I saw a local used car dealer ad for an 81 5 spd 240D. Having never driven a 5 spd 240D before I wanted to go check it out. I asked the first person on the phone if it's really a 5 spd and she said yes it's a 5 spd, but she didn't seem to know much else about the car so I spoke to another person, a female sales associate and asked her to verify that it is indeed a 5 spd and she said an emphatically yes. I told her that I have a 240D with a manual transmission and my owners manual states that it is a 4 spd and afaik Mercedes never sold a 5 spd in this country. As I was going round and round trying to get the truth out of her, I finally asked if reverse was counted as a speed and she finally said yes. Duh! I said why do you mislead people like that when it clearly is a 4 spd and what do you have to gain by doing that? She replied that she's not misleading people and that she's Mercedes certified for 18 years and per by the build sheet from Stuggart, it is a 5 spd.

Want to have some fun? Here's the ad. Call them up and give her crap.
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Featured Listing: 1981 MERCEDES 240D
5 Speed, PDL, 4 Cyl, Fully Equipped, PW, Diesel, All Services Well Documented, Must See To Appreciate!, Never Any Rust! $2950, Call Bristol Motor Works At (860) 585-9383 Stock #62 . Bristol, CT

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 167,870 July 2025
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked