I know this is a Mercedes forum, but what do you guys think about this? As I remember, these things were very smoky on acceleration. Any way to compensate for that?

1985 BMW 524 Turbo Diesel only 102k miles - $4950

Reply to: sale-600920216@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-03-09, 7:39PM EDT


1985 BMW 524td
VIN: WBADB2402F0532261
Gold Exterior
Tan Leather Interior
Turbo Diesel Engine
Automatic Transmission
102k One Owner miles

Power Windows
Power Door Locks
Power Driver Seat
Power Passenger Seat
Power Mirrors
Power Sunroof
Leather
11/08 Virginia Inspection
Alloy Wheels
Fog Lights
Rear Defroster

This is a VERY RARE CAR. Only built in 1985-1986. There is only one for sale anywhere across the US. This car only has 102k miles on it and it is a BMW DIESEL. Try finding this car anywhere.

Call George for the Rare Car at 757-472-7773

It looks like an interesting car, but I would look into parts availability before I considered it. There were not very many sold in the U.S.

True. Do you or anyone else know of any down-side to one of these? IIRC they were smoky as hell on accelleration, don't know why. Would there be any adjustment for that sort of thing?

On edit: I did a Google for the car & there are many online parts houses offering parts for this car. I guess the pricing is OK, but don't really have anything to compare it to.

I don't think I've ever seen one in person.

They are not that rare. Even down here (population: ~200k) i know of a couple. If the seller is stating that it's the only one for sale across the US hes full of $hit.

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I would totally drive that car. a BMW enthusiast I know says they are much faster than the MBZ diesel of the same approximate age. I remember him saying it was imperative to change the timing belt @ the specified interval.

I don't think that they are that rare either, I see them occasionally on Craigslist and ebay.

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Cheers,
Robert

They were faster than the 123, but the 124 kicks it's butt in '87.

Not a tremendously common car, because it wasn't very popular.

A good car, but diesels didn't sell much at that time. That plus Mercedes had a strong diesel following in the US, BMW did not, so introducing this car into the US market when diesels weren't selling very well just didn't work out for BMW. The engine can also be found in the Lincoln Continental and the Vixen motorhomes.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

It looks like a pretty good example, but I'm suspicious of the front clip. The paint on the front fenders looks a different shade from the rest of the car - expecially the view of the passenger front fender. Also, the front grill is just too black and unchipped to have 20 years and 102,000 miles on it.

Considering the price being asked, you'd want to get a CarFax on it and ask questions about body work.

If it has been wrecked, you'll keep running into rust, paint and structural problems as time goes along.

I'd rather put the same approximate money into an early 90's 2.5-liter 300D.

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

They call these BMW the 'shark' bc of the front clip....in Europe anyways.
As I recall my dad had an euro version and he swore he would't buy another one. He traded it in for a 240D Benz and never drove any other car.
Yes, a good eye tells you that those fenders were changed at one point, and repainted.
I wouldn't buy it just bc parts would be a nightmare to find in the U.S....

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DOMAIN NAMES FOR SALE:
www.diesel911.com
www.dieselbenz.com
www.dieseldoctor.biz
Please PM me with offers.

yeah it's cool but "rare" sometimes means "impossible to find reasonably-priced parts".

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'79 300SD
'82 Chevy Chevette diesel

Since I know little about BMWs, I might be talking out of school. I did find quite a few sites when I Googled the car. A brief check didn't shock me off my feet, but I did see where some of the injectors for this thing are just over $200 (Bosch). Not sure how that compares to MB.

I live fairly close to Va. Beach, so I might go up & have a look. I'd rather have a Benz, but if this hasn't been wrecked or anything I'll keep it in mind. Been looking at several '87 300d-t (sedan) close to central/eastern NC.

With diesel now over $4.00/gal, I might just rethink my whole plan & go for a cheap ricer......

They are not all that rare but some parts are not only hard to get they are impossible. For example, I looked at one which had a cracked exhaust manifold...then looked into getting a replacement and found it was NLA (no longer available). And what makes matters worse is that the failed exhaust manifold is apparently common on them...so where does that leave you?

Needless to say I passed on it. The one thing you can say about M-B is that not only are parts still available from them, there are so many used ones around in P&P you will never run out of parts...same cannot be said for this BMW however.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

I sure do like the "look" of those, though......

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

I drove one for sale here and it was no faster than the average w123 617-95X. The inside is cheap compared to the MB however.

I drove one back when it was new. IIRC it felt about like a 300dt. It would run 100 about the same as a 300dt too. (The salesman did not make a sound).

I don't know at all about parts availability. Its hard to beat a mb for that.

I imagine the durability is not too bad but would not be in the same league as a benz. I would certainly take one over about any other old diesel excepting the benz.

I think the price is nearly double what you should pay. (not based on a whole lot of information, though.)

They drove nicely when new.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.