Introduction and 240D question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

fstmatt · #1 02-03-2010, 02:55 PM

Hi, I'm Matt. I don't actually own a Mercedes yet, but I'm facinated with the diesel motors and plan to purchase soon.

My question is regarding parts. In general, how available are parts? Specifically, I'm looking at a 1983 240D. The exterior is in good condition, but interior leaves a little bit to be desired. I see that the forum will be a good source for some items, but how about on the net, from local shops (like Autozone, or whoever), or other sources?

Thanks
Matt

Shawn T. W. · #2 02-03-2010, 03:00 PM

I have a 82 240D!

Interior parts are gonna need to be gotten from a junk yard, or "friend" that has a donor (like seats & dash) . . . but there out there.

Most parts stores will only have (or can order) the basic PM service supplies . . . Fastlane (at the top of the page) which provides this great forum has a lot of everything else! But only new stuff . . .

Once you get a REAL car, you will not want to drive anything else!

konstan · #3 02-03-2010, 03:06 PM

I think PeachParts (this site) has things like interior wood trim.

If the dash is cracked, I think you are just going to have to live with it.

Seats - junkyard. I got a drivers seat for my 300D which matches the palomino interior but from a different year/model. The bolt pattern on the bottom was different, so I had to make adapter plates for it

snookwhaler · #4 02-03-2010, 03:13 PM

Welcome to the forum!!

I would recommend this site for buying most of you PM stuff. You will see why once you get into it.

I would shop around and drive a bunch of them before you make a decision. I think the ultimate car would be a 240D with all the manual controls. Then drop in a driveline from a 300D. You would be surprised at what you can get for just a little $$ in these cars if you shop it around.

#5 02-03-2010, 03:13 PM

Junkyards or the forum are great places to find interior bits and peices. I have learned the hard way that it is far far better to pay a little more for Genuine mercedes parts than to get something from autozone or napa or something. Most of the time they are the wrong size or just very crappy quality or just wrong in general. So learn from my mistake and get the OEM stuff on these cars it really does make all the difference. Hope you get your car soon!

P.S. pics of your new to you car are always welcome on this site

rs899 · #6 02-03-2010, 03:25 PM

You can buy replacement MB-tex seat covers from places like GAAH or other sources, but it will cost the earth (don't ask me how I know) and isn't IMO made to the original standards. You can buy a molded dash cap that looks quite good to fix the cracks. Junkyard is your best bet, but it takes a lot of time as a lot of good prospects have already passed away...

there's always ebay

Rick

tbomachines · #7 02-03-2010, 03:27 PM

Welcome Matt! Maintenance parts for these cars a pretty easy to find through Fastlane, or even Mercedes stocks most of the parts still. Honestly your best resource will be the forum itself - I know I would never have bought my 300SDs without having such a great knowledge base available online. Just about any information you can possibly think of is on here.

snookwhaler · #8 02-03-2010, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbomachines

Welcome Matt! Maintenance parts for these cars a pretty easy to find through Fastlane, or even Mercedes stocks most of the parts still. Honestly your best resource will be the forum itself - I know I would never have bought my 300SDs without having such a great knowledge base available online. Just about any information you can possibly think of is on here.

He should definitely be looking at SD's unless all he does is inner city driving.

I wish I would have held out for an SD

... Live and learn....

konstan · #9 02-03-2010, 03:55 PM

Nah, don't 'hold out' for SD or anything. Buy one, then when you see an SD buy it too, and maybe sell the one you like the least of them...

fstmatt · #10 02-03-2010, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by konstan

Nah, don't 'hold out' for SD or anything. Buy one, then when you see an SD buy it too, and maybe sell the one you like the least of them...

Spoken like you've been there - I know the feeling with my Landcruiser(s). I appreciate all the feedback - I've spent lots of time acquiring and selling parts for my FJ40 on a similar forum, and can certainly appreciate what a great resource that is.

If I buy the one that I'm looking at, I'll be sure to post losts of pictures. In the mean time, I'll keep reading and absorbing as much information as I can.

