New car, new problems! any thoughts welcome
 

Hi,
I have just done what i said i'd never do... I bought a car on ebay unseen...please feel free to hurl any expressions of an insulting nature my way. i deserve them all.

it's a 1989 manual 240td, very tidy all round and i was assured several times that there was nothing major to worry about, drives like a rolls royce etc etc. clearly this person has never driven in a roller.

1. the rear (self levelling suspension) is not damping. push the rear down and it will bounce several times before settling. Several knowledgable people have said it's no big deal to replace the shocks, others have said it's not the shock, it's the accumulator. so i have no idea how to move forward on this.

2. there is a serious transmission whiplash, this could be caused by the problem above, however, a mechanic under the car today said that the rubber subframe mounting bush is very worn, and that this might be causing, and certainly not helping this problem.

3. there is a very noticeable graunching/knocking noise when reversing, it doesn't manifest itself much on the flat, but the moment you start reversing up even the slightest incline it gets really quite bad. when we performed a stationary test of this with the bonnet open, the engine seems to be bouncing at least an inch. the gearbox does not do this in any other gear, however see 4.

4. when i accelerate in third, as soon as i start putting load on the engine there is a noticeable vibration which only goes away as i speed up and pass through the 35/40mph barrier. there is no similar vibration in the other gears (perhaps a tiny little bit in early 4th, but very indistinct). what with the bouncy rear and this vibration the car is manifestly difficult to enjoy driving in town. the propshaft seems to have had some work done on it fairly recently as it had new nuts on it. it had about a half-inch rotational play in it, not sure if that is good bad or ugly!

if anyone has any thoughts on any of these issues i would be most grateful as i am going to attempt to get a full or partial refund, but need to understand as much as i can about these problems to ascertain just how much it is going to cost to sort them out.

I bought the car for £1,200 on the basis that it was reported to be in very fine fettle.

(new rubber subframe bushings £250 plus parts!)

many thanks in advance as always for your help.

S:(

Try posting this thread in "Diesel Discussion" as well. Lots of folks over there who are extremely knowledgable with your particular model...