Does anybody know what the differences are between the power antennas that go in the 81-85 300d or 81-85 300cd or 81-85 300sd verses my 85 tdt wagon? Someone had monkied a Hirschmann 2040 in there. It worked fine since I've owned the car for 3 years. Well, last week it quit. A 2040 can be had for 30.00 so I not interested in rebuilding my 2040. I would like to buy the one that came with the wagon. But I can't find it used. I don't want to take the 160 dollar new route. But there are a few take out uesd ones from 300d, 300sd, etc on e-bay; prices between 30 and 50 dollars. Will one of these fit in ok? I just figured while I have to do this, I might as well try and do something better than the 2040 if possible. If a 300cd or even 126 series just needs a minor modification-I'd like to buy one as I miss my radio! By the way, I drove an mint condition extremely well kept 87 Volvo wagon
last night. WOW! The Volvo is certainly well made no doubt. But it sure isn't a Mercedes. No way. While the Volvo compares to the frumpy intellegent high school girl-the Mercedes is a the refined and sophisticated lady of the road!
Thanks and happy Dieseling

Have you considered adding a Fuba-style whip antenna from a late-model VW? You'd have to lower the headliner and drill a hole in the roof but these antennas are cheap, have great reception and are very robust. When I took the audio system out of my Miata I found that there is a factory rubber plug for the antenna hole on the rear fender -- perhaps Mercedes makes a similar part?

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1983 240D automatic, Orient Red, 174K
1983 240D manual, Biscayne Blue, sold at 341K

BetoBenz,
An antenna out of any of the 300 series cars (and probably other models) will work fine. I replaced the power antenna in my wifes 300TDT a few years ago w/ a used on out of another Benz. i don't remember the model, but the "box" that the antenna & motor that drives it up/down was the exact same as mine. The only thing differant is the brackets. The sedan brackets are differant from the wagon brakets.

But what about the height of the mast? I think the wagon may be shorter than other Benz but I don't know.

It might be, but if the package is the same, and it fits, why not use it? I do know that on ours, the mast only comes up to a certain point when the radio is turned on. If the reception starts getting a little fuzzy, there is a button on the dash that will raise the mast a little more.

But the fixed portion of the 380 mast for example seems to be longer than the wagon one. I'm not worried about how high it goes up. I am worried that the tube that encases the mast, the fixed part that is hooked to the main body encasing the motor--that fixed tube on for example the 380 version appears longer than the wagen one. For instance check this site's picture out-http://shop.benzpartstore.com/?make=MB&year=1985 then go to e-bay item no http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7952761806&category=38655. Are they different heights? If one is taller, I dont think it will fit.

I finallytook the time to look at the links. Both pictures look like the same mast to me. I'm almost positive that the only diff is the mounting brakets.

Heck, just to make sure before you place an order, go to a j-yard and look at a few on differant models to see if they're the same or not.

http://www.antennaworld.com/2004/departments/amfm/amfm_sub.shtml
lots of good stuff

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82 Rabbit diesel (first d), 84 Jetta turbo d (300k when sold), 83 240d (305k when sold), 84 F250 6.9d w/Banks turbo(parts truck), 86 F250 6 cyl.gasser(waiting for 6.9d), 84 300d ( 347k Sold 8/04), Y2k New Bettle TDI (185k miles), 95 740IL (wifes), 87 300TD (206k Sold 7/05), 05 Passat TDI Wagon

The masts should be the same. Almost all the Mercedes cars for the 70s to the late 80s use the same mast with toothed plastic core.

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LRG
1987 300D Turbo 175K
2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul
1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold