So the clutch doesn't seem to disengage all the way when the pedal is pressed all the way down. They say it cannot be adjusted but if air is in the system it could cause this to happen.
So I drove the car tonight about 40 miles to pick up the kids from their dad's and my wife from work. It ran good. I am also getting used to driving it with it's clutch and transmission issues. We don't intend to drive it like this but her suburban is still in the shop and we don't all fit in my bump. I just put the car in 2nd before starting the engine or before coming to a complete stop at a light or stop sign or whatever. I can float 3rd fairly well. So my wife and I in the front and two children in the back and the kids stuff in the back and trunk. (they spend weekends with their dad) That car was really full. It takes a while to get going but once up to about 40 or 50 it's fine. And I could go 60-65 on the freeway with no trouble but a lot of time is spent with the accererator floored which I think it typical for this model of car.
I think I found a donor car for a transmission but it might in a lot better condition than my wifes car except for the engine. The guy claims his girlfriend drove it low on oil and he worked on the engine but it still makes a horrible noise when driving it. It seems to have some good parts and tires as well. New slave and master cylinder.
Anyway it's an '81 240d with 176,000 miles on it. My wife's car is an '83 with 256,000 miles on it. I offered him $500 and that I would go pick up the car myself. It is about 80 miles away one way! If I can negotiate him delivering it then it would definitely be worth another $100-150 bucks at least.
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/2319129567.html
