what are your thoughts - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

napjulius · #1 06-03-2009, 12:53 AM

hi

first of all i love this forum. i want to become the proud owner of a 240d but i don't want to limit myself so i'm looking into the 300 turbos as well.

i know the 240d have less horse power than the 300 turbos but are much simpler and that is something i like

i found three in my area but more interested in the first two.

1) 240d standard tranny 300,000 miles $2700. it does have a leak in the a/c system. other than that owner claims its very good. no rust from the pics and interior seemed clean. will ask for service records. he's second owner and got it from a friend who bought it in europe. claims 30mpg. possible?

2) 300 turbo 200k+ $1800 sun roof. very clean inside and out. will need brakes soon. no rust or oil leaks so he claims. will ask for records.

3) 240d auto 164xxx $1200. very solid-- no rust at all. the inside very clean and still has current tags.this is the only one i've seen personally. i know i will not get any records. the guy owns a towing co. he bought it from an old lady recently. he does not strike me like the kind of person to like these cars (very lazy and these cars require attention) i scare away from this one because 100% sure no records but looks solid. could not turn it on because of a dead battery.

heres my question to you: which one would you go for provided they are in relatively good condition for a 25+ car.

i prefer a 240d stick if possible for their simpler design. but with 300k for 2700dls seems too much. i've heard of other member pay 1k-1.5k for 240s and 300d with half as much mileage. i know 300k+ is not uncommon but for that price its too much, i think

what are your thoughts

thanks

ah-kay · #2 06-03-2009, 01:49 AM

Welcome to the club. Before you buy a 25+ years old car, ask yourself how handy are you with old cars. How good you are in checking out cars? Do you have a junk yard in your area? There is nothing more expensive than to maintain an old MBZ if you seek professional help every time the car sneezes.

Not many old MBZ has records. My preference is to buy a beater dirt cheap with good engine and tranny and do it up slowly if you are handy.

winecountryone · #3 06-03-2009, 01:52 AM

#!)Where are you located? Every market is different so what is high in one area might be a bargain in another

#2)I would steer clear of a 240 auto.I have a 240 stick and I find myself flogging it just to keep from being run over.That and you could probably get out and run faster than it will climb even the slightest incline!

#3)High miles (200-300K) aren't a problem if the car has been properly maintained.That's the 64,000$ question.These cars can be real money pits if you get stuck doing a lot of overdue work.You'll never recover the costs.

Personally I'm all about the simple,so a 240 was what I chose.A non turbo 5 cyl auto won't be a whole lot more power than a 240 stick.I get 32-35 mpg hwy with my 240.You won't see more than upper 20's (24-28) with a 300D auto.

If I was looking for a 2nd diesel I'd probably go with a 300D turbo diesel.Acceptable power under most all circumstances and still gets around 25MPG.

It really depends on what you are going to use the car for.If fuel economy and simplicity is a priority then a 240 is the way to go.If you want a few more "luxuries" like power windows and are willing to pay a bit more to keep these going on a 20+ year old car,then a 300 might be more to your liking.

In any case verifiable service records are a must!

napjulius · #4 06-03-2009, 02:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

Welcome to the club. Before you buy a 25+ years old car, ask yourself how handy are you with old cars. How good you are in checking out cars? Do you have a junk yard in your area? There is nothing more expensive than to maintain an old MBZ if you seek professional help every time the car sneezes.

Not many old MBZ has records. My preference is to buy a beater dirt cheap with good engine and tranny and do it up slowly if you are handy.

well...the question is how handy am i with ANY car? i can do the basic fluid changes..no problem. i've never replaced an alternator or starter but i know i can manage with the proper guidance from forum members like your self or online pictorials. last resort would be a very reliable mechanic friend. although i dont think he's that experienced in diesels. there are MANY junk yards in my area but i dont know how popular are they with merc diesels

napjulius · #5 06-03-2009, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winecountryone

#!)Where are you located? Every market is different so what is high in one area might be a bargain in another

#2)I would steer clear of a 240 auto.I have a 240 stick and I find myself flogging it just to keep from being run over.That and you could probably get out and run faster than it will climb even the slightest incline!

#3)High miles (200-300K) aren't a problem if the car has been properly maintained.That's the 64,000$ question.These cars can be real money pits if you get stuck doing a lot of overdue work.You'll never recover the costs.

Personally I'm all about the simple,so a 240 was what I chose.A non turbo 5 cyl auto won't be a whole lot more power than a 240 stick.I get 32-35 mpg hwy with my 240.You won't see more than upper 20's (24-28) with a 300D auto.

If I was looking for a 2nd diesel I'd probably go with a 300D turbo diesel.Acceptable power under most all circumstances and still gets around 25MPG.

It really depends on what you are going to use the car for.If fuel economy and simplicity is a priority then a 240 is the way to go.If you want a few more "luxuries" like power windows and are willing to pay a bit more to keep these going on a 20+ year old car,then a 300 might be more to your liking.

In any case verifiable service records are a must!

I too am the simple kind so a 240d is what i prefer stick, of course. the owner of the 300k 240d seems to know enough about these cars, at least enough to try to impress me (i know some things too. ha!) so maybe he did take care of it. he claims it still gives him 30mpg city. is that a good sign it was taken care off/its in good condition? that it still outputs that much?

thanks for your opinions. duly noted.

Skippy · #6 06-03-2009, 02:53 AM

Out of the cars you listed I would be most interested in #2. I wouldn't buy an automatic 240D unless it was very nice, very cheap, and I had a manual transmission parts car in my back yard. #1 is priced pretty high for the mileage, but it might be worth it depending on what has already been done to the car. Service records would make or break the deal.

