Opinions requested on 1981 240D..

[coadman]

I have found a 1981 240D,4spd manual, that is being offered for sale by its original owner. The car was purchased in California when new, and the owner has since relocated to the midwest. Visited with him quite extensively on the phone just a bit ago, and may go take a look at it tommorow after work. He has all service records in his possesion, and has lived in the midwest for the past 15 years, and the local Mercedes dealership has done the service work(and also have records). He said the interior is in "pristene" condition, and everything works on the car, except the cruise control.(His dealership quoted him $400 to repair it and he passed). It is his daily driver to work. He said there is slight rust on the right rear quarter panel, jack points are fine. Biggest stickler is it has 376,000 miles. I asked if it used any oil, and he said yes it did, about 1 qt per 800 miles. Tires are good. He has a price of $1500 on the car, but I imagine it is negotiable. My question, is with the known oil consumption, is this car worth a look? Finding a one owner car still in the possesion of its original owner is kind of rare for what I have come across. The slight rust doesnt bother me, if it isnt clear through. The high mileage and the oil consumption is what bothers me. I have the name and number of the service manager who does the work, so I am going to call him tomorrow and inquire about the car. I asked the owner if the timing chain had been replaced, and he couldnt remember, thus he gave me the name and number of the service person. I suppose if a person could buy this cheap enough, he could find another motor to install in it? looking for opinions?
thanks,
coadman

[JackG]

Originally Posted by coadman

I have found a 1981 240D,4spd manual, that is being offered for sale by its original owner. The car was purchased in California when new, and the owner has since relocated to the midwest. Visited with him quite extensively on the phone just a bit ago, and may go take a look at it tommorow after work. He has all service records in his possesion, and has lived in the midwest for the past 15 years, and the local Mercedes dealership has done the service work(and also have records). He said the interior is in "pristene" condition, and everything works on the car, except the cruise control.(His dealership quoted him $400 to repair it and he passed). It is his daily driver to work. He said there is slight rust on the right rear quarter panel, jack points are fine. Biggest stickler is it has 376,000 miles. I asked if it used any oil, and he said yes it did, about 1 qt per 800 miles. Tires are good. He has a price of $1500 on the car, but I imagine it is negotiable. My question, is with the known oil consumption, is this car worth a look? Finding a one owner car still in the possesion of its original owner is kind of rare for what I have come across. The slight rust doesnt bother me, if it isnt clear through. The high mileage and the oil consumption is what bothers me. I have the name and number of the service manager who does the work, so I am going to call him tomorrow and inquire about the car. I asked the owner if the timing chain had been replaced, and he couldnt remember, thus he gave me the name and number of the service person. I suppose if a person could buy this cheap enough, he could find another motor to install in it? looking for opinions?
thanks,
coadman

My opinion......Don't let the oil consumption scare you off, some of this could be minor leaks that can be fixed, but even so a quart every 800 mi is not all that bad. Seeing that it does have 376k could mean some blowby and a source of oil useage, again not all that bad. These thing will run a long tome with blowby, I would not run away @ $1500. The records from new.....priceless. For myself, I would not hesitate to buy it if it does in fact run and drive good, Keep in mind this is a slow car, not very much off the line power(although being a stick, much better than an auto.) and yoyu may need an appointment to get on the freeway. Try to talk him down all you want, but a very good deal @ $1500.

[JackG]

Check the service records for general maint and oil changes. If these have been kept up, the 376k does not mean much except a source of pride. It will have many many more miles to go........prepare for the million mile club

[coadman]

Thanks Jack, for your opinion. I will call the service manager first thing in the morning to check things out further.
coadman

[benzforlife]

go for it!