New family member... 84 240TD

[Amuso]

Well, I couldn't resist this offer. Saw it advertised for about US$700 and mentioned it for my gf as an upgrade to her small commuter car. Didn't think more of it, then she called me and had talked to the guy who were selling it and negotiated it down to US$350. It was running but had a propshaft problem according to the owner.

Just passed 220k miles (approx 352.000km).

So we went and looked at it and bought it. Engine pulls well for a 240D... at least as long as there are no long hills Brakes good, new dampers and rear suspension rubber. Very very little rust, but a few dents and dings. One broken headlamp and no working instrument lights or anything on the dash. Central locking of course non working.

Some front end vibration/shakes at 20-35 mph but then good up till around 65mph. Perhaps some bad wheel bearings or worn out front end links or rubber. Or just perhaps badly balanced wheels. Will have to have a look when I get the time.

Drivers seat totally worn out. I guess it might be able to be repaired with some new foam and fabric...?

Leaks water from 3rd party sunroof so I'll seal it permanently off.

The propshaft problem is clunking when engaging gears (4 speed manual). Clutch might be a bit worn too or just in need of a little bit adjustment since it makes a small grind noise unless you press good on the clutch.

Will post pictures after the weekend. Going on a long trip tomorrow so I will not have time to work on the car until then.

Figure it is a good investment and worth throwing a bit money at since the wrecking fee is US$250, meaning if we deliver it to a wrecking place we get that amount back. So basically it was a US$100 car

On a side note, it was less noisy than I expected. Of course it rattles a good bit at idle but when driving it was pleasantly nice.

This is the first diesel I've ever bought and owned. Hope it will be a good work horse for some years to come.

[Jim B.]

Perfect!!!

Being in Norway, it would likely be a nice idea for you to to purchase an engine block heater for those cold winters.

Pictures would be good to see. (Of the car, not your girlfriend)

[kerry]

Good buy. We look forward to the pictures. No reason not to include the girlfriend!
Do you see many older Benz's in Norway? My impression has been that there are fewer older Benz's in Western Europe than in the US.

[Chad300tdt]

Sounds like you got a good deal. I'd love to see some pics too.

I also checked out the link to your ambulance. Very cool.

[Dee8go]

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Perfect!!!

Being in Norway, it would likely be a nice idea for you to to purchase an engine block heater for those cold winters.

Pictures would be good to see. (Of the car, not your girlfriend)

Speak for yourself, Jim. The rest of us want to see your girlfriend, too. Feel free to post pictures of here as well.

[SwampYankee]

Man, OJ. First your Binz ambulance and now a 4sp Euro 240TD. You really know how to stick it to a guy.

[Amuso]

Sorry, no GF pictures this time...maybe later So until then these pictures of the W123 will have to do. Nothing much to brag about on the outside. However the underside and structure seems solid and very rust free. Had the wheels off of it yesterday and checked all links and bolts. Seems good.

There is a ton of old Benzes around here, both 123 and 124s. Nearly all cabs used to be Benzes. The majority of these are also manual, although there is a good share of automatics as well. Maybe I should look into parting out old Benzes transmissions, rebuild them and ship them overseas

84 W123 240TD

Central locking vacuum lines disconnected, and there seems to be a leak as it took a bit longer to shut down the engine when I reconnected the vacuum lines.

Cargo door dampers needs replacing.

Drivers door catch missing.

Was a bit low on oil so I topped it up - but needs a good change and filter.

Some oil stains on the passenger side that may be from a leaking top cover gasket or worn out filler cap.

Handbrake only works on passenger side.

Slack in driveline / diff. connection. Worn out flex plates or something ?

Instrument and switch lights all gone.

Cracked left headlight glass. Has collided into something as the whole front bumper is a bit misaligned and the fenders are a bit dented.

Drivers seat worn down. Fabric good, but foam / springs gone. Temporary fix made.

Sunroof was leaking water so it has been sealed shut. Thanks duck tape

Door weater seals about worn out so quite a bit of road noise gets through.

Rear viper not working.

One brake light gone.

Glove box catch missing.

Interior fan bearings bad. Whole dashboard shakes / vibrates at full speed. Ok at 1 and mostly at 2 as well.

Passenger side vent adjustment missing, and canal is loose in there.

That is about it. Most everything else seems to work fine.

[rs899]

Maybe I should look into parting out old Benzes transmissions, rebuild them and ship them overseas

..if you could find a load of 5 speed W123 trannys and ship them here, you could probably finance your retirement.

Rick

[zeke]

holy cow it look s COLD there!!!!!
and my wife is Canadian, so I have seen some cold!

Great find. I love the black grill -- and I wish my 300TD had a stick and manual climate control!

[Amuso]

I checked around a bit... and it may seem all W123's was sold with only 4 speed manuals, and no 5 speed manuals. It may seem we didn't get a 5-speed until the W124's.

It doesn't get that cold where I live. Actually this is the most snow we've gotten this winter and it came on sunday. Temperature is just around 30-35F, well I guess that's freezing cold compared to some other places But around here it's not too bad.... as long as it's not windy.

The 240TD is fitted with a block heater, but I doubt I will need it where we live. But I will fit a coupe fan heater to avoid scraping ice every morning.