Just bought 1st MB off eBay. Need advice on getting it home - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

WestVirginian · #1 09-14-2007, 08:44 PM

Hi all--

I've been lurking here for a few days, and look forward to many future posts (cause I'm clueless!).

I just bought a 1981 240D automatic with 145k miles off eBay. Here's the link if you're interested:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130149892243&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=003

My rational side (and my wife!) tells me that I'm crazy/stupid for buying a 26-year-old car off eBay, sight unseen. I keep telling people that this will either be my best car ever or my worst car ever. The car is supposed to be in very good condition, with service records included. Owned by an old German lady who died at 81, meticulously maintained, yaddy, yaddy, yadda. Some hail damage, but I'm much less concerned about cosmetics than mechanics.

Anyway, my questions for you wise ones are...Was that a fair price? (not that it really matters now, but just curious).

Also, I fell in love with MB diesels when I borrowed by father-in-law's 1982 300D for a month while I was in grad school. That thing had lots of character (had to open the hood to turn it off), and was just smooth. How will the 240D compare to the 300D in terms of performance? I've heard the 240D is pretty slow. And do they have the same amount of interior space? Any other major differences?

The car is 3 hours from my house, so I'm having a friend drive me there, then follow me back. Any advice on how to increase my chances that I won't break down on the side of the road while driving back? (e.g., what tools or parts to bring, and should I do anything to the car before driving it back?--keep in mind that my mechanical skills are minimal) I don't think the car was driven much the past year or so (and I'm assuming not much maintenance was done during the past year), but the seller says that it drives very well.

I'd also like to ask what maintenance I should do as soon as I get it, but I think I'll wait until I have the maintenance records so I can ask a more informed question.

Thanks in advance for any guidance. Ian

lonewolftek · #2 09-14-2007, 09:13 PM

Bit more than I'd have paid, but then again I've got two with ripped seats and one has a badly cracked dash. Looks to be a nice example, I like that interior color.

The 240D is going to be a bit slower than the 300D you borrowed. Same body (W123), so same interior room, but a smaller engine moving it around.

Take fuel filters, both primary and spin-on, and a set of generic tools; screwdrivers and an adjustable wrench at least. Air filter would be a good idea too. You might need to top up the oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, etc, so bring those along.

hangit · #3 09-14-2007, 09:18 PM

I bought my 240D off of Fleabay and would be happy to have the car you have for the price you paid. I also knew nothing about MB before the purchase and wish I had known about this forum beforehand. It would have saved me a lot of money and headaches! At any rate, my car has become a labor of love and has been brought up to specs thanks to this forum. You might want to take a car hauler trailer along in case it doesn't start up or dies along the way.

They are pretty easy to work on and parts are available from many sources. When you have questions, search the forum and if you can't find the answer start a thread.

Good luck and keep us posted.

John

dawsonj3 · #4 09-14-2007, 09:18 PM

That's a nice looking car you have there. You will likely be very happy with it. Mercedes diesels are very solid, smooth riding cars, and you'll soon be as obsessed with it as most of us are with ours.

I notice that your car was inspected - what did the inspection cover? Were the fluids and filters recently changed?
Have the brakes been inspected to determine whether there is enough lining on the pads? How about the brake fluid level
How about the drive belts? If there are any large cracks in them, or if the cloth backing is frayed or separated, these should be replaced before any long drive.
Do the radiator hoses leak?
Is the coolant level correct?
The flex disks (rubber discs on both ends of the driveshaft of the car) should be checked to ensure that they are still serviceable - if one of these fails you will be stranded - and it could possibly cause drivetrain damage.
Are the fuel lines leaking (including the small, cloth covered fuel return lines connecting the fuel injectors together)?

See www.dieselgiant.com for guidance on many of these items. Russell Parr offers a good overview of many of the common problems these vehicles have.

More things to check

- check the oil level - if the oil hasn't been changed recently - do this before the long drive (it takes 15W-40 oil) - a quick lube will NOT have the oil filter you need - you will need to go to a shop that specializes in foreign makes.
- check the air filter condition - if very dirty - replace it
- check the primary fuel filter (small, clear plastic device on inbound fuel line) if it looks black, or is chock full of particles, replace it.
- check tire pressure
- IF the tires are 10 yrs or more old REPLACE THEM - old tires can fail suddenly
Check the spare in the trunk for proper inflation

Find a mechanic in your area whom you trust and have him give the vehicle thorough inspection.

Your vehicle has 24 hour lifetime roadside thru Mercedes Benz. It's not free, but its there if you need it.