Are there things I should look for specific to the Mercedes' or 240D's that might not be common in other vehicles? (if there is a thread or faq that covers this already, my apologies - I haven't done much searching yet)

dadette123 · #11 02-03-2010, 05:56 PM

Matt,

Why don't you profile your location so members in your area can keep an eye at for you?

elchivito · #12 02-03-2010, 06:24 PM

I recently bought my first Mercedes and it's a 240D. I love it. It's a 4 speed and NOT nearly as butt slow as many here would have you believe. Perhaps because it's a euro spec model and has a different injection pump that gives it a few more horsepower. I looked at lots of SD's and frankly, for what I was looking for, all the non working bells and whistles on these cars seemed like an endless nightmare to fix. For me, simple is good. Crank windows, manual AC controls, not a lot of stuff to fail. The car is very happy at 70mph and gets driven that fast daily. Returning consistent 29 mpg. Yeah, it's noisier than an SD but in my opinion more maneuverable and nimble. JMHO. Best advice from a still-newbie is as above: Look at lots of them before you buy. For parts, Phil at the parts link is awesome. I'll give you an example. My car was sold originally without AC. At some point it had aftermarket air added. My son hit a rock in the road and buggered up the adjustment brackets on the compressor. I sent a pic to Phil, and though he couldn't help due to the aftermarket issue, spent his own time calling some other sources for help and gave me contact numbers. You can't ask for more when it comes to service and advice. Good luck and be sure to post pics when you buy. Ask lots of questions here first.

konstan · #13 02-03-2010, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fstmatt

Are there things I should look for specific to the Mercedes' or 240D's that might not be common in other vehicles? (if there is a thread or faq that covers this already, my apologies - I haven't done much searching yet)

this is a W126 thread, but many things from it do apply

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w126-s-se-sec-sel-sd/1341572-attention-newbies-faq-w126-cars.html

fstmatt · #14 02-03-2010, 08:08 PM

That link to the buyer's guide is pretty good. Here are a couple of pictures of the car I'm interested in (tentatively).

My biggest concern is the amount of work (read: $$) it will take to get the interior in better shape. The link above suggests knocking off a lot of money from the asking price if the AC doesn't work - a fact I intend to use as leverage. Passenger door basically needs a complete overhaul, and lots of little things to fix/clean/upgrade. If I managed to pick it up for 1k or less I'd be happy.

Are the manual transmissions as rare as they seem to be? I'll see one or two ATs on craigslist a week, but it seams that manuals come along only once in a blue moon. For better or worse, I don't think I could go without the manual

barry123400 · #15 02-03-2010, 08:33 PM

In my opinion finding most of the newer interior is a junkyard deal and possible. Although the sun is rough on those items in your state..I also feel that is not where the blk of your expendatures would be.

My personal opinion is to spend the time and a little more money if required to find a lower milage example with the air conditioning working.

It will usually cost money to get an air conditioner going. You also need it in your climate.

I can only estimate the total miles on that car judging by the front seat but feel they are substantial. Perhaps too many by my standard. I also am in agreement that the manual 240d is prefferable even though many of the site members have automatics..

I would pay 700.00 for the rust free body up here. Where you live though there will be many rust free bodies. The saying on site that there are no cheap mercedes is of course not totally true. People do luck out once in awhile. If not lucky you want the best you can afford in my opinion.

They will be cheaper and more reliable over the long haul so it is not money wasted. I would personally pass that example in your neck of the woods.

I know there are far better examples available but you have to search to find them. Try advertising in our cars for sale section. Wanted cars are also listed there. It is free and may produce some results. Craiglist may be worth watching as well.

The spin I am projecting is reality in my mind. There is a good possibility there are many issues lurking in that car. They can go 500k perhaps but you do not want to buy them much past 200k if possible. I am thinking there may be 400k on that example regardless of what the odometer states. That front seat has massive wear.

Parts availability is not much of an issue yet. By the same token you do not want to land up paying to replace excessive numbers of them. Even a good example will usually have some issues.