Hello everyone, I'm new to the forums.

I found a local 1966 200D for sale and I'm ready to pull the trigger on it, but I have a few questions about it first.

First off, the mileage is unknown to me. I went and looked over the car while the owner was out today, and I will go back tomorrow for a test drive.

What is the reliability of these engines? From a little reading, I've found that the manual transmissions are near bullet-proof, as well as the rear ends. What are some common issues with these cars? I've owned a few diesel pickups, but never a car or Mercedes. The body is fairly straight, with one small dent on the front driver door, and small rust beginning on the both lower passenger doors, and on the bottom corner of the driver side fender, white in color, all original.

The ad said it has a new engine, but that's all the ad said about it. Along with rebuilt slave cylinder and master cylinder, and the replacement of some other various parts - alternator, radiator, tie rod ends, brake lines, etc.

I would like to be able to daily drive this vehicle after a little work, so I swung buy a local O'Reilly's, and I guess needless to say, 95% of the random parts I had the guy search for were special order or not available. I'm also wondering about a ballpark price range? He's asking $1500, but after some reading I'm not sure if that's even worth the price - which I'm glad I read about, because I thought it'd be worth that price all day.

Thank you for reading.

It is an old car and will take work to make it reliable. Hard parts can be found. Body parts will be used found in yards, other forums etc. There is nothing complicated that you can't learn. Be concerned about the rust.

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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.

Forget about the mileage being accurate, the car is 48 years old and unless every mile has documentation yo back it up, the mileage doesn't matter.

Buy parts from reputable sellers like pelican parts, they stand by their parts and can probably do better on prices than Reilly. Plus these vendors know which parts manufacturers are good and which are crap.

I say buy it and fix it up, I'm doing that to a '78 240D.

Thank you both for the quick replies. Yes, the mileage is of no concern to me really. I was just curious about some common wear parts and what to expect from a car like this.

At this age, common wear items don't matter. Only what's broken matters. I have a 78 Datsun Z. Engine swaps are considered maintenance in that realm. Everyone has a parts car or 10. You will find the same thing as long as you consider daily driving and fixing a hobby. Keep an extra car until you get this one up to your specs.

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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.

I'd go over the brakes for sure. The rubber lines should be replaced if they look cracked and maybe repack the bearings if the car has been sitting forever.

I second the keeping a second car to drive, I have an '04 MINI Cooper S I daily drive until the 240D is reliable enough to where I don't have to worry about it.

PICs!!!

I had a feeling someone would ask!

Here is the craigslist link. I was going to run over there today but I got caught up with some other stuff. I'll be sure to go hear it run and test drive it tomorrow!

If its in Los Banos I might buy it if you don't!!

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1982 300D Turbodiesel, daily driver. Mods so far: Fram 8038 paper filter, 4 brake light mod, Gen II w126 (front) rotors/calipers, boost turned up to 12lbs, non-egr manifolds, water/methanol injection, 4-speed manual
1980 300SD Turbodiesel, project car, nearly ready to hit the street

1974 240D, New paint

Great price on that! I wouldn't wait to long...

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