Folks-

So its been some time since I've been here, I owned a '76 240D for 6 years and got alot of great help and info on this site, but I haven't had a Benz in the last few years.

Recently my other vehicle died on me. We're looking around for another car and happened upon an '81 240D locally. He listed it as a good runner that needed rust work for an inspection sticker, but was currently registered with "antique" plates......here in Maine that allows you to bypass the inspection but restricts your usage (although lots of people drive daily with antique plates).

Anyway I immediately got excited as I have such fond memories of my old 240D, which course was on the 115 chassis unlike this car on the 123.

I got to the place and saw the car had cosmetic issues, which don't bother me one bit, little things like the missing hood emblem, chewed up shifter knob, used deodorant stick, old pizza crust, I'm not kidding!

I wore my old work coveralls and got all under the car with a flashlight looking at the rust. The rockers have rust and the wheel wells, but it didn't look TOO bad.

Mismatched tires, but original rims.

Power windows (oh no!!), 2 windows don't work but at least their up.
Looks to have vacuum locks, which I never knew the 240D had, but the locks don't work right (not a big deal in rural Maine)
Has a sun roof, I didn't try to open it.

I checked the oil and it was full and looked fine, the air filter was brand new and an actual MB branded one, new looking fuel filters to boot.

I asked when it was last started and he couldn't remember, but it was run around during the winter.

Started instantly, no smoke!

Drove her down the dirt road and got up to 3rd gear, the clutch and transmission felt great, the ride was great, the steering felt good, the brakes felt good and no noise.

All the lights and signals work as they should

The heater works great.

I thought, well, this thing might be a good one! Mileage unknown.

Maybe it could even get real plates with a little rust work.

I'm posting because I really don't know the 123 240Ds quirks/differences. Is there anything particular I should check?

I know I'll be tinkering with this thing alot during my ownership but I also know I'll be able to drive it home and have a dependable rig to drive in the meantime. Plus, my kid loves it, and darn it, I've missed my old 240D so much in the last few years!

Any thoughts? Tell me to go for it!

thanks,

mark in Maine

With the rust issue it had better be very cheap IMHO but i'm a fairly cheap person

A manual 240D with good mechanicals can be a very fun car. How much are they asking?

Well the rust is kinda hard to avoid up here, but, it really doesn't bother me. I just want good, dependable transportation. I don't mind a beater if it gets me from A to B every time!

I think I could get it for $800 which would allow me some extra cash for getting a new set of tires on. Then I can start tackling all the little things it needs and look in to rust repair (or not).

Yeah the 4 speed manual......my old '76 240D was auto, and it worked great, but I ALWAYS wanted a stick shift Benz.....and this one shifts buttery smooth!!

thanks,

mark

You cant go wrong for $800. Even if its a basket case you can get your money back out in parts.

I wouldn't listen to the my car is worth $20000000000 because I once bought a fuel filter crowd over on BW too much! You're not cheap (for a diesel owner)!

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!