240D vs. 300D

[vaman4215]

A friend of mine asked me a good question tonight, and I figure someone on here has the answer..What is the size difference in the 240D versus the 300D as far as hoods, fenders, etc....Wheelbase....Are parts interchangeable from the 240D to the 300D??? Or vice versa????

[ayrtonsenna]

engine size; 240d is a 4, 300d is a 5.

The bodies are essentially identical between a W123 300D and 240D. There are some different parts related to the drive train as well as various accessories and trim items.

[Palangi]

240D and 300D from 77 to 85 are the same body with maybe a few minor differences from year to year. 240D and 300D from 74 to 76 are a different body from the later cars.

[dmorrison]

240D's have a manual AC system and the 300D/CD/TD's use an automatic system.

Body parts and trim ( except for AC related parts) are identical

Dave

[cmp]

It's funny. When I drive my wife's 300D it seems MUCH larger than my 240D.
For some reason, it even looks bigger in the driveway than mine. I dunno why. Mental, I guess. Maybe it just sounds bigger.

[winmutt]

14 vs 15" rims, spring shims etc.

[Rashakor]

Originally Posted by cmp

It's funny. When I drive my wife's 300D it seems MUCH larger than my 240D.
For some reason, it even looks bigger in the driveway than mine. I dunno why. Mental, I guess. Maybe it just sounds bigger.

what year are they? 2nd release W123 (1981+) are slightly differents than 1st edition (1976-81). That could account more for the sizing differences than motorization.

Coming back to the original question (all comments are for usa-spex cars only):
The trim is actually not identical on the 240 and the 300D but all pieces are interchangeable across years and motorization. 300D had burlwood panel optionals and all 4 vents of AC are closeable (only 2 are closing in the 240D). the other big difference is for USA-spex cars... Auto clim vs Manual Clim.
Manual Tranny was optionnal for the 240D (4-speed) only. Speedos are differents and tranny specific. Suspenssion parts are all the same (there are even mostly the same with the W116 and early W126) except for the rear suspenssion of the station wagons.

Now when you are talking about Euro-spex cars everything is mixmatched and the absolutely stagering factory options and accesories list is found across the board a la carte (velour, cloth upholstery, aluminum trimming, 3 kind of headlights just for Germany, 2 for France, 2 for the UK...even ABS, factory alarm, air bags. Even things that may not look like options in USA-spex cars are options: power steering, AC, cruise control, slushbox, 5speed mannietrannie, power mirrors, passenger side mirror, vanity mirror, alloy wheels, MBtex or Leather seats, locked glove box, lighted glove box, central locking, sunroof, manual sunroof, electric windows (front and/orback and/or driver and passenger side with or without child lock), heated seats, thermic windows (blue or green shade), anti-glare band on windshield,Tool box, emergency box, warning cone... well you get the idea.

[cmp]

Originally Posted by Rashakor

what year are they? 2nd release W123 (1981+) are slightly differents than 1st edition (1976-81). That could account more for the sizing differences than motorization.

Ah! Yes, a 78 240 vs. an 82 300. Wheel size too!

I do think part of it is mental though...the 300 sounds so loud in comparision.
And, gawd is it ever faster!

[Johnhef]

aside from a few euro spec optioned cars, when did 123's come with 15's?

[TBAKPhi22]

Thats what I was going to say! The bundts and steel wheels are all 14"

Originally Posted by Johnhef

aside from a few euro spec optioned cars, when did 123's come with 15's?

AFAIK, never.

[winmutt]

I seem to remember it was 13,14 for steel and 14,15 for bunts. Dont know if its federal or euro on those.

I've never seen a 13 on a 123, there were (rare) 15 inch Bundts but I don't know that they were ever put on 123s.

[t walgamuth]

i wouldnt be surprised if it was an extremely rarely ordered factory option.

i have no facts though. just going on the fact that 15" bundts exist.

tom w