New find

[JordaanDMC-12]

Hey everyone, while shopping for mechanics I ended up finding a really good one with a MB for sale. As I was talking to him about my vacuum system on my 240D we ended up talking about old MB Diesels.. He pointed to this 1970 Manuel 220D Tan with tan interior, that he was selling. He said it had 145,000 original miles and it sat in a barn for much of its life.

Upon closer inspection the interior was immaculate and the outside was in pretty good shape with some dings here and there. One tire was flat and 3 were cracking. He said the fuel pump was going was out but the new one was on its way. I asked for the price and he said I needed to call this dealership that owns it. Turns out it was one of the dealerships my dad works at and conveniently, knowns the owner.

I called up my dad and he talked to the owner and he said the bill for fixing the fuel pump which is 500$ takes the title. With the mechanic telling my dad and I it runs very well and that the A/C works which is awesome, we're taking her home. Now I know the 220 is slow but it's manual and lighter as I heard, so I can expect to go a tad faster right? I can't wait. I'll have a good running car to drive around until I get everything on my 240D sorted out. Does anyone have and advice or info on the 220? Anything would be awesome. thanks everyone

If 28 seconds can be considered a tad faster than 29.

[300SDog]

115 firewall was notorious drafty, shabby rubber boots and lotsa leaks. Lowe's spray can foam insulation works to seal nooks'n crannys around cables, linkage arms etc. Also door insulation rubbers are weaker than on 123. Driveshaft center support bearing and wheel bearings were another weak link. Probly check flex-discs too after 38 yrs. And engine mounts of course, plus subframe bushings at/near rear jack points.

It will have much tighter steering radius than your 123 and appear nimbler in handling. Not as soft and cushy a ride as 123 and nowhere near as sound proof, but better cornering. Fuel tank mounted under trunk floor lowers the center of gravity. Careful of the rear mounted fill door, it's famous for kicking out fuel nozzles that dont shut off and spray fuel all over.

Injector pump will have separate oil reservoir independent of crankcase. Oil filter location makes sloppy mess of oil changes. The 615 engine shares injectors and loop style glow plugs with earlier version 616. Use old style Ford type ATF in the manual tranny and power steering reservoir. Not Dexron thats well known for eating primitive nylon compound steering box seals. Also check the torque of 3 steering box mounting bolts located in wheel well - famous for wearing loose, cracking the sheet metal and leaving you with free floating steering box.... very common problem.

My guess is you will enjoy the 220D more than the 240D on account of better handling and the fun of paddling through the 4-spd gear box. Probly more fuel efficient too. And you get roomier interior with genuine ballsy AC system, manual controls throughout.

[JordaanDMC-12]

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

If 28 seconds can be considered a tad faster than 29.

haha, for some reason I keep finding myself with a slower car. It's all good though, won't be surprsied when I get i guess.

[pizzachef]

Originally Posted by 300SDog

...Also check the torque of 3 steering box mounting bolts located in wheel well - famous for wearing loose, cracking the sheet metal and leaving you with free floating steering box.... very common problem..

I second this, very costly problem if you can't weld.

[300SDog]

PizzaChef, attrition rate on 115 diesels oughta be zero. These are the ultimate bare-bones Benz with not alot that can possibly go wrong, though arguably outclassed by 123 240D's with better injection pumps and easier oil filter changes.

[pizzachef]

Originally Posted by 300SDog

PizzaChef, attrition rate on 115 diesels oughta be zero. These are the ultimate bare-bones Benz with not alot that can possibly go wrong...

Oh I agree, but I had the one common thing go wrong that I couldn't fix myself. And it wasn't a negligible expense.
Now that I'm all set with a tight-steering, peppy 115, I'm driving like I own the world...well, not the world speed record, but the rest of it

[R Leo]

Originally Posted by 300SDog

PizzaChef, attrition rate on 115 diesels oughta be zero. These are the ultimate bare-bones Benz with not alot that can possibly go wrong, though arguably outclassed by 123 240D's with better injection pumps and easier oil filter changes.

Check timing chain elongation. My 115 recently ate it's timing chain and hosed the valves.