I'm still looking for that elusive MB w123 diesel here in PEI. I've ran across a couple of 240ds (with auto. trans) but they weren't very appropriate - both in condition and price-wise. I told my friend I was considering a 240d and he responded that it would be so slow that it couldn't get out of its own way.

Is a 240d with an automatic really that
turtle-like? I owned a diesel Jetta 5spd (non-turbo) and was happy with the performance. On the other hand my Dad bought a 1985 Hyundai Stellar with a automatic that so slow........ What can I expect?

Ajb

Prince Edward Island in eastern Canada?

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

When my grandparents lived in BC, they had a Hyundai Pony and drove once a year. I never figured out which was the cause and which was the effect.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

You're right, Prince Edward Island is on the east coast of Canada - it has a grand total pop. of 130,000. & not a lot of MBs, but lots of Chevettes, Tempos & Cavaliers

The 85 Stellar was bought in Ontario, where I'm origionally from. My Dad drove it & patched it and patched it until it finally dropped dead years later. It was slower and less reliable then the 1949 Ford 9N tractor he also owned.

ajb:

Ketchup loves potatoes!

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

A 240D will be significantly slower than your Jetta, I would say. The MB is a MUCH heavier car, and the automatic slows it down even more. The acceleration is better with a stickshift, if you can find a nice one.

If you find a nicely cared for 240D, it will probably outlast any Jetta by a LONG shot! The MB diesels are built like tanks! Look for one with good maintenance records, above all else. Actual mileage is not as important as a consistent maintenance schedule.

Good luck in your search,
Mike

__________________
_____
1979 300 SD
350,000 miles
_____
1982 300D-gone---sold to a buddy
_____
1985 300TD
270,000 miles
_____
1994 E320
not my favorite, but the wife wanted it

www.myspace.com/mikemover
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www.myspace.com/doubledrivemusic

I defend the 240D to the bitter end, but I would not consider an automatic version for any duty other than to put under a teenager that you deliberately want to have in a slow car. The Jetta diesels are rocket ships in comparison.

A manual 240D on the other hand is workable and a fabulously well built and simple to maintain automobile. Even though the 240D and 300D seem like the same car, there is a huge difference between them. The 4 cylinder is easier to work on and typically a longer lived car, again, especially with a manual transmission.

Good luck,

My 1980 240D with an automatic will do 0 to 60 MPH in about 20 seconds. It has 240Kmiles on it and I drive 60 miles a day from 0 to 85 MPH, and really don't have a problem with the lack of HP. Of course, I spend a lot of time with my foot to the floor.

I think the key is to get the engine to top performance and to make sure the transmission is shifting properly, both up and down. I have probably driven 15 240D autos (I'm always looking at them) over the last 10 years, and I would say 75% of them either had something wrong that either prevented the engine from making its rated HP or the transmission had problems with the shift points, or wouldn't downshift properly.

The problem with the 240D auto, in my opinion, is the lack of design margin. When you only have 70 HP on a 3800 pound car, you need to have everything working perfectly. Manual transmissions give the experienced driver greater ability to optimize for the conditions he or she encounters in their daily drive.

But the advantages to the early 80's MB diesel are still overwhelming. Where can you buy (and bring back to near 100%) a car that is relatively safe and reliable for $2000 to $3000 and put 100 to 200K miles on it. I always think in terms of cost per mile, and this is the best way I have found to minimize it.

Joe

Sorry for the rambling...

I have owned and driven 7 240's over the last 25 years 5 wre autos and I loved everyone of them. The tranny and engines never failed and wre talking hundreds of thousands of miles. A well mainted auto will come within a few seconds in the zero to sixty area. As with any 240 common sense prevails just look down the road and anticipate your next move. Thats what keeps us old guys sharp. I take the auto every time over a stick My .02

__________________
Ricali

03 C240 4matic wagon
95 300E 234,000
7 prior 240;s 5 still going
81 300sd gone
65 230sl gone
49 Studebaker Champion
90BMW convert.167,000
60 Dodge D-100

Q: What is the slowest form of death?

A: Getting run over by a 240D

Gilly

__________________
Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

Confucius says: Man who run behind 240D will soon get exhausted.

How come nobody else ever laughs at diesel jokes?

- Nathan
'83 240D "Steiner"
'00 New Beetle TDI

Thanks for all of the insight!! - both serious & not so serious. Because of my location and small MB marketplace, I guess I can't really pick and choose like a lot of you out there in the U.S. (you lucky buggers!!! ) I'll just see what I can find here in PEI. After all, a slow 240d is far better than owning a Chevette, Cavaliar or even a Hyundai any day. Although I did hear out here that Chevettes have been known to make great septic tanks?!?!

Aivars B.

Performance is about on par with an old Volkswagon Bettle. One learns to make sure one has sufficient room before one pulls out!

That said, they are typical MB W123 sedans -- quite safe, very nice to drive, and last forever if protected from salt.

Keep looking, one will turn up.

You might also consider eBay -- anything older than 1985 will be easy to import (unless they never built that bridge!), needing only to have the headlight switch modified for daylight running lights.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Hey now, we can't have people slammin' good old American cars like, oh, uh, a Chevette, huh? Makes a good what?
Ah Hell, never mind then.....
Gilly

__________________
Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

I thought about looking on Ebay - but I'm always afraid that the car is in lousier shape then described & it is a long drive home back to PEI Benzless . When I was looking for a Triumph Spitfire, I must have looked at 3-4 that were in GREAT shape only to discover that they pretty rough in person. (I bought a Tr6 instead that I'm currently restoring)

Sorry for the Chevette - bashing, just a little Island joke. Actually I used them a lot in my Auto. class I teach & they are great for that purpose - cheap and plentiful.

Aivars