Opinion Please => 1975 240D, 55K Miles!

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Opinion Please => 1975 240D, 55K Miles!

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Opinion Please => 1975 240D, 55K Miles! - 12/27/2006 7:05:09 PM

Drrty240D

Posts: 154
Joined: 7/30/2006
Status: offline

OK folks, I've found a 1975 240D "time machine." Fifty-five thousand original one-owner miles, garaged from day one. I've been looking for a place to get a reasonable value for the car but I've come up with a ton of varying information.

Everything is very good to excellent. Original everything except tires and a few normal wear items like filters, etc. Not sure if it's an auto or 4-speed; I'll find out tomorrow. Original paint with no rust. MB-Tex interior in great shape. Everything works and the car is very well sorted.

What should this car be worth in today's market?

Post #: 1

RE: Opinion Please => 1975 240D, 55K Miles! - 12/27/2006 10:15:53 PM

Charles Munn

Posts: 244
Joined: 8/19/2006
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Drrty240D

OK folks, I've found a 1975 240D "time machine." Fifty-five thousand original one-owner miles, garaged from day one. I've been looking for a place to get a reasonable value for the car but I've come up with a ton of varying information.

Everything is very good to excellent. Original everything except tires and a few normal wear items like filters, etc. Not sure if it's an auto or 4-speed; I'll find out tomorrow. Original paint with no rust. MB-Tex interior in great shape. Everything works and the car is very well sorted.

What should this car be worth in today's market?

Kent Bergsma of mercedessource.com says the 115 chassis from 1973 to 1975 were fitted with the much larger US impact bumbers with black rubber guards that gave it a heavy look. It seems some collectors feel those bumbers runined the original design. But they're tough and can still be seen being used as Taxis in many 3rd world countries. And there's a lot of collectors of this particular diesel. Ones in top condition will bring over $5000. and are highly sought after. Best picks are 1974 to 1976 240D with 4 speed manual transmission. "

That said, it's my guess, if your 115 comes with all logs and records with which you can prove the milage and has a manual 4 speed tranny, yours may be worth well over $10,000.

_____________________________

1982 300D T, 322,000miles
1991 Lexus LS400 212,000 miles
1986 GMC, HD, "J", 429,000 Km
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
Arthur Schopenha

(in reply to Drrty240D)

Post #: 2

RE: Opinion Please => 1975 240D, 55K Miles! - 12/28/2006 12:01:33 AM

ForcedInduction

Posts: 864
Joined: 5/20/2006
From: Federal Heights, Colorado
Status: offline

You 100% sure it's 055,000 miles? The W115 240D had a 5-digit odometer so it could easily have 155,000 after rolling over once.

(in reply to Charles Munn)

Post #: 3

RE: Opinion Please => 1975 240D, 55K Miles! - 12/28/2006 9:22:23 AM

Drrty240D

Posts: 154
Joined: 7/30/2006
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: ForcedInduction

You 100% sure it's 055,000 miles? The W115 240D had a 5-digit odometer so it could easily have 155,000 after rolling over once.

Yes, son of original owner has full docs to prove beyond any reasonable doubt that 55K is the true and original mileage. The condition of the vehicle supports the claim.

(in reply to ForcedInduction)

Post #: 4

RE: Opinion Please => 1975 240D, 55K Miles! - 12/28/2006 9:27:16 AM

Drrty240D

Posts: 154
Joined: 7/30/2006
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Charles Munn

Kent Bergsma of mercedessource.com says the 115 chassis from 1973 to 1975 were fitted with the much larger US impact bumbers with black rubber guards that gave it a heavy look. It seems some collectors feel those bumbers runined the original design. But they're tough and can still be seen being used as Taxis in many 3rd world countries. And there's a lot of collectors of this particular diesel. Ones in top condition will bring over $5000. and are highly sought after. Best picks are 1974 to 1976 240D with 4 speed manual transmission. "

That said, it's my guess, if your 115 comes with all logs and records with which you can prove the milage and has a manual 4 speed tranny, yours may be worth well over $10,000.

Thanks, Charles - in the $10K range was what I was thinking. I'm headed to the owner's home this evening to give the car a very close inspection. If the car passes muster I'll be trailering it home sometime this weekend. This could be a nice way to start 2007.

