I'm considering a trade. Advice needed. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

zenuff · #1 03-21-2010, 05:39 AM

I have a 1968 230 with 6 cyl. automatic trans. It is a good car for the most part but it needs some work. it has a few rust issues and needs some mechanical repairs done, front seal and the steering coupler are the mosy pressing.
I really like my 230 but I would like a diesel. I found a local trade for a 74 240D. It is in decent condition. needs brake work and some minor stuff done to it. It will be a even trade.

Would you trade the 230 for the later model 240D?

Is that series of cars a good one? That car sat for the last 6 months and it started right up.

I think it would be a good fair trade as they both have their good and bad points it kinda equals out.

Any random info on the 240D greatly appreciated.

Mark DiSilvestro · #2 03-21-2010, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenuff

I have a 1968 230 with 6 cyl. automatic trans. It is a good car for the most part but it needs some work. it has a few rust issues and needs some mechanical repairs done, front seal and the steering coupler are the mosy pressing.
I really like my 230 but I would like a diesel. I found a local trade for a 74 240D. It is in decent condition. needs brake work and some minor stuff done to it. It will be a even trade.

Would you trade the 230 for the later model 240D?

Is that series of cars a good one? That car sat for the last 6 months and it started right up.

I think it would be a good fair trade as they both have their good and bad points it kinda equals out.

Any random info on the 240D greatly appreciated.

How rusty is that 240D? Is it stick or automatic?
Many diesel-fans prefer these with a stickshift because of their low power - approximately half the HP of your 230. Also, these diesels can be harder to start in very cold weather. And some don't care for the huge 'park-bench' 5-mph bumper that Mercedes introduced on their 1974 USA models.
So a good test-drive is in order to see if you can live with this 240D. Otherwise, if it's in decent shape, it could be a better daily-driver, with about 50% better fuel mileage than your 230. But you could wind up missing the smoothness of your 230's 6-cylinder!

Happy Motoring, Mark

t walgamuth · #3 03-21-2010, 09:03 AM

I agree with mark.

A 76 240d is a perfectly usable, drivalbe daily driver quality car. the 68 is more of a weekend novelty kindof car not really practical for daily driving.

todds · #4 03-21-2010, 10:15 AM

Quote:

I really like my 230 but I would like a diesel.

No money/room for both?

If you had an extra parking spot you could occupy for a little while it'd be much nicer to directly compare them and then sell the one you didn't want. This 230 is a "/8" w114 right?

JeffreyNMemphis · #5 03-22-2010, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

I agree with mark.

A 76 240d is a perfectly usable, drivalbe daily driver quality car. the 68 is more of a weekend novelty kindof car not really practical for daily driving.

Ahmm.... If the 230 was sorted out, it could be a daily driver. My 220S is my favorite car to drive this month. The 220S is actually faster than a 240D. My friend Don has a 240D; nothing wrong with driving it every day either.

t walgamuth · #6 03-22-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffreyNMemphis

Ahmm.... If the 230 was sorted out, it could be a daily driver. My 220S is my favorite car to drive this month. The 220S is actually faster than a 240D. My friend Don has a 240D; nothing wrong with driving it every day either.

Just my opinion.

tom

JeffreyNMemphis · #7 03-22-2010, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Just my opinion.

tom

Hey Tom,

Opinions are valued here! Didn't mean to stomp or tread on yours. I was tossing in my opinion, which doesn't discount yours at all. Please forgive me for phrasing it the way I did. I appreciate your perspective.

Jeffrey

zenuff · #8 03-24-2010, 05:35 PM

Looks like I will end up trading for the diesel. It has low miles and seems like a solid fixer upper. BTW it is an automatic trans, three speed I think.
I hope the highway gear is a little better than the one in my fintail.
Over all im excited about this one. Its been sitting for 6-7 years. Any suggestions as to what I shouod do to get it road ready? Any obscure diesel related info you guys could share would be great as I am new to diesels.

