I’m going to look to buy a 220D Sedan W115 built in 1972. The owner told me over the phone that the car is in very good conditions and as bean restored, no rust and engine running very good. We also said that the car hasn’t bean used that much since 1986 and that there is same kind of electrical problem because the front lights aren’t working.

Dose same one has experience whit these cars that can give me same advice on what to look and if the electrical problem is too complicated to correct?

Can same one explain me what the 2º grope of 3 numbers in the chassis number (115 110 60 251076) means?

This is going to be probably my 1º old timer, so any help ill be appreciated. Thanks

Correct format for the chassis number is:

115.110 10 xxxxxxx

115.110 is the chassis and type (four door sedan, 115 chassis, first type with non-impact absorbing bumpers), the 10 means left hand drive, manual tranny, and the rest of the numbers are the serial number of the chassis.

Non-working headlights are usually bad fuses -- they are the "bullet" type and corrode, becoming non-conducting with age. This is obvious if one some of them work (i.e. left high beam, right low beam, etc). The other possibility is the switch. Unless mice ate the wires, there isn't much else to go wrong.

Look for rust in the floors and water in the trunk -- the window gaskets are surely dead if not replaced, and the rust that results from the leaks will eat the entire car (we have two examples, one fixed, the other sitting...)

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Thanks for your advice Peter, and the explanation on the serial number. I’m looking at the car next Sunday, Ill tray to take same pictures and post then. I’m not expecting too many problems whit rust; the owner said that the car is kept in a garage since 86 when we got it, but ill sure look.

Hi,
Look what an australian site says for a W111:
111 012 60 is a 220Sb RHD made outside Germany with a manual transmission ...
So call the guy and ask him ...

Looks like you are correct vox_incognita.
I have posted the pictures and a comment in “What do you think of this one?”