Found two more local older Mercedes- early 80s 240/300 and 83 300CD coupe

[86560SEL]

Today I spotted two more older Mercedes I am considering to buy as a work car. I found either a 240D or 300D 4dr. It has the color keyed wheelcovers, so I am guessing it is a 240D, which I know is a S L O W car, but not a concern, if I use it as a work car. It is light blue, has a few dents and flaking paint, but looks to be rust free, which is typical of cars around here in the south. No price listed, but I may call about it tomorrow and get the details. This car is parked in a lawn at a home. The other I found is a 1983 300CD coupe (also light blue) for $1900. It has 160K (I think) and is in VGC. Only problem is that I do not really like the 2drs. It is in GC however. They also have a fairly nice 84 BMW 5-series sedan for $1900, but I vowed I would never buy another BMW after the terrible 1982 BMW 733i I bought a few years ago. It WAS an electrical glitch. Engine would not start 1/2 of the time, lights in the console for the windows were always illuminated, several wires taped up in the instrument panel where the radio was, heat/AC controls inoperable, found rust in the trunk, rust hole in the wheel well (found out it was an original northern car). I should have checked it out more closely, but it was only $700., so I could not complain. I later sold it for $800. w/out investing any money, so that was good. I also later found out that it had the original 3.3L removed and it had a 2.8L from a 5-series. Still, that car would FLY. I have never driven a more powerful car, aside from our old (now my grandfathers) 81 Toyota Cressida with a 2.8L inline 6-cyl w/EFI. The BMW would not start when hot when a certain sensor was connected. When disconnected- it would not start when engine was cold. Interior quality on the big BMW was also not what I expected. Very low quality for a $40K in 1982 flagship BMW. Several interior rattles. Possible that the car was abused and poorly maintained. Anyway- I would rather have a Mercedes than BMW. I also located a 84-85 190e for $1800., but I do not know the details.

[86560SEL]

I drove by the Mercedes again today and they have a price on it of $375. The body is definetly showing its age, but at this price, I am thinking there is more wrong with it, unless the seller just needs fast cash. I think I will call about it later. What are the commom trouble spots (aside from underbody rust) that these late 70s and early 80s 240D and 300D have? Also, the 84 BMW 535i has been reduced to $1600, but as mentioned, I really do not want another older BMW, unless it is the 1988-newer 7-series. Thanks again for any info.

[86560SEL]

Hello? No 240D/300D owners with any information?

[300duser]

I found a 84 300d gc 4 door in a garage at a house I was working on it had sat for 4 years, to make a long story short the owner gave it to me for a little extra work on the house, after sitting that long all I did was free up the brake calipers and put a new battery in and drove it home, the 1st gear on the tranny was bad due to a vacume leak, and other small things have gone bad such as the brake lines rusted out and air compressor and the front end needed work, the car has 190k on it now and I still drive it every day, ( I have some air conditioning issues) but everything seems ok considering the year and Michigan winters.

[86560SEL]

Thanks. I phoned about the car today and it does run good according to the seller. Strange that they did not know if it was a 240 or a 300. Bad news (to me anyway) is that it is a manual shift. I do not like manual shift cars (especially Mercedes), so I guess I will pass on it. Thanks again.