Hello,

Just hoping for a bit of advice on how much to pay for a 340 auto. I've just seen one locally, but I reckon it's way too pricey. It's an '84 340 DL with just over 20,000 miles with a full history and, presuming it's in as good a condition as the seller says, would probably be about as good a 340 as you could hope to find... however I realise the problems inherent with under-used cars. Assuming it is in really top condition, what's the most you reckon I should think of paying for it?

Any advice on things to look for when inspecting would be helpful too.

Cheers all,

Ed

i would personally struggle to justify spending more than £300 on any used 300 - cheaper ones come up sooner or later - for instance there was a blue 340 auto with 30k on the clock, sold for £15 on ebay, and it was in beautiful condition

I agree with Hugh, 300 do come up for next to nothing.
However if you have found a nice one and personally feel it is worth the money then go for it.
I think in a couple of years time we will see the end of 300 being old bangers and becoming very rare! It no joke and its upto us guys and gals to keep em going. Now is the time to preserve the good ones!

Dai

Well said Dai. I've noticed in the last few months the good 300's being in demand and recognised as a decent, value for money, quite well equipped cars. Indeed, many look to them as just any old car, but some people are seeing how good they are, and how many other cars of a similar era have stood the test of time and survived in such numbers, including the used and abused cars. They've not all been garaged from new, the rust proofing seen to by Volvo every couple of years and used only in dry weather to drive 30 miles a week and serviced regularly! So, as Dai says, when all of the ones that are getting tatty have been scrapped, as the large scrap yards have no interest in keeping any, as soon as they come in they're crushed, it's up to us to keep the decent ones running, they are a future classic! So in relation to the original question, for a mint example I'd be willing to pay a lot more, if there were no signs of rust at all, that's the main killer on these cars, the engines can take silly mileage, the rest of it will sadly out last the bodywork if you're not careful.
Pete

Thanks for the replies. I've been to see it and it's certainly in pretty good nick - if I decide to go for it I'll have a thorough poke around for rust before parting with any cash... where are the common rot spots?

The only thing I found that did concern me is that it's been kept outside in the heavy rain for the last week (allegedly the first time it hasn't been garaged in its life) and there was a fairly significant pool of water in the driver's side rear footwell. Any ideas where the water will be coming from and if it's easy to stop the leak?

Thanks,

Ed

It could be the door seal, which is an easy fix or a sunroof if it has one. But......

It cold be the window seal and or a hole under the seal, if that is the case then consider what you are taking on very carefully.

Check under the seal on the window, ask the owner to use a watering can/hose pipe to spray the car with water and see if you can see where it is coming from.
If the body is rotting in that corner you may be better to walk away as their will be other better examples out there.

Another good one is leaves in the airbox if it's been standing for any point (which although you say it hasn't... you never know!) Fake did that, blocked the drain holes

lol Yeh i have noticed a lot more 300's around recently as Gemma said there is a nice redline about here!!!
Cheers Adam

340GLT wrote: as Gemma said there is a nice redline about here!!!
Cheers Adam

didnt know you and Gemma lived so close to Milton Keynes lol

No mate, he said 'nice redline', not 'outstandingly wonderfully definitively excellent redline'

oh yeah , sorry shes not talking about mine then, probably means that dodgy 340 GLT with its robbed redline seat covers LOL.