I'm considering acquiring my first diesel. There's this '82 240D in my area for $250. It's got about 140,000 miles. The engine starts and runs OK from cold, according to a friend who went to look at it when the seller was home. Also my friend said the power widows and other accessories still seemed to be working (except for of course, the AC - no suprise)

I stopped by to see it a few days later, but the owner wasn't there, so I couldn't hear it start or see how the oil pressure was after warmup, but I had a pretty good look at the body and floors. Beige exterior, tan interior. Most paint still shiny. Body looks pretty straight, except front passenger door, which has ding and the side molding is missing.

Now for some bad news - it's not driveable due to the left rear suspension arm having rusted partly in half, so the left rear wheel now sits twisted at a most peculiar angle. Other rust includes part of the drivers side floor alongside the inner sill and similar, but smaller, rusting on the passenger side floor, though the rockers still seem largely intact. Also there's a big rust blister on the left rear fender behind the wheel, plus the right front fender has been bondoed & repainted but it's now blistering through the bondo. A few years ago, I repaired much worse floor rust in someone else's 300D so I'm not scared off because of the floors in this one. Anyway, if I decide to take the diesel plunge, I'd be fixing this up as a driver, not a showcar. Interior looks decent except for a big hole in the driver's seat (I'm thinking sheepskins here!)

I am concerned because this is an automatic.
I know these are slow anyway, but I'm more concerned about durability. Are the automatics a weak link on these cars?

Has anyone ever seen one of these W123 rear suspension arms rust out? I have a '72 W114 250 parts car. Will a rear suspension arm from the W114 fit a W123?

I know many say there's no more expensive Mercedes than a cheap Mercedes, but I suppose (worse case) I could always part this one out.

On that note, There's this 300D with a decent body, sitting in a neighbor's driveway down the other end of my street. It might be availible cheap because the automatic died a few years ago.
Final question - will a 240D automatic work in a 300D?

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW