I'm looking at buying a 1974 240D that has a supposed Transmission Problem.

Here is a quote from the owner.
" runs great but sometimes cant shift into gear was told its the shift linkage or trans modulator trans fluid looks good"

Do I go investigate or run away? (The car is pretty dang cheap.)
Sounds like it could possibly be a broken Kickdown switch?

I'm 17 so I dont have much experience wrenching on cars but I have been obsessed with cars since I was 7, so I have a pretty good knowledge of whats what.

 

I've also got a 240d that I purchased recently, and it wouldn't go in to gear unless I pulled the shift lever down far below the gear I wanted it to go in. In a discussion on mercedesforum, it was mentioned that I check the shifter bushings. There are several - some very high in the linkage, and two lower ones. I had the lower ones replaced, and it has taken care of the problem - I also didn't have the park break before, and now I do. It was just too sloppy from the shifter down. Not that it couldn't be something else, but that took care of it for me. It's still a little sloppy - the higher up ones are also very worn, but now it drives when I put it in gear :-). Have someone who knows about old mercedes check it out.