Hi All,

Been perusing this forum while shopping for an old MB. Want something cheap and safe that my teen can drive, and so can I. I am a former grease monkey, rebuilt the engines in my mom's old cadillac and my own fiat in the early 80s. Now the kids getting older, driving, and could use something that combines my old hobby with some safe transportation. My alternative to an MB is an old Volvo brick. I am a volvo owner, but the diesel appeals to me, and my son thinks an old slow MB is very cool.

Of the cars I have seen out there, there are a couple that appeal to me. I will describe them briefly. I have no emotion invested in this, and "run away" is a suitable answer. What I am looking for is what questions to ask the owners that might be specific to these cars. I know enough about the general issues of buying a sagging old car, but I would like to know how to spot trouble (or value) in a 240/300. I will drive each of these cars unless you all say "run away".

Hypothetical car 1: 82-83 300TD, 300K miles with owner records. Touches of rust but not systemic, AC works, new timing chain, driver reports 30+ MPG.
Hypothetical car 2: 81-82 240D 4-sp manual. 200K. minimal rust. Garaged for years, but cleaned it out, put in a new battery, and it started right up. Being sold by an import car tech.

Owners asking $2500...

I thank you for your patience with a newb...