Originally Posted by dieselshake

So, I just posted here about valve wrenches for my current 240D, but I found this one on CL locally:

1979 240D Mercedes Benz for sale

I apologize in advance for the novel ahead, but I'm thinking of selling mine for this one and I wanted to hear some educated opinions.

The rundown on my 240:

It's an '82 4spd with the power windows. It sat for a number of years in a garage before I bought it. I paid $3k. I've since had the following fixed/replaced: glow plug relay, A/C retrofitted to R134, radiator flush + thermostat + housing gasket + new upper and lower hoses, both fuel filters, updated primer pump assembly, new used battery, slave cylinder, tires, one or two control arms and some worn bushings.

There's no rust, the paint is newer, and it's got the Bundts with new tires. It looks really good. The interior's sound for the most part, also--I stuffed some pool noodles in the front seats for now to stiffen them up and it works nicely and they go unseen. The dash is mildly cracked, the console wood could use replacing as it's cracking, and the window buttons are worn also. The odometer doesn't work, it's currently reading 81,946. Not sure how long ago it went out, but with its condition, my mechanic's convinced the mileage hasn't crossed 200K. I have a few service records logged in the maintenance booklet, but not everything. The car originally came from California and spent time in Ohio and Texas before I bought it.

It needs: tie-rod ends, odometer (fuel gauge and temp gauge aren't accurate, either), a working sunroof (motor hums but it won't open/close without physical help), heater core (smells of coolant when heat is turned on), AC/heat control bulbs, sunroof switch bulb and all surrounding bulbs, door seals, drivers door check, oil pan and power steering pump gaskets, one or more motor mounts, antenna is frozen halfway up; the vacuum locks, cruise control, and rear window switches (can only control from front) are all on the fritz, and one rear window works only half the time. I planned on doing most of this with a friend who worked at a foreign auto shop.

I like the '79's simplicity with the crank windows and such, and the color is great for original. I guess my big concern is with mine and the time it's sat, undriven. It seems like a lot of work still needs to be done, and how much more down the line? What if the master cylinder goes on a long trip? I bought a w123 because I love the style and reliability. I expected having to fix things and learn, but fear I've gotten in over my head with this one. Is it worth it to keep it and do the rest of the work myself since I've already put upwards of $1K into it in the past 3 months (mechanics, aggh!), or sell it as is and purchase one that seems more sound? How much could I get for mine? What sort of questions should I pose to the seller, if I do take that route? I suppose most of this depends on his answers to those questions. Either way, any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks for taking the time to read all of this.

Justin

Originally Posted by Codifex Maximus

One can never have too many 240D's.