Is this a Euro 240D? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Benzcrusher · #16 11-08-2004, 12:14 AM

The aux. fan looks like a w108/109/113 fan... The air intake snorkle is odd not the usual "scoop" and weren't York compressors still used? The ad lists A/C,..... But wait, the dash wood trim is missing, it looks like the euro textured filler, that plus the triangle,,,,, maybe a federalized grey market car... Pics of the door jamb will give more info....

Old300D · #17 11-08-2004, 01:18 AM

That car is a US car, but because it has no EGR, it's hard to believe it's a CA car. The seller listed it as an '80, but calls it an '82....

The bumpers and headlights give it away. It may have a triangle, but some US cars came with them. I pulled one from a scrap yard last week and equipped my 240D with it.

Lots of US models came without the wood and 4 speeds. I see them all the time.

TwitchKitty · #18 11-08-2004, 05:49 AM

My Euro car came with cloth seats. I don't know if vinyl was installed in Euro cars or not. What about the lack of wood on this car, is that typical of 240s?

I want that triangle for the trunk. Dog, junkyards here don't have MB diesels. I guess I need to get out and beat the bushes, they have to be here, somewhere. Private individuals hoard them, sound familiar?

oldnavy · #19 11-08-2004, 10:06 AM

Yes you could pretty easly buy a Euro spec car at the dealer in the '60's through '80's when I was being involved off and on in the automotive business on left or right coast's. I worked at a dealership that sold grey market VW's in the late '60's and some in the mid '80's on the east coast. I never really liked selling the gray market VW's in CA in the '60's and quit the dealership. I know in the '80's actual MB & BMW dealerships and other's on regular basis sold gray market car's because of the big proffit's.

One of the worst cases I saw was a rebuilt US spec car wrecked that was redone as a Euro spec gray market car for a customer. I have often wondered over the years how many of the gray's were stolen or salvaged car's from Europe. I will tell you it's still going on today and I have friends who have bought cars totaled in Europe and had them shipped here in sections to rebuild totaled US cars. If you look hard you can find everything from VW's to BMW's with engine & drive train arrangment's not available through regular factory source's in the US market.

I could never understand why the German cars were such a heavy target for this type of thing, and not the Japanesse cars. I guess it does happen with the Japanesse cars, but I'm not really into Asian built cars so I don't know about them.

#20 11-08-2004, 04:40 PM

BELIEVE me! There were SCADS of US spec, 4 speed manual, 240D cars sold in the US. Along the way I owned two of them, one that I bought new. In addition I've seen quite a number of them. They were quite common, and I expect are still common among the 123's that are left on the road.

Have a great day,

R Leo · #21 11-08-2004, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldnavy

Larry the MB manual I have shows all US 123 240D & 300D's were automatic. I had an old friend who also told me that, he was trained at the factory in Germany and was turning wrenches from mid 60's up until his death from cancer last year. He was the one who told me only 123 diesels with manual trans were European delivery, gray market cars...

Leathermang and I both have US-issued, 240D manny-tranny cars. His runs, but mine is giving it up for a higher cause.

oldnavy · #22 11-08-2004, 05:35 PM

I sorry for your loss man.

Mine is still humming down the road like the queen she is.

Hey as for as the manual trans goes, like I said about the manual it does say manual trans cars were only available in Europe, CA, and rest of the world. Would not be first manual wrong however, but I will say my old buddy could have been wrong. He was born and raised on a large island west of Italy and was a real bs'er in his day. I sure could use his wrenching skills now days though. Our wife's were long time friends and went to HS together.

R Leo · #23 11-08-2004, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldnavy

I sorry for your loss man.

No loss to me, that one (Jane) was purchased as a non-running parts car. It keeps my other vehicles on the road...

bill murrow · #24 11-08-2004, 08:21 PM

I think you guys are mistaken about the wood missing. I think its a burl wood and not the typical zebrano that you're used to seeing. It blends in well with the dash so its hard to see, but I think its there.

Another thing I noticed that nobody mentioned is waht appears to be a wet spot around the accelerator pedal and towards the middle of the drivers side. Maybe just a stain but looks wet.

Of course, if you look closely, you'll see the typical cracked dash.

Also, did the 240s come with a hood pad? If so, its missing.

Cheers,

Bill

oldnavy · #25 11-08-2004, 08:29 PM

I also noticed the wet spot and thought oil leak fron gages maybe.

Yes they came with hood pads.

Palangi · #26 11-08-2004, 09:37 PM

I have never seen a US spec 123 with the radio antenna on the right front fender. I think it's either a Euro or from some other overseas market.

BTW, I just bought a replacement antenna for mine, got the last one in stock in Germany.

Rick Miley · #27 11-09-2004, 12:37 PM

I haven't looked at the ad yet, but want to mention a few things based on reading this thread.

1. Manual transmission 240Ds were definitely available in the U.S. Listen to the people who bought them, such as LarryBible. They were not federalized Euro cars, or European delivery. They were available at the dealership, just like any other Mercedes-Benz.

2. Early 240Ds did not have wood on the console. They used the black plastic panels. My 1980 has them, so they changed to wood in 81 or 82.

3. Early 240Ds did not have EGR. Again, that wasn't added until at least 1981, and my 1980 car doesn't have it.

These facts are backed up by the Mercedes-Benz electronic parts catalog.