Yesterday i came across a 81' 240D that was owned by an old lady its whole life (one owner). The car has extensive service records for its whole life. Looking through the maintenance booklet it even looks like most of the time the lady had it in for service ahead of time The car has 207k on it.

The car just recently had brand new tires put on it (less than 100 miles ago) and the brake system (new, pads, etc.) was all replaced a few thousand miles ago.

So, after a little bit of haggling got it for $1800!

The car really drives nice. Well ... other than the fact, this is easily the least powerful car i have ever driven

The car is by no means perfect as it is a 25+ year old car. The paint is really nice, but does have plenty of chips and one spot that the Texas sun has gotten too. I brand new paint job would make this car look perfect.

The interior is in perfect shape, other than a few cracks in the dash. Another 25+ year Texas sun problem. Nothing a $100 dash cover wont fix.

Other than that the only concern i have right now is the car seems to shake more than it should at IDLE, when in drive. This does not happen when in park. Once it hits about 5 MPH the shake stops and it rides perfectly smooth. What could cause this and what should i look for? The car seems to idle perfect, just has a big time shake when in drive at a stop sign.

I am really trying to decide what to do with this car. I was not looking for a 240D, but had to buy it due to the rarity of a one owner with all the service records. Plus, i got a good price.

Its either, keep it and slowly bring her back to mint condition, or sell it and let someone else enjoy her.

hmmm what to do, what to do

You didn't say weather it was manual or automatic. I would check the engine mounts for the vibration problem first. At that milage and years, the rubber is probably shot.
Tom

It is an Auto ... Wish it was a manual

Congratulation's on your new ride, The shake could be a bad motor mount. Check the driver side as fuel often leaks on that mount and destroys it.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

What part of Texas are you in? Gonna make it to the GTG in November? We'd like to see the car. Uh, pics will do in the mean time.
Congrats.

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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 am in Dallas ...

I have no idea if i will make GTG or not

I will post pictures when i get a chance to take them.

Joey

A bad injector or two has usually been the source of rough idling in my 240D.

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'81 300SD

It is more than likely the motor mounts. The idle is fine ... very smooth. The motor just vibrates the car really bad when in drive at a stop sign. When it is in park she purrs like a kitten.

If you live in Dallas, you ought to update your profile saying so. JimmyL who lives close to Dallas is a well known guy on the forum.

There's a sticky in the forum list about the Texas GTG.

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daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
No longer selling Cluster Needles Paint
No longer selling New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

Problem is I'm "well know" for being a smart aleck. I've heard of China Blue but I can't picture it right off hand. Maybe you could send me a hubcap to refresh my memory.
There is actually a great group of guys and gals here in the DFW and surrounding area. We get together from time to time officially, and some of us will on occasion do some wrenching together. My wrenching mostly consisted of hitting Dan in the head with it.



We'd try not to whack around a new guy.
Congrats on obtaining such a nice sounding car. Resist the urge to try and turn a quick meager profit. The value in ownership experience will vastly out weigh any fleeting monetary gain.
What part of Dallas?

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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