To have, to love, and then, to part... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ayrtonsenna · #1 06-15-2008, 02:20 AM

Hey everyone,
I've owned my 240D for almost three years now. I bought it shortly before I got my license, and it's the only car I've ever had. Recently, I started driving it again (it had been parked for a few months after I lost my job and couldn't afford gas/maintenance). I knew it needed new fuel lines and the vacuum system needed to be looked at, so I brought it to the MB diesel specialist in my area. The bill came to over $3000 to bring it up to snuff. Sadly, I realized I couldn't afford that, so I started looking for a new car. I put a deposit down on a '93 volvo 240 today, and afterwards I drove my Mercedes home from the mechanic (where it had been since I got the estimate) and put around 200 miles on it over the course of the day. It ran great. Now, I don't know what to think. I'm going to miss this car so much; the smell of diesel on my hands after a fill-up, the smell of diesel exhaust, the prayer we always said as we turned onto the highway on-ramp. I feel like my dog just died, and I'm replacing her with a considerably less-awesome dog and giving it the same name (240). Anyone else ever had to go through this?

Burnzy · #2 06-15-2008, 06:54 AM

What exactly did your mechanic say was wrong with the car? Be specific so people on this forum can help you.

JimmyL · #3 06-15-2008, 08:59 AM

Your mechanic is a crook, doesn't want to work on the car, or a combination of the two! That and is probably over-killing the estimate. What exactly is "snuff" to this guy? These cars just aren't worth it if you can't do most of the type of problems you have yourself.
The Volvo 240 is a good little car, on a slightly lower level than your MB 240, and the '93 was the last year and usually considered the best. It will give you less little problems than your MB 240, will be a safe car for you to be wrapped up in, but will be a tad less "solid". Also you have a better chance of finding slightly cheaper per hour mechanics to work on it that will know more about it than the average mechanic knows about diesel MB's.
Still a good choice if working on MB's isn't for you.......

t walgamuth · #4 06-15-2008, 09:37 AM

I have to be suspicious of the 3000 estimate as well.

Tom W

Burnzy · #5 06-15-2008, 09:52 AM

Hopefully the $3000.00 estimate was for a COMPLETE front end rebuild, shocks, tires, alignment, brake discs, pads, trans fluid change w/ filter, radiator flush, differential fluid change and some nice pics of his wife

#6 06-15-2008, 09:54 AM

$3000 is high but $110/hr labor gets expensive VERY quick when chasing vacuum leaks.

Burnzy · #7 06-15-2008, 10:09 AM

Good point FI. Vacuum gauge, golf tees, a couple hours of research on this forum on vacuum troubleshooting and a cold beer would be my suggestion. One thing for the OP to remember. Whatever you buy will require an initial maintenance investment. I have yet to buy a used vehicle that did not. How many dollars that translate too is an unknown.

Jim B. · #8 06-15-2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

Your mechanic is a crook, doesn't want to work on the car, or a combination of the two! That and is probably over-killing the estimate. What exactly is "snuff" to this guy? These cars just aren't worth it if you can't do most of the type of problems you have yourself.
The Volvo 240 is a good little car, on a slightly lower level than your MB 240, and the '93 was the last year and usually considered the best. It will give you less little problems than your MB 240, will be a safe car for you to be wrapped up in, but will be a tad less "solid". Also you have a better chance of finding slightly cheaper per hour mechanics to work on it that will know more about it than the average mechanic knows about diesel MB's.
Still a good choice if working on MB's isn't for you.......

Very well said on many levels, JimmyL!!!

Very true about the '93 Volvo. The last year of the 240 has become a preety coveted car amongst Volvo fanciers, especially the wagons The first year of them in this country was 1968, so they were around a long time.

When the wrecker came to take away the charcoal Volvo 740, which sill ran, but had issues the wife did not want me to spend the money on any more, I almost cried when the flatbed hauled it away to the Make A Wish auction.
It was a 1991 model and still looked sharp with Borbet type E wheels.

In fact the new owner called me about the car months later, he was fixing it up himself, probably it is still running.

The car was replaced with a new generic 2004 Honda Accord, which my wife took, with her in the divorce about a year later.

I don't miss EITHER of THEM.