W115 Owner Advice Needed: Buying a 1976 240D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Screwdriva · #1 05-05-2019, 07:49 AM

Greetings!

I own a '84 300D so I'm somewhat familiar with these oldtimers. I'm about to pick up a '76 240d 4 speed manual here in the UK. Claimed 86K miles which can be verified going back 15 years only. Wanted to know if I need to specifically look for trouble areas during my pre-purchase inspection?

The car looks 98+% rust free (aside from some paint bubbling on the trunk and hood) and the interior looks like it would support that mileage (ignore the floor mat). The under section has been waxoyl'd.

A couple issues spotted:

1) Water leak gathering near the floor panel. Presumed to the be the sunroof
2) Gear knob wobbles quite a bit. Bushing perhaps?
3) Door, sunroof and window seals are hardened/ cracked. Are replacements available?

All experienced owner guidance/ illustrated buyers guides welcome!

t walgamuth · #2 05-05-2019, 08:27 AM

Those cars are vulnerable to rust.

Water standing in the floor pan will cause rust which might not be evident without poking with a screwdriver as the undercoating is very thick. Looks like a nice car as much as can be seen in photos.

Mike D · #3 05-05-2019, 09:33 AM

Wind screen gasket is the usual culprit for water leaks on the /8's. As Tom mentioned rust is the real killers of those models. The malicious tin worm likes to hide in various places. Lower wing panels, inner fender wells, under the battery tray, beneath the chrome trims of the wind screens, trunk pans, etc.

Good looking car, too bad some one put the steering on the "incorrect" side of the car.

Screwdriva · #4 05-05-2019, 12:00 PM

Cheers Lads! I've asked the mechanic to give it a looking over but so far, not much rust to report on. It's clearly been garaged for the majority of its life.

Is parts availability an issue? Not expecting to be able to purchase interior bits off the shelf, but would be good to know if Mercedes still supplies the mechanical and body essentials

koooop · #5 05-05-2019, 05:57 PM

It looks quite nice in the photos, other than the steering wheel being on the wrong side. I hope it works out for you.

t walgamuth · #6 05-05-2019, 10:58 PM

Parts are very available still. One thing about MB is they can supply parts for all the cars they have manufactured.

Sugar Bear · #7 05-05-2019, 11:05 PM

Looks nice, don't delay if it checks out ok.

Good luck!!!

Screwdriva · #8 05-06-2019, 07:49 AM

Cheers Lads!

Planning the following restorative treatments. Would welcome any suggestions on upgrades/ wear n tear item replacement: I hear the glow plugs are a natural first step?

1) Auto-Rx engine oil treatment (worked wonders on my W123 - bye bye engine blow-by )
2) Chevron Techron diesel fuel additive
3) Diesel Purge (2X bottles) followed by new primary and secondary fuel filters

cleeves · #9 05-09-2019, 09:53 PM

Looks like a beautiful car. I haven't seen too many of them with Euro bumpers and the second gen rear tail lights. I like it! It looks nice enough given being 98% rust free that it seems worth buying, even if you have to dump a few grand into rubber parts.

Do you have A/C? Is there a radio in this particular car? Some of them didn't have either.

Warmth,
Henry

Shortsguy1 · #10 05-09-2019, 10:07 PM

Be sure to remove the rubber trunk mat and see if there is rust under there.

Door and trunk seals are available. Mercedes are better, but very expensive. If you go with URO, expect to have to slam the door to get it to close.

Check the body panels behind the rear wheels (inside and outside). This seems to be where most of the rust starts in w115s that I have seen.

My rear window seal causes water to pool at the feet of the back seats in my car.

Great looking car. I am always envious of how nice everyone else's w115 is compared to my own.

Sugar Bear · #11 05-09-2019, 11:04 PM

Check the oil in the injection pump ASAP. The injection pumps have their own reservoir/sump in the pump. They are not pressure oiled from the engine like later 123 models.

Good luck!!!

Screwdriva · #12 05-12-2019, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar Bear

Check the oil in the injection pump ASAP. The injection pumps have their own reservoir/sump in the pump. They are not pressure oiled from the engine like later 123 models.

Cheers! Is there a method to drain the oil entirely from the injection pump? I see there is an overflow leveling screw on the side but I don't believe that will allow for a complete "flush".

No rust underneath the rubber anywhere and no AC on this car either. The radio is an OE supplied Philips cassette unit (the instruction manual came with the car).

Many thanks for all your help!

Mike D · #13 05-12-2019, 10:22 AM

Drain plug on the bottom of the injection pump.

Sugar Bear · #14 05-12-2019, 10:52 AM

I've never done it; but, there is a factory prescribed method for flushing the oil sump of the injection pump using mineral oil.

Good luck!!!

Stretch · #15 05-12-2019, 11:01 AM

I've heard that the steering boxes can come away - so worth a check for those mountings (though to be fair an English MOT should spot such trouble)

As mentioned already rust - I would be very surprised to find a W114/5 or even a W123 in the UK with out some sort of (history of) rust problems

The thing that I've learnt about older Mercedes is that replacing the resilient rubber parts in the drive line and the suspension often transforms the car from doing a wallowing impression of the Good Ship Venus to something that for its size is surprisingly spritely. These are good quality vehicles.