Water pump replaced in 1987.
A steering link rusted away in 1989. Cost $10 to repair.
Glow plugs replaced twice in the last 10 years.
It drives like a tank and don't think about getting one if you need a getaway car. It is slow but steady, and I would think nothing of getting into this 27 year-old car right now and driving a thousand miles.
It's main problem is that in cold weather it requires several Hail Mary's to get it started, but once it is running nothing will stop it.
Mercedes corrected the cold-starting problem in later models, and modern Mercedes diesels start in seconds.
You can pick up a decent 240D for $1000 to $2000. Don't be afraid if the miles seem high - these engines will do 2 or 3 times the miles other cars can do. Just make sure you have a battery recharger on board because in cold weather your battery will need to be 100 percent.
Cold-weather starting in older Mercedes and other diesels is much improved by using 0-W30 weight synthetic oil in the engine (e.g., Amsoil), fitting an electric block heater and/or coolant heater (ideally both!) and using a fuel conditioner. Even without plugging in, my old 240D started down to -15 C, and plugged in, down to around -30. Below that was touch and go... Now it is retired and lives in Vancouver, where it is pushing 350K km.
Mobil 1 makes a 0W-40 with a CF diesel rating. "Rotella-T" comes in a synthetic version too. It seems odd that if synthetic is so bad the car in this post has over 300K.
If you install the late parallel glow plug kit it will start better. Mine starts down to 0F with no problems!
I am on my third mercedes and they keep getting better and better. However, they do like to spend time in the shop. My latest is a 1976 300D and I recently spent $350 bucks to get 1 upper and lower ball joint and tire rod (i think that is what it was, don't have the work write-up in front of me) replaced. I just got an estimate today that it would cost me about $800 to fix the steering pump and steering line. Each time I get one of these bills, I start to look on CraigsList. I love my mercedes, no other car drives like she does (a bed on wheels) and I'm attached to keeping things out of the landfills. But the cost to keep her running is catching up with me. I would invest in another mercedes, but am looking to upgrade to something without so many bills!
1974 2420 D purchased in 1978 with 60, 000 miles and a extra in the fuel tank from a boat. The total fuel is 35 gallons. This car will from Sacramento, ca to LA and back without filling up. The is now at Lake Tahoe and starts great except in the winter. The block heater helps a lot but a good battery is the best bet for cold weather starting. Replaced the engine at 350,000 miles and the car now has 420,000 miles and still has the original transmission (automatic) and rear end. The car runs great, but slow to accelerate (only 60 hp). Cheap to maintain and operate, getting around 30 mpg at 6000 feet altitude. Will keep the car until the rust overcomes the great drivetrain.
My 1983 240d 5 speed has done 150,000. There is some blow by, but oil consumption is about 1 quart per 3000 miles, and cold starting is fine, so I'm not worried. Blow by is not important.
My 76 Mercedes 240D rocks - she *does* sound like a tank (I think of her more like a tugboat) and she goes from zero to 60 in well under 5 minutes. Once she hits 70, she'll drive all night.
I bought her about 3 years ago for a song and I've had to fix... ummm. Well I've replaced fuel hoses (she runs biodiesel), brakes, and tires. She's got just 396,000 (miles, not km) on the original engine.
I've driven her in AZ in 114 degree heat, for almost 24 hours straight (we took turns driving), and over the Sierra Nevada in December (with chains). I've recently learned she can climb 12 miles of 6% grade at 7000 feet without overheating - I stressed.
The Benz was fine. Great car.
I have owned a 1976 240 D for five years now and am still in love with it. Yeah, she's slow, but who needs to go fast when you're in a car that looks that good? Yeah, I have had my share of expenses with it, but hey, it's 33 years old - what do you expect? Never a regret with this car. Just make sure to take it to a mechanic that works specifically on German cars and you'll be OK.
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