Another "should I buy" thread... '82 240D

[MaydayMike]

I went and looked at a 240D yesterday. It's an '82 model, automatic, power sunroof, power windows. Pastel Grey over navy blue tex.

The good...
NO RUST! Not a single little spec anywhere, even underneath. Starts and drives great. Much quieter than I was lead to believe from people here. At 75mph, it was smoother and quieter than my wife's 99 v6 mustang, despite the fact it's turning almost twice the RPM's. Shifts great. Firm but not harsh, no flaring or delayed shifts, and kicked down properly when required. No visible leaks. Fresh looking amber colored coolant. Good oil pressure, and never got over 85C on a 20 minute test drive. No visible smoke. I followed him to see a second car that he had, and was able to watch for smoke under varied driving conditions, including a mile long 6 percent grade. (he was able to maintain 55 mph up this hill with the AC on. Some new AC components, ice cold AC. He has cleaned and greased the window regulators and the switches. No issues there. Same with the sunroof. Front end bushings look good (rubber is not hard and cracked). CV boots also look fine.
It has half worn Michelin X's and plastic wheelcovers on it that resembled Bundts (never seen these berore), but will come with good used freshly painted hubcaps.

The bad...
Cracked dash, console wood is cracked and wrinkled (but still shiny), 2 inch crack on drivers seatback on the outside bolster where wear usually occurs. The cloth backing of the tex is intact here, its just in the outer vinyl covering. Some blow-by at idle, oil cap rattles but does not blow off. Engine shakes a little at idle, but this is not very noticeable from inside the car. Working odometer shows 242k. No records. Ran a carfax, but it did not tell much. It had only three records. 1/2004 237,000 mi service facility. and 5/2007 no milage new owner (which is when current owner purchased the car) The third entry just says no recalls from MB.

The current owner says he bought this car to drive himself. He has a rusty euro 5 speed!! and he was going to swap the cool bits onto this car. However his mechanic friend advised him to find a 4 speed car to simplify the swap, and he did so, making this car avalible for sale.

He's asking $5000. Within this price he will buff the slightly oxidized paint, and install a dash cap. It seems a little high, but with the exception of the dash and console wood looks as good as the high dollar Ebay cars. And I can be assured that it has no rust, which is hard to do with an ebay car that is hundreds of miles away.

I'll put up a few pics shortly. EDIT... crappy cheap camcorder pics here.
http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/ff103/maydaymike_album/