...car guy. I have a variety of cars, none of them M-B yet. But I'd interested in diesels and am looking for one to drive to work. I have been a BMW fan for years, and own a '76 2002 and an '88 M5. I have liked the look and feel of M-B since the mid '60s and think a 123 240D or 300D would be ideal. Wagon if possible. So I'll be looking and lurking and learning.

 

Today I went to see an '82 240D automatic. 180K on the dial. Not everything works, there's a vacuum leak which forces you to run the engine to get the remote & trunk locking to work, a rust bubble in the rocker behind the drives-side wheel well, the heater fan doesn't work and the windshield has a star in it from a rock strike. Paint is somewhat oxidized on the roof, hood and trunk but not badly. Shiny most places. A little shimmy at 50mph. Good (cheap) tires, brakes VG, stops straight and true, no pull in steering. Starts quick, runs the way a diesel always runs - but no loping. Shifts with no slip, shift points change with demand. All in all it is in fair to good mechanical condition.

I bought it on the spot for $800. Time will tell if it's a good deal, but compared to my M5 I'll save enough on fuel to cover the purchase price in about 18 months - I drive 100 miles a day to work & back.

 

Good deal.........I hope it works out well for you. Find a supply for Biodiesel. I am now running B-20 in my 87 300D. B-20 is 20% soybean and 80% dino diesel fuel. During warm season you can run B-100 too. Benefits are, greatly reduced toxic emissions, much quieter, run smoother, and have higher cetane values. The gov. subsidized biodiesel sells nationally for an average price of $2.45 gal and will come down 10 or 20 cents I have been told and stabilize while gasoline sky-rockets to as much as $5 gal. soon.

Diesel cars are currently in high demand and would bet in a few months your $800 benz will double in value!

 

welcome to the board jake!! and congrats on the new MB!

i had a 94 525 that i changed a bunch of parts to the M5 parts from the same year..sort of going for a sleeper, so i hear ya on the gas usage...