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  #16  
Old 01-15-2006, 09:38 PM
TheDon's Avatar
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bgkast
I dont think that the 5 cyl turbo engine could be easier to work on than the 4 cyl N.A. engine in the 240.
it is faster though

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  #17  
Old 01-15-2006, 09:41 PM
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Location: Fernandina Beach, Florida
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300d

I have a 83 240D and my wife has a 92 300D 2.5 Turbo. I got mine for $740 becuase the guy had replaced the tranny and screwed up the vacuum so it didn't change gears. Anyway, spent about $500 (defered maintenance) on it and it goes fine. Has some problems, but does the job fine. And feels solid as a tank.

My wifes 300D is smooth as a baby's bum to drive - what a pleasure. A total different feel to my 240D. But having said that, I love my 240D - easy to work on, although I haven't tried to work on hers much.

All in all I would say $3500 for a 79 240D is way too much. Admittedly we got a steal with my wife's 300D (188K miles) for $3650, but $3500 for a 79 240D is pretty high.

I agree with the Don - for a low maintenance, DIY car, you can't go wrong with a 300D W123.

Having said that though, if the 92 300D was in good shape for $4000, I would buy it myself!
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  #18  
Old 01-15-2006, 09:43 PM
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You got me there!
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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine
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  #19  
Old 01-15-2006, 10:07 PM
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Location: east Tennessee (southeast USA)
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For $3500-$4500, you can get a nice 1981-85 300SD, or even a decent 1986-87 300SDL, with a more powerful engine and more comfortable ride, just to mention a few. They are still pretty simple as well, although not as simple as the 240D or 300D.

I would not be so fast to pay $3500 for that 240D, as that does seem steep, especially considering that does not even have the original engine. That engine could have more mileage than stated. Also, at that price, I would have PPI done on it before you buy it. I did not have one on my 85' when I bought it, but I only paid $1000 for mine, so not a big loss if something did break on it.

You also say you are from southern Louisiana. Is there NO chance that it had been flooded out? Also, keep that in mind. There are alot of flood damaged cars in Louisiana now, but I am sure you already knew that.

Keep in mind that 92' could have or eventually have the eroding wiring harness issue, if I am not mistaken. I know that the 300E of that era does and I think the 300D is the same basic design. I am sure someone else will know for sure about this.

If I were you, I would just shop around a bit.

Good luck!
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  #20  
Old 01-15-2006, 11:01 PM
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Location: Burbank, CA
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Comparing a 250D and a 300D 2.5T is like comparing a Rabbit diesel and a TDI. Slugs versus lizards. Knocked a vacuum hose off my 2.5T turbo this week -- turning my engine into a N/A 250 -- and realized that, without boost, the car is so slow it's dangerous. Pity the 240D driver who has to merge or change lanes on a hostile freeway. If you go for the 240D, buy the body armor 'cause you'll need it.
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  #21  
Old 01-15-2006, 11:53 PM
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The 1992 300D has no wiring harness issues. This started with the 300E equipped with the DOHC M104 gasoline engine.
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  #22  
Old 01-15-2006, 11:56 PM
t walgamuth's Avatar
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Location: Lafayette Indiana
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if it is really clean

with no issues 3500 is not too much to pay for the 240. there is nothing on the 124 that is easier to work on than the 240 that i can think of. the 240 is the easiest to maintain car ever. the automatic is tough to live with for me but if you dont like it it is not too hard to change over to a stick.

a 240 will cruise at 72 mph all day long and should top out over 80 with an automatic. a little faster with a stick.

good luck. it sounds like a good one.

tom w
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
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  #23  
Old 01-16-2006, 01:06 AM
compress ignite's Avatar
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$1,000. U.S. for 80K service?

If you are willing to "Turn a Wrench" on an M.B.; changing the timing belt on a
T.D.I. should already be in your experience packet.
A grand for a 80K service is outright highway robbery.
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  #24  
Old 01-16-2006, 01:51 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by compress ignite
If you are willing to "Turn a Wrench" on an M.B.; changing the timing belt on a
T.D.I. should already be in your experience packet.
A grand for a 80K service is outright highway robbery.
A TDI timing belt swap should cost between $650 and $800, which includes belt, tensioner, rollers, water pump and labor, good for 100K. DIY requires $200 Vagcom software and a laptop, plus $300-plus in parts. For me, best left up to the pros.
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  #25  
Old 01-16-2006, 07:57 AM
t walgamuth's Avatar
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an earlier post

stated that a 300d is as simple to service as a 240d.... well, that is not strictly true.