RML · #5 09-14-2007, 09:22 PM

Ian:

I love the color of your car. Too bad about the hail damage. It looks like it was well taken care of. If the car has been serviced all along, I wouldn't worry about driving it home. Check the oil, water, tire pressure, and other fluids before your trip. I bought my car on EBay and drove it from Atlanta to Alabama to Missippi and back up north to PA. Had no problems.

Stick around this forum and you will learn a lot. Get in the mindset of servicing your car yourself. It is a great hobby. Good luck.

Richard

JimmyL · #6 09-14-2007, 09:49 PM

Welcome, and nice looking little 240 you have there. Really nice interior. I also am starting to like that maroon color. I hope those rust bubbles aren't too bad.
You can learn allot here. Use the search function, and enjoy. Ask questions when necessary. That is usually often.......

300SDog · #7 09-14-2007, 10:21 PM

Seller says the car runs fine, what's the problem? Insure it first then drive any plates you can scrounge. Cops care more about insurance than if its legally registered en route.

Pick up some cheap diesel injector cleaner for adding to fuel, run it hard 75-85mph all the way home. Also empty the coolant at 2-bit carwash, add fresh water and 6hour coolant flush chemical product to clean out the radiator en route. First stop any auto parts store, settin the car up for high speed Italian tune-up.

Seriously hammer-down all the way back to West Va at top speed. The diesel engine will love you for it. Meanwhile if the wife's already whining and *****ing, take an airplane or bus and leave her home.

LUVMBDiesels · #8 09-14-2007, 10:36 PM

You have just embarked on a long term journey. Once these cars get under your skin you can never let them go.

First, have the seller FedEx you the title and bill of sale so you can get plates for the car in WV.

Here is what I would take with you.

A gallon of distilled water for the radiator

A roll of duct tape

Two primary fuel filters (the plastic one). If the tank has crud in it the filter could clog on the way home.

One secondary fuel filter to change before you drive off

A gallon jug of Rotella 15w40 oil

A can of DOT4 brake fluid

A couple quarts of Dextron III transmission fluid. You can also top up the power steering reservoir with this.

10mm and 13mm sockets and a 3/8 drive

screwdrivers, etc

Whatever everybody else tells you to take

Take it slow ( in a 240D you can't really take it fast) and good luck

Make sure that you join the Mercedes Club of America (MBCA.org) and your local chapter.

Use this forum as it holds most everything you will ever need to know about your car. Use google advanced search with mercedesshop.com as the domain.

I might be moving to the Martinsburg area so we will be neighbors.

asnowsquall · #9 09-14-2007, 10:45 PM

Welcome to an excellent forum where people share the same interest. Like many forums you are going to get many answers, you just need to decide what works for you.
3 hours isn't really that far in my opinion. I'm not crazy about the sellers name, but he has a great feedback rating. One thing to keep in mind is although it is a "binding contract" if the seller is fair he may let you out if you get there and decide that the vehicle isn't for you. I know I would, all I'd ask for is the listing fees. Considering the hail damage and the fact that I see one good size rust spot on the left fender I'd say $3,000 is a little high in my book, but its hard to tell for sure with little info and these pictures alone.
Myself, I like to be as gentle as I can with newly acquired hardware, sometimes when you attempt to fart around with these you have this thing we call the snowball effect. Now that cooling system that may have gotten you home suddenly has a leak.
Many states offer cheap transit plates for out of state buyers to get vehicles home.
Best of luck!
Dave

Mistel · #10 09-14-2007, 10:49 PM

I bought an 85 300 tdt sight-unseen and I have been very happy with it. Looking at your car, I see you have a climate control system like mine, which was a European import, not the push button type. Do you know if the car was sold in America? It does look like it has those big American bumpers. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will chime in.

My car was a European import and could not be resold in the USA, so I got a good deal on it. ( I imported it to Canada) My story sounded a little like yours, an old German guy had imported it for his own use. The story is here

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w123-e-ce-d-cd-td-te-class/1232765-how-does-one-legally-sell-grey-market-w123.html

