Hi all, I've got a lovely '80 240d, runs well, more so than when I bought it in '11 (valve adjustments, oil/filter changes, vacuum control valve replacement as well as vacuum diaphragm replacement, ball joint and other front end stuff replace.
So, a fella stopes me at the gas station and asks if I want to buy a '79 240d. I don't have much extra cash but I said what the hey I come check it out. I followed him to his house and in his garage was a great looking red '79, has been stored in the garage for 15 yrs. Has 126,000 miles on the OD. Stopped working and the mechanic told him the "compression was bad". Didn't get any data on what the compression on each was, just that it was "bad". Exterior and interior is an 8.5 out of 10 I'd say, even less rust than my AZ 240d. Which doesn't have much rust at all, although I can see some starting in the usual spots (on mine) since it's been here in the midwest.
The gentleman wants 500 bucks. I'd have to tow it home, about 10 miles.
Is a low or "bad" compression diagnosis a no go, ie, should I way the cost of replacing the engine or could it be a good candidate for a resurrection.
I was on lunch break, had to get back to work, and he couldn't find the key quick enough for me. Fella says that his daughter drove it to school until 15 yrs ago, at which point it's been stored. If anyone is interested in or about Iowa, I could give you his number. Just contemplating adding another mb to my driveway.. Just got divorced last year, so don't have to deal with complaints of which some of you are very familiar.

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1980 240D 260k miles , the last car I will ever buy

It would already be in my driveway if it is as good as you say. Do you expect to get any money to fix it? If not, it may become an albatross.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Sent you a pm.

That's pretty much what we call a Barn Find.

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Codifex
1981 240D ChinaBlue (Got her running with a donor engine.)
1983 300DTurbo w/sunroof.
1984 300TD manual sunroof. (Electrical Gremlins)

This would be another mb to work on, maybe pass on to another mb lover or interested new to mb person. I'd love to have some more diesel mbs driving around here.

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1980 240D 260k miles , the last car I will ever buy

Have a respected mechanic (or DIY) the compression once running, adjust the valves first.

If those are correct miles, it's barely broken in.

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83 SD

84 CD

unless it's got the factory motor oil in the car, or it's been driven without an air filter for those miles, it's likely something simple to fix. I vote snap it up.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

It'd be worth $500 just in parts I would think - especially if it's in the condition you described.

I say get it, the price is right.

Seriously, you had to take time to consider this?
Hand over the money and tow her home! Dude!

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Ginny in Denver-ish
78 300SD, 265K (mine)

That's the way it works. Ya go for years trying to find that one piece of chrome/body part/interior bits and when you finally give up, somebody comes along and offers you a whole car for less than what you were planning to spend. It's happened to me 10 or 15 times. MOST of the time I've resisted the temptation but sometimes it's impossible to resist! Hence the reason why I have a '72 250C, a '74 280C, a '73 280 parts car AND a '85 500SEL.

It's a disease, I'm telling ya! AND it's contagious! Avoid all people who own more than 2 (well, maybe 3 but no more than 5) older Benz'es 'cause they're carriers!

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“Whatever story you're telling, it will be more interesting if, at the end you add, "and then everything burst into flames.”
― Brian P. Cleary, You Oughta Know By Now

Buy it!

I have 4....and there are 3 more + a parts car in the rest of my family.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Point made!

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“Whatever story you're telling, it will be more interesting if, at the end you add, "and then everything burst into flames.”
― Brian P. Cleary, You Oughta Know By Now

Hmm, should have went to the bank, withdrew $500, paid the man, got the title and came back that evening to pick it up. Even if the engine is junk, I have a much easier time finding replacement engines than rust free bodies. The bigger issue here in TX is that the sun has ruined any semblance of paint on the chassis over the last 30 or so years.

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1991 F250 super-cab 7.3 IDI. (rebuilt by me) Banks Sidewinder turbo, hydroboost brakes, new IP and injectors.
2003 S430 - 107K
1983 300SD - Tanoshii - mostly restored ~400K+.
1983 300SD - Good interior. Engine finally tamed ~250K.
Monark Nozzle Install Video - http://tinyurl.com/ptd2tge