1971 250c, should I buy it? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

davestlouis · #1 12-07-2005, 11:44 PM

Folks, I have an opportunity to grab a 250s, automatic, non-sunroof car. This would be the oldest car I've owned since the 1970 VW Beetle I drove in the mid-80's in high school. Any particular things I need to look out for and plan to spend $$$ on to keep it running? Thanks, Dave

alabbasi · #2 12-07-2005, 11:59 PM

Should still be fun to drive, I have a 250CE back in England and it is a blast to drive.

ctaylor738 · #3 12-08-2005, 02:25 PM

Make sure that the heater blower works

Does not backfire, idles well and has good power

No rust in floors, firewall, rockers, or trunk floor

Don't pay more than a couple grand unless it is a very fine example

cth350 · #4 12-08-2005, 04:57 PM

to amplify Chuck's response. Underside rust in the rockers, the firewall and the floor is common. As for the running condition. The carbs can easily be setup incorrectly by somebody that didn't pay attention to them. Unless they've been replaced, they are a pair of zenith 2 barrell carbs.

The 250c is a very nice, simple little car. Note that there were TWO model 250c cars in 1971. Mid-year, they discontinued the M114 (2.5l) motor and put the M130 (2.8l) motor in the car. The chassis number will tell you which you have (114.021 vs 114.023).

-CTH

300SDog · #5 12-08-2005, 06:17 PM

And with pillarless windows all rolled down you probably dont need a sunroof. Amazing air flow on the MB coupes. It's better than a covertible in my opinion.

Same as any vintage car, maintenance history and sevice records is what counts the most. And has it been driven consistently over the past few years? Too much downtime in storage, say for the past 20 yrs into today, is not a selling point.

davestlouis · #6 12-08-2005, 09:23 PM

Well, I didn't get the one I was looking at, just didn't like the lack of answers from the seller. Even though it was pretty inexpensive I wasn't comfortable with it...the one thing that I really didn't like was that the whitewall tires looked like they were 20 years old...why on earth were they not worn out and long-since replaced if the car had been in use?!
I get the sick feeling that I'm going to have a driveway full of ratty old M-B's if I keep this up. I do the same thing with collectible firearms, they just seem to follow me home and land in the safes.
ANyway, I'm in metro St. Louis MO and would like to find one (or more) early 70's W114 sedan(s) or coupe(s) as toys. A W123 wagon as a parts-hauler would be a neat addition too.

pj67coll · #7 12-09-2005, 06:31 PM

Dave. I have to ask. I see in your sig you have a 2003 Kia Rio. Why did you do that? I have an 02 and it's the worst mistake I've ever made in my life. How has yours been? I hope they have improved their later ones ut I'm not prepared to get burned finding out. By the way. I also have an old gun "problem"

- Peter.

davestlouis · #8 12-09-2005, 09:08 PM

Man, that's the 3rd Rio I've had...the first 2001 got totaled, the 2nd '01 ran with literally zero problems for 125xxx miles then I gifted it to a nanny I was firing. The '03 is a tin can but it was dirt cheap and has over 105xxx miles on it, with 2 original tires still. I have taken loads of crap for that car, but it really did serve a purpose. Unfortunately my 17 year old crunched it again and it's on the DL until I can determine which undercarriage parts are bent. I know people HATE Rio's but as much as I hate to say it, I've had pretty good luck.

davestlouis · #9 12-09-2005, 09:10 PM

I'm finding that it's easier to sneak another rifle past my wife than it is to explain where that "new" Mercedes came from. All the guns look the same to her, but the cars are all different colors.

pj67coll · #10 12-10-2005, 12:12 PM

Well Dave. You have obviously had better luck than me with Rio's. Mine has only got 62 thousand on it and in the three years I've had it the following happen.

Aluminum stripping in the roof channels blew out in a drive thru car wash. Passenger side mirror glass fell off on the highway. Rotors had to be turned at 24K. Severe vibration from front suspension at highway speeds. Only cured a few months ago with the third tire change by a Big O tire place who were able to get the alignment right finally - dealer never could. Three recalls. Cooling fan fell off! I kid you not. Fortunately I was able to drive it with sufficient air flow thru the radiator that the temperature never got high enough to damage the engine. Replaced broken right rear shock. Timing belt replacement cost me 300 bucks. Simultaneously both engine mountings had to be replaced as they were both broken, the transmission had to be replaced as did the stater motor. Fortunately that was done under warrantee or I might have been tempted to go fetch one of my rifles. Oh and now the left rear shock is broken. But as it's out of warrantee I think I'm just going to leave it. The thought of spending one cent more on this piece of junk just ticks me off.

Cant wait for my next vehicle which will be a 240D. Hopefully in January or February.

- Peter.

davestlouis · #11 12-10-2005, 09:36 PM

I picked up the Sunday St. Louis Post-Dispatch today to check the classifieds...there are 3 M-B's with asking prices of $1500...
1. a 560SEL "project car" which sounds scary but I'm going to call just out of morbid curiosity
2. a 1982 240D
3. a 1976 240D with "some rust"

This is like an addiction...I need another car like I need a hole in the head, but I'm drawn to these helpless, pathetic old cars. I keep telling my wife they need my care, just like she can't go to the dog pound without bringing a new furry friend home.

mzsmbs · #12 12-10-2005, 10:41 PM

nobody mentioned the rubber, hmm? all the bushings (front and rear subframe) and most of the seals (door, trunk, windows) are probably will need to be replaced unless already done recently.