Time Running Out--Advice Please - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

coyotekid · #1 08-15-2006, 12:32 AM

Please refer to this Ebay ad:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=160016895660&ih=006&sspagename=STRK%3AMEDW%3AIT

The auction ended without the reserve being met, but the seller has given me a "second chance offer" of $2K.

Do you guys think this car is worth that as a daily-driver to save on fuel, or is it a POS?

Cosmetic things on this particular car don't bother me that much, and I'm a capable mechanic--but I don't want to buy a parts-car either!

Finally...I'm new to MB diesels. Will the whopping 67HP of a 240D allow me to cruise out on the interstate at 75 MPH much of the time? I'm used to a 400RWHP Chevy Duramax pickup, and although it gets good mileage for what it is, I need a run-around car to save some money...

Thanks in advance for the help!

Boardmonger · #2 08-15-2006, 12:38 AM

It will get to 75 eventually...

Besides the faded paint (and most certainly cracked dash) the car looks pretty clean. If possible go drive the car and see how it feels. It will obviously be slow compared to your super-diesel but it will cruise and get decent mileage with the 4 speed. If I were you I wouldn't do it unless you can or have checked it out already. If you can't find on locally and drive it around and keep looking. Too many people have been screwed on ebay and it would stink to see another.

Good Luck.

coyotekid · #3 08-15-2006, 12:45 AM

Thanks for the advice. The car is about 300 miles away--there are very few MB diesels in Montana! I've been looking for about a year now semi-seriously, and this is the first real candidate I've seen within reasonable distance.

The sheer fact that the guy listing it has such poor language skills and no knowledge of MB diesels DOES scare me!

Jim B. · #4 08-15-2006, 01:05 AM

You could go and drive it, and have a mechanic check it out to see what it needs, they are sturdy models but tend to rust out, run away if it,s a rust bucket.

Or, check autotrader or craigslist, and spend a long weekend vacation in Los Angeles, and you'd probably be VERY likely to find a good clean rust free well taken care of one there at a good price to drive back home with you.

There is even lots of great mechanics (see Good mechanics section, MR. MB)
in LA to help you check out the best candidates. There are forum members here who live down there who could help with suggestions too I'd bet

Los Angeles/Southern California has the highest number of used Mercedes for sale, thus prices competitive, and being a car culture, cars usually are best cared for and the mild sunny climate means no salt, rust, corrosion, baked by the sun problems.

If it worked, you'd have scored a fine car for cheap, and if it didn't you'd have had a fine vacation!!!

The only extra premium you'd have to pay is a $10 one trip permit from the Calif. DMV, and the price of fuel food and maybe one night's hotel.

That's my .02

Motorhead · #5 08-15-2006, 03:43 AM

I think that a 240 stick tops out at 85-87mph.... this is against the end of the governor in the pump so you can imagine what the RPMs are. They WILL run 70mph long term but I feel that you are "Pushing" them expecting them to run faster.

rs899 · #6 08-15-2006, 06:44 AM

On the surface $2K does not seem unreasonable for that car. But , go cash in hand , and check it out for yourself. If your already own a diesel, you have an idea what it should sound like and how it should start. Check carefully for rust- do a search on where to look. There is no frame as on a Chevy pickup. Jim B's idea of going to California is a great one- I picked up a rust free beauty of a W116 300SD there for $800 two years ago. But with the WVO/biodiesel craze going, I don't see the bargains there anymore I once did. Every seller lists his car as "biodiesel ready" and expects a $1000 premium for it. So- your call. These cars really do not like to run at 75MPH. You might look into the "high performance" models of the 240D- IIRC the '82s and '83s were rated at 72HP, so might be a bit better at the top end of the range (?). I never push mine above 65.

jrgslg · #7 08-15-2006, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coyotekid

Please refer to this Ebay ad:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=160016895660&ih=006&sspagename=STRK%3AMEDW%3AIT

The auction ended without the reserve being met, but the seller has given me a "second chance offer" of $2K.

Do you guys think this car is worth that as a daily-driver to save on fuel, or is it a POS?

Cosmetic things on this particular car don't bother me that much, and I'm a capable mechanic--but I don't want to buy a parts-car either!

Finally...I'm new to MB diesels. Will the whopping 67HP of a 240D allow me to cruise out on the interstate at 75 MPH much of the time? I'm used to a 400RWHP Chevy Duramax pickup, and although it gets good mileage for what it is, I need a run-around car to save some money...

Thanks in advance for the help!

BE VERY CAREFUL OF SECOND CHANCE OFFERS FROM EBAY,this is a huge scam that is happenning.Its not the seller whos scamming its someone who gets the bid history and contacts the bidders offering them the merchandise.Just beware,I am not implying this seller is not legit,just beware,Johnny

coyotekid · #8 08-15-2006, 11:07 AM

Thanks for the heads-up. I've checked this one out, and it's the real deal. I bought a cargo-trailer on Ebay a few months ago and DID receive a bogus second-chance offer...so I was more aware of what to look for this time around--I hope!

New2MB · #9 08-15-2006, 11:21 AM

It looks like a nice enough car but one thing to note about the 240D, it is VERY slow. My sister has a '79 240D and she gets honked at when accelerating because people think she's not going anywhere. And that is with a manual transmission. So keep in mind, it won't be anything like your 400RWHP truck.