1982 240D -- New Addition
 

I just purchased a 1982 240D today with just under 80K miles. This is, literally, the little old lady from Pasadena's car. Purchased in 1982 here in Pasadena. I'm not too keen on the color, but I couldn't pass up the deal. A lady that I see several times a year through my job drove to my work one day in the car a couple of years ago. I told her I liked the old Mercedes diesels, and to let me know when she wants to get rid of it. She said it was her mothers car, and she has had it since it was new. The mother is in her 80's now and can't drive it anymore. Well, the time came a few weeks ago, and I purchased it today.

It does have a salvaged title. It does have some blowby which sprays oil. It looks like the cloth fuel lines are leaking, and there is some shaking at idle, but everything works. Manual windows and AC (not ICE cold, although the daughter told me she spent a few hundred dollars a few years ago to fix it). The steering and suspension is nice and tight, tranny shifts nice and firm, no odd noises. Drives great. A perfect around town car. I can't tell that it has been in an accident serious enough to cause it to be slavaged. The lady told me her mother always had it serviced at Rusnack Mercedes. I called Rusnack yesterday and gave them the vin. They told me it looks like the oil was always changed, and that the last major service was performed there in 2004. The daughter says this seems right as she transfered the car to herself ~2004. She has no records from 2004 to present---just a glow plug repair in 2006 and a new battery from last week. They didn't really even want to tell me that. I'm going to drive down and see if they can print me out the service records they have. Maintenece book is stamped through 1996 and 64K miles.
Here is a link to some pictures.

http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y253/1stimer/1982%20240D/

Haven't been too active here in a while, but wanted to share the new addition.

Vin # WDBAB23A7CB326738

Looks pretty sweet from the pics.

I have it's twin brother! The color is Maple Yellow, and it will grow on you. I love mine. Nice find!

I bought my wagon exactly a week and one day ago...http://www.flickr.com/photos/14814619@N07/4147178529/in/set-72157622907110464/

Its a very similar colour to yours too!

Congrats, Nice car....:)

Good score, looks very nice, congratulations. my "85" 240D had 90K or so when I got it several years ago and at 120K still drives and looks almost new. A low milage, well kept W123 is a real joy to own. I would adjust the valves, change all the fluids, fix the little things and enjoy your new ride.:P

We had a bought new 1974 240D of similiar color in the early '70s. The color is fine. Our mantra in the '70s was - Mercedes-Benz doesn't make a bad color, and one of the few brands that autos colored red, looks good in.

The salvage-title would not be a problem in the least for me, if I knew the extent of accident damage done to the car. That said, it all depends on how much you paid for the car, whether it was a deal or not. It looks to be in good enough shape to be an excellent candidate car to part-out - if it ever came down to it. Hopefully not anytime soon on a car that nice.

Good find!

*Since you stated that you were going to sell one of the other cars; I would probably sell the '95 E420, all things considered.

Great car and great color!

Scott

Thanks for the nice comments, all. Just got back from a freeway trip, and I don't particularly miss the 5th cylinder or turbo. I have the E420 if I need to go fast. Cruise works. The Salvage title didn't bother me, either. I paid $1000 for the car. I need to sell one of the three cars in my signature. Can't decide which one.

My 77 300d was that color. X2 on it will grow on you. That is the best color for the 123 in my opinion.

Next to my white one, I like that color best. Nice find!

Good find. All seems good. I would tune it up a little and that might help the shaking. If not, then change out the mounts. They might be the originals. These cars tend to shake though.

Nice find. I've missed two of the same color and similar vintage recently.

Beautiful car, lovely color. Good deal!

Looks like the photos were taken on a cloudy/gloomy day. You won't be able to appreciate it that much. When it's sunny out, that's where the paint shines best. The color will grow on you, like it did to me, 6 years ago. :)

Congrats!

I have an 82 in a simular color. I just reffer to it as a leftover africa corps desert brownish /yellow paint. Well you did not expect them to really throw it all away did you.:D

Looks good, and for only a $1000!

Never understood why Mercedes would let a car out without a mirror on the passenger side . . . being as safety conscience (sp?) as they are and all . . . I added one to mine!

Mine is a tad litter shade, I call it creme, but I'm sure ther is a "formal name" for it . . .