Mercedes-Benz 240D Diesel Automobiles Going Back into Production ! (Click for article...)

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1977 Mercedes 240D. 4-speed transmission. Windows, A/C, and sunroof: all manual. Medium Red. 204K miles.
1988 Subaru GL wagon. Dual range 5-speed 4X4. Daily driver w/ twin parts car.
1994 Subaru Loyale wagon. 5-speed 4x4
1966 International 3/4 ton 4X4 truck. Ooh yeah!
1952 Ferguson TO-35 farm tractor.
1984 Snapper rear engine riding mower. Just like Forest Gump.
1988 Nimble 20 sail boat
--Older stuff is built better--

I wish MB would do something like that. The G500 is basically nothing but a VERY updated 300GD, why not update the old W123 and make it a E300D?
-Joe

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

Lets contract an Indian company to copy the W123 and start production again. I bet we can get them made for 8,000$ a piece.

Seriously though, it was only a few years ago that VW stopped producing the 1975 Super Beetle in Mexico. The car was the same in every way, shape and form to the original '75, except it had the same headlight switches as the newer VWs, because thats all VW was making.

If I were a small developing nation with a burdgening industrial sector and a disregard for the 'intellectual property' of fat cat bureaucrats from the other side of the world, I'd definately copy and start manufacturing W123s. It would be a great platform to start on, and you could fill your country with efficient, reliable transportation. That is, until the World Bank and the WTO bankrupted you in punishment for disturbing the western world.

peace,
sam

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"That f***in' biodiesel is makin' me hungry."

1982 300TD Astral Silver w/ 250k (BIO BNZ)
2001 Aprilia SR50 Corsa Red w/ 5.5k (>100 MPG)

Brought my hopes up, then to come crashing down after reading "The story as represented above is written as a satire or parody. It is fictitious."

It would be interesting if Mercedes brought it back for 3rd world markets and such. Then we could import them.

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Adam Lumsden
(83) 300D
Vice-President of the MBCA International Stars Section

Not such a far fetched idea. Tempo, in India, is building the MB van equivalent of the 240d with the 616 engine and the MB 508D vans are now being built in Iran.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

The problem is they couldn't the W123 would never pass todays safety standards, also the 616 wouldn't pass emissions. They would have to spend millions to get them up to 21st century standards then probably sell them for mid $30k.

However you can own a new W123. Find a clean rust free example and drop it off at a resto shop. $50k later and it would be pretty much a new car.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

With the average new car price now, it would still be a bargain.

Y'all are foolin. If you want to buy a new diesel and spend $50 grand you just need to drive to the dealer and buy a new MB E320 CDI diesel. It lists for between $45k and $50k and is already on the lot. Lease one for about $500per month with $4500down right now!

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1982 300SD Light Blue
2002 Honda Accord SE
1974 Toro Wheel Horse Tractor
2000 Toyota Tundra Pickup

Part from Om 616 in n/a and turbo version, Tempo India is also making engines for C class diesels as well as trannies and they also make the Om 617 in n/a and turbo form and have been recently licensed by MAN Germany to make LCV engines.