the basic engine is pretty similar for basic things like filters and changing the glow plugs etc. but there is a turbo and its related paraphenalia and so there is more to take care of when they get a lot of miles on them.

more important the 300s all came with automatic ac controls which can be a lot of bother and not as good to use as the basic 240 manual controls, there is power windows and sunroof and a fair amount of other more complex sub systems to maintian.

a 123/240 is hands down the simplist benz to own and operate. the 115 guys will argue that the 115 is simpler and it is in some ways but having had three 115s and prob close to 20 123s i find the 123 easier to service and more rational in the details overall.

good luck

tomw
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
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  #26  
Old 01-16-2006, 09:06 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by t walgamuth
a 123/240 is hands down the simplist benz to own and operate. the 115 guys will argue that the 115 is simpler....
Well sure, but a model "A" ford is easier to fix than both the W123 and W115 so why not advocate that choice?

If the ONLY consideration is cost of repairs then by all means get the 240D but you might want to test drive the model "A" Ford because it would only be slightly less refined and a little bit slower than a 240D.

If you are looking for a modern car that can actually execute a passing manuver and can get MPG figures in the mid 30's on the highway look at the 300D.

Last edited by TimFreeh; 01-16-2006 at 09:20 AM.
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  #27  
Old 01-16-2006, 09:32 AM
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I sold my 83 240 and bought a 93 300d w/153k in excellent condition for $6700 and am really happy about it. driving experience is totally different. It feels more appropriate driving to work in a suit in the 124.

also - ask your mechanic how much they would charge for an oil change in the 123 - and also in the 124. probably the same.
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  #28  
Old 01-16-2006, 12:57 PM
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I'll second the statement that the 240D is easier to work on than a 300D, and it doesn't have the turbo which tends to leak oil (on the W123 that is). Actually my 240D with the manual tranny is quite peppy and I don't have any problem merging on the highway. With the automatic it is slower from what I've read. The newer diesels are definitely more refined but that doesn't necessarily make them better in my book. There's something about the W123's that I find classy and charming.
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  #29  
Old 01-16-2006, 07:11 PM
t walgamuth's Avatar
dieselarchitect
 
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Location: Lafayette Indiana
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hey

i am not knocking 300s. i have one right now. i love them except for the auotomatics and the infernal ac controls.

the question was about ease of maintenance.

the 240 wins hands down over anything else short of a 2 cycle lawn boy.

slow yes but they have their charm if you can adjust to it.

tom w
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
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  #30  
Old 01-16-2006, 08:28 PM
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Location: Geographically challenged on the S.W shores of Lake Michigan in S,E Wisconsin
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mbzkid
What do you mean by touring car? A town car?

A 240D auto will peg the speedo and keep it there if you desire to run it flat out. It will hold 50-55 mph at the top of 3rd gear up almost any hill on the back roads. I'm not too sure how fast you can go up large hills on the interstates though. Maintaining the speed limit up the largest hills shouldn't be a problem.

The beauty of a 240 is the driving experience. You don't drive it like other cars. As cheesy as this sounds, your mind becomes one with the car. You just drive it how you feel is safe for the conditions.
key here is the first serntance. i and my wife are not willing to keep the 67/62 hp beast running that hard. it gets noisy and in the 240 is too much work. Christmas day i mad 65 miles in 64 minutes( or was it the other way), so i know the 240 will git up and go but it just seems out of character with the car. i look at the 240 as a nice hwy car at the limit not above. you need the above the limit speed to pass others in slow buicks. red at 75/80 leaves little to go get later. blondie seems to love the high revs but that is another personality altogether. blondie has speed off the line that red and brownie do not have. blondie leaves 5 cyl mbs behind. gotta be the way it was broken in new. like you say mbzkid, the beauty is the driving experience. it is a car to be driven and not flogged all over the hwy.

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currently
[1981 300 td tdidi 165500 dark brown/palamino-Brownie-mine-3k miles of ownership
1983 240d 162+++ Anthricite grey w/ henna red interior and hella lights-wifes car-Red

the above two cars are for sale
and can be seen on the cars for sale thread here. pix also available.


240d-144+ Manilla Yellow w/ palmino interior-greasecar kit-Blondie-the college kids car

23" gt 21 speed still on original tires-still got the nubs
21" khs tandem
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