"DanPadge" (danpadge)
09/17/2014 at 23:22 • Filed to: w123 diesel
3
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"DanPadge" (danpadge)
09/17/2014 at 23:22 • Filed to: w123 diesel | 3
| 31 |
I'm looking at an automatic '82 Mercedes 240D. In NY, land of rust, but only 115k miles and seems to be very well cared for. Full records kept, work done by an expensive but highly regarded German shop. It'll be a DD and ideally a family car come March. With 1 on the way, I need rock solid reliability and I don't want to be messing with parts that are no longer available. Owner says "Generally it does shift well, but I do believe that a simple cleaning of the vacuum line from the vacuum pump to the transmission would greatly improve the shift quality." Also said some rust on wheel arches but otherwise solid.
This car is 3hr away from me and I may have to have someone look at it for me and then buy it sight unseen. So, school me on this bad boy!
PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
> DanPadge
09/17/2014 at 23:24 |
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115K miles on one of these is nothing. that's like buying a 50K mile 1992 accord. it will never die on you if you maintain it. these are tanks. they are about as fast as a tank as well, but are super durable
My citroen won't start
> DanPadge
09/17/2014 at 23:24 |
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Get some Euro lights and you should be alright.
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DanPadge
> My citroen won't start
09/17/2014 at 23:28 |
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Euro lights eh? Shouldn't be too tough to do. A lot brighter I assume? The exciting thing about parts is that I work literally next door to GermanAutoParts.com, though I want to keep my visits to a minimum. The wife wants me to get a newer, reliable "baby friendly" car (aka boring) so this seems like it could be a good compromise but I really want to avoid the "I told you so!"
norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
> DanPadge
09/17/2014 at 23:29 |
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NY, land of rust and roads full of pot holes
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DanPadge
> norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
09/17/2014 at 23:33 |
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Yes indeed!
Agrajag
> DanPadge
09/17/2014 at 23:34 |
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I did this a guide awhile ago. I've had mine about 2 1/2 years now and no major issues. Mine needed some exhaust work and the front end redone. I will say, if this will be your only car you may want to reconsider. It is that slow.
Also, if you get it, use W123 tag for all your posts.
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DanPadge
> PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power
09/17/2014 at 23:37 |
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That's what I hear. Basic maintenance, frequent oil changes and they'll purr forever. The ad lists new front shocks, new brake rotors/pads front and back,recently changed auto tranny fluid/filter, rear diff oil and motor oil/oil filter. I understand a 30sec 0-60 time is standard, but I daily drove a '73 VW Type 3 for 2 years so I'm familiar with slow.
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norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
> DanPadge
09/17/2014 at 23:39 |
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What part are you in? I'm live right on Lake Ontario.
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DanPadge
> Agrajag
09/17/2014 at 23:39 |
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Perfect, thanks! The Mrs has a Hyundai Accent as her primary car, but this would be my primary DD. When the little one comes, the MB may become the primary family vehicle since its 4dr, but we may also trade in the Accent.
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DanPadge
> norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
09/17/2014 at 23:42 |
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Nowhere near you, I'm just north of Albany
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norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
> DanPadge
09/17/2014 at 23:43 |
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Saratoga area? It's roughly 2,5 hours from me. where's the Merc?
JGrabowMSt
> DanPadge
09/17/2014 at 23:43 |
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Change the transmission fluid and probably install new vacuum lines.
Rust can be a hit or miss thing. You can POR15 it, you can use MercedesSource.com miracle rust repair on it, but it doesn't guarantee anything really. The tinworm is a dangerous thing.
As has been said, 115k is barely broken in for that car, and actually really low for it's age. My boss had many similar cars, but no 240D specifically. Running the cars well into 200k and up. I personally haven't seen one of these much over 300k, but even at that, regular maintenance is all it takes.
You'll want to find a more budget friendly shop for when things get weird though.
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Agrajag
> DanPadge
09/17/2014 at 23:44 |
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Good luck! Hope it works out.
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DanPadge
> norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
09/17/2014 at 23:47 |
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A lot farther. I don't really wanna be more specific for fear of being sniped.
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DanPadge
> JGrabowMSt
09/17/2014 at 23:50 |
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The tranny fluid & filter are freshly changed. Vacuum lines seem within my ability, even though I understand there are A LOT of them. I have a German shop local to me that's reasonably priced so I'm good there. My experience with rust tells me that when you see a little, that means there's a lot, so that's definitely a concern.
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JGrabowMSt
> DanPadge
09/17/2014 at 23:57 |
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Yes, there's what you can see, and what you can't see, and that means big trouble.
Any rubber hose should ideally be replaced if you cannot verify that it was replaced in the past 24 months. When my boss took the SL600 in for the last service, it was a pretty big deal, because a lot of dry rotted hoses were replaced. Age is a bitch with mercedes, and they love backing those engine bays really good.
As much as I hate saying it though, if you found a respectable, unmodified Honda Civic with a manual, those are equally durable. I know it's not the most proud car on the road, but those things refuse to die. The rust on that 240D would be a bit of a dealbreaker for me.
