240D in my "backyard" - Whaddya think?!

[BassGuyDave]

Hi everyone,

A couple of nights ago I was cruisin' the lot of my local MB dealer after hours, when lo and behold, I came upon a '79 240D (auto) for sale. Being only lit by some of the lot lamps, I couldn't tell everything about the condition of the car, except that the body seemed to be in near-perfect condition.

I returned to the dealer this afternoon, to give it a better look, and I found out that the car only has 53,553 miles on it! The body actually is in near-perfect condition. The paint seems a bit pitted to the feel, but I didn't really notice anything to that effect, visually.

The interior, accordingly, looks brand new - as though it had hardly been used. I briefly checked under the hood - saw that it had the release to let the hood go vertical - and saw a clean engine compartment with no leaks. It idled ok.

Other good things: The A/C worked fine, although with the engine just idling it took a few mins to get really cold; there are the usual manual windows, antenna, etc. The radio was a Pioneer replacement.

Since I was there within 30 mins of closing, I did not take it for a test drive. I am going back there tomorrow to do just that. The saleslady told me I could take home all the car's manuals, service records, etc., to peruse. I looked through them, and although they don't show an oil/filter change since 43k miles, the 14 oil changes that were done average 3340 miles between changes, and they were all done at the dealership, using Pennzoil 15w-40 at the beginning, and then switching to Kendall 15w-40. They also did the usual lube jobs and brake inspections, plus the brake hydraulic system and the cooling system was flushed at 43k miles. I noticed the date, and saw that there has only been 10k miles put on the clock since 11/88. The saleslady also told me that this car was traded in by an elderly couple who just "didn't drive that much".

The only bad thing I noticed was that the headlight switch knob came off in my hand when I pulled on it. I'm not sure, but don't you have to pull on the knob to get the fog lamps to work? Guess I'll have to go over the manual.

Now for the price: She told my wife and I that they are asking $4995. for this car.

If anyone has any suggestions on what else I should look for when driving this car, or comments on the price, I'm all ears! I am also wondering if there are any negative effects on the car by averaging only 700 miles in the last 14 years. Thanks.

DAVE

Sounds too good to be true. Are the speedometer needles orange in color, not pale yellow? The seats, carpet, headliner, steering wheel, and door panels should look absolutely brand new, as should the exterior.

Get the VIN and run a carfax on it.

10K miles since 1988 sounds a little funny.

[Holson Adi]

Yeah... at such a low mileage.. the interior should be close to new! (especially it's MB-Tex) steering wheel, carpets, inner door panels, etc.

If it is that good, I'd go for it.

Why did you say that it idles OK and not perfectly?

[BassGuyDave]

OK, I went back up to the lot and looked it over again. I tried to get the VIN number as well, but couldn't see it. The records I have in my possession show a vehicle chassis number, but I'm not sure if that's the same thing. If not, I will get it tomorrow.

The interior is flawless. It really looks new. The wood trim is free of cracks, and is shiny. The seats, carpet, and headliner all look brand new. Even the Tex material around the window frames looks new. The only thing I saw that was less than 100% was the dash. I intially thought it had faded slightly on top, but it appears that the discoloration was caused by the failure to remove all of some Armor-All type of treatment, because it looks swirl-like, as if done with a rag. The dash had absolutely no cracks.

The gauge needles are orange, not faded or yellowish.

As for the paint, upon closer inspection it appears to have been repainted. There is a small amount of orange peel, plus where the A-pillar disappears down behind the doors, you can detect a color change. The current color is yellow-beige, whereas the "other" color was lighter, like an off-white. I'm sure it was recently buffed out as there are telltale fibers from the pad in the moldings. Also I found some buffing compound that wasn't totally removed. There were 3-4 small stone chips that were touched up.

I noticed some chrome peeling under the rear bumper, plus the area around the left front jack-point was less than solid (rust under the paint).

I forgot to mention that the door locks work fine, and there is no sunroof.

Also, when I said it idled OK, that was my way of saying it idled fine.

DAVE

[240 Ed]

Figure out what other classic you could have or want for $4500.

You are basically getting an almost new car for cheap! and these must be pretty rare in the rust belt, no?

[Ken300D]

I think the dealer has padded by $1000 what they will actually take for the car. Keep working on them - tell them its a quick sale at $4000 - if that's what you want to spend.

You probably won't have too much competition for it - don't spend too much on it. $4000 should buy an excellent '79 240D.

Ken300D

[Ridge]

Dave,

Check along the bottom inside edges of the doors where the rubber seals attach. If there's any rust to be found that's one of the first places. It wouldn't necessarily mean not to buy the car but would give you some room to bargin.

One of the guys up in Washington on these threads found a Euro 240D with 90k and a 5 speed which he bought for $2400.00.

Dicker big time. Have the dealer show you the compression checks and leak down specs. More evidence that it actually has the miles that they say.

Don't worry about the headlight knob, it's easily replaced or fixed.

Good luck.

Ben

[BassGuyDave]

Thanks for all of the replies so far!

I went and test-drove the car. It performed excellently. It drove and handled very well, with no excessive steering wheel play; it stopped hard and straight; it was very supportive and comfortable on the thruway, and it was even faster/quicker than I expected. The only "bad" thing was the cruise control. It worked fine when I first ramped onto I-90, but after stopping at my brother's a few exits away, and returning to the interstate, it only worked as an accelerator when pushing the lever up. Totally, I had the car for nearly 2 hrs and about 50 miles.

Ben - I did look under the driver's door and there is a small amount of rust forming in that area. Although I didn't check the other 3 doors, I was made aware of this problem when I checked out a 300D a few months ago. As I mentioned before, there is some rust around the front left jack point. I don't know how much of a job it would be to repair that area.

Ken300D - $4,000.00 was the figure I was thinking about all along after I heard their asking price. I'm not sure now whether or not I should start even lower.

I am taking the car to my friend who is a mechanic/bodyman on Monday morning. The salesperson put the car "out back" in the dealer lot, so no one else would see it. I did express interest in the car, but I made it clear it was contingent on the CarFax report and my friend looking at it.

By the way, the VIN number is: 12312312095986 if anyone who has the ability to check it on CarFax, would please do so. I'd appreciate it very much.

I really like this car, and all I can say now is "we'll see....."

DAVE

[leathermang]

If you have any companies like "lemon busters" it sounds like this would be a good investment.. they will show you the compression numbers... and list any other things that are going to be needed....which might help in the bargaining dance... You probably don't have much competition for the car.. so don't be in much hurry... the sellers know that... that is why they did not mind putting it out back...as a psychological ploy...to make you feel special...
However, don't tell any MB Forum members that live close exactly where it is...
... just to be cautious....

--------------------
I love my 1980 240d manual trans.....

[engatwork]

This car is on a lot and I imagine there are not alot of people looking for a 1979 240D in his town SO I would start out only offering around $3k and go from there. Granted it is low mileage BUT if the guy selling it has no idea about how much some of us (me included) loves these old diesels he may just take the $3k. It does not hurt to start out low.

[leathermang]

Yeah, you can always raise your offer... can't lower it.. ( well, you can ..... but it really Freaks out Sellers )....
Now if you want to be in TxBill's league (as competition shopper) you need to offer $750 ... and let them think that is the most you will ever offer... he has gotten some great deals that way....

[Abner Mality]

Having just retired from a long career selling automobiles, I can advise you that: Number One -- the dealer, more than likely, "stole" the '79 from the old couple during the trading process, AND, Number Two -- if that vehicle were in such great shape, with no problems, can the salesperson explain why one of the dealer's own techs hasn't snapped it up for his own use and enjoyment?

Most "diamonds in the rough" never make it to the retail side of the lot at ANY dealership. There are always those "in the know" at any dealer that can sense which jewels to pick up as drivers, or to sell after a little cosmetic work, and which ones to leave be.

If they tell you they have a policy against selling to employees, leave and do not go back; they will be lying.

[leathermang]

Abner, You are SO right, thanks for your post.

[kerry]

I bought a 77 300d with 53k last year for $4500. I have been pleased with the purchase. I did buy from the original owner (at least the spouse of the deceased original owner) and not a dealer.
There's not a huge market for older diesels, particularly the non-turbo 240's so I'm not really surprised no one at the dealership has bought it. I say look it over well, check the carfax and go for it with a lowball offer.

[diesel don]

I thought you couldn't get car fax's on automobiles that old?

I tried on a 1980 and couldn't find anything.....

One more thing:
I think we get too carried away with 'low' mileage cars. Sometimes I think low mileage is a liability and not an asset. I am bringing a car back 'into shape' right now that hasn't run much in the last 9 months. You should have seen how hard the oil bolt, oil filter, etc. came out.

Don