I took the leap and bought a 240D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jrwox · #1 09-29-2007, 09:30 AM

I took a big leap and bought was a winning bidder on a '78 240D on ebay. This is my first MB, after many VW diesels, so I'm looking forward to getting to know them. I'm going to fly to San Diego and drive the car back to SE Minnesota, a 2000 mile trip. I did say big leap, didn't I??!! The car looks really good and the guy has a great feedback rating so I've really got my fingers crossed. I'm wondering what kind of mileage the car will get with the automatic and how slow is it, actually? I'm wondering, too, how tough it is to switch over to a four speed manual, sometime at a later date? Thanks for any info!! Here's the link to the car, the first time it was listed, so you can see it. I ended up getting it for $1200 fees included.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/240-D-DIESEL-bio-diesel-svo-wvo-ready-to-convert-no-res_W0QQitemZ320157909343QQihZ011QQcategoryZ6329QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

t walgamuth · #2 09-29-2007, 09:38 AM

It looks pretty nice for the money. I would take along the two fuel filters and tools to change them, and some biocide for the fuel just in case there is bacteria in it. It it idles smoothely the engine is probably fine. It looks to have some blowby but that is not uncommon. YOu probably will be fine driving it home. Check the tires before taking out through the mountains though. If they are suspect I would probably replace them before heading home.

Good Luck

BTW I have had two 240ds that color....my favorite benz color.

Tom W

JimmyL · #3 09-29-2007, 09:46 AM

Welcome!
I think that is a clean little 240 for the $ you paid. Automatic 240's aren't the quickest thing on the road, but they are more than adequate. Not having a sunroof will take many water leakage issues out of play!

Be sure to get a spare for the trip home, along with some fuel filters.
Is it just me, or do the two front doors seem slightly different in color?

All in all, very nice car for the $. Use the search function early and often. You can't imagine all the archived info at your fingertips. Using Google's advanced search function with Mercedesshop.com as the search domain allows you to search multiple word phrases which aids searching.
Have a fun and safe trip back!
We will require pics along the way........

t walgamuth · #4 09-29-2007, 09:59 AM

Yeah, it looks like some paint work has been done. Sometimes things like that show up more in a picture or certain light than to the eye under normal conditions.

Tom W

LUVMBDiesels · #5 09-29-2007, 10:00 AM

I would take along a couple gallons of water, a gallon jug of Rotella diesel oil, a roll of duct tape and some basic tools as well as what was mentioned above. I would also check the radiator and heater hoses as well as the fan belts before starting out. Once you get her home, change all the fluids.

Make sure that you join the Mercedes Benz Club of America (MBCA.org) and participate in your local chapter. You will meet a lot of people who canhelp you learn about your car that way.

Also take some time and read the DIYs on this site. You can perform almost all the maintenance tasks on your car yourself if you want or you can make sure that your shop is doing the right thing if you read these.

Good luck on your drive!

gatorblue92 · #6 09-29-2007, 10:14 AM

looks like a nice car... it may have been wrecked though due to the different paint shades on the drivers side

rick surgent · #7 09-29-2007, 10:34 AM

I have a 240d parts car , rod thru block, good interior and 4 speed if your interested. May be headed your way to oick up a truck with my trailer in a few weeks, could get it there for you if interested. rick 732 682 5058

cessna5354 · #8 09-29-2007, 10:55 AM

Is that an aux fuel tank in the trunk ?

It has been a long time since I had a 240 so I might be out in left field.

Good looking car, Best of luck with it.

Gary

Jim B. · #9 09-29-2007, 12:37 PM

Very attractive car for the price. I'm a bit trouble by the fact the driver's front door and fender look like different shades of paint from the rest of the car or is it the shade.

I'm very concerned that the car doesn't have the original blue Califronai plates on it, but TWO different ones; 3LCG489 ( a 1995 issue) on thefront and 5UIV808 ( a 1996 issue) on the rear.

That is illegal, and you'll be pulled over and questioned for it. In California you need matching plates on the car front and rear. Check the paperwork, pink slip (Title) and registration REALLY carefully before you set out FROM MN to be sure everything is alright.

Good price though. The automatic is really slow. It should make for an unforgettable trip back.

Take the seller's advice and go to a nearby junkyard and get a secondhand tire on a rim and throw it in the car. Scary to go that way back home with no spare tire.....

Might not be a bad idea to go to an independent Mercedes shop in San Diego
(Mercedesshop user "Carson357"owns one, for instance) and have the car checked out

Check the California DMV or with the seller and try to obtain a "One Trip Permit" for about $10 or so, to drive it and transport it legally from California to your home state. I am not sure what happens through other states, but it is an issue worth clearing up to be sure.

It is probably covered under a newly acquired automobile under your auto insurance policy, for about 20-30 days. But I would call them before I set out to notify them anyway.

jrwox · #10 09-29-2007, 02:16 PM

I, too, noticed the paint and asked about it. He told me it had not been in a wreck but the paint faded. I thought that was strange until I saw another one that was for sale on the internet with the same thing! It was a bit rusty though so I wasn't interested. When I called, I asked about the tires and he said they weren't all that special so I'm going to stop and have a set of four put on for the trip. The seller also is going to take me to a salvage yard, where he says there's lots of parts, for me to pick up a spare. Apparently the jack is in the car. I'm going to bring a complete tool kit with me, without fluids, so I can repair almost anything that might go wrong on the car. I'll pick up the fluids you guys listed for insurance. I just hope I don't need it! My 9 year old son is probably going with me as he's never flown and would love the adventure so I even need to be more careful now! Do you guys think I should take a more Southern route to keep away from the snows in the mountains, should they happen? I've never driven in the mountains and have no clue. Thanks for your ideas/suggestions!! I'm really looking forward to getting it, probably next weekend.

toomany MBZ · #11 09-29-2007, 07:01 PM

Sounds like a good father, son time. Mountains should not be a problem, take your cell phone, just in case.

barry123400 · #12 09-29-2007, 07:33 PM

Since the current owner has only driven it 200 miles. I would make an appointment with carson the site member to check the car over quickly. Things like axel boots for leaks and misc other common things that are far cheaper to deal with there than on the road.
He should be able to give it a pretty good look in less than an hours time. Someone spent the money to redo the front seats so the car may be not bad at all. A road breakdown just tends to be more punative and greater in cost. Plus the parts are where the car is. In my opinion the site member that mentioned that was right.
Remember also to take the free roadside assistance number with you as well. Applies to all mercedes no matter how old they are apparently. Have a good trip home. Let us know how the trip went.

chetwesley · #13 09-29-2007, 07:57 PM

I don't look at cars on ebay often, but I was watching this auction and saw it go for that low price and I thought the person got a good deal... and here he turns up on this forum!

The weird thing is that I saw it go for $1250 or whatever you paid for it, but now when you look at the auction it looks like it was never sold and that it is starting at $1600 and has a buy it now (???)

kerry · #14 09-29-2007, 09:36 PM

If I were travelling with my son, I'd take the train out there. Much more of an adventure for a kid. Did it with my daughter to pick up my former 409d.

JimmyL · #15 09-29-2007, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chetwesley

The weird thing is that I saw it go for $1250 or whatever you paid for it, but now when you look at the auction it looks like it was never sold and that it is starting at $1600 and has a buy it now (???)

That appears to be the first auction Chet. You have to click on "item relisted" to see the final auction....