diesel don,

Your 240D was more than likely equipped with 175/78-14's from the factory and in my opinion that size sucks on a W123. Too wimpy to maintain proper margins for strength and safety if the car is loaded. I never understood the technical justification for the 240D to 300D difference in rating. Fully loaded the two cars do not weight significantly differently, and coming down a windy mountain road those 175/78-14's (actually they have no aspect ratio number listed, and in that case the standard if no aspect ratio is specified, is 78) (edit-got distracted and left the sentence incomplete) is not confidence inspiring.

Since you are not fitting your 240D today, I guess all that is moot. Good luck though, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)