(in reply to Charles Munn)

Post #: 5

RE: Opinion Please => 1975 240D, 55K Miles! - 12/28/2006 2:38:58 PM

Charles Munn

Posts: 244
Joined: 8/19/2006
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Drrty240D

Thanks, Charles - in the $10K range was what I was thinking. I'm headed to the owner's home this evening to give the car a very close inspection. If the car passes muster I'll be trailering it home sometime this weekend. This could be a nice way to start 2007.

Exciting news! Please keep us informed.... and if you buy it, please post some pics.....
best wishes,
charlie

< Message edited by Charles Munn -- 12/28/2006 2:39:23 PM >

_____________________________

1982 300D T, 322,000miles
1991 Lexus LS400 212,000 miles
1986 GMC, HD, "J", 429,000 Km
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
Arthur Schopenha

(in reply to Drrty240D)

Post #: 6

RE: Opinion Please => 1975 240D, 55K Miles! - 12/28/2006 11:51:08 PM

AMGMercedes

Posts: 1550
Joined: 1/31/2006
From: Maryland
Status: offline

Well done on your rare find. Do post pics when you can.

_____________________________

1984 Mercedes 190D-SOLD!
1999 Honda Civic DX- Current DD
1986 Mercedes 190E-16v-On the way

(in reply to Charles Munn)

Post #: 7

RE: Opinion Please => 1975 240D, 55K Miles! - 12/29/2006 11:26:10 AM

Charles Munn

Posts: 244
Joined: 8/19/2006
Status: offline

It might be interesting to keep an eye on this ebay 1975 240D. The owner claims it only has ( at least I seem to remember ) 122000 miles... but it's an automatic transmission... Still, the final bid might give you an idea of the degree of interest in this particular MB... 10 bidders so far and it has over 5 more days to run....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1975-Mercedes-Benz-240D-DIESEL-GREAT-SHAPE-NO-RESERVE_W0QQitemZ130063232578QQihZ003QQcategoryZ6329QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

_____________________________

1982 300D T, 322,000miles
1991 Lexus LS400 212,000 miles
1986 GMC, HD, "J", 429,000 Km
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
Arthur Schopenha

(in reply to Drrty240D)

Post #: 8

RE: Opinion Please => 1975 240D, 55K Miles! - 1/1/2007 12:14:52 PM

Drrty240D

Posts: 154
Joined: 7/30/2006
Status: offline

Well, I checked out the car -- all indications are that the car HAS traveled 155K. Clutch pedal wear, seat wear, sandblasting on the windshield, stone chips on the front clip, etc. all indicate having traveled over 100K. Still in very nice condition, but certainly not the 55K time machine I was expecting to find. I've made a purchase offer for a much lower price than the original asking price. Car is largely rust free and in very restorable condition. Let's see what happens...

(in reply to Charles Munn)

Post #: 9

RE: Opinion Please => 1975 240D, 55K Miles! - 1/1/2007 1:44:53 PM

Charles Munn

Posts: 244
Joined: 8/19/2006
Status: offline

Disappointing to say the least. I hate it when someone tries to get slick. I'd probably walk away and maybe miss out on a good deal.. Still, I hope you get it at your price.....But before any money changes hands, I hope you check blow by ( you probably know this, but just in case, see a blow by test here: http://www.dieselgiant.com/mercedes_diesel_maintenance_tips.htm ) That's a rare engine, but if you completely open the filler cap and, while the engine is running, let it set over the filler cap and if it doesn't get blown off, but sorta sits there and percalates, that's acceptable blow by. Another test is to remove the air breather tube from the air filter and block it off. An ok engine will run for about 5 or 10 seconds... a good one runs for 20 to 30 seconds. A bad engine stops between 3 and 4 seconds. Then cut the engine, open the air filter and check for excessive oil. And last but not least, check out the heater fan etc... If it doesn't work, walk away..It's probably not worth the effort.

But if you do get it at a good price, please keep us posted.... Either way, I'd sure like to know what the asking price was/is, blow by rating and heater condition, and your offer, etc....
Best of Luck,
charlie

< Message edited by Charles Munn -- 1/1/2007 2:11:55 PM >

_____________________________

1982 300D T, 322,000miles
1991 Lexus LS400 212,000 miles
1986 GMC, HD, "J", 429,000 Km
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
Arthur Schopenha

(in reply to Drrty240D)

Post #: 10