I have found a 1983 240D (with auto) sitting in a shed that I am considering purchasing. The guy is asking $800 but I think I could possibly get it for $500. The odo is showing 119,000 miles (I do not have any reason to doubt that this is an accurate number because of the way the interior looks), the body looks good - no rust but the paint is faded on the hood, and the interior is in excellent condition (I was actually shocked at how well the interior looks). I would just about purchase the car for $500 just to get the seats.

The problem is the car will not start but it will turn over.
I am going to see if the guy will let me pull the valve cover off and see if the timing chain is still intact. If it is broken then I am not going to mess with it. In addition to the timing chain what all else should I maybe look at to try to figure out the condition of the car. Is there a way to get a compression reading on a vehicle like this? What kind of condition will the fuel tank/system be in after diesel fuel sits in there for a year?
Thanks for any and all thoughts/comments.
Jim
'85 300D
'95 E320
'97 CRV

Bill, I will try to pull it sometime over the
 

next week or so if he will let me. It is my thinking that if I do not show too much interest the price should come down somewhat.

The guy purchased the car about a year ago in Atlanta (or so he says) and he said that it was not running at that time. It would be something if it just needed a valve adj or something like that wouldn't it. Man, I can't hardly stand to look at the seats in it - they would look good in my 300D although they are a light tan versus the palamino in the 300D. I think the seats alone are probably worth at least $100/each.

What problems could I possibly expect with old diesel fuel? Does it go bad like old gasoline?

Jim
'85 300D
'95 E320
'97 CRV