what should I do? Car purchase decision
 

I've currently got a 79 240D - I resurected from the dead. Its pretty beat up and rusty - lots of stuff doesn't work - but lots does. Brakes are new - I just put in a battery and new nozzles. I have motor mounts I just need to get the tools to install.

Flex disc's will arrive this week. Wheel bearings currenlty not good - will re-pack or replace when the castle nut tool arrives.

E-brake not installed.

AC doens't work - central locks dont work - sunroof doesn't open. Very rusty front clip - lots of rust around wheels and trunk -

Run's like new now though and tranny shifts nice and firm.

Anyway - I posed an ad on CL looking for a parts car willing to spend $400. A guy emailed me - He has an 81 240D - daily driver he wants $850

That is more than I really want to spend (or have) but - its a driver for less than what I have in my own rust bucket.

His is even rustier than mine - but he has manual windows and a super cool MB wooden steering wheel. I'm very tempted - But now is really not the time for me to be blowing $850

He said he just installed an alternator, exhaust, brakes & tires. He then decided that it was too slow for Chicago traffic and doesn't want to drive it any longer (especially because the AC doesn't work).

I think its a good deal - but I'm just not sure if I should do it.

Why would you pay for something Rustier then what you've got? I'm sorry... I would pass on it. you can get a steering wheel and other bits if you want for your current car.

I'm not sure I'd want 2 rust buckets. Maybe if I had a rust free example and needed a parts car I'd go for it.

Bottom line, it doesn't sound like you're ever going to get 1 solid car out of the 2.

Well really what could be better? You have one junker Mercedes and seem to be doing quite well. Perhaps with #2 you could switch a lot of parts around and make one better car. Keep in mind that a lot of rust on an old Mercedes is really bad news and usually is a sure and fast way to the junk yard. But if you are just looking for cheap transportation to and from work or school, maybe a "ricer" or even some small low end American cars might be a better choice.

This 240 seems like it might be helpful but it looks to be a 3 hour drive from you.

I got a 300TD that was completely rusted. I've been trying to repair the rust and it's a LOT more work than I thought it would be, and even when I'm finished, more rust will come in other places.

I would pass. Rust is the worst!

I've sent them 2 emails - they haven't responded yet.

Now - that one doesn't run - but as you can see - its in a garage! If I could get it cheap I probably would - especially if its not rusty!

I hear you about having 2 marginal cars though - I was just looking for a parts junker not a running car. Heck - Mine is getting close to reliable as it is now. I need only install the new flex discs and pack the wheel bearings (when the tool arrives) and I should be on the road for real.

It would be nice to find a rust free shell that I could drop my drive trane into. Then I would have the best of both worlds!

I know - rust sucks! Illinois winter salt! cant do anything about it.

I'll add -- stay away from rusty W123s! That's my only advice... you have a rusty daily driver already, and you know what it needs. Another one would only be an unknown quantity unless you had REALLY extensive service records (unlikely on a cheap, rusty Benz). Keep yours on the road while you look for one with a solid body.

It doesn't look like you benefit at all. If one of the cars were rust free and you had time to swap parts......since that is the case, move on.

FWIW, There is a rusty 300D owned by a tow operator in middle tn that could be had for ~$500 - what he says a yard would pay.

I'd pass on the second rust bucket. On the one you have now, there are three tiers of importance when it comes to maintenance:

1. The important stuff: Things that make the car (in order of importance) stop, turn, and go.

2. The sort of important stuff: Things that don't do the three things above, but are needed to make the car road legal.

3. Everything else.

It sounds like you're getting #1 sorted out. Just take care of that and #2, ignore #3, and use the car as a bad weather commuter until the rust gets too severe, then junk it. To save fuel money on nicer days, you can ride your Harley to work.

I like you skippy. That is just what I want to do - drive the stinking wheels off this thing for as little cash as I can possibly lay out.

I will have it on the road and reliable soon - so long as I dont find some other issue that jumps up.

After It's safely running for a good couple weeks - I'm converting it to run on grease. I need to design the system though. No store bought stuff will do on the marmot.

I'm still trying to decide if I should paint it orange with a rebel flag onthe roof just to piss the neighbors off. Ha. Not that a 240d could jump over anything - but they dont know that do they!

yeah man, run your beater and save that 800 bucks toward repairs/something nicer.

Ordinarily I would oppose grease conversions and General Lee paint jobs, but on a car this close to the bone yard, I say go for it. Have some fun with it.

Are you saying you're getting the new car? If so, why did you ask the question? Sounds like a case of ask & only taking in the info that justifies what you originally wanted to do.