Check out this engine

[cirrusman]

I was browsing autotrader.com to check out some diesels out there (not tnat I'm in the market or anything) and I found this W123 1985 300D. Now, check out the engine and tell me that doesn't make your heart pump faster...
here's the link: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=276853611&dealer_id=65143741&car_year=1985&rdm=1273672450806&lastStartYear=1981&num_records=100&model=&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&engine=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=Diesel&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=MB&color=&keywords_display=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&position=top&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceDESC&address=84010&advanced=y&only_photo=1&end_year=1990&transmission=&doors=&max_price=&cardist=2086&standard=false&showphototab=true

[cirrusman]

Oh, and the car is not bad either

[TheDon]

that guy again

this guy either has a time machine or a warehouse of mint 80's diesels

[junqueyardjim]

Why do you like it? Because it is so shinny, or because it's one of those very special six cylinders?

[vstech]

Originally Posted by junqueyardjim

Why do you like it? Because it is so shinny, or because it's one of those very special six cylinders?

it's not just that it's shiny, it's perfect.
I mean, that valve cover is not just polished, it's amazing.
the injector lines are yellow, fresh cadmium... wow,
the plate on the valve cover, perfect.
the rest of the car is just as amazing.
look at the stance of the car.
who's car sits that high in the rear? WOW!
look at the air cleaner. that's not armor all, it's clean paint!
O M G!!!

[snookwhaler]

Originally Posted by vstech

it's not just that it's shiny, it's perfect.
I mean, that valve cover is not just polished, it's amazing.
the injector lines are yellow, fresh cadmium... wow,
the plate on the valve cover, perfect.
the rest of the car is just as amazing.
look at the stance of the car.
who's car sits that high in the rear? WOW!
look at the air cleaner. that's not armor all, it's clean paint!
O M G!!!

I agree completely!

I like the clouds on the hood too....

Whew...

Even the "Pinkamino" is just barely starting to turn pink in the front. Obviously ALWAYS garaged.

[fdanielson]

The car is obviously in good condition but the reason the engine looks so nice and shiny is because it has been sprayed with clear paint after receiving a good cleaning. My uncle used to run a car detailing operation and I worked for him briefly detailing used cars for dealers almost 20 years ago. Once you've seen enough clear sprayed engine comparments you get pretty good at recognizing them. See that sheen on the A/C low pressure hose? That is a completely unnatural look for that material. It's amazing what a half day in a detailer's shop can do to an otherwise uninspiring car. Since this is a dealer he probably has ads in the local paper advertising `Top $$$ for your old car' and paid less half the asking price for this one to some dead guy's children.

[cirrusman]

Originally Posted by junqueyardjim

Why do you like it? Because it is so shinny, or because it's one of those very special six cylinders?

How did you come up with six cylinders? These engines have five... And I counted five lines fron the IP to the injectors... What am I missing?

[tangofox007]

Originally Posted by cirrusman

How did you come up with six cylinders? These engines have five... And I counted five lines fron the IP to the injectors... What am I missing?

The vehicle description states "6 cylinder." Maybe "5" was not an option.

[JB3]

still, thats a LOT of money for that car.

[driad_98]

I did a little math the other day... now mind my car isn't nice like that but the math is interesting. In 1981 my 240D cost $24,300. In today's dollars, that's around $57,600. Seems like a good price to me, if I were in the market for a nearly new car. I do appreciate the longevity quotient with my manual climate, windows and tranny, but this does look nearly perfect. Schweet.

[Stretch]

Were all 300D's delivered with nice shiny valve covers or is that some one getting carried away with a polishing wheel?

These low mileage cars seem amazing but I bet all of the rubber bits are just as bad as my 100K 300D (I'm replacing most of them!)

[vstech]

Originally Posted by Army

Were all 300D's delivered with nice shiny valve covers or is that some one getting carried away with a polishing wheel?

These low mileage cars seem amazing but I bet all of the rubber bits are just as bad as my 100K 300D (I'm replacing most of them!)

he mentions in the ad, he "chrome polished" the valve cover and power steering pump cover... I've never seen a polished from the factory valve cover. not even on the ads and public photos and videos were they polished.

[mike-81-240d]

That guy got carried away with the aluminum polish. And I'm thinking it's a repaint because its a Florida car, and look absolutely no scratches dents or even factory orange peel.

[Stretch]

So it is just mutton dressed up as lamb then!

(I'm glad I now won't feel obliged to reach such a finish on my car... all of that varnish will peel off in the end anyway and look really bad)