Since I got my tank patched up (no more leak, yay!) changed some fuel filters, air filters, oil change, fixed the instrument display lights, and new tires... I thought it was time to take the 240D for a spin on the Massachusetts Turnpike -- my commute drive from Metrowest Boston to Worcester.

It does pretty well on the flat, but man going uphill, particularly long steep uphills, often requires a downshift into 3rd to avoid going below 50 mph. Accelerator is pushed to the floor of course!

Is this typical performance? Granted I'm 50/50 WVO and Diesel.

Got 235k miles on this car. Recently purchased for $1100, and I have no idea when the last valve adjustment was done.

Thanks!

Chuck

mine will go 65 without any problem even uphill but i dont like it to go much over that cause im afraid the car will get upset

Watch the 18 wheelers...they tend to speed up going down hill and before uphills, if you push down on the accelerator in anticipation of an uphill climb and add a few MPH before the hill you will likely glide over it at your normal speed. You get into trouble in a 240D when you get behind the power curve and try to catch-up. This car requires some new habits to drive it because of its limited power...assuming it is otherwise OK you should be able to cruise up moderate inclines at highway speeds (65), especially if you practice the "anticipation acceleration" that I recommended.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

what nhdoc says.

blondie really has power like a 5 cyl but red is just leisurely. approaching a big hill in southern ill we were floored over 75 and at the top was just below 55.

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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

Do you have a sense of why the 2 240d's (Blondie & Red) would be that different in terms of performance? Tuning? Engine condition?

Common mythology is blondes get it on quicker. My faster 240d is kind of a blonde shade as well. My red one is slower but have not done it yet. Actually though it has been my recent consideration the 240d deserves nothing less than a total tune up with attention given to get its' maximum possible power out.Should help fuel milage as well. A lot of these may not have been done for ten years or more in my opinion. You never really know so you have to find out. Only then is it fair to judge your situation. I must have driven through your area 40-50 times over the years but do not remember any particularily troublesome grades there. Around your end point at least. I would adjust the valves, check the cam position, chain stretch of course. Either reset the pump timing by the milli volt method when a little more experience is gathered with it or do the drip/ well up test. You might be suprised what power is missing. Or at least you will know that you are probably getting everyything thats there. Most of us kind of run for real hills. You may be able to sustain the speed you have but you cannot gain usually to any extent. I have even said to myself on occasion the engine is probably getting a little tired with different cars I have owned. The reality after going over them is really they have just been neglected. Funny with the human condition. There is never any time or will to go over them sometimes. But the time and will is found to deal with certain massive failures that may occur because of it although it takes 30 times longer.

I drove a very clean 240 yesterday. It was very clean, seats were the most comfortable I'd been in in quite awhile. AC worked OK, car ran really smoothly and accelerated nicely. Suspension felt really tight, and steering was just as it should be.
Blew down the freeway with plenty of power. I could have hit 90 with no problems.



Oh, I don't think I mentioned, it was a VOLVO 240.....

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Jim, thats not fair but is funny. I spend too much time picking the old volvos out of my eggcrate grill with the blond 240d as it is. Did you never notice the sticker affixed to the top of your glovebox liner to avoid contact with blonde colored 240ds? If not your not the first apparently. Or perhaps some previous owner pulled it. Happens all the time.