Buying advise 79 240D
 

I'm currently looking at a 1979 240D 4 spd. as a daily driver. I have worked an MB diesels and currently need transportation while I repair my 1984 300TD. The 240D has no rust 190,000 miles in great shape. The owner is asking 2000.00

Should I buy?

What's the rest like? AC? Interior? Clutch? Brakes? Suspension, and steering?

Those can cost you triple the price of the car.

Regarding the AC - depends on how valuable it is to you - if it is actually working that is a good start, but you'd have to figure out why it's not blowing cold. Is it just low on refrigerant or is it something else? Is it converted or are you dealing with the original R-12 system? Think about those types of things. But even so, if it hasn't been worked on in a long time, you might still want to open up the system, flush it, replace the drier, check the oil level, etc - and that will cost you some money.

Without services records you don't have a lot to go on, which means you will really have to look it over good or take it to a shop and pay someone to give it a thorough exam.

Be sure the suspension really is good. As old as it is, if those rubber boots and bushings haven't been replaced they are probably begging to be.

Does it start good? Is there much blowby? How much oil does it burn? Those are important questoin to tell you something about the engine and how much wear it has.

Oh, and take some pics and post them here - interior, exterior, and engine - that will help out.

Seems like a good deal. No rust, low mileage (if you believe it) and a manual. Should serve the purpose you describe.

The daughter had a 240 about that year. It was an eye sore with rust holes big enough to throw a baseball through, the blower didn't work most of the time(the fuse had blown, and taken it's section of the fuseholder with it), you had to put it in gear and release the clutch to shut it off. But...it only cost $800 bucks, it was her "college car" for a while, and it ran like a top. I did have to replace the front driveshaft flex connector, the rest of it was great. All gauges, lights, interior, etc were in good shape. It came from Nantucket, so the rust was understandable. She griped about the shut off procedure and the lack of a blower when it was cold. (I told her about my old vw bug, but that didn't help any) Anyway, she was home from Seattle the other day, and told me she really wished she still had the 240. :eek: It was a good car, she said. I say, if you're just using it for a tweener, it sounds good enough. Question is, can you sell it for what you bought it for and break even. I believe perceived value isn't just on your gauge, but the next buyer in line. I'm selling my $650 '92 pick up with 35k on the rebuilt engine for $1800. Nothing fancy, but no rust, and it runs like a hot rod. The guy thinks he's getting a great deal, and I'm getting a head job on my Suburban and my wife will get the new Michelins on her car. Point is, if it's worth it to you, and you feel sure it will be worth at least that to someone else, (plus incurred expenses), it's worth it. My 2 cents.