I would appreciate your advice on a couple of problems. I have a 1983 240D purchased 3 months ago with 133,000 miles on it. Problems:

1. There is a buzz connected to the clutch, driveline??? that is probably always there but very LOUD after 60 mph. It will stop and start almost instantly. Mechanic says to replace the clutch. I don't notice any clutch problems though. When the clutch is tapped when the buzz is on about half the time the buzz will instantly stop for a few seconds, then start again. Resting my foot on the clutch while buzzing, the pedal seems to vibrate more than when buzz is off. Motor and transmission mounts I am told are fine. Any ideas on what this is and how to solve it? How much should a new clutch cost?

2. There is a whole lot of black/dark grey smoke at idle and take-off or when pressing hard on the accelorator at speed. Not noticable at cruising speed. I am in the process of gauging how much oil I am using. Don't appear to have any noticable oil leaks. Mechanic says it needs valve guides (valve job). The air cleaner is clean. Mechacic said to hold off on the valve job for a long while and just keep adding oil to it and forget about the people behind me beathing the smoke. I don't want to spend money if I don't have to, but I am a little embarassed by all the smoke and feel bad for those people behind me, especially in stop and go traffic. Any ideas?? If a valve job is needed, what is the cost? What other repairs should be done at the same time when the head is off?

The car starts and runs fine, with similar acceleration as my 76, although it does chug more than my old 1976 240D. I get 27-28 mpg all the time. I love these cars but I'm beginning to wonder about this one, bought it for 2200 and in three months put another 1600 in it. If I fix the clutch and valve job what else will be going wrong about now! At 137,000 I thought the car was almost new!!

Thanks for any input,

Tim