lietuviai · #11 09-14-2007, 11:03 PM

VIN WDBAB23A6BB263016
Model 240 D
Chassis 12312312263016
Engine 616912 12 058951
Transmission 02 052148
Order 0 1 705 20901
Approx. year not defined
Dealer United States (USA) (705)
Interior Unknown code (134)
Paint
501 orient red (T) (с 01.01.1979 по 31.12.1984)
34 Unknown code
Options
252 radio Becker Mexico cassette, full stereo, electronic, LW/MW/SW/USW, for Saudi-Arabia only
Becker radio Grand Prix with remote control - USA (с 01.04.1974 по 31.03.1976)
Becker radio Grand Prix TR with remote control - USA (с 01.04.1964 по 30.11.1972)
radio Becker Mexico cass., full stereo, electr., L/M/S/U -Saudi-Arabia (с 01.03.1985 по 30.11.1990)
Becker radio Mexico casette, full stereo, electronic (USA version)
Becker radio Mexico cassette, full stereo, electronic - USA (с 01.08.1980 по 30.09.1983)
radio MB-Exquisit - Gulf states
radio MB-Exquisit - Gulf states (с 01.07.1992 по 01.06.1993)
426 cvt-automatic transmission (с 03.11.1997)
mercedes-benz power steering and automatic transmission with floor shift (с 01.10.1964 по 29.02.1986)
440 bumpers with guards, front and rear (с 01.10.1970 по 30.04.1974)
bumper with horn and rubber buffer front and rear (с 01.03.1964 по 30.09.1970)
tempomat (cruise control) (с 01.09.1975)
467 central locking system and instruments with english lettering (с 01.04.1970 по 31.10.1993)
461 + 462 + 463 (с 01.07.1968 по 31.08.1969)
491 USA version (с 01.01.1963)
524 Reims adapter IV (с 01.04.1962 по 28.02.1963)
paintcoat preservation (с 01.01.1964)
531 automatic antenna (с 01.01.1963)
542 lockable glove compartment (с 01.02.1963 по 29.02.1986)
580 air conditioner/Tempmatic (с 01.11.1982)
Behr air conditioner (с 01.04.1970 по 31.10.1982)
593 headlamp flasher and turn signal lamps - italy (с 01.01.1963 по 31.07.1965)
headlamp flasher and turn signal lamps, front, crystal clear (с 01.08.1965 по 31.01.1967)
heat-insulating glass, rear window pane (с 01.02.1967 по 31.01.1971)
heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (single-sheet safety glass), band filter
green heat-insulating glass all round, heated rear window, single pane safety glass - tinted strip (с 01.01.1972)
639 radial-ply tires, elimination of warning triangle (с 01.11.1973 по 31.10.1974)
elimination of first-aid box and warning triangle (с 01.08.1977)
668 662 + 666 (с 01.01.1963 по 28.02.1963)

673 high-capacity battery (с 01.01.1964)
801 Change of year of model, last figure shows new model year

TMAllison · #12 09-14-2007, 11:04 PM

Thats a much better than average example of a 240D IMO.

The seats show the mileage to be correct unlike so many others that claim low miles and have seats pounded out and ripped to shreads.

Perhaps Dent Pro can help with the hail damage?

I'd confirm all fluid levels, tire pressures, spare, jack, etc., and that it has fresh fuel and then watch the gauges and enjoy the drive home.

Ken300D · #13 09-15-2007, 07:02 AM

If the car is currently being run on the highway, you'll probably have no issues coming home at all. You always check the fluid levels just to be sure.

If you had de-lurked yourself here, we'd have told you more about rust and Mercedes. Ohio is clearly not the best place to locate a 1980s Mercedes because of the winter salt situation. When you get there, before you hand over the money you might want to do a rust assessment. Look at the suspension arms that hold the hubs, especially in the rear. Pull up the floor carpets and look for rust inside the cabin.

It should be alright for a first diesel, and you'll learn a lot. But listen to an old man, sonny, and get your next diesel from the south.

Then you'll get a car that will last you a long, long time. Of course, the same thing goes when you get it back home - if you want it to last, take it off the road and drive something else when there is salt.

Ken300D

85 DSEL · #14 09-15-2007, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken300D

Ohio is clearly not the best place to locate a 1980s Mercedes because of the winter salt situation. . >> Hold on now! What about guys like me who have gone to the South to purchase one, who do as you suggest below (which I do) then in a few years decide to sell it? I would not want a prospective buyer ignoring my "nationally covered ad" just because it is located in Ohio! My Benz is rust free and I intend on keeping it that way... <<

- if you want it to last, take it off the road and drive something else when there is salt.

Ken300D

just my two pennies!

funola · #15 09-15-2007, 09:34 AM

I wonder if a car's insurance is valid if it is not registered to your name. If you call the insurance co to put insurance on the car you're buying, and stick any old plate on it and you get in an accident, will the insurance co legally have to cover the damage?

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselDog

Seller says the car runs fine, what's the problem? Insure it first then drive any plates you can scrounge. Cops care more about insurance than if its legally registered en route.

Pick up some cheap diesel injector cleaner for adding to fuel, run it hard 75-85mph all the way home. Also empty the coolant at 2-bit carwash, add fresh water and 6hour coolant flush chemical product to clean out the radiator en route. First stop any auto parts store, settin the car up for high speed Italian tune-up.

Seriously hammer-down all the way back to West Va at top speed. The diesel engine will love you for it. Meanwhile if the wife's already whining and *****ing, take an airplane or bus and leave her home.