die444die, congrats, your 240D looks nice. It sounds like it shifts a bit early. You can adjust that with the Bowden cable that runs from the transmission to the throttle linkage. You want to make it a bit tighter unless you're fine with the way it is. As far as running temp, you shouldn't be seeing more than 200F. If you do it's time to pressure check the cooling system and maybe look at a new thermostat and doing a radiator flush. The brake problem could be a vacuum leak in the system, worn brake pads, air in the brake system or bad master cylinder. I'd start with the easier stuff. That and an oil change, followed by the other fluids & filters and valve adjustment when you have time. I highly recommend you get the Haynes manual for the W123 diesel series if you haven't got one already.

__________________
2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL