My recent purchase...1979 240d - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

joegolden · #1 05-02-2013, 11:01 PM

Original owners had it until 2012. Has alot of documentation. Even has the tools unmolested first aid kit, all books and a lot of records. It has new tires, alternator, battery but I think i need to put a radiator in. Its sprung a leak at the neck.

Also in these pics wou will notice my dash pic. Look at the temp...Looks a lil high..where do most usually stay on the gauge? I had let it sit for a while idling while I was photographing. Never runs that warm when driving.

Anyway I gave $3000 for it and it has no rust except for the the front corners of the front valance/airdam. PO poorly touched up one corner which I have already sanded down. Gonna repair it right.

No a/c the belt is off. But everything else works perfect. It drives so darn good. Pokey...

but will roll at 80mph on flat land pretty easily. here are some pics...

1979 mercedes 240d - a set on Flickr

MBeige · #2 05-03-2013, 12:35 AM

Congrats! Nice pics, car looks pristine

pj67coll · #3 05-03-2013, 01:30 AM

Fantastic find. Beautiful, well done. Love the color combo. The temp does look a tad high to me from what I remember but it will rise when idling a bit. Keep an eye on it.

- Peter.

Air&Road · #4 05-03-2013, 07:50 AM

I'm surprised to see a plastic radiator and no York compressor. My first 240D was a '77 that I bought new. It had a brass radiator and York compressor. I thought that this was the case until somewhere in the '80 model year. My '77 was the same color by the way.

Does it have an R4 compressor low on the drivers side? Whatever the compressor arrangement, turn the most forward portion of the compressor and see if it turns smoothly with compression pulsing. If so, you can put a belt on it and see what happens. If it has an idler, which I don't think it does, make sure it turns smoothly before putting on a belt.

Too bad it's an automatic. Those cars are so low on power that a stick shift makes all the difference.

catmandoo62 · #5 05-03-2013, 08:41 AM

see what you mean by cheesy fix on the front valence.that yellow is way off.also the pass side headlight is not in correctly.

Txjake · #6 05-03-2013, 09:34 AM

very nice!

daw_two · #7 05-03-2013, 09:50 AM

Joe --- Just 3 things for now:

1) Please do yourself a favor and unhook your key ring from your "new" car's key. You might want to get one of those unhook thingies. The weight is not good for the ignitiion tumblers.

2) VERY Nice car!!!

3) You might want to have one of the moderators move your thread to the Diesel Discussion.

4) Welcome to the forum!! Oops, guess I had 4 things to say.

barry12345 · #8 05-03-2013, 10:04 AM

No dash cracks probably means the car was kept indoors in your geographical area. As mentioned several places reciently .Nice examples are growing less common and prices for them are on the rise.

Jim B. · #9 05-03-2013, 11:50 AM

A beautiful car and at just 176k it's just broken in.

One of the truly classic, iconic snd built to last a lifetime models, and looking great with the painted hubcaps.

I believe the car may have one of the OEM radiators (Behr?) with the unreinforced hose necks, a known problem back then.

I'd look into replacing iot with the later model one without the problem, best bet would be a Nissens or Behr, though they may be assembled out of Germany now, ie, Pakistan or around.

The 240d with automatic only has about 60 hp or so, so 0-60 seconds may take 27+ seconds, it's the slowest of the 1979 Mercedes Benz line.

Passing maneuvers need to be worked out carefully with this car though...

You'll love the fuel economy though.

Enjoy!

Skid Row Joe · #10 05-03-2013, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joegolden

Original owners had it until 2012. Has alot of documentation. Even has the tools unmolested first aid kit, all books and a lot of records. It has new tires, alternator, battery but I think i need to put a radiator in. Its sprung a leak at the neck.

Also in these pics wou will notice my dash pic. Look at the temp...Looks a lil high..where do most usually stay on the gauge? I had let it sit for a while idling while I was photographing. Never runs that warm when driving.

Anyway I gave $3000 for it and it has no rust except for the the front corners of the front valance/airdam. PO poorly touched up one corner which I have already sanded down. Gonna repair it right.

No a/c the belt is off. But everything else works perfect. It drives so darn good. Pokey...

but will roll at 80mph on flat land pretty easily. here are some pics...

Joe,

Looks like a well-used, survivor you got your hands on. Good find. That will make a fantastic daily-driver at that price, IMO.

DieselPaul · #11 05-03-2013, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

The 240d with automatic only has about 60 hp or so, so 0-60 seconds may take 27+ seconds, it's the slowest of the 1979 Mercedes Benz line.

Ahem, I think they were rated at 64, don't sell the 616 so short. And on a 240 that's darn near 10% more!

Pretty car, enjoy it!

joegolden · #12 05-03-2013, 08:34 PM

It's actually not bad but some manual downshifting is required for hills and such. I kinda enjoy the planning...keeps the driver involved

The Clk Man · #13 05-03-2013, 08:40 PM

A friend of mine, a Doctor had one of those many years ago. He was 6'10" and about half of his head would stick up through the sunroof. It was very funny to see.

barry12345 · #14 05-04-2013, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Clk Man

A friend of mine, a Doctor had one of those many years ago. He was 6'10" and about half of his head would stick up through the sunroof. It was very funny to see.

Kind of blew his hair back I suppose. Perhaps going dowhill in the 240d.

joegolden · #15 05-05-2013, 12:45 PM

Has anyone tried mercedesource miracle paint for rust repair? Thought I may give it a try unless anyone has a better suggestion.

Also any preferences on an a/c compressor brands?

Thanks