240D, revival - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Glinko (again) · #1 09-22-2006, 10:19 PM

Hello everyone, Glinko here; you may remember me from days past. If not, then please give me a warm welcome to the forums.

Alright, I'll cut right to the chase, as one might say:

I have a 1982 240D with a nasty case of frame rot --> it failed inspection about one year ago; mom/dad managed to scrounge some cash to pay for a 2001 Jetta to take the ol' Benzo's place.

However, as fast/economical/fun to drive as the VW may be, I can't stop eying up my little MB sitting forlorn in my driveway, begging to get back out on the road, smoking up tailgaters and barrelling down the open highway with it's 67HP 2.4 litre in-line 4 cylinder (overhead cam, FYI), lol.

I want my Benzo back, and I want it badly.

I want to know, how much will it cost me to get it back on the road? It has a hole in the right frame rail about the size of my fist, and the floors are rotted out all along the farthest sides, next to the jack points.

I'm not a mechanic, nor am I handy with a spot welder or the methods of sanding and pop-rivetting the defunct sections of the body; my only realistic choice is to the send it to the body shop in town for a repair.

However, I am not made of money. Although money is carbon based, much like myself, I can't simply slough off a piece of my own flesh and call it cash; although I'd readily give my left leg to put it back on the road (it's an automatic, so I don't have to worry about the third pedal

)

Monday, I'm going to call the body shop for a tow and a subsequent estimate, but I'd like to know what I'm getting into, and also I'd like to know what kind of price to expect, as I don't trust anyone who works on cars for a living; I've been ripped off before and I've found the best way to avoid this is to know exactly what I'm talking about.

So, any ideas on how big of a chunk this thing is going to take out of my bank roll? I live in NY, Pine Plains area. I think I might hunt around for a half-assed garage that will give it a sticker for a couple hundred bucks and a friendly smile, but if I have to do it the legitamite way, then, yeah, I'm willing to spend a couple thousand bucks.

Let's hear it, folks.

with love, Michael.

t walgamuth · #2 09-22-2006, 10:21 PM

welcome back glinko!

$5000?

it will be a lot i suspect. probably cheaper to pull your motor and install in a rust free car with a bad motor.

tom w

TheDon · #3 09-22-2006, 10:23 PM

sounds like the 240D my friend owns, she loves it to death but its rusting away.. im guessing it was made during the german steel strike

rs899 · #4 09-22-2006, 10:24 PM

Yeah, what he said. More than its worth. Look for a better body and swap the good guts of your in. It will be cheaper, and longer lasting.

Glinko (again) · #5 09-22-2006, 10:30 PM

Eh, I'll look in the Newspaper for a junker. I really love this car, though.

(hello, TW, nice to see you're still around

)

I only have like 600 bucks to my name, and at the rate I'm going I'll only have about 1500 by the time summer comes around. Even if I can find a new MB, chances are it will be in rough shape as well. Are you sure 5000 sounds about right? Isn't there way to Jerry-rig the body to please an inspector, while still keeping my $$ in my pocket? I honestly don't care if it's a death trap, I just want to drive it around during the daytime (hehe, she's been my illegal midnight cruiser for the past year or so...I live in a very small town with lots of back roads and a very small police force)

t walgamuth · #6 09-23-2006, 06:33 AM

for 600 you might just find a complete car that is less rusty than yours. and just keep yours for parts.

it wont hurt to get an estimate. who knows?

yeah, i am not dead yet! i am planning to live to be 100. i am only a little more than half way there!

tom w

Ara T. · #7 09-23-2006, 07:59 AM

Hey Glinko, I remember you, glad to see you're back.

While its all very noble, awesome and such it is to resurrect a vehicle from the grave, there are enough of these cars that I'd just save some money up and find a better one. The 240Ds are really cheap even with the stick shifts.

Or If you like gas engines grab a 420SEL, they're dirt cheap too. 560SELs are cheap but drink a lot of gas compared to the diesels/420SEL. The long wheelbase S classes are worlds ahead of the W123s (you can tell I really miss the 300SDL my mom got rid of) Despite the extra length and weight they seem to handle and brake better too...

barry123400 · #8 09-23-2006, 09:52 AM

I have done heavy undercarrage rust repair myself many times before. There are two things you do not want. If it is extensive even to do it yourself. Mind even considering paying someone and have something important let go because it was not done properly. After all you are primarily getting into the restoration area with this type of thing and will need another car for donar metal parts anyways. The additional insurance premiums you might pay as a result will make you wish it never happened if an accident resulted from improper repairs. Even on this site I have seen a few guys letting their pretty good 240ds go because the engine has failed. A little patience and effort will let you find one in your price bracket hopefully. Changing an engine and a few things over into a pretty rust free shell is a walk in the park by comparison to what you are thinking about doing. For commom sense reasons heavy structual rust can be the death of our cars. Now if its a 1957 300sl for example you might want to think about it. What you really probably need is a good competent guy to establish how far the rust has progressed. This can be done by a competent friend in you driveway. Once in awhile it is not too extensoive and a good solid repair is not out of the question. More than it's worth is not an unusual situation either. Generally speaking though if the front frame rails are comprimised the whole floor and rockers also might be involved for starters.

vahe · #9 09-23-2006, 12:41 PM

Here is what I did to my rusty 240D to bring it back to life.

The car had a new motor in it but the rust was getting out of hand, it had to be either fixed or trashed, I had the car examined by the mechanic, it was decided that structurally the frame was still ok so I wnt ahead with the repairs in a body shop.
Floor pans had bog holes, they replaced and welded new plates
Door bottoms were gone, all doors were removed, new plates welded and fixed.
Water in trunk, glass removed, no rust was found, re-installed w/ new gasket.
Front cracked winshield removed, there was rust under windshield, fixed, new gasket and a new windshield.
A sears battery had leaked and eaten the metal all the way down to jack support, all that repaired.
Many minor rusts here and there
And, the car was re-painted while it was totally stripped to the bone.
Price $5000. Was it worth it? it is essentially a restored automobile, look at it this way what can you get these days for 5K?

Vahe
240D 77

JimmyL · #10 09-23-2006, 03:53 PM

You don't want to repair The Frame! You repair the car until the frame is bad, then you get another car. Sounds like you have a good parts car, and should be able to find a donor. That will also be way more cost effective, and you haven't dorked with the frame.
Welcome back. Was your old forum ID deleted?

**edit**

I see your original ID is still intact. Glad you like to keep saying hello.

I bet you thought I was dead....

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