Recently, I asked for your opinion on which older MB's would be a good one for me and you graciously gave me a number of options. I very much appreciate the help I've been given by "MercedesShop"-pers every time I've asked for information.

I've found a 1980 240D, two owners, excellent condition except for damage to the front grill and radiator in a minor fender bender. Present owner bought it in '90 and put 188,000 miles on it since. It's been maintained by a MB mechanic and is being let go because of finances.

I've found several prices: N.A.D.A. rates High retail at $5,550 (she's talking $5K)
average retail at $4,200, low at $2,675.
Hemmings.com gave it a good rating and valued it at $2300.

I am not sure what other repairs would be inherent in the grill-radiator repair. The motor is untouched, oil changed faithfully, her mechanic was her brother and he took care that all was proper.

Any ideas on questions to ask? what price would seem fair and right for me, potential buyer, to "bargain toward"?

I'm going to talk to her today so help is needed and appreciated greatly!!

Thanks, debi

(I've been "off-line" for a while)

It would have to be absolutely showroom new to get $5k. What is the total mileage on it now? In my opinion $5k is about double what I would start out offering. You should be able to pick up a good used grill for less than $50. Is the damage JUST to the grill or is there stuff underneath that is damaged too? Is it auto or manual? Make sure the transmission shifts the way it is supposed to. Go over one day when the car has not been started and ask to crank it up. If it is hard to start, if you have to put your foot on the accelerator or if it idles rough there may be some issues. Prior to starting remove the radiator cap and see if there is any pressure. If there is there could be a head gasket issue. Does the a/c work? If not it would be easy to sink $1k into it before you get it working to your satisfaction. This is assuming you don't do the work yourself. Try to look around and drive a lot of different examples if you can.

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Jim

THis is one of those situations where location may make a difference on the answers... If you are in Canada... you may not need AC... if you are way away from metro areas where you can not expect to see these on a regular basis and go check them out easily it will be different...
Typically , these cars , without the ac working are available around these parts for $1000 -$2000 depending on all the other stuff... I drove my 1980 240 manual home from Arlington (200 miles) ( with an oil consumption issue ) for $500..... but it gets 28 mpg out on the road... so I have not even addressed the oil burning....
Can you get a compression test done by an independant mechanic paid by you ? The engine only has to be run out of oil a few times to make a difference in it's condition... a compression test will give you a good indication of the overall condition of the engine...
Also, the difference between Manual and Auto on these cars is more than most cars due to the small engine/diesel combo.... so manual cars bring a premium....

debi: Way overpriced unless low milage, EXCELLENT condition, records. I urge you to check out (just for pricing) the "completed" auctions for on eBay. I'm not recommending that you buy there, but I think that it gives at least a closer approximation of real time/real world free market values. There are some 240D's on there that are priced inappropriately high as "classics" and some junkers that are priced low, but you'll get a good feel for the market. I just spent a few minutes doing that, and it really opened my eyes.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

Great advice!

I'm in East Tennessee in same county as Gatlinburg... so we have some rust/ac issues. I'll check those.

I know how attached to a car one can get... my '71 250, I love. and is worth to me, more than it would be to someone else. I'll check to see and compare $$.

Auto trans.: do you think power will be an issue? my '72 220D is sooooo slow. Is '80 240D turbo-charged?

Please, tell me more.....

debi

I must concur with the others here. Shop around. I paid $2200 for an 84 Eurospec 240D. It has a few issues, but nothing that would be deemable as serious. It still hasn't conumed a notable amount of oil, starts easily (does stumble and smoke), and idles smoothly after a couple of minutes. I'm going to be looking at chain stretch and injectors as mine runs great, but smokes and reeks of raw fuel when running. Mine has no body damage whatsoever on it. Be patient. My impatience put me through three of these before finally finding a good one.

Diesel Power: that's a very nice 190 you have pictured there. I bet it is sweet!

debi

I only had to shell out $2000 for Lilly, SWMBOs '84 300D. Absolutely pristine in and out, 260,000 miles.

No 240 were equipped with a stock turbocharger....some are absolutely glacial in their acceleration, have 800 numbers to call for appointments to enter the freeway and are prone to collecting bug splats on the BACK window!!! Anecodotal tales tell of manual transmission 240s actually having some acceptable degree of performance. I caution against believing in them or fairies.

IMHO, I wouldn't give anything over $850 - $1000 for a clean, good running 240 and then I'd just have it for parts or an alternate fuel (waste fry oil) trial horse.

Find a 300D with a turbo...far better all around driveability.

Regards,
R

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

Thanx Debi. It's a work in progress. I have an engine coming for it, so hopefully it'll be back on the road soon.

R. Leo, while the 240D is no barn burner, it isn't that bad. They keep up with traffic just fine.

it's that integration INTO the traffic that is hair-raising in a 240D. That said, nevertheless they are still a Benz and engineered to perfection regardless of power output.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

I don't even have a problem there. I'm typically within 5mph of metromess highway speed limits when I reach the end of the acceleration lanes. I don't wind the engine to its limits either.

The 240D wil beat SOME cars to highway speeds. My 190Db is one such animal it'll run rings around.

You've probably already gathered that $5000 is a ridiculous price, especially for a car that has damage. You said the radiator is damaged, but the A/C condenser is in front of that so I assume the A/C is out as well.

As for the power output, drive it. Only you can decide if it is enough for you.

Just as another data point, my 80 240D was purchased for $500 and immediately driven from New York to Florida. It is a 4 speed manual with some rust and some rust repair, ok but not great interior, and working A/C.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

If we are not careful it is going to start looking like us 240d Manual trans afficionadoes are a CHEAP bunch....

You mean we're not????

Consider this thread hijacked. There's an ad in the current issue of The Star for aluminum bodied AC servos for $329. If anybody wants, I can look up the contact info tonight. TheVirginiaDude - you're probably going to need one of these.


And yes we are cheap! That's why we look for solutions here instead of just handing our wallets over to the dealer. (PEH will eventually happen across this thread. )

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References