What you're hearing at idle is likely to be nailing. Mine is doing this as well, and is still silky smooth on the road. I keep the driving very limited on my 240D untill I can get the free time to rebuild the injectors. The injectors on the one you're looking at will require being rebuilt. Likely you only have one injector doing this, and it's very early into the problem for it to be only an occasional noise. This will cause engine damage if ignored, hence the reason why I'm seriously limiting my use.

The price is excessively high for that car. I paid $2200 for my 84 Euro with 192k estimated (the odometer had stopped) on mine. The only reason why I gave that much was due to the ultra rare 5 speed in mine. Seriously, I would look for another example based on the mileage alone. There are too many good examples out there for the same money that won't require as much work as you are indicating the car needs.

If you are indeed set on this car, you really do need to have a PPI done on the car.

Thanks Dieselpower.

As I said in one of my other posts I will indeed wait awhile before returning to the dealer and use the time to increase my slush fund and find a good indy where I can perform a PPI.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S