U.S. sold car or Euro spec?

[The Warden]

Hello!

I went with a friend to look at an '83 240D this evening. I forgot how much fun it is to drive the 240D 4 speeds The car looked to be great; couldn't see it in the daytime, though, so we have to go look at it again for signs of cancer. Also want to do a compression check, just to be on the safe side, although the car runs beautifully.

My question is this. The owner said that the car was a Euro car that had been brought over here from Stuttgart by the first owner. However, everything looked to be U.S. spec. The lights and the front and rear bumpers were all DOT spec, although I couldn't see if the labeling was in English or German due to the light (or lack thereof), and the speedo was a 100mph unit. Is there a way to tell the true story of how the car got here? BTW, one interesting thing to note is that it has a manual sunroof; this is the first time I've seen one. I know that some Euro import cars were modified to meet DOT regs; I'm just wondering if this car was one of those or if it was really sold in the U.S. (the owner sounded like he really believes this, although it wouldn't surprise me if someone exaggerated along the way before he got it ).

Also, somewhat different topic, but after shutting the engine down in a panic when the oil pressure reading didn't come up, the owner told us that the pressure line leaked, so his mechanic (who, from other indications, doesn't know what he's doing) apparently disconnected the line and plugged it. I was a bit nervous about this, but the engine ran for maybe 20 minutes without seizing or sounding weird, so I think it's true. I'm thinking right now that someone cross-threaded the connection ot the gauge. Can just the oil pressure gauge assembly be replaced, or does the whole instrument cluster need to be replaced? Also, how hard is it to find a replacement pressure line?

Thanks! As far as I can tell, all this car needs to be good to go is the oil pressure gauge fixed, new tires, and new axleshafts... heck, I'd buy it if I had the $$

[speedy300Dturbo]

Check to see if the rear fog light operates. Pull the headlight switch out to the second detent.

[P.E.Haiges]

The Warden,

As far as I know, just the oil pressure gauge can be replaced.

I certainly would want to have a working gauge also. You are right, the mechanic sounds like an idiot. But, maybe a previous owner was too chear to have it repaired properly.

P E H

[R Leo]

Warden,
Check out these threads:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=78311&highlight=oil+leak+gauge

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=64063&highlight=oil+leak+gauge

[franklyspeaking]

All of the Euro 240D's I have seen have funny Euro Bumpers and cloth seats. I think LarryBible has an 84 Euro 240D, perhaps he can give you a clue as to what to look for.

PS: Whether it's a Euro or a true US import shouldn't make much difference, if you're just looking for a solid car?

[Rick Miley]

The oil pressure gauge alone is supposedly a pita to do. But you could easily replace just that part of the cluster with the fuel, coolant temp, and oil pressure gauges. The pressure line should be pretty easy to get as well. BTW, in the Parts section someone is parting out a 240D. I need other parts out of the instrument cluster, so maybe we can work a deal.

Regarding the Euro story, it may be a U.S. spec car that was ordered with MB's European delivery program. You order a U.S. car at the dealership here, take a vacation in Germany where you pick up the car at the factory, drive it for a while over there, then have it shipped home. They still do that.

Email me the VIN and I'll look it up on the EPC for you. May be able to find some more information there.

[turbodiesel]

Look for an import sticker on the door jamb, if the vin starts with just "123", and a headlight leveling switch near the sunroof switch.

[The Warden]

Cool, thanks

BTW, as much as I wish the car was for me, my friend's the one getting the car. In fact, he's registered on this site; I just made the post 'cause I'm curious. And yes, he decided to get an M-B 'cause he was impressed by my experience.

As franklyspeaking said, it doesn't really matter where the car originated from, and again, I asked more out of curiosity than anything else. Unfortunately, it was dark and my friend forgot his flashlight, so we didn't get the VIN, and as I mentioned before, we'll have to go look at the car again before giving the owner $$ for it. BTW, it's got MB-Tex seats and the bumpers looked like DOT ones, as did the headlights (sealed-beam units, and I don't remember there being a switch for a headlight leveler.

Regarding the gauge, the owner said that his mechanic said that "it wasn't worth it" to fix it. Yes, both me and my friend looked at him incredulously when we heard that. But, the owner sounded very legit, and it was pretty clear to me that it was his first car (in fact, he's emotionally attached {whether he wants to admit it or not } to the car to the point where he was talking about keeping it, and has said that when he can afford to maintain it, he's buying another M-B) and that he's not mechanically inclined (he discovered that the hood can open all the way last night when we showed him).

Again, there are those issues, but for $900, my friend isn't complaining, and I'm only complaining 'cause this car wasn't for sale when I was "on the hunt"...