I hate peddling this thing so much (because I just want it to go to a good home) I have a 04 Neon 5spd that I need to sell. Down in NJ though. I know it's a Neon, but well kept, stock, and a good commuter car. But like anything else, you just need to take care of it. Up on all major work too. Keep the oil changed, and don't beat it up, and it'll be just fine. /shamelessselfpromotion
AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> DanPadge
09/17/2014 at 23:57 |
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Comfortable, reliable, safe, cool and unique (ish). What's not to like? I believe almost every part is still available from Mercedes should you need/want to go that route.
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DanPadge
> JGrabowMSt
09/18/2014 at 00:11 |
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I can get hose for about $3.50/meter, so that shouldn't be a problem. Also, rust is just a fact of life here. Anything over 10yr is going to have it, its just a matter of how bad. Hondas usually never have much of their rear quarter panels left. My 98 cavalier is very reliable but needs about $500 put into it and has just started to have rust appear along the bottom edge of the door so its sell it now or drive it till I scrap it.
If I'm going to keep it post-kid, it needs to be auto so the wife is comfortable driving it. Also, this MB is $1500 and at that price there is very little decent cars available. On the other hand, $1500 is not pocket change to me so this isn't a "Buy it, nothing to lose at that price!" situation.
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DanPadge
> AMGtech - now with more recalls!
09/18/2014 at 00:12 |
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Poking around germanautoparts.com, it does seem like most everything is available and at prices cheaper than I would expect for an old Euro car. I'm about 75% sold on this thing, but just wanna make sure I'm not overlooking anything.
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JGrabowMSt
> DanPadge
09/18/2014 at 00:18 |
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Totally under understandable. What's in that $500 that the cavalier needs?
NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
> DanPadge
09/18/2014 at 01:59 |
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My beloved Mercedes mechanic, who was one of those offbeat geniuses, loved these cars. They were his favorite Mercedes; he considered them bulletproof and beautifully simple. As long as you don't mind slow and the thing isn't too rusted, it could probably keep you going for a good long while. It's a Mercedes from an era when Mercedes meant something...different.
For what it's worth; I've never owned a 240D myself.
Jobjoris
> DanPadge
09/18/2014 at 02:44 |
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You know it's slow already, but I'd say it's too slow for a DD. Won't keep up with nowaday's traffic. Really. Reliable engine, off course. I for one will never again use a 15+ year old car (I DD'd a '94 C280 a couple of years ago) for a DD, it's not only the engine that can fail you.
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DanPadge
> JGrabowMSt
09/18/2014 at 08:51 |
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Tires all around, front brakes, trunk if I want it to baby. Its got 164k on it and its super reliable but at that age and mileage I fear it'll start being not so reliable soon. The clear coat is shot and after this winter I think the rust will start to be noticeable, in a year or 2 it'll probably be pretty bad. I figure I can sell it for hopefully $1k now, as its a perfect winter beater, or hang onto it until the body's gone. I was planning on keeping it but this MB seems like a better car that will likely last longer (depending on rust) for almost even money.
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JGrabowMSt
> DanPadge
09/18/2014 at 09:21 |
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As long as youre taking care of the car, and the big ticket items are covered, like the water pump, timingbelt, tensioners, etc, the Cavalier wont give you trouble. Many modern cars when well kept are more than capable of going into the 200-300k mile range. I bought my Magnum with 143k on it, and never thought twice about it. I have a friend with a 2001 Corvette with over 200k on it. We both keep up on basic stuff, but the internals of the motors remain untouched, we've never pulled the heads.
High mileage cars have a long standing bad reputation, but today, they shouldnt as long as they're up on maintenance.
In your situation, I would preemptively put a set of snow tires on the Cavaliere. If you can pick up a set of steelies that fit, even better, so you can sell them separately, or store them for next winter. Id try out some POR15 or go to Mercedessource.com and get the starter kit for the miracle rust repair. Give it a shot yourself first, and see what happens with it.
I wouldnt be scared by higher mileage, Id be scared by knocking, pinging, piston slap, or the death knell of a water pump. If its reliable and is well kept, Id keep using it. The thought of replacing it with something that can be hit or miss is more concerning to me.
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DanPadge
> JGrabowMSt
09/18/2014 at 10:04 |
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Yeah replacing it with an unknown is also whats got me on the fence, the only reason I'm even on the fence is because of the famous longevity of w123s. Water pump has been done, timing belt was done around 100k so due again in a little while. Motor is strong and free of noise. You're probably right that its best to stick with "the devil you know" but its hard to pass up a super nice, good looking diesel MB for a car that a 16yr old would be embarassed to be given lol!
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DanPadge
> Agrajag
09/18/2014 at 14:56 |
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Can you add a turbo from a 300TD easily to the 240?
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norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
> DanPadge
09/18/2014 at 15:36 |
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Ok, well just another New Yorker here on Oppo!
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DanPadge
> norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
09/18/2014 at 15:38 |
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I'm just south of Saratoga in Clifton Park. I have some relatives on Lake Ontario but don't get out that way much.
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norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
> DanPadge
09/18/2014 at 15:43 |
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It's a really nice area until winter happens.
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Agrajag
> DanPadge
09/18/2014 at 21:02 |
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I'm not sure. I know they are two completely different engines. The 240d being a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder and 300 a 3.0 liter 5 cylinder.
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DanPadge
> Agrajag
09/18/2014 at 21:08 |
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Ah, didn't realize the 300 was a 5 cylinder.