How much is a 1981 240D automatic worth? 183,000 miles. No rust. Paint needs buffed. Runs great, hardly no blow by. Color is yellow. Shifts good. Cruise works, A/c works. All windows work except one. Interior is dirty but pretty good shape. How much would one pay for that?

2-3Ks assuming that every word of your assessment on its condition is absolutely true and depending on how much needs to be done. At 183.000miles and 34 years if the car is original then it is most likely "worn out" and will need a significant amount of parts and work to bring it up to the condition to go another 200k miles.

If it has been restored or has had constant maintenance with records then you'd be looking at the higher end of that price range but limited by the fact that there will be a very limited amount of folks who would be interested in owning such a car.

__________________
Current fleet
2006 E320 CDI
1992 300D - 5speed manual swapped

former members
1984 300D "Blues Mobile"

1978 300CD "El Toro"

Sight unseen? $500.00 or Up. Totally dependant on a complete PPI in person to arrive at a valid sell number.

__________________
'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

As mentioned, $500.00 on up. It all depends on condition of the vehicle.
If you have every record and repair done to the car, it could add to the value, and especially if a one owner and babied.

Most of the 240`s have been neglected and you will be buying prior owners deferred maintenance and abuse.

You mention no rust, check the hinge pockets and remove the Battery and Tray and take a peak under it. (If the owner will let you) this is a rust prone area from the battery acid.

The odometers are known to slip, so the mileage may not be correct. May be much higher.

If all is true as you mentioned, maybe $2500.
A 4-spd for me would add to the price over an auto trans.
An 81 would have the pencil GP`s and a few more HP. over the 79 and older 240`s.

Depending where you live, these things vary in price.

Looked in the SF Bay Area CL for 240D

82 auto $3500 ukn miles
82 4-spd $1800 156K
82 4-spd $3000 UKN miles
83 4-spd $2800 140K
82 4-spd $5250 320K new eng, clutch etc...
83 4-spd $1000 224K
83 4-spd $3200 157K


I just re-read your description, an automatic. Don`t be disappointed if it is sluggish. A 4-spd would be a different driving 240d.

When I was looking on CL.. I was checking the 4-spds. I need to read closer, or remember what I read.

When we got our 80 240D, we got if from the original owner....for free. she was at
306K and we are now at 373K.
I did do a lot to her, and have a good $2k plus I add in repairs and up grades.
There is still more to do, there always is.

Buying the car is one thing, then doing the maint and other things will keep adding to the cost. it never ends.




Charlie

__________________
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 owner wants $1800 for the car. He said he will let the car rot before he would go any lower than $1800. So firm on the price, and of course the car needs work.

what kind of a**hole would say something like that? i like the 240D automatics but they definitely do not command a premium. $1800 might be an OK absolutely upper end price in the bay area which is probably top of the market for these cars.

__________________
1981 NA 300D 310k miles

Really?

Did you read what I post above on the few I found?

If the guy want`s $1800 and will hold out for that, why does it make him a a.. h...?

Charlie

__________________
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

I thought it was rude too. I also thought $1800 was too much for it. Overall I think its a good car but its going to need work. To my standards looks alittle neglected. He is one of those guys that says i never had to do anything to it but drive it.

Well, the car may indeed be worth that.
You need to in person look over the car.
You need to look over every recipt and maintenance record the car has.
You need to pull the battery, and the tray, and look at the metal below for rust.
You need to pull the plastic covers behind the front tires and look for rust.
You need to get in the trunk and look below the rear window for signs of rust.
You need to pull the floor mats up and look In the holes in the soundproofing for water and rust evidence.
If all that passes, then with the motor stone cold, hit the key and see if it starts without the glow sequence. The seller needs to know the day before you wish to inspect the car with the motor completely cold. No block heater plugged in, no warming the motor up before you get there to see it start.
If it is cold outside, (below 35F) then do not attempt this, the motor will need glow plugs to fire, but watch the glow light. The INSTANT the light goes out, hit the starter. If it will not struggle to life, the compression is low, or the valves need adjustment.
Walk away.
Let him know what you are willing to pay, and leave if he will not go that low.
He will sell the car. You don't need to be the one to pay to much.

__________________
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 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Worth to a buyer or a seller?


With JUST the info given so far, I'm leaning between 1200 to 1800

"Yellow" covers a wide area... Actual color is important to value.
Interior color is important to value...
"Paint just needs to be buffed" is a SCARY description.
"No rust" is a scary description.
There are a LOT of problem areas where rust grows invisible to the inexperienced looker. Don't be that guy that buys a "no rust" car then his seat falls throu the floor, or the trunk fills with water, or the rear seats fill with water, etc...
The 240 automatic is a tough car to love... Set your sights very high, and check everything before offering a price...

__________________
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 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

It does not.... make him that....
may just be a selling ploy...
or might be the truth...
only time.... and a few lower offers will tell....

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

Second everything this man said. ^^
The statement in bold. How stupid.
I'm with Junkman. If he's never had to replace anything, you'll have to replace everything.

__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

So True!

__________________
Current fleet
2006 E320 CDI
1992 300D - 5speed manual swapped

former members
1984 300D "Blues Mobile"

1978 300CD "El Toro"

For what it's worth, Chattanooga doesn't get a lot of snow, and I don't think they use salt on the roads (could be wrong - they have a lot of hills/mountains). I had a 1982 240D, which always lived in North Alabama (125 miles west), and it had zero rust when I sold it a few years back, so I wouldn't be surprised if the no rust statement was true. I think the biggest issue is the automatic transmission, which makes the car unsafe slow. I usually turned the A/C on and off to channel the horsepower to where I needed it, and mine was a 4 speed. My wife grew to hate it over time, because it had "no pickup". She won't let me buy another one - even though I would like to have one!

__________________
1976 240D
1987 560SL
2007 E320 Bluetec
1998 C280 (now son’s car)
1982 240D Manual - Sold

You're saying you never approached someone about buying something that wasn't posted for sale? Whether or not an item was listed for sale shouldn't make a difference in what price the PO should pay.

__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."