Yup, I do have a good (and honest) MB mech down the street. I live a couple blocks off Old Coun ty rd. where his garage is). I'll also see if I can swing taking the test drive to the Belmont hills area. I know and drive that area well. You see, the 240 I will be looking at is in Hayward (across the SM bridge). I plan to ask this guy if he'll let my MB mech look at it.
FYI, I stated that the 300 SD has to work A LITTLE BIT to hold 80. Still think there is trouble Sixto? My mech told me yesterday, as my lovely car was idling on a mix of dino diesel and WVO 50/50 that he could hear that one of the injectors needed cleaning. Could that be a factor?
Thanks for the input and BTW, so far I've only searched SF Craigslist but 240 manuals are hard to find!!

Frankie

__________________
Frankie
It never ends!
1985 300D Turbo 181K Anthracite grey, "SOPHIA"
1984 300 SD Turbo(sold)
2004 Subaru Forester XT,Cayenne red.