240 General: Planning on buying a 240 this summer, any advice?

[venomtail]

I am planning on buying a 240 Estate this summer, most likely mainland Europe due to much lower prices and if I plan on road trips to Europe anyway, right hand drive will be most suitable.

However I know little on the 240 models, so was wondering if there's some important things to look out for, specifially for a 240 model, ideally looking for the older, first generation models with the rounded headlights and straight bonnet.

Hopefully this can become my project car. Already have all sorts of plans for it and tasteful upgrades.

[DW42]

The big thing to look out for is rust. Mechanical problems are easier to deal with than rust. If you look at this thread https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=312429 you'll get a good idea of where 240s tend to rust. The thread will also give you a good idea of what it takes to repair it. Estates rust under the tailgate too.

Good luck -- a well sorted 240 estate is a very practical and comfortable not quite classic car.

[Othen]

I would not have thought that importing a pre-1979 LHD 245 would be either a cheap or easy solution. This thread of a project car that came from Italy might give you an idea:

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=303961

As was said above, the biggest problem would probably be rust - mainly the rear wheel arches, sills, boot floors, around the windscreen and the tailgate on estates. I’m not trying to put you off - I think my 244 is lovely - but 40 year old car projects are not for the feint hearted, particularly if you don’t know much about these cars.

You will notice that prices for pre-1981 cars are 50-100% higher than for the later cars, this is because they can be MoT and tax exempt in the UK. Unless you are prepared to pay a premium for an historic car, I’d suggest a younger car might be more suitable, particularly if you plan long touring trips.

Good fortune.

[loki_the_glt]

As Othen said, look for a car that's as young as possible; ideally you want a 2.3 Fuel injected model (B230E engine code) without the catalytic converter, and manual box.

Rust is definitely your enemy: mechanical bits can be easily and relatively quickly replaced/repaired but rust removal and replacemnt is time- and money-consuming,plus the car will be undrivable while the rust is being dealt with.

There are a few threads covering this exercise so spending some time reading them will give you some pointers.

[Othen]

Originally Posted by venomtail

I am planning on buying a 240 Estate this summer, most likely mainland Europe due to much lower prices and if I plan on road trips to Europe anyway, right hand drive will be most suitable.

However I know little on the 240 models, so was wondering if there's some important things to look out for, specifially for a 240 model, ideally looking for the older, first generation models with the rounded headlights and straight bonnet.

Hopefully this can become my project car. Already have all sorts of plans for it and tasteful upgrades.

Originally Posted by loki_the_glt

As Othen said, look for a car that's as young as possible; ideally you want a 2.3 Fuel injected model (B230E engine code) without the catalytic converter, and manual box.

Rust is definitely your enemy: mechanical bits can be easily and relatively quickly replaced/repaired but rust removal and replacemnt is time- and money-consuming,plus the car will be undrivable while the rust is being dealt with.

There are a few threads covering this exercise so spending some time reading them will give you some pointers.

With respect Venomtail, I think Loki is right and this type of motor car would suit your needs far better than a pre-79 one:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184787836...MAAOSwfCNggxbU

... This will be far cheaper than an historic car, far more efficient, much better for touring trips to Europe, easier to get spares for, seems to have been well looked after and so on (this is just an example I found on eBay, I'm not selling the car!).

Good fortune.

Alan

[volvo always]

As said rust is the enemy.

I had a 1989 240GLT for 10 years and 8 as only daily driver car.

The B230E is a great engine and mine was Automatic. A good combo for me. I added 72,000 miles on my 240 and very reliable and very trouble free. Sold at 234,000 miles and have a 940 now.

Highly rate a late 240.

James.

[Juular]

Originally Posted by DW42

The big thing to look out for is rust. Mechanical problems are easier to deal with than rust. If you look at this thread https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=312429 you'll get a good idea of where 240s tend to rust.

I will take it in the best possible way that my car is held up as an example of how badly 240s rust.. haha!

It will see a road again. ( Don't know where, don't know when)

[DW42]

Originally Posted by Juular

I will take it in the best possible way that my car is held up as an example of how badly 240s rust.. haha!

It will see a road again. ( Don't know where, don't know when)

Very few of us have the metalwork skills and patience that you've shown. You should go ahead and buy more rusty Volvos.

[Othen]

Originally Posted by Juular

I will take it in the best possible way that my car is held up as an example of how badly 240s rust.. haha!

It will see a road again. ( Don't know where, don't know when)

I'm sure it was meant in an entirely respectful way Juular - we are all enormously impressed with your project and look forward to each new episode.

Alan

[Othen]

Originally Posted by venomtail

I am planning on buying a 240 Estate this summer, most likely mainland Europe due to much lower prices and if I plan on road trips to Europe anyway, right hand drive will be most suitable.

However I know little on the 240 models, so was wondering if there's some important things to look out for, specifially for a 240 model, ideally looking for the older, first generation models with the rounded headlights and straight bonnet.

Hopefully this can become my project car. Already have all sorts of plans for it and tasteful upgrades.

There have been some really sensible comments above Venomtail.

You have something of a dichotomy: if you want a car that is good for long overseas touring trips then the latest car you can find (an early 90s car) would be best; on the other hand if you want a project car with round headlamps then it would have to be a pre-1980 motor.

My car is a 1980 244 (the RB), I love it to bits but I wouldn't want to take it on a 2,000 mile touring holiday - it is reliable enough but low geared, quite thirsty (25 MPG) and has few of the safety and comfort features of the later cars - one of my other cars would always be better for that. The RB is an excellent project car though: modern and reliable enough to drive on the roads but providing just enough challenges to be interesting. It has a carburettor, manual choke, 3 speed auto gearbox and the only electronic item is the quartz clock. These are all good things from the perspective of maintaining a 41 year old car, but bad things from a long touring holiday vista.

As others have pointed out, later cars would be much more suitable to your needs, be much less prone to rust, be more efficient, easier to maintain, safer and more comfortable. Very good later cars can be purchased for £2,000 to £3,000 whereas even a middling historic car will cost over £5,000.

It is up to you, but you probably can't satisfy both your requirements with one car (and I really wouldn't think importing a LHD car would be sensible at all).

I hope we hear from you again Venomtail.

Alan