Considering a '73 220D, how can I verify miles?

[alabbasi]

Originally Posted by daw_two

Sometimes it doesn't matter.

That's also true, even if it was accurate, for a car to have 80000 miles over 40 years means that only been driven 2000 miles per year which his highly unlikely, or being a diesel. It was driven 80,000 miles in 10 years or less and then laid up which is really bad.

With any old car, condition trumps mileage unless you plan to stick it in a museum. A guy here in Dallas bought a 67 Lincoln with less then 20,000 miles. The first thing that he had to do is pull the heads off because the valves were stuck. I suspect that if he does not sell it soon, he'll be dumping some serious cash into that car.

[loepke72]

Originally Posted by alabbasi

That's also true, even if it was accurate, for a car to have 80000 miles over 40 years means that only been driven 2000 miles per year which his highly unlikely, or being a diesel. It was driven 80,000 miles in 10 years or less and then laid up which is really bad.

With any old car, condition trumps mileage unless you plan to stick it in a museum. A guy here in Dallas bought a 67 Lincoln with less then 20,000 miles. The first thing that he had to do is pull the heads off because the valves were stuck. I suspect that if he does not sell it soon, he'll be dumping some serious cash into that car.

I was the one who worked on that Lincoln for its owner. It was a 1966 Lincoln Continental with about 4600 miles. It had sat from about 1970 to the present. It developed a problem typical of MEL engines that sit for extended time; that is sticking valves. The car had stuck valves, bent pushrods, and a damaged valve lifter despite its low mileage and near mint condition. The A/C compressor was also no good after all these years and required replacement. The exhaust system had to be replaced due to severe rust. Most everything else appears to be in working condition, but I suspect the rubber parts will soon fail if the car is driven very much. I see this kind of thing all the time at the dealer as well. Low mileage older cars with dry rotted original tires, oil leaks, rotten exhaust systems and other problems.