Hello everybody!
Since I've got a 1975 240D I'll most likely hang out here in the classics forum. Unless anyone wants to talk about Corvettes (my other car is a 2006 C6).
I bought this old 240D a little over a year ago as something to learn to drive on (Corvette is not a good learner's car). Having grown up with a 220D and a 240D when I was a kid, I couldn't think of anything more docile and forgiving to learn to drive with than this. So when this one showed up in the local "fer sale" lot, I jumped at it and paid too much naturally.
After I got the car, I realized it was either maintained by someone who either 1: absolutely hated this car; or 2: had no business getting near a car with tools in his hand. The right front ball joint was kaput, steering coupler was shot, it had a radiator from some other car in it, the main oil filter was missing, the oil bath air filter had been gutted and a (poor fitting) paper one was just stuck in there. And someone had attempted to "tighten" the steering by adjusting the box the wrong way. But at least the guy had the good sense to use a good synthetic diesel engine oil. I just hope he wasn't trying to do 10,000 mile OCI's. Oh and everything rubber on the car had pretty much rotted away. There's more I'm sure I've missed - let's just say the car would have lasted maybe another 5-10,000 miles before it was going to the shredder is I hadn't intervened.
I've since rebuilt the front end (tie rod ends, ball joints, control arm bushings etc), replaced the missing bits and got a more proper radiator in it. I wish I could have found one with the oil cooler like the original, but at least I have one from another W115. I found that one of those cleanable cone filters will fit right on the plastic snorkel where the oil bath one used to go.
Now it runs and drives fine. To be honest, I like the way it rides better than the 'Vette (but not handles or acclelerates ) Other than the wife leaving the lights on once; running the battery dead and breaking the key off in the door, It's never had a scrubbed mission.
I've still got a laundry list of things to do - what 40 yr old car doesn't?
Tomorrow I'm starting on sub frame bushings and engine mounts. Hoping it will go easy, but I've got a feeling I'll come out of it looking and feeling like I was in a grease covered street fight.
Anyway, thanks for this forum! I've lurked here for info every now and again and I figured I'd join up and participate. I look forward to hearing from you all.
Since I've got a 1975 240D I'll most likely hang out here in the classics forum. Unless anyone wants to talk about Corvettes (my other car is a 2006 C6).
I bought this old 240D a little over a year ago as something to learn to drive on (Corvette is not a good learner's car). Having grown up with a 220D and a 240D when I was a kid, I couldn't think of anything more docile and forgiving to learn to drive with than this. So when this one showed up in the local "fer sale" lot, I jumped at it and paid too much naturally.
After I got the car, I realized it was either maintained by someone who either 1: absolutely hated this car; or 2: had no business getting near a car with tools in his hand. The right front ball joint was kaput, steering coupler was shot, it had a radiator from some other car in it, the main oil filter was missing, the oil bath air filter had been gutted and a (poor fitting) paper one was just stuck in there. And someone had attempted to "tighten" the steering by adjusting the box the wrong way. But at least the guy had the good sense to use a good synthetic diesel engine oil. I just hope he wasn't trying to do 10,000 mile OCI's. Oh and everything rubber on the car had pretty much rotted away. There's more I'm sure I've missed - let's just say the car would have lasted maybe another 5-10,000 miles before it was going to the shredder is I hadn't intervened.
I've since rebuilt the front end (tie rod ends, ball joints, control arm bushings etc), replaced the missing bits and got a more proper radiator in it. I wish I could have found one with the oil cooler like the original, but at least I have one from another W115. I found that one of those cleanable cone filters will fit right on the plastic snorkel where the oil bath one used to go.
Now it runs and drives fine. To be honest, I like the way it rides better than the 'Vette (but not handles or acclelerates ) Other than the wife leaving the lights on once; running the battery dead and breaking the key off in the door, It's never had a scrubbed mission.
I've still got a laundry list of things to do - what 40 yr old car doesn't?
Tomorrow I'm starting on sub frame bushings and engine mounts. Hoping it will go easy, but I've got a feeling I'll come out of it looking and feeling like I was in a grease covered street fight.
Anyway, thanks for this forum! I've lurked here for info every now and again and I figured I'd join up and participate. I look forward to hearing from you all.