Well, I'm pretty pleased with my 'new' 5-speed TD. And what a pleasure to not hear my 240D's engine roaring in my eardrums at highway speeds. Added bonus - it was quite warm this afternoon, around the mid 80s, so I tested the AC expecting the usual 'old W123' warm breezes, but instead I actually got COLD AC! I hadn't asked the seller about it - I just assumed it didn't work.

Other items needing attention - that golfball-size rust-spot in the left rear floor turned out to be a grapefruit sized hole, but it's nowhere near the critical seat or seatbelt attachments, nor does it extend into the sill, so it will be an easy cut & patch job.

With the AC going, the temperture guage went up to the white halfway-mark (100C?) between the 80C and max-120C/red line, or a bit below that(95C?) with the AC off. It never actually got near the red mark but the radiator looks original. At some point, I may replace the radiator anyway, to improve cooling and avoid the dreaded 'broken-neck' syndrome that these plastic radiator tanks are famous for.

There's also a groaning sound when turning the wheel at low/no speeds, that sounds like a ball-joint.

And of couse, for now, replace the cracked Euro headlamps with my pair of US headlamp units to get it through VA inspection.

And pull the back inner panel to see why the tailgate remains permanently locked. A station-wagon is pretty useless if the tailgate won't open!

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW