Hi, some of you have kindly been following the saga of my buddy's 240D. Here's the situation.

He bought the car based on the external appearance, which is clean and presentable. Many of the cosmetic aspects of the car are in good order, e.g. it has no rust, no leaks, and everything actually works.

After helping him with the car over the last several months, we have discovered that the car likely has twice the mileage it says on the odo (it says 160, I think it's probably 300K)

Why do I think so? Well:
a) When he got it the accelerator linkage was completely mangled (it had broken pivot points, and the slop in the linkage when he got it was unbelievable. We fixed it all, but it was really only partially operational. I'm surprised it would move forward. You certainly couldn't get full output from the injection pump, and you could push the accelerator pedal 1/3 to the floor without getting a response). I just don't see how you get the accelerator linkage THAT worn out in just 160K. It seems to me the mileage HAS to be a LOT more than it says.
b) Probably used to run WVO with an improperly designed system - looks single tank, simple heat exchanger.
c) Broken down seat springs. When he got the car, the front seat upholstery was actually new, but the seats were totally sagging. I helped him get it fixed up. It's a whole lot better, but still way more worn than my 83. I just don't see how a car with 160K can have seats THAT worn out.
d) Ample blow-by (which a valve adjustment, 200 miles of Kreen, 3 day MMO piston soaking, 30 minutes of WMI and 5 hrs or italian tuning hasn't helped at all). So, it seems that it's just tired and worn.
e) Needs a new clutch. It's worn and slipping.
f) Needs new upper ball joints and control arms. There's a lot of rattling and clanking in the suspension.
g) Tranny has lots of gear whine. Again, I don't see how you get a tranny that worn out without a LOT more miles.
h) Pinion seal is leaking.
i) The entire vehicle feels really 'loose' compared to my 83 with documented 135K miles. My 83 is tight and has a lot more power.

So here's the question. He originally wanted something he could fix up, and be a really great low-mileage car and then let his teenage kids safely run around in. The reason why he chose a manual transmission 240D with manual windows and manual climate controls is that he wanted something safe, simple to fix, durable, and not too fast. A manual 240D meets all those criteria!

Although we've had a lot of fun fixing the various bits and pieces of the car, the bottom line is, the body is in really good shape, but the running gear is obviously pretty worn. That's why I think the mileage is probably so much higher than the ODO says it is.

I know he'll need a new clutch, new upper control arms and ball joints, and a new pinion seal, and who knows what else. Even with all that fixed, the whole car still feels a lot more 'loose' and 'worn' than my 83. If he farmed out all those jobs, we're looking at at least $2000 based on the quotes he's received.

So, he's at a crossroads. At the current time, EVERYTHING WORKS. Even with all the blowby and the clanking of the upper ball joints and the pinion seal leak, nothing is actually unsafe, and the car is presentable and will likely not be too hard to sell.

What do you guys think? Should he sell it and try and get something with less wear, or just keep throwing time, energy and money at it? How hard is it to find a low-mileage (e.g. 150K?), not-horrifically expensive (e.g. less than 5 grand, let's say) 240D with a manual that isn't so worn out?

Sincerely,

PE

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83 240D - 4 speed manual - Manilla Beige
189K miles, Tachometer mod, cool wooden shift knob from PeachParts, CocoMats, Original factory paint, manual windows, manual sunroof. Starting to add AudioWrap to this car too!

This won't hit reserve - Mercedes-Benz : 200-Series Mercedes-Benz : 200-Series | eBay . Make an offer.

If we're neighbors - 1983 Mercedes 240D 4spd diesel

High miles but owned by a rust free adult - 1979 Mercedes 240D DIESEL All original rust free adult owned Must See!

Make full use of the engine bay - 1983 Euro-market Mercedes-Benz 300D Diesel 4sp manual

Sixto
87 300D

i see the poster above me is also from the bay area.
from my search for a MB diesel around here, 240D manuals are actually not that uncommon, and seem to be priced around 2k, but end up selling for around 1500.
here's one in the city that's got a lot of miles, but has a rebuilt engine and lots of new parts: 1977 Mercedes 240D Diesel 387K 74K Motor

1982 Mercedes Benz 240D

1979 Mercedes 240D DIESEL All original rust free adult owned Must See!


Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

The body is the one thing you cannot reasonably fix on these cars. All other things can be repaired or replaced. If he does all that he might not be able to get out what he has in it if he sells, but the chances of finding a really good solid car with no needs is slim considering its age. To get a really nice one you would pay closer to ten than five thousand but for five yoiu should still be able to find a fairly fresh one.

What year is it?

Where you located?

If he decides to move it along let me know.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.