I am going to look at a 1986 190d that has done 275K miles. Car has been on the lot for at least a couple of months.

Is there anything in particular about this model that I should be concerned about? Apart from the obvious of getting a pre purchase inspection done, is there something a non mechanical person like me could look at?

Just to clarify, I have no experience with Merc's and I don't have a heap of grease under nails


Mark

Rust in the rocker panels, cracks on the dash, A/C functions, climate control and fan switch and functions, driver's seat cracks come to mind. Also be consious of shift-quality issues, usually vacuum related but take time to sort out.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Thanks for all your suggestion

I will be looking at a 190d that has done 100K miles the following week, so the 440K car will give me an idea of what the bottom end of the market looks like


Mark

also would like to mention to check for:
rust in the doors - bottom, inside where the seal is
trunk lock catch area, battery area, under windshield washer fluid container.
Check appearence of brake fluid, power steering fluid, tranny fluid.
Ask for service/repair records. Important to know whether engine oil was changed regularly. Such a car can still be good for many add. miles but walk away if it has not been looked after.

ALso check for blow-by. Do the tea kettle test. Also make sure you can start the engine when it is stone cold. A warmed up diesel typically starts quite easily.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

99 W210 E300 Turbo Diesel, chipped, DPF/Converter Delete. Still needs EGR Delete, 232K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Gone and still missed...1982 w123 300D, 1991 w124 300D