75 240D blown engine- $400
 

I'm going to look at this car and wanted to ask a rather rethorical question. Its a virtually rust free decent condition car I'm told. The question: Is 400 a good deal if the engine needs rebuilt? Are OM616 engines hard to come buy? I've had 220D's and now my 300 so I have a rough idea. Just wanted some advice from you folks on my, seemingly, emotional potential purchase:dizzy2:

Depends on many things, but in general, I'd say yes, it could be a good deal.

Seems like a fair price if the rest of the car is in good shape.

Here are some pics of this car. Fella wasn't home today so a closer look on monday...
http://s161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/dbn1066/1975%20240D/

Do you have barn/garage space over the winter? Next few months is buying season for MB diesels, might find a rusted out donor car with decent engine you can buy for peanuts. After baggin a rust-free $400 115 body shell, thats what I'd look for next. Knowin engine swap will be piece of cake.

Sounds like you're getting good advice. I'd have to think $400 is very fair if the rest of the car is as good as the body (minus the engine of course). Surely you can find a decent engine for another few hundred and make the swap.

Good luck!

I have an idea...
 

I have been reading that 616 engines are harder to get than 617's. How about getting this car for $400 and looking for an OM617 turbo to put in it. I am sure that there will be some modifications to be done (motor mounts and oil filter location comes to mind) but then you can have a much faster more efficient car with that classic shape. Decent 617's go for 500~900 bucks and are easily available.

Just a thought...

Here's the rub - none of the '77 and newer engines will bolt straight across into 115 chassis without modifications.

Another possibility is the engine aint blown at all. Wouldnt be the first time we've seen diesels misdiagnosed generally by gasoline engine mechanics as bein dead when they've got plenty of life left in em.

DieselDog is very correct. You will need a 240 engine from another W115 chassis. All that modification takes it from being a fairly easy swap to one of those never-ending projects.
If trunk, floor pans etc... aren't rusty, that is a heck of a deal for a very clean W115.
How is the interior?

I totally agree that the engine may have life left in it, especially if the claim of 90k is indeed acurate. I won't know until I look it over in more detail on Monday. The owner did tell me on the phone that he has no clue about diesels in general and this one in particular. His friend, a "gas engine guy who knows a little stuff" diagnosed this piston or bad head issue as the problem. This is encouraging. The only real interior issue I noticed so far is the front passenger seat- a major tear around the lower front. Its a blue interior and if it turns out to be real bad I have a line on 115 tobacco brown interior that would work fine with the ivory paint. I will likely buy the car monday anyway. Heck, I could part it out and make some profit @ $400...
If the engine is shot, I would like to use it as my first rebuild attempt. A good winter project:D

Car looks nice. Easily worth $400 in my opinion. Rebuilds on MB's can be very expensive. I'd be looking either to work on the head, valves or headgaskets if the problem lies on the upper end, or look for a replacement engine to swap in. I think you might able to swap in just about any 616 if you use the remote filter adapter plate made by our Land Rover guy on this forum. Others will correct me if I am mistaken.

Be Warned...This type behavior can lead too a serious addiction. next, you find a 240 with a good engine that just needs a fender and you buy it cheap, next your looking for an interior for the one you fixed the fender on and your hooked:D Yah, 3 or $400 is a good price, the 616 can be rebuilt, new pistons, the works, for under 2K, and you have a sweet car. They are getting harder too find in yards but they are still around. Good luck.

Well, snagged her for $350. Engine is not blown, but I did not tell the PO this. To put it to you quickly, his mechanic, and I use that term loosely, told him that since there is oil in the air cleaner- the engine is certainly blown. Yea, its still the original OIL bath unit...unbelievable. In this case, their ignorance is my bliss:) I do feel for the guy, he is in the midst of a divorce/custody ordeal and all, but, sorry, I can't let this 'virtual gift' get away...

There are, however, a few ???'s coming ya'll's way once I get this old girl home as there are some things I'm not familiar with going on...

so what is wrong with it that caused them to think it was "blown"?

I think it runs fine but since there's oil in the aircleaner the Previous Owner thought it was dead? WOW. Why can't I find something like that?! :freak: