Cutting Bait on 240D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 03-01-2003, 04:35 PM

Before I donate my car to charity, I thought someone here who has mechanical ability may want to purchase it. You can search on my login to see the trials I have with the car. Here is the boiled down version & car facts.

1983 240D - 147K miles - 4 speed manual transmission - I purchased 1 year ago when it had I believe 134K. Compression is 400 in 3 and 380 in the last cyl. I get 27-29 mpg with commute crawl to 75 mph driving on average.

Problems 1 - a buzz and vibration in driveline or transmission. Drives me crazy, a local mechanic said he would replace the trans for $500 with a used 4 speed and promised it would solve the buzz/vibration. This is probably my bigger complaint.

2 - I burn about 1 quart of oil every 450 miles. Don't notice smoke at 70 mph but getting on an uphill onramp at dusk or later, LOTS of smoke in the rearview mirror. Can't really see smoke other than takeoff, but its there, trust me! There are three small cracks in the dash 2 less than 1 inch, the third is 1 to 1.25 inch in length.

Good items- the car looks fine, pale yellow, interior fine, a/c is cold and everything else works fine on the car. Radio works fine. Body in good condition. Until I purchased another car 2 weeks ago (don't laugh too much, but it is a 2003 Hyundai Elantra GT that will become my daughter's when she turns 16 in 8 months, then I am in the market again for a car for me), I drove my 240D every day to work 25 miles away. Starts fine, idles fine, drives fine, just those two problems I have been trying to solve and they finally beat me.

Ridge has seen & driven my car when I had thoughts of dropping in a 300 intercooler ala ridge design.

Replaced parts since I have owned it (one year ago) - new driveshaft (balanced) and front & rear flex disks, new valve seals, new timing chain & tensioner, new steering shock, new motor mounts and engine shock, new exhaust mounts, new engine hood pad, new lower PS hose. I think that is about it.

I paid $2430 for it 1 year ago and have had the above parts/repairs completed. Should someone like to purchase it for $1000 (I can get about $1900 tax benefit if I donate it) I will be happy to sell it. I'm in the east bay (SF area).

Thanks. Tim the Taxman

#2 03-02-2003, 10:38 PM

This website has a section on cars for sale did you list it there. It appears a lot of people are interested in 240D's with the manual tranny from all the conversations on this website.

cooty · #3 03-02-2003, 11:34 PM

tim the taxman
do you think the car would make it to eugene oregon. if so i would be interest to come down and take it off your hands.
cooty

The Warden · #4 03-03-2003, 03:30 AM

Very nice sounding car overall...compression sounds happy, the vibration can be lived with, and I've seen vehicles with far worse oil consumption.

If my girlfriend could come up with the $$ quickly, she'd probably be interested...but I'm guessing that you're in a bit of a hurry to get rid of the car, so it's probably a moot point...

Good luck!

300SDog · #5 03-03-2003, 07:41 AM

>>>do you think the car would make it to eugene oregon?

Cooty, you've gotta be out of your mind to ask such a question...

Full throttle 240D running all day long just guts better 'n better as the engine cleans itself out, burning carbon from piston tops and pre-combustion chambers.... These cars love to run!

Racked up 350 miles first day of owning "old rusty" my $500 knockin diesel..... and it was like giving the car a tune-up. Stopped for lunch and the car practically started up again just by looking at it.

Here I am chewing on the bit 3000 miles away - thinkin Tim the Taxman is a true credit to the forum - offering first dibs to his pals on an outrageous vehicle that will make some diesel junky a very happy fellow.

Hell, I'd take day off from work to snag this vehicle if it was within 12 hour driving distance of my home.

#6 03-03-2003, 10:08 AM

I forgot about the for sale area, I'll put the post in there also, thanks!
While I haven't driven too far in one stretch I am confident the car would make it to Oregon or New York without too much trouble. As long as you watched the temp (never had an issue with this) and put oil in it at regular intervals (every fill-up) I think you would have a pleasant time. As I said, it is a nice car to drive. I really do like to drive it, if it wasn't for that blasted buzz!
I also don't need to donate it this moment, if someone needed a couple or three weeks, I'm good with that.
I do have a digital camera, I'll try to put some pictures up here of it if I can figure out how to get the pictures out of the camera and into the computer and this website!
I drove it yesterday and I have to say the longest crack isn't 1.25 but probably 2 inches long, but the dash is MUCH nicer than some of the others I've seen and owned.

Forgot to mention it has a working electric sunroof, no leaks.

Thanks, Tim the Taxman

The Warden · #7 03-03-2003, 04:01 PM

Actually, if you do wind up donating it, do you know who you'll donate it to?

If you don't have anyone specifically in mind, I work with a nonprofit youth organization that accepts donations...

190D22 · #8 03-03-2003, 04:09 PM

Why not just give the 240 to your daughter? I'd rather have it than a new hyundai, even if it were a tibouron.

#9 03-03-2003, 05:38 PM

Warden, send me an e-mail on the charity. If I do donate it I am more than happy to look at the charity you work with.

On giving the 240 to my daughter, I tried to teach her how to drive a manual in this car, lets just say the Hyundai is a much quiter choice!

JimSmith · #10 03-03-2003, 10:45 PM

Tim,

Took the better part of a year to get my daughter to master the uphill starts on the manual transmission without actually burning a little rubber in the 240D. I never made that car chirp off the line, but with her for many months it was a regular event. But she got the hang of it and loves the car. Plans to take it and three girlfriends to Seattle in it after graduation (from College), with over 291,000 miles on the clock.

She also had some problems driving backwards, so we spent literally three 90 minute sessions in a nearby parking lot at night, with relatively few cars, driving all over the place backwards. She is a master at that now too. While she grumbled and moaned about how dumb I was making her do it at the time, she is happy to be able to confidently drive backwards better than most of her peers can drive forwards.

If I thought I could get out there I would pick up the car and drive it home without any concerns. I wish we could help you overcome the vibration problem as I hate to see you drop a good car without knowing what the issue is. Good luck, Jim

leathermang · #11 03-03-2003, 10:59 PM

Jim, How about backing a trailer?... that is another of those things young ladies don't like to practice which comes in handy later....

But don't tell her I suggested it....

The Warden · #12 03-04-2003, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tim the Taxman
Warden, send me an e-mail on the charity. If I do donate it I am more than happy to look at the charity you work with.

I couldn't figure out how to E-mail you (you have that option turned off in your preferences), so I sent you two PM's...

The Warden · #13 03-04-2003, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by leathermang
Jim, How about backing a trailer?... that is another of those things young ladies don't like to practice which comes in handy later.... But don't tell her I suggested it....

I'm trying to teach Robin how to back a trailer, but every time I suggest it, she laughs at me...

benchracer · #14 03-05-2003, 07:45 PM

That car sounds great.
I'd love to make the drive.
Alas, my wallet says no right now.