84 Euro 240D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 05-05-2003, 09:19 PM

I just got back from looking at the 84 Euro 240D that was mentioned elsewhere.

This is what I saw:

The Good:

5 speed manual shifted buttery smooth - why didn't MB ship US spec cars with this?

This has to be THE quietest MB diesel I've heard.

The informal blowby test didn't feel like a tornado coming out of the fill cap. I did get a bit of a dirty hand from oil sling from the camshaft.

Sunroof is a MANUAL unit - YES!!!

Alternator bracket is brand new, as is alternator.

The car stops NOW when I hit the brakes, and perfectly straight and smooth.

Clutch feels perfect

Tires look excellent

I REALLY like the color.

An honest to goodness CLOTH interior (I hate vinyl)

Car shuts off immediately when key is turned off.

The bad:

Paint is oxidized on roof and trunk.

A/C does work, but only blows cool - sight glass indicates very low on R-12

Car has some light hail damage.

The ugly:

Odometer stopped. Owner claims car not driven far afterwards - the 80 240D has a new one that I can install in it's place. Mileage is 191341 on the odometer, with the last safety inspection showing that it was passed at 191334.

Idle adjust inop. Again, the 80 240D has a working unit that can be used to fix.

Interior needs major cleaning.

I found his bottom price: $2200. I offered to leave a deposit to hold the car untill Wednesday, which he refused and promised to hold the car untill then.

Now, what would the rest of y'all do? I've already had two bad purchaces. I'm in a position with no deposit to call him back change my mind if you guys think that the car is too risky at that price.

Thanx to all.

Palangi · #2 05-05-2003, 09:27 PM

As long as you're sure the engine is sound, and the body isn't rusty, I would go for it. The paint will be going bad on most 123's of that vintage. Weak paint and minor hail dents won't keep it from being a good daily driver, but a soft engine will. I would have checked that car out, but I'm holding out for the right 300TD.

#3 05-05-2003, 09:29 PM

I forgot about the rust - there isn't a single speck of it on the car.

The engine starts immediately, does stumble a bit cold (every 240D I've seen does this, so I'm not concerned here), and then smoothes out to beautiful idle, with only an occasional random "tap" at idle - no loping at all.

The car did seem a bit slower than I remember with the other 240D's that I've driven. I don't know if that's going to be a product of a not done valve adjustment, or if they are simply geared differently on the other side of the pond.

Ken300D · #4 05-05-2003, 09:40 PM

I think its valued fairly mostly because of the rareness of the 5-spd.

My limit would be $2000. If you're on the edge, try that. It's good that you walked away without agreement and also a hold.

Ken300D

Palangi · #5 05-05-2003, 10:08 PM

I dunno if the Euro spec car would have the same differential ratio. I think the US spec car has a 3.07. I don't have my TDM handy at the moment. If you know the chassis number (123.xxx) I can look it up in the next day or so. In a US spec 240D, the engine is pretty noisy at 75 MPH. Maybe you can judge by the engine noise level at speed??

I imagine you may be the only looker. There aren't many of us whackos who would even call on a car like that.

#6 05-06-2003, 07:15 AM

Dieselpower,

If you pass it up, please let me know, I want it.

Let me know what you decide.

This car sounds like my '84 Euro 240D except mine has a four speed. I do like my manual sunroof. I am shocked that the paint is oxidized. They used a solvent based clearcoat during that model year. Mine still shines like new and has only been waxed once. This leads me to believe that it may have been repainted at one point.

BTW, are you now healthy again? I remember you were sick for awhile when you were having trouble with the harmonic balancer.

Good luck,

#7 05-06-2003, 08:55 AM

Hiya Larry, I'm doing great. I've been neck deep in house remodeling, and haven't had time to mess with the harmonic balancer. It's still anchored to the front of the crankshaft via the frozen bolt.

As I've had nobody shouting as of yet to run away and hide from the car, I'm still a go on buying it - not like I need an eighth car on my property.

Thank God I don't live in the city.

The dead W123 will be a parts source for some of the little fixes that the Euro needs. I'll then sell off the rest of it in parts to get it out of here.

Palangi · #8 05-06-2003, 09:40 PM

Looks like a forum member will own this thing one way or another. Good, another 240D will be saved from the boneyard.

I was way off base on the differential ratio. According to the TDM, most 123 240D's have 3.69. The 3.07 goes in the 300D turbo. For some reason, I had it in my head that they were the same for most 123 diesels.

#9 05-07-2003, 11:24 AM

My Euro 240D seems to have a lower ratio than my previous US 240D had. I never checked either one, but I remember the difference when I traded in 1985. I expect that the Euro has something more on the order of a 3.90. The five speed may have something different though.

DieselPower,

When do you take delivery of this darlin'? Where will it be parked at night?

Will have Lojack?

Enjoy it.

Have a great day,