want too much competition for the remaining ones out there.... lets get all the parts cars we need before expanding the demand ....

[zitor]

Originally Posted by PatrickW

Congrats on your good fortune.

For $200, it's worth more than that just for parts. And you got the 4 speed.

They ain't *that* slow, either. My 240D will cruise at 80 mph all day long. You just don't want to pull out in front of an oncoming 18 wheeler, and you have to be more aware of "planning" as you drive.

You'll love you 240D - no doubt about that.

- Patrick

Thank you.
I have made some bad choices regarding buying used car in the past. Believe me I paid what I didn't pay now!
I have past my prime on thirst for speed. I do drive also all day long and I might sometime need to get on time to my appointments. Then again, I will just use the cell phone more and let them know I am running behind.

[leathermang]

"I have past my prime on thirst for speed."
That is a good thing no matter what a person drives.....

"I do drive also all day long and I might sometime need to get on time to my appointments."
That will not be a problem owning the manual trans model... Mine gets up and Goes just fine.

[BoostnBenz]

I don't really have a thirst for speed but I like to see what my tires smell like from time to time.

Sounds like it should make an excellent road car for you.

[83-240D]

i like both my 240s. both the really nice one we just picked up and the project car at the back of the driveway.

there is something that gets into you about these cars. i think it is the smell of diesel on all of my clothes.

get yourself a bok of disposable gloves to fill the car!