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Old 06-17-2008, 10:10 PM
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JHZR2 JHZR2 is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 5,265
An AT 240D isnt really that slow

So I drove my new 240D around a lot today. AC was on all the time.

Im really suprised, perhaps because of all the torque, the 240D is moderately peppy, especially considering what I was expecting.

Other than one situation where I neither hand forced the AT to downshift, nor did the kickdown induce a downshift, did I have slow acceleration - and that one, trying to accelerate out of 25-30 MPH was a challenge.

The car did 55 effortlessly. It started to get noisy and discernable from a good 300D at 65 MPH. I did 80 in the car, but wouldnt want to do above 72... conveniently, thats about as fast as I ever drive.

But seriously, I was suprised at the acceleration. Not a 300D with a spooled turbo, but for scooting from lights, it was no different in acceleration than how I typically drive any of my other cars.

Going to work and coming back, I have to cross major steep bridges. The AC was on max both times. The car had no problem accelerating from a dead stop up the hill to 55 MPH on the way to work, and had no problem doing the same on the way home (though I had a running start). I was worried if I'd be able to reach 45-50 from a stop going up the bridge in the AM... no problem, even with the AC.

Slow they may be, but if youre driving gently, driving for fuel economy, and not just mashing the go pedal and rocketing off, the 240D is no worse than any other car. It is typical, and works great if you drive as you should.

Though it may need to be driven a bit harder in some circumstances, it goes as directed without issue. Its not anywhere near as slow, dangerous, or raucous as I had expected in day to day use.

Pleasantly suprised!!! an MT can only be better!

JMH
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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)
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