240D (A.T) $3.2k worth it in 2020?

[soilsminor]

Thinkin of buying a mercedes 240D (automatic Diesel) with 90k miles for $3.3k ... it runs. But signal lights, one electric window, manual seat recliner and A/C arn’t working!

- if i bought and fixed it, would i be able to get a profit on resale? Or does no one care about 240D these days

[BWhitmore]

Way too much money. Probably worth $1K at best. Auto trans 240 diesels are almost dangerous because of their lack of acceleration.

[Sugar Bear]

Price is a little high with things not working. It won't be a money maker.

If it is totally rust free with 90k miles it would make a nice driver.

Good luck!!!

[Tomguy]

It's hard to tell where the market might go with these. MB made too many to be collectible, but at the same time, they were driven, so finding one in very good condition and low (documented actual) miles is hard.

If the original paint is all good, interior is mint, no rust, 90k miles, etc. you may be able to profit at that price, just because it's a seller's market right now. I am unsure how long it'll last though.

[Shortsguy1]

Even VW bugs and vans are now collectible, so I don't think a common car necessarily means it cannot go up in value. As an owner of a 220d with automatic transmission, I do not feel it is unsafe to drive. I used to take my kids around in it, but now they prefer to face backwards in my wagons. Living where I do (a small city), it is fine. It would not be my first choice in a hilly region or in Los Angeles.

But, to reinforce others opinions, fixing the AC and a few other items on a 240D is not going to increase its value above $3200 unless the rest of the car is truly perfect.

[BWhitmore]

My first new Mercedes was a 1983 240D 4 speed stick. Living in Los Angeles it was very difficult to merge onto a freeway with this car and it was a manual trans car. I sold the car the following year and purchased a new 1985 300D (turbo). A rocket compared to the 240. Unfortunately, the W123 cars have unreliable odometers. I would ask for documentation that the car has only 90,000 miles.

[soilsminor]

wow... it seems like an overwhelming consensus that this classic car won't be a money maker. ... Yes the exterior looks perfect and the interior looks perfect. But the springs are weak in the drivers seat because the owner was heavy set. ..
- Yes I definitely worry about the slow acceleration esp living in New York. and I also worry that of a buyer is looking for a 240D, they would want a Manual transmission because of the acceleration advantage

[zigzag]

I purchased my 79 240D with 93K miles and an auto trans for $800, non running. I did have to invest a few hundred dollars to get it back on the road but it was easy. I did see this post on reddit too and replied there as well. I had similar issues and was able to fix them all fairly easy. The most expensive thing was purchasing the new tires for it.
Yes, very slow take off with this auto trans but once it gets going, its ok. A manual swap would prolly help in our situation.

[Tony H]

A '57 Bug went for over 30K on BAT recently.
I gave mine away for cabinets. BUT it needed a lot of work but how much can one spend on a Bug? Black plate Ca car.

Originally Posted by Shortsguy1

Even VW bugs and vans are now collectible, so I don't think a common car necessarily means it cannot go up in value. As an owner of a 220d with automatic transmission, I do not feel it is unsafe to drive. I used to take my kids around in it, but now they prefer to face backwards in my wagons. Living where I do (a small city), it is fine. It would not be my first choice in a hilly region or in Los Angeles.

But, to reinforce others opinions, fixing the AC and a few other items on a 240D is not going to increase its value above $3200 unless the rest of the car is truly perfect.

[soilsminor]

Originally Posted by zigzag

I purchased my 79 240D with 93K miles and an auto trans for $800, non running. I did have to invest a few hundred dollars to get it back on the road but it was easy. I did see this post on reddit too and replied there as well. I had similar issues and was able to fix them all fairly easy. The most expensive thing was purchasing the new tires for it.
Yes, very slow take off with this auto trans but once it gets going, its ok. A manual swap would prolly help in our situation.

wait? can you just change the transmission from automatic to manual ? what do you mean "a manual swap"?

[BWhitmore]

A manual swap involves installing a clutch mechanism, a manual transmission, a different flywheel, different transmission linkage and probably different driveshaft and different transmission mount/cross member.

[tjts1]

Keep in mind that it's extremely easy to roll back the odonerbob these cars. Also the cable to the speedometer/odometer can fail and sone people let it go like that for years.

[speednjay]

Offer the guy $500

[soilsminor]

Originally Posted by tjts1

Keep in mind that it's extremely easy to roll back the odonerbob these cars. Also the cable to the speedometer/odometer can fail and sone people let it go like that for years.

Jesus.... its. the wild Wild West with these cars

[soilsminor]

Originally Posted by BWhitmore

A manual swap involves installing a clutch mechanism, a manual transmission, a different flywheel, different transmission linkage and probably different driveshaft and different transmission mount/cross member.

sound expensive and like a lot of work... but great to know its possible