240d run-down
 

Hi guys,
Thinking of looking at a 240d this weekend - what all do I check on these models?

Thanks,
Dunl

ba-dump


Anything special to watch out for with these?

first diesel?
 

Will this be your first diesel automobile?
The first and easiest thing to look for is excessive smoke out of the exhaust pipe. also, loosen the oil cap on the valve cover and have it just covering the opening while the engine runs. if it jostles all over the place while gasses escape around it, then you have some ring issues. it's not a death sentence, these cars will run a long time like that, but it means you have a less than pristine engine.

dale

Thanks. No, it's not my first, as I have a 1980 300SD....I'm just looking for "model-specific" issues to watch for.

Dunl-

Nothing really different than on your W116. I would pay a bit more attention to the state of health of the engine on a 240D as they have to work a lot harder than an OM617 to move the same mass.

Rick

The engine is supposed to run very well, but the body has "some" rust on the rockers and fenders.

Uh oh.

How much can you tolerate? How much before it's not worth it? I wonder how cheap the price is; the automatic really saps power, so the stick would be a little bit better, and the manual shift in these are really quite precise and nice, I wish they had been more available across the entire model line...

Total mileage on these cars-as you know, isn't too important, but overall body condition matters, and having past records helps too.

Good luck, I hope it works out. If not, there is always the USA available to you to get one! (I hear they are not thick on the ground up your way)

It's going to be under a grand, and comes with a 300d parts car...but I seriously doubt it will be around when I get to it. :(

Hmmm...lots of calls on it, but he still had it when I called tonight.

Found out that the big factor is that it needs an out-of-province inspection. And honestly, if there is a chance that it might not pass the inspection due to the rust, I'm going to pass on it sight-unseen. I just don't have the time or space to take on a project car that comes with a parts car, no matter how good the deal.



And from past experience, sometimes it's a mistake, sometimes it's not. That's the way it goes.


Now, if I had been able to get the 240d in perfect condition last week for $650 without an engine, then I would have swapped in the engine from this one....
Thanks for the help everyone. :)