fair price for 76 240d engine

[vermillion]

greetings all...i have a 73 220d that needs a new engine...i found an engine that seems to be in really good condition. he is asking $1000 for it. it this fair???? he oviously has me in a good position because they are extremely hard to find engines for the 115 chassis....any thoughts???

[rs899]

what makes you say it is in really good condition? What are the compression readings? Have you done a leakdown test?

[sailor15015]

It all depends on the definition of good. More details are needed before an accurate appraisal can be given. If I was going to spend that kind of money on an engine, I'd want to make sure it had good compression, a leak down test was performed, the mileage of the engine was known, and if it had any mysterious loss of oil or coolant while it was running. The seller should be more than happy to provide these things to you and if asking for them makes him uneasy, I'd walk away. More info is definitely needed.

[kernelpanic]

There are 2, 240D motors at the U-pull in Saint Paul for $120.00
Where are you located? might be worth the trip.

[barry123400]

If an engine is out of a car and you do not personally know the vendor or his real reputation it is a crapshoot in general. Also a good engine to one party may be less than that to another. As mentioned a fairly high range even across the board compression test is going to be the minumin requirement.
What does occur many times if engine is brought on the ground. It is installed and found to be a boat anchor. Does happen far too often.
Too many buyers out there are unreasonably optomistic. You have to do the homework one way or another.
Without it a better choice is to find a rustout or smashed vehicle that you can examine the engine running and test it. Then you really have a chance and might be cheaper as well. They are out there.
Half the fun or frustation of this hobby depending on your viewpoint is finding what you want. I did not forget your original question either. The fair price depends on availability and condition. You feel availability is scarce. This may be so. Condition though is not subjective at 1000.00. In my opinion it has to be really good if not almost exceptional to bring this kind of money. Just my opinion though.

[Kpmurphy]

Just for the fun of it I asked my dad wait he paid for the 220D engine a while back.
He said
I paid 1100 for that engine in 1986.

Don’t forget that was a hot item and they didn’t give them away, also 1100 in 1986 translates to about 2500 today..

And I am still driving it today, she runs great and it burns little to no oil, I do not get on the high way much.