As for #2, the price seems reasonable if the car is as described. Brakes are pretty easy on these cars, and the parts aren't outrageously expensive. I replaced rotors, calipers, and hoses on the rear of my 300D with about $230 in parts and an hour and a half of my time. Fronts are a little more work to replace the rotors, since you have to repack the bearings and set the free play, but still not that much work.

#7 06-03-2009, 06:51 AM

A location would be helpful. Also I can only echo what others have said #2 seems to be the best choice. Look through the forums with the search function to see what to look for when buying.

strelnik · #8 06-03-2009, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helpplease

A location would be helpful. Also I can only echo what others have said #2 seems to be the best choice. Look through the forums with the search function to see what to look for when buying.

I would go with 2 or 4. I drive a 240D almost every day on freeways and since I am looking for max fuel economy, I'm the slow guy driving 65-70. But it's such a great ride, who cares?

Also, no need to buy now. Keep looking. I do know of two good 240D available, nechanically good, body sound.. Where are you?

volosong · #9 06-03-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by napjulius

...
1) 240d standard tranny 300,000 miles $2700. it does have a leak in the a/c system. other than that owner claims its very good. no rust from the pics and interior seemed clean. will ask for service records. he's second owner and got it from a friend who bought it in europe. claims 30mpg. possible?...

That's a lot of miles for what he is asking. 30mpg? Maybe...downhill with the wind behind you. Mid 20s to upper mid 20s is probable.

Diesel911 · #10 06-03-2009, 10:14 AM

Take the warning concerning your ability to fix cars. After owning mine about 1 1/2 years I found that the rubber in the front suspension had rotted out. I replaced 90% of the suspension parts at a cost of aprox $250 just for the made in China parts alone. The labor was free because I did it. I made the Spring Compressor as on the front springs the generic ones from the Autopart stores are dangerous to use (I tried it and mangled my set).
Having to ovhaul the Engine properly puts the for parts alone about $2000 or more so be carful to get a car with a really good engine.

Other jobs like replacing the Timing Chain require you to rent or buy special tools and require a high degree of mechanical skill to do a good job.

Other than that I would go with a 300 with a Turbo. The power and response compares to a mid sized gass car but slightly slower on the low end. Ounce it is moving I do not see as much differance but it still will not accelerate as fast as a gas car. But that is in city driving.
I would not want a car that is slower than the 300 wit a turbo.

leathermang · #11 06-03-2009, 10:29 AM

I pretty much agree with everyone on this more or less...
That is a 'high price' for the 240 stick..unless you compare it to a newer used car which you can not fix due to computers running the thing... My 1992 Honda has a computer for the engine and ANOTHER one for the transmission ( auto of course )....

Getting or fixing an AUTO trans on these cars is VERY IFFY.

You may be surprised that you are in a minority even wanting one of these cars..which can help in getting the price down some.

I consider a non turbo ( so you have working room in the engine compartment ) 300 (so you have ' some power' ) and the 5 speed manual ( dependable and fixable compared to the AUTO with potential for better mileage ) the ideal 80-85 MB Diesel... and on the AC deal... if you can find one of these with the TYPE ONE MB AC system... that would also be a HUGE PLUS... just read the AC threads to understand that.

I have the ideal car except for one ' missing cylinder'.... LOL

toomany MBZ · #12 06-03-2009, 12:03 PM

Good info so far, I'll add mine.
#1 Too expensive for the miles. MPG, maybe, depends on how you drive.
#2 Pretty good, brakes are a normal maintenance area.
#3 No 240 auto's for me, they're already EXTREMELY slow.

The turbos are well designed and I have yet to hear of a failure. They do add complexity, of course.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

75Sv1 · #13 06-03-2009, 01:36 PM

Since the first one is a Euro, is it a 4 sdp or 5spd? I got 28.5 mpg in my 240D on the Highway on the first tank, 4 speed. I am keeping up with traffic. I have been driving to work for the past 2 weeks in it. Its a bout 14 miles one way. I think about 24-26 mpg. I think #1 price might be high, unless, its a 5 spd and in very nice shape. I paid $1600 for mine. Its body is in very good shape, needs paint, the interior looked ratty. I cleaned it and put in about $5K-$7. Still not done. I am not flat land. So if your on hills, then you need to test drive and see. When I test drove mine, it would only do 55 mph maybe 60 mph floored and about 5 minutes. The accelorator mechanism was worn out. I replaced the needed parts and it runs good. Also, the A/C problem on #1 might be simple or expensive.
Tom

barry123400 · #14 06-03-2009, 02:04 PM

If your mechanic friend or anyone that knows these cars well were to examine the number one and two cars with you carefully. It might aid your decision. you are not likely to get extensive service records either. If the number one and two cars where in simular condition and acceptable to you. I would lean towards the turbo 300d. It uis not about price although it is cheaper.

As already mentioned it is very important you understand that the majority of repairs over time will have to be done by you. Otherwise kiss your wallet goodby.

There is a sound upside to that though as you will be harder to decieve when buying used cars in the future. This results in saving a literal fortune over the future years. I see and hear of some really painful bills from car service outlets. It was not always this way but certainly is now in my opinion.

75Sv1 · #15 06-03-2009, 02:13 PM

My post should read, 'I am on flat land'. The price of the first 240D, might not be to bad if no rust and interior is good. Also, is the dash does not have any cracks. A big swing in price of these or about anything is condition. Also, $2700 is probably a starting price. If tis been maintained, then you might be money ahead. I think I spent $700-$1000 on brakes. That was master cylinder, brake booster, pads, front bearings all four caliphers and rotors. I think that includes the Master and slave clutch cylinders.
Tom