FS: 1982 240D and/or 1984 300D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dubadxx · #1 03-30-2015, 04:41 PM

I'd like to sell one or both of my Benzes. Just got the new Golf TDI and that makes 5 cars, so something has to go. The cars are located in Cincinnati, titled in Ohio.
The 240D is the nicer looking of the two but has more miles, 248k. I've had it about 3 yrs and here's some of what's been taken care of, besides the usual filters, diesel purges, fluid changes, etc. Kind of in chronological order:
New glow plugs, valve adj,/ trans swap to 4sp by DieselPaul of Columbus which included new clutch, master cylinder, pilot bearing, flex discx, slave cylinder,pressure plate, throwout bearing/ bosio injector nozzles,/exhaust down pipe/bilstein rear and sachs front shocks, motor mounts/ trans mount/new tires, Cooper 195/70/14. And all kinds of other little stuff, cosmetic, etc.
The AC blows cold, but the compressor leaks. I have a replacement. The starter is a little squirrely in cold weather. No block heater, but with synth oil, good battery, it started up this winter down to 0 deg. It leaks compressor oil and eng oil in small drips from an unknown source, but probably the pan gasket.
The 300D is interesting in that it came from my sister in Portland, OR. I had it shipped out here a yr or so ago. You may remember a post of mine at the time with lots of pics of the damage my niece inflicted on the poor thing. I have since replaced and painted the hood (thanx again to DieselPaul for the hood) and all the other body work required to get that fixed. There's still some creases on the rear doors, but the car is virtually rust free! A PNW car all it's life.
It has had the valves adjusted, all the fluid and filter stuff kept up to date,valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket (the source of a big leak), oil pan gasket all replaced.new rear brake calipers, pads and rotors, all drive belts replaced, starter replaced with a good used one (diesel paul again), new battery.
It has snow tires on it now, and I will keep them with the car for $, otherwise the rather crappy Bundts will go with the car, with serviceable tires.
This 300D really runs great, no issues with the turbo. There's a little flair in the trans between 3-4. The vacuum works great, all locks work, car shuts off as it should!
$5000 for both? $3500 and $2500? Best offers?
The 1st half or so of the pics are the 300D, then the 240D. It was sunny so the silver can look white.

Dubadxx's uploaded images - Imgur

DieselPaul · #2 03-30-2015, 04:58 PM

Mark, your imgur album is set to private.

When I did the trans swap for Mark, what, almost 2 years ago now? I drove the car the 120 miles home to Mark in Cincinnati. Ran smooth and cruised along at 75-80mph as well as all of the good running 240s I've ever driven. (Should I not have admitted I drove your car 80?) And since then Mark has done nothing but keep up on maintenance and replace more parts. I did the swap either at the beginning or tail end of winter, so it was below 32* when I started it to drive it down to Cincy and it started strong.

I have not seen the 300 in person, but wanted to post I know first hand the 240 is a strong runner, fun to drive, and the seller is a good guy.

Unlock that imgur account or email me some pics Mark, my friend is still interested in seeing pics.

dubadxx · #3 03-30-2015, 10:08 PM

I think I just changed it to public. Try again.

Mölyapina · #4 03-30-2015, 10:37 PM

Pics work! GLWS, and enjoy the TDI.

Are you running R134a or R12 in the 240D?

dubadxx · #5 03-31-2015, 10:16 AM

Both cars have been switched over to R-134. The 300D leaks also, but slowly compared to the 240D.

dubadxx · #6 04-16-2015, 11:48 AM

Got a response from my CL ad from a buyer who voiced concern over never having owned a diesel. Here's my response. Too harsh? Maybe I wanna keep everything, secretly. This was regarding the 300D.

In the long run, diesels are far more reliable than similar aged gas vehicles. Diesel engines far outlast a gas engine before a rebuild is required (if ever). The key to keeping a diesel engine running economically is to keep up with all the regular preventive maintenance issues. Filters, filters, filters,, fluids, fluids, and fluids. Oil and filter change every 3k, all (2) fuel filters and air filter every year, then there's the less common filters, power steering, tank filter. All of these procedures you must learn to do yourself, they're simple for the average backyard mechanic with a good set of basic tools. Otherwise you're going to end up paying your local german car specialist to do them. By all means, NEVER take these cars to a chain service center ie Jiffy Lube, Midas, etc. They won't have the parts or the correct oil anyway. Obviously there will be things you just can't do yourself, and that's where a relationship with a good independent mechanic is invaluable,
The other issue with these older diesels is all the deferred maintenance issues you run into from a previous owner. In the case of my 300D, a lot has been taken care of, but still not everything. Hence the lower price. I've chased most of the oil leaks down. (They all pretty much leak from somewhere.) Nothing major, probably wouldn't even need topping up much after a 400mi trip like you refer to. It honestly needs the following to make it a real nice daily driver (not including the body work, which I would just leave as is).
Shocks, motor mounts, exhaust down pipe, replace all worn suspension parts, fuel injectors and/or nozzles, transmission adjustments. I could go on but won't. You don't need to do any of this stuff to enjoy this car, but this is what I had planned for it.
Please refer to Diesel Discussion - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum for information on just about anything on these cars. It is also the definitive source for parts

Pelican Parts.com - Parts, Accessories and Technical Information for all Mercedes-Benz Automobiles.
Buying one of these cars from diesel enthusiasts like myself is similar to adopting a pet. We like to make sure they're going to the right person who will be able to maintain and enjoy them the way they were designed. Not to discourage, but any purchase of a 30+ y.o. car especially a German luxury car (They were > $30k when new), requires a certain commitment, not to mention the means to afford such a hobby. That being said, it's a great way to get into something you can enjoy indefinitely. Do your research and get back to me if still interested.

Prolly scared him/her away. Hope not.

Cruzersoul · #7 04-16-2015, 05:18 PM

Your response wasn't harsh in the least. In fact, I think most people would be glad that you are so forthcoming with them in regards to what the vehicle needs to be a reliable/comfortable daily driver. A lot of people are often times thrown off by the mileage of our older diesels, the best advice I give them when the mileage is brought into question, is to do research on the subject. Normally after a quick goggle search they come to understand that 200k on the engine is literally nothing for an OM617 that has been properly taken care of. By the way, I hope the person wasn't interested in the 240d, as I am in the process of persuading the wife, I know imagine that, of allowing me to use my own money in the purchase of it.

-Drew

dubadxx · #8 04-18-2015, 02:32 PM

The 300D has sold to a young enthusiast, who wrote a paper on diesel engines for a class. Can't beat that, I guess.