In article <i835sa$rdp$(E-Mail Removed)>,
James Sweet <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> Tim McNamara wrote:
> > In article <i7vukg$i9i$(E-Mail Removed)>,
> > James Sweet <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >
> >> Tim McNamara wrote:
> >>> In article <i7rqar$utv$(E-Mail Removed)>,
> >>> James Sweet <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Tim McNamara wrote:
> >>>>> My '90 240 apparently has cracked strut mounts, at least
> >>>>> observing the black top of the mounts when the hood is up.
> >>>>> What's the safety risk with these things, if any? I've got new
> >>>>> mounts on order to have my mechanic put in, but at what point
> >>>>> if any should I stop driving the car until this is done?
> >>>>>
> >>>> You mean the rubber section has cracks? While it's good to
> >>>> replace them, it's not a safety hazard so long as they're
> >>>> relatively intact still. There's a metal piece on top of the
> >>>> strut cartridge that will prevent it from coming apart
> >>>> completely.
> >>> Well, I'm not sure how intact everything is (given the groaning
> >>> and creaking noises and all), just didn't want to be launching
> >>> the insert through my hood or anything like that.
> >>>
> >>> Thanks for the info!
> >>>
> >> Well keep an eye on it, and I certainly wouldn't recommend any
> >> Dukes of Hazard style jumps, but otherwise it should be ok for now
> >> 
> >
> > Dang, that was on my to-do list for tonight. Sigh. I should be
> > able to get 'em replaced next week.
> >
> > Man, this car has been expensive in terms of repairs in the past 18
> > months. Hopefully I've replaced most of the stuff that'll need to
> > be replaced for a while.
> >
>
>
> How expensive is expensive? Even the most expensive repairs I've done
> on mine have been less than a single car payment. It's getting too
> where the 240 is going from just an old car to more of a
> retro/classic. I've had several random people compliment me on my
> 242, despite the somewhat shabby paint. Even had a few girls ooh and
> ah, which is shocking honestly. I've always loved it but most people
> didn't seem to see why, at least not before going for a ride.
>
> I've been saying for years that the 240 would be a classic some day.
> I can't think of many cars from the era that are as recognizable.
> Love them or hate them, even non-car people can spot the boxy old
> Swedes from a mile away.
LOL. I'm obviously in the "love 'em" camp. I bought my 1990 244 for
$3800 with 104000 miles on 10/31/01 and have, in the nearly 9 years
since, spent about $7500 on repairs and maintenance. It's up to 211,000
miles on the odometer. A bit over $2000 of that has been in the past 18
months. Not counting the upcoming strut mount replacement (my new SKFs
were just delivered today; $119 for the pair shipped from eEuroparts, so
I can get 'em replaced next week). Also in the near future is
rebuilding or replacing the driver's seat and new tires.
It's still my favorite car ever, which is why I keep fixing it...
--
That'll put marzipan in your pie plate, Bingo.