My New 1980 240D
 

I have thought of owning a 240D one day, didn`t think I would have one since I like my 85 300D so well. reading about how slow the 240`s are, and how a lot on the forum want more power out of them, up grading the Differential to a higher gear ratio etc...

Well as of Feb 1-10, i too posesion of the 240 from the original owners. they bought it in Jan 1980 here in Santa Cruz, paid cash for it. $19,475.66. raised a family with it, and tought their kids to drive it.

I met the lady one afternoon while I was fueling my 1982 Datsun Diesel PU. she pulled up behind me to the only Diesel pump. she got out walked around to the front, "I said, Nice car", and so the conversation went along, told her I had 2 other MB, Iam on the MB forum etc...

she mentioned she might trade it in on a new car. I said, the new car lot wouldn`t want this old of a car on their lot, and would would sent it to a wholesale yard where other used car lots could buy it, or if you donated it same thing. also PNP could buy it, and it would be sent to the Junk Yard where people would tear it apart, and in a month or two it would be crushed.

OH! Iwouldn`t want that to happen to my car, maybe I will donate it to you. Iam thinking,"yeah right".
she alos said she was missing her R/F hub cap, didn`t know what happened to it. I said I had 2 at hole out in the barn, I think they are the same color.
we exchanged info, and went on our way`s.

I found the hub cap leaned and polished it, swung by where she works and put it on and left a note.
that evening she call all excited.
a week later she called and asked if I still wanted her car. I said,"Sure, how much do you want"? Oh we already decided, it is your car. I about fell out of my chair.
My husband will give you a call, let us get it cleaned up. the following Sunday evening he calls me, and we set up a time the next morning. met him in the parking lot, he had all the DMV papers etc... we signed, and where the price is listed, he wrote in, GIFT.

went to the AAA and did the transfer, and it only cost me $15 for title change.

Well it is a different feeling vehicle from the 300D. feels real light and nimble. has good get up and go. but I do see where 55mph is a good place it feels comfortabe by the sound of the engine. I have run it up to 65 and does ok, but just gives the feeling it`s being pushed.
It had 305,905 miles when he gave it to us.

I have gone through everything, fluids, filters etc... and mad a list of what to do first. well NO 1 keeps getting changed of what to do first. replace all 5 tires, down to the wear bars and one had the belt showing. when I put the key in to back out of the parking space, it wouldn`t turn. finally got it home, and ordered a new tumbler and 2 keys, only had on with the rubber piece missing. I changed the tumbler with a good one I had from the 85, and it still hung up. so replaced the whole assembly from one I pulled at PNP out of a 08 300TD.

Iam going to cut it short here, we are taking it on a trip in about 5min to Portland, Or to see our Daughter and it our grand daughters 1yr BD coming up. so I think I have most of the bugs worked out with it, we`ll see.:rolleyes:
Probably be a little longer trip with 67 rompin stompin HP.:D.
the trip is about 780 miles.

to be cont.....


Charlie

Congrats on your 240. Great Story. I'm going to have to start carrying extra hubcaps with me.:D

very cool!

pics pics!

What great timing and luck, enjoy it.

Fantastic story. Well done and congrats. Pic's please. You should certainly be able to get at least another hundred thousand out of it.

- Peter.

An unexpected gift due to your random act of kindness. Have a good trip. Is it a manual?

240's are great! Hope it has a manual tranny too!

That is a great story Charlie!

you lucky dog! A nice lady too, great story

Great story! Further proof that these cars have a soul. She didn't want the car to die.

Fortunatly some people do not believe in waste. The previous owners would probably enjoy having a glance at it a couple of years forward.

When searching for a five speed drop me a line if you get offered too many.:D I should put a real effort into finding one before they pretty well totally disapear.

For maximum performance do a good tune up including the base injection pump pressure to perhaps save the number one rod bearing as well. I am not inferring you need all the potential power that it can produce. Still it does not hurt to get it with these. Fuel milage might be an indicator of any need.

Also since they purchased new they just might remember things that have been done to it already. I assume for example the fuel injectors have been done at 305k but one never knows. A real bonus is you can probably get all the history.

I have absolutly no background on most of mine. The exception is interesting as it went to a mercedes dealer on a regular schedule as the taxpayers were footing the bills. Even the interior is brand new I think.

American taxpayers money at work.At last you get to see where some of it went.:D I should really thank all the members that live in that state for the continious restoration and extensive over the top upkeep of that two forty until I got it. I still have no ideal of why the state owned the car since new till about several years ago when I got it. That I found unusual but the title was accurate.