Looking at 740 turbodiesel - advice?

[ISO740GLETD]

Mornin'.

First post here. I am looking at a 1986 740 Turbodiesel with 123k on it. Looks clean, passes Carfax, dealer serviced. Price is high, though.

I have been all over the internets, looking for advice. Swedish Bricks says run away from all 80s Volvo diesels, then hide. Other Volvo forums say these engines hate short trips (due to unequal distribution of engine in the top end), start hard, blow head gaskets, warp heads, eat up injector pumps.

These sites and others recommend a compression test from a diesel shop that knows these VW diesels, and even a cylinder leak down test.

What are your thoughts on all of the above, as people who know this powertrain well?

What should I be looking for?

What is a clean car like this worth?