'79 240D vs. '92 300D - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

83-240D · #46 01-23-2006, 01:06 PM

and enjoyed staying right most of the trip i did get to pass some slower gassers that weren't doing 65.

iNeon · #47 01-23-2006, 01:13 PM

see, i know youall outrank me(i just celebrated 1 year and 20,000 miles in my 240d automatic- 150k now) and all, but i almost feel violated by how youall speak of the 240s!

i simply cannot believe that every positive comment needs to have a disclaimer behind it...

such as:

' the 240d is a good car, *but* id be loath to trust one getting onto a busy interstate-- theyre just too slow.'

'the 240d is a good car, *if* you can get over how slow it is'

my 240 has been a good car period. end of story. in fact, i have stopped driving my namesake alltogether and have gone ahead and made the 240 my everyday car.

yes, over the course of the year, i faithfully picked 67 automatic horses over 150 manual ones, and i couldnt be happier. the car isnt a redlight racer, it is not a muscle car and it does wind out around 90mph, but i find that character simply charming. so much so that i dont even think about taking the long way around to get into traffic at a signal instead of a stop sign.

i also dont mind the 5 minute starting/warming up procedure. i feel a little like i am starting a rocket, with the glow position, the idle screw, the pushing of the accelerator pedal, the waiting.

the only thing that could be better might be a late sd, the 123 5 cylinder just doesnt do it for me.

so to pose a question:

is it a natural reaction to owning one diesel mercedes, to, in a little while, add another to the fleet? i have been giving serious consideration to selling the purple ovary car and buying a red/bamboo 300sd. these models(240d/300sd) seem to be excellent counterparts. one simple and reliable, the other big and highway cruisey, but more trouble proned.

has the original poster mentioned anything about a 300sd? its a prolific model, theyre everywhere and seem to be more affordable than w124 diesels.

DieselAddict · #48 01-23-2006, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbzkid

For those of you who have driven manual trans 240D's....

Are you able to drive the car smoothly?

My father and I test drove a 4 speed 240D in such bad shape, it couldn't have had more than 30hp. It made our auto 240 seem like a rocketship. He keeps telling me to find a auto, but I haven't lost hope in the manual cars yet. I'm hoping the lugging, jerking, and truck-like shifting was just becasue of a tired car.

There was definitely something wrong with that car. Like I said my manual 240D is quite peppy and the transmission is smooth. Don't lose hope, there's a manual 240D waiting for you out there somewhere.

bgkast · #49 01-23-2006, 04:13 PM

My 240 drives more smoothly as my '02 focus. Both are manuals.

die444die · #50 01-23-2006, 06:54 PM

Well, I bought the 240D. It does seem to rev a bit higher than I was expecting when going Interstate speeds, but I abhor Interstate driving anyway, and avoid it at any chance possible. Reading the book, it says that the transmission starts in 2nd. If so, it shifts to third around 17-20 MPH, then into 4th around 27-30 MPH. It's very comfortable driving at 45 - 50 MPH. If I really gun it, it shifts later (Into 3rd around 23-25, Into 4th around 40) Does that sound okay for the shift times?

EDIT: Also, how hot is too hot for this engine? It hasn't gotten very high on the meter, but just in case it happens, when should I pull over? (In Farenheit)

I noticed that it had a small oil leak on the hose from the valve cover to the air intake, and upon further inspection found that it was because of an old worn out zip tie that was holding it on. I replaced that and it seems to be fine. Overall it seems like it's in good shape.

Another thing I've noticed today is that something might be wrong with the brakes... I didn't notice this until now, and I think it wasn't doing this when I got it. To stop the car I really have to push the pedal all the way to the floor. It seems kind of "squishy"? Then, if stopped at a stop light, if I'm not holding them down very hard, the car will ease foreward. Does this sound like a problem with the master cylinder?

Anyway, I love this car. Thanks to all of you for your input in this decision. I imagine I will be here frequently, as I want to learn all I can about working on this car. My goal is to never have to take it to a mechanic for anything that could be considered trivial to do myself.

#51 01-23-2006, 09:17 PM

Welcome to the world of 240's. You will enjoy it! I sold my 82 240 stick last Feb with 148K on it for $5,600. It was clean. (check my past posts) You can run the rpms higher than what your doing and you will find yourself almost keeping up with a 300D turbo auto. I bought an 03 beetle tdi 5 spd turbo and have gotten 55 mpg with it. Now I'm looking for a 97-99 E300D. This would be my 10th MB. Can't wait to get back in a Benz! I'm keeping the Beetle though, but 'am looking to rid myself of 99 Escalade.

t walgamuth · #52 01-23-2006, 11:36 PM

cruise comfy at about 70 prob. it will do more but sound like it is being thrashed.

the master cyl sounds shot.

240s are about my favorite overall benz ever.

tom w

bgkast · #53 01-24-2006, 12:06 AM

It should run at 175 F. I wish mine would get there.

Congrats on your new car. Post some pictures!

die444die · #54 01-24-2006, 01:10 AM

Here's some pics... they're dark cuz it was night

DieselAddict · #55 01-24-2006, 01:44 AM

die444die, congrats, your 240D looks nice. It sounds like it shifts a bit early. You can adjust that with the Bowden cable that runs from the transmission to the throttle linkage. You want to make it a bit tighter unless you're fine with the way it is. As far as running temp, you shouldn't be seeing more than 200F. If you do it's time to pressure check the cooling system and maybe look at a new thermostat and doing a radiator flush. The brake problem could be a vacuum leak in the system, worn brake pads, air in the brake system or bad master cylinder. I'd start with the easier stuff. That and an oil change, followed by the other fluids & filters and valve adjustment when you have time. I highly recommend you get the Haynes manual for the W123 diesel series if you haven't got one already.

t walgamuth · #56 01-24-2006, 11:17 PM

when the pedal creeps down at a stoplight it is clearly the mc.

the 240 looks very nice!

tom w

JimmyL · #57 01-24-2006, 11:53 PM

What a nice lookin 240! I think you made a good choice. You will have these little nagging things pop up, but normally they can be handled yourself. It's a car and a hobby.
I especially like the black interior. These late 70's, early 80's 123's have the least amount of black interiors I've ever seen from a manufacturer. My parts car has a really clean black interior, and I really like the look.
You did well!

greasybenz · #58 01-25-2006, 12:23 AM

nice 240 but arent you gonna miss the mpgs on the TDI? i know non-pd jettas like the one you had get up to 60mpg! my passat is averaging 50mpgs.

bgkast · #59 01-25-2006, 03:20 PM

Sharp car! Congrats! I wish my paint looked that good.

die444die · #60 01-25-2006, 06:37 PM

Well, I didn't really drive enough to justify the note I was paying on the TDI. When I bought the Jetta I was driving out of state every other weekend. The MPG was great. In the city, it's not as good, but still around 35ish. (I've gotten 55 MPG in it personally). Before I bought the Jetta a friend of mine was selling her 300D (it was from Michigan and had some rust problems in the back end), and I seriously thought about buying it and having the steel replaced (She wanted 1000 for it, she had gotten a quote of 1500 to replace the rusted parts). I decided I didn't have the money to do this at the time, and have the Jetta so I passed on it. That car gave me the bug though, and I wouldn't be satisfied until I had a W123 diesel.

I plan to sell the Jetta, but I'm waiting a while to make sure I trust this one enough to do so.