I just bought a 1980 240D (I had an earlier post about my pre-purchase questions -- thanks for the comments). The car is supposed to only have 95,000 miles on the clock. I guess it doesn't really matter what the mileage is now because I own the car, but I can't help wondering. As I have been cleaning up the car, I'm thinking the mileage is probably much higher. I think this because the steering wheel is worm smooth in places and the pedals show some wear. I would think at less than 100,000 miles the steering wheel and pedals would be like new. On the good side, the car seems to run well, the engine is very clean and the car does not burn or leak any oil! The seats don't seem to have much wear, and the driver's seat does not have the diesel "lean."

My question is just how easy is it to roll back the mileage on a 240D? From the Haynes manual, removing the instrument panel SEEMS straight forward. Is it possible -- and likely -- that the odometer could have been rolled back? And, how reliable or the odometers in these cars? It seems like I see many postings/ads that mention a faulty odometer.

Just curious. I appreciate any insight offered.

I believe that it is no more or no less likely on this car than any other. These speedometers are typically quite accurate. They are susceptible to hanging. If the odometer AND trip odometer are both currently working then that's all you can do. I have had the odometer and trip odometer hang and not move. If that happens and you are willing to give up the trip odometer, there is a plastic gear that connects the odometer to the trip odometer that you can remove. This will get the main odometer going again.

Since these odometers are known to hang, the possibility exists that someone could have replaced the speedometer 95,000 miles ago. Typically new speedo heads have their odometers set pretty close to the replaced odometer setting.

I understand your desire to know the true history and would probably feel the same way. Unless you have records or can talk to all previous owners you will never know.

The good news is that you aparently have a good car that you're happy with. This is a 21 year old car, so condition and so forth is most important.

Enjoy,

The odometer in my 78 240-D was replced 107000 miles ago. The car now has a total of 288000 miles on it. No, I have not owned the car since it was new. I would only have been six. There is a tag on the drivers side door. The same place Jiffy lube used to put its reminder stickers. It states that a new odometer was put in to replace a worn one, and more importantly what the mileage of the car was at that time. The label also says that it is illeagal to remove it. Maybe your car has the same label on it.

Congratulations on the 'new' car. Miles are one story, and with MB they're just a chapter.

If the DPO (Dreaded Previous Owner) only drove 10 miles a trip, that would be 9,500 in/outs etc. That could account for pedal wear, a lot of dancin' going on.

I've started considering miles as a minor variation on a car. I try to take in the overall look, feel, sound, smell, vibration, etc. which will tell the whole story.

I hope you enjoy it for 295,000 more!

BCingU, Jim

P. S. On my Suburban, the trans. has 80,000, the engine has 5,000 and the seats and door handles have 152,000 miles on 'em. It's all in how well they're cared for and where you're gonna' take 'em, not how far they've gone.

Jim