Need everyones advice on this model before i look at it tomorrow!
1968 200D with automatic. Asking $1750, i will go as high as $1500. The body is in good shape, drivers door had dent and scrape (minor) and very little rust. There are most service records including those for engine and transmission.
Im fully aware that this is the model that has acheived over 900,000 miles on its engine, but what(if any)are the trouble spots on these cars? What should i look for tomorrow?
Car seems very straight and fine mechanically. How tough are these german taxi-cabs? Id like a sound reliable work car, are these cheap to maintain?

ANY CAR THAT OLD WILL NOT BE CHEAP TO MAINTAIN! I would not rely on a car with that age to be my daily driver. If you are looking for a driver, get a 240D 123 chasis or 300D.

If you want a cool old car to mess with, you are on the right track.

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 11 YRS

1968 was the transition year from 200D to 220D. I could be wrong, but I don't think I ever saw a 200D with an automatic. If it's a 200D, it would be a finback. Diesels aren't generally collectors cars, although there are certainly finback cultists out there. 200D was simple and primitive, but very easy to work on. I was able to keep mine out of the dealer's shop for 100,000 miles in a row. That would be virtually impossible with any of today's models. In 1968 and 1969 the engine blocks were soft. I would be surprised to find a 68 with the original engine. This old car would probably be great fun as a hobby project, but doubtful as a daily driver. I sort of keep my eye out for such cars to come up on the market around here, but haven't seen a keeper in a few years.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

Thanks guys!
Sounds strange that this 200D has a 4-speed automatic, but i looked it up and it was an option avail. to that model. This was not the 1st time i heard that the late 1967-8 200D had some metal problems with the engine. I guess thats why this one has had a rebuild. Kind of scary. It says the car is mechanically excellent, but if it was rebuilt, then it still must be the same type (1968) diesel engine. But wow, a 4 speed automatic with a 55-hp diesel engine! A very rare combo! This must be quite a car to drive in todays traffic.

Replacement short blocks made a few years later were fine..would last forever. They just had a couple years when they didn't quite get the metal right. As far as performance, I used to routinely lose drag races with city busses, and the busdrivers didn't even know there was a race going on.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

I would also look at the rust that is hidden - rear wheel wells. My '86 300SDL has had rust taken out twice now and if they have not done it, it could well cost you more than the car.

Do you want it for a daily driver?

Good luck.

Palangi,
Thanks! When i check out the car i will see as to when the block(if it was) replaced. I did an internet site check, a 1968 200D (W110) is very rare showing 500 built that year. What year 200D did you own?

Mine was a 68, 4 speed manual. Originally sold in Fargo, ND. I bought it in Michigan about 1972, moved to Texas and sold it here to an MB dealer mechanic cheap in about 1979 after something went crunch in one cylinder. About a year ago, I was looking through some old back issues of MBCA Star Magazine. There was an article about one of their Tech Sessions. One of the MBCA Honchos who is in Dallas commented about a 200D in which he had replaced the engine twice before discovering that a bad injector was taking out a cylinder. I would almost bet money that was my old car. I have been tempted to E-Mail the guy and ask if he remembers the car, but have not done so yet.

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

Palangi,
I have just seen 10 new pics of the car and overall the interior is excellent. Blue M-BTEx, automatic on the floor(rare indeed). While the paint is OK, there are a few rust holes right behind the passenger front wheel, and the reay bumper has a few small dents. The dash is superclean and the engine compartment looks good also. Looks like the focus will be the body work. Are you looking for one of these yourself? Im in central Ohio.

Body rust, plus every rubber part on the car will be hardened and/or worn out. This includes suspension bushings, brake cylinders, window moldings, shift linkages, engine mounts, engine hoses, etc. Consider the impact of this stuff as you evaluate your find.

I had a '68 230 with a stick. It was a well cared for and really neat car.

But personally, I wouldn't take 5 200D automatics for one decent 123 car. The 123's are losing book value fast, but it is still possible to find one in decent shape. I would highly recommend that you find a good 240D with a stick. You will be much happier and have a fatter wallet in the long run.

Good luck,

Try http://www.autotrader.com - good site, be patient and check back every few days for new postings.

Good luck.

I've never had one, but here's a couple more sites to look at:

(YAHOO Auto's. Change the search appropriately

http://classifieds.yahoo.com/display/automobiles?ct_hft=table&cc=automobiles&cl_y=1960&ch_y=1980&za=and&fullnodeid=24023730&cpcy=&cr=&ct_p=n&cf=1&cs=y+2

(Collector car trader: same company as Autotrader but has a better search engine and is more for older cars

http://www.collectorcartraderonline.com/

On the latter link, I haven't figured out how to bookmark a particular search. They updated their site to use frames and I can't get the search info to save.

If anybody knows how to do this, you might drop me a line.

sholinw@aol.com

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What else, '73 MB 280 SEL (Lt Blue)
Daily driver: '84 190D 2.2 5 spd.

Well, did you buy it ? I'm sure it would be a cool toy to play with. I am not really activly looking for one, other than just checking the ads to see if one pops up in my area. I would probably buy one locally if the condition and price were right. I check Autotrader occasionally, but I don't think I have ever seen a 200D in there. As far as buying one out of state, one that old would have to be trailered back home, and I just can't take the time off to do that. It sounds like you are probably going to buy this one. If so, please keep us up to date on how it does. I agree with the statement that you will have to replace nearly every bit of rubber in it, probably starting by rebuilding or replacing all the brake parts.

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

Thanks for the links guys!!!

Palangi, no i didnt get a chance today to look at it. I may in the next week or two cause have a feeling it won't sell quickly. The car dosen't exactly get my heart pumping, like when i bought my 83 300D 9 mos. ago. In order to restore the car i feel you must LOVE the car, im not sure if i could fall in love with it no matter what price i got it for.
Besides that speedometer on that car is too hard to read!!!