Anyone know what a 1971 MB 220D is worth? Car appears to have 29k actual miles and to have been in storage. Runs excellent and the interior looks like new, carpet not worn, can't tell seats have been sat in. Fuel gauge is not working at this time. I would appreciate any response.

Go to nadaguides.com and click on classic cars, you'll be able to get the price of it there. High retail is $4000. If you can find someone to buy it. You may be able to add a little more due to the fact that it has no miles on it.

I would check the fuel sending unit in the fuel tank. I'm not sure of the layout of the 220, but if it is in the trunk like most other MB's, remove the first aid kit on the rear deck lid and the sending unit will be in the top of the tank below the opening.

Have fun!

'71 has fuel tank under the trunk floor.

Its kind of an obsolete driver. Once you have a turbo, you won't won't to go back to the low power non turbo. At least I don't.

Actually like anything else, its worth what you can get for it.

P E H

This car caught my eye as a potentially good restoration candidate - sight unseen of course.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1823132588

Generally in good condition inside and out using only the pictures to judge by.

What kind of damage do you think a broken timing chain would do to the engine in this vintage car? Obviously a bent valve. Is it likely to break the cam support tower or crack the piston?

It would have to be in really good shape though to compensate for dealing with the engine.

Ken300D

Be sure to double check the odometer. My 1970 220D only has five digits, and has lower milages than yours if you don't count the missing leading two. On top of that, older Benz's have a history of odometer malfunctions after 200,000 mi.

Look underneath at the bracket holding the parking brake cable where it meets the great outdoors. Beat up and rusty might mean you're missing a leading digit on the odometer. Thump the body around the wheels - the second place for rust to show up.

Fuel sender not a big deal. Kind of a sliding cylinder type, which can clog with dirty fuel. Empty tank through bottom plug, refill with clean and biocide, drive on a bumpy road. If not working on second tank then bump the sender with the end of a long siphon hose worked in through the fill cap.

Mine has manual everything except brakes. If manual windows, check for slop in the drivers door regulator- like moving the crank an inch before the window moves. If that's tight and the clock works then you may have a gem and the $4000 NADA might be worth it only if you're in love and you accept a 65 mph car that accelerates slightly better than a semi-truck, and you're willing to do the maintenance (sic) since modern mechanics aren't well practiced with old style oil filters and adjusting valves. $3000 is more like it for a good 220D, less if any doubts.

The all manual 220D and 240D (non-turbo) are probably the world's most reliable and long-lasting automobiles, providing the maintenance is done correctly and the car is kept out of salt. 500,000 mi is an expectation, not a pipe dream.

daBenz

Thanks for all your responses. We took the old MB out for a test drive tonight. It drives like a dream even though it still needs front shock and tires that haven't been on it for 6 years. This car drives great! I am really glad I bought it and although it's near as fast as our 79' vette, it's very practical as a every other day driver. Where is a good place to get a transmission filter?

What was the final price?