I'm going to buy a 1981 240D with 267K miles on it (stick shift). I've had two MBs before, but have never owned a diesel. The interior and outer appearanceare wonderful and the car runs and shifts just fine, but the owner says it burns about one quart every 500 miles (more at freeway speeds). Is this usual for an engine with that many miles? Since I'll drive only about 500 miles per month (I'm retired), wouldn't it be better for me just to buy a quart of oil every month instead of spending a lot of money rebuilding the engine?
Ray

 

I have had a few of these cars and some oil consumption seems to be common, especially when the oil gets dirty.

I would say "run her til she blows" and that will probably be quite a while

Last time I bought a good used engine for one of these cars I paid 1500 for it

good luck
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Thanks much for your advice; I'll take it and worry about a replacement engine when the time comes.