For Sale: 1983 Mercedes 240D Sedan (W123) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jkoebel · #1 08-07-2008, 06:25 PM

1983 Mercedes-Benz 240D
230,xxx Miles+
Make a reasonable offer

Located in Orlando, FL 32817

I love this car, but it's just not suitable for me anymore. I routinely hit the maximum carrying capacity of the vehicle by participating in my hobbies which involve equipment, and I need to upgrade.

The car was purchased from a dealer, who purchased it from the original owner's family, about a year ago. It's gone on multi-hundred-mile road trips without issue (well, with one issue I made a thread about, which was due to my not knowing cold-weather diesel starting techniques. But it got a new starter out of it.)

No accidents! Never run on any alternative fuels, although it is certainly capable of doing so if you're interested. I thought about it, but decided against it because I didn't have the time to get oil and such.

The good:
Florida car -- places cars rust from salt, etc. have not happened at all.

Working air conditioning (R134A converted by the previous owner), compressor is less than 2 years old. No leaks in the system.

Tow hitch, if you dare use it.

Significant expensive work done by an extremely reputable local mechanic (a little over $5k in repairs and neglected maintenance, all told.)

Starts up every time, even without glow plugs, and quickly too. Have not run a compression test, I think one of them is a little low, but it was able to get started at temperatures as low as 15°F so it must not be that low.
Interior isn't too bad, some rips and tears here and there but the dash is perfect.

Upgraded stereo system, although the grilles are a little bit out of alignment with the new much nicer speakers. You can even keep the stereo, although I will be deactivating the satellite radio subscription when I sell the car because I'll be getting it on a new vehicle.

The neutral:
Peeling varnish on some of the interior wood trim. It happens, it's an old car.

Pass. front kick panel is not currently installed. It's in the trunk in two pieces, could be put back together and reinstalled without issue but I've been disinclined to do it because I've been in and out there playing with the stereo wiring.

The evap. temp sensor wiring has been cut and spliced back together by me while in the process of testing the A/C circuit. This does not effect the operation of it, but it's "not pretty" so to speak. If you're up under the dash looking straight at it, anyway.

The A/C clutch has some extra wiring added. While troubleshooting the A/C, which turned out to be a bad relay, I spliced a jumper switch into the clutch wiring and used a toggle switch by the trunk release to turn the A/C on and off until the relay arrived. This switch and splicing system is still installed and intact, and can be easily repurposed to something else that needs switched +12V, or can be removed if you want.

The dubious:
I'm not going to lie to you guys on here because you'll all know where to look in the first place for "trouble spots" so I'll just be out with it.

Cruise control inop. Amplifier (original) untested still installed. Actuator (original, bad) removed from car. You'll receive the original actuator, plus three other parts actuators and a parts amplifier or two, along with the vehicle. But, it's out right now.

The transmission vacuum circuit is missing the $5 vacuum orifice and as a result, transmission vacuum is too high. It shifts very early if you don't manually move the gear selector. Transmission kickdown solenoid does not work. I have not diagnosed the issue, it could be the switch, the wiring, or the solenoid itself.

Right front window won't roll down, this is because the switch is dirty or something and will only roll the window down but not up. I disconnected the window switch to save a terrible situation from happening again where I had to take the door panels off, reverse the wires, and press the switch to make it rise. Rear left window won't roll down either, it might be off it's track. It goes about a 1/2 inch then stops. The motor works, though.

There's something with the brake lights. Reverse lights run full time even not in reverse, they're taped over with red tape so I stopped getting pulled over. Rear running lights "tail lights" do not work at all. The bulbs are good, so it's something in between the front and the back. I don't anticipate it to be a terribly difficult fix, but it's something I haven't had the time to address.

There's the "right floor pan water issue", which I've taken pictures of. It's probably been leaking for a decade. It doesn't seem to be getting bigger, though -- so it should be fine. I wouldn't even worry about repairing it.

List of all repairs which have been performed on the car:
Glow Plugs
Glow Plug Relay
Master Vacuum Hose
Transmission Modulator
Flex Discs
Driveshaft support and center bearing
Engine and transmission mounts
Valve Adjustment
Valve Cover Gasket
4 New Tires
New Starter
Left Inner/Outer Tie Rods
Thermostat
Radiator
Coolant Temperature Sender
Air Conditioning Relay
Coolant Flush and Refill with Aluminum-Safe (not yellow, though) coolant
Water pump purchased, not really needed though, it's in the box in the trunk.
Oil seperator and all tubing associated
Intake and exhaust manifold gaskets
Rear CV boots had split and leaked grease out. I discovered this before there was any damage to the joints themselves. Now there are brand new bolt-on Quickboots and fresh grease and all is well.
3/2 Vacuum Switch on Valve Cover
EGR Disable

In addition, regular oil changes with Delvac 1300D. Diesel Kleen each tank. Air filter replaced 1000 miles ago, oil changed every 3000 miles, fuel filters changed 10k miles ago. You'll get new fuel filters to play with from me also.

Roof Rack Not Included, Add $900 if you want it. Yes, it is worth that much.

Pictures:
To see all photos, please visit www.spokescouncil.org/car There are 63 high resolution photos, tons of the engine bay, wheel wells, underside, etc. so you can see every inch of the car. I am willing to show and test drive, and will meet anyone who is flying down if they buy it at the Orlando airport, and send them on their way with a full tank of Diesel. It is dirty, though, so keep that in mind. I do enough with it that if I washed it all the time, it'd be dirty again by the next day anyway.

Extras Included:
Bag of 20+ inline fuel filters.
2 Spin-On Fuel Filters
Duralast Water Pump
W123 Air Conditioning FSM
Contents of trunk -- some misc. wiring, jugs of coolant, oil, etc.
I could be convinced to provide a MityVac-brand Topsider oil change unit as well.
and of course I might have other misc. parts lying around, if I do, you'll get those also.

jkoebel · #2 08-09-2008, 11:37 AM

I'm of course accepting offers as well, let's talk.

jkoebel · #3 08-13-2008, 12:26 PM

No hits even with the pretty pictures? C'mon guys :p

I won't be available for test drives from Sunday, for 9 days following, until a week from the next Wednesday.

franklyspeaking · #4 08-13-2008, 02:58 PM

None of my business, but it seems the asking price is way high. I just sold one much nicer than yours for less than half the price your asking. I just don't think anyone will want to talk seriously until you offer a more reasonable price.

jkoebel · #5 08-13-2008, 09:18 PM

Sorry, I'm used to Craigslist for car sales -- set a way high price, because people low-ball the hell out of you.

I'd take less and I am asking, and am fixing the brake lights and transmission orifice, making the car fully functional in every system except cruise control.