Thanks

btw I found out its a 1978 not a 76 as I previously thought.

t walgamuth · #9 03-24-2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffreyNMemphis

Hey Tom,

Opinions are valued here! Didn't mean to stomp or tread on yours. I was tossing in my opinion, which doesn't discount yours at all. Please forgive me for phrasing it the way I did. I appreciate your perspective.

Jeffrey

hey, no worries!

t walgamuth · #10 03-24-2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenuff

Looks like I will end up trading for the diesel. It has low miles and seems like a solid fixer upper. BTW it is an automatic trans, three speed I think.
I hope the highway gear is a little better than the one in my fintail.
Over all im excited about this one. Its been sitting for 6-7 years. Any suggestions as to what I shouod do to get it road ready? Any obscure diesel related info you guys could share would be great as I am new to diesels.

Thanks

btw I found out its a 1978 not a 76 as I previously thought.

1. get it running.
2. convert to stick.

zenuff · #11 03-24-2010, 05:59 PM

It actually starts up and seems to run decent, I think it needs some fuel additive and fresh fuel. Converting to stick might be a little more than I want to do on this one. I do wish it was a manual transmission but I'm ok with it.
It does have those vacuum door lock mechanisms though and not one of the door locks will budge. Seem like they are just jammed stuck. Any suggestions on those things>? Any special fluids that will work good in the engine/trans?

I also need some sort of biocide. Is seafoam a biocide?

Skid Row Joe · #12 03-24-2010, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenuff

I have a 1968 230 with 6 cyl. automatic trans. It is a good car for the most part but it needs some work. it has a few rust issues and needs some mechanical repairs done, front seal and the steering coupler are the mosy pressing.
I really like my 230 but I would like a diesel. I found a local trade for a 74 240D. It is in decent condition. needs brake work and some minor stuff done to it. It will be a even trade.

Would you trade the 230 for the later model 240D?

Is that series of cars a good one? That car sat for the last 6 months and it started right up.

I think it would be a good fair trade as they both have their good and bad points it kinda equals out.

Any random info on the 240D greatly appreciated.

If this is really a question of personal economics, only if the 240D was needed as my daily-driver.

Outside of reliability and economy, your 1968 230 sounds more interesting than a 240D in similar condition to me.

strelnik · #13 03-24-2010, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffreyNMemphis

Ahmm.... If the 230 was sorted out, it could be a daily driver. My 220S is my favorite car to drive this month. The 220S is actually faster than a 240D. My friend Don has a 240D; nothing wrong with driving it every day either.

The car as a 74 240D is an early model 616, aichigan has very cold winters and my 240D runbs fine, as long as I keep the valves adjusted and do the glow plugs every two-three years as needed.

Don't let diesel and cold make the decision, look at the whole car. If it's a manual grab it, they are very easy to work on and a lot more fun than the Borg Warner TK35 you have in your W114 gasser.

zenuff · #14 03-24-2010, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strelnik

The car as a 74 240D is an early model 616, aichigan has very cold winters and my 240D runbs fine, as long as I keep the valves adjusted and do the glow plugs every two-three years as needed.

Don't let diesel and cold make the decision, look at the whole car. If it's a manual grab it, they are very easy to work on and a lot more fun than the Borg Warner TK35 you have in your W114 gasser.

Its actually a 1978, I looked at so many cars that day that I couldnt remember. I went back and looked again and it was a 78, which is ok with me. Its an automatic trans too, do these give lots of trouble? I've had two vintage mercedes and the transmissions in both of them have been good.
Is the 74 or 76 version of the 240D better? I looked at what I think was a 74 and it had a interesting glow plug indicator on the dash with a filament inside.

Either way I think im going to get it 98% sure. Im excited to get a diesel, I like to figure out new mechanical devices.

btw: do the glow plugs really need a replacement every 3 years? Is it like changing the spark plugs on a gasoline model?

t walgamuth · #15 03-25-2010, 06:36 AM

Glows requie replacement when they burn out. I'd say on average that is longer than 3 years if you buy the bosch.

No material diff between 74 and 76.