So, I could use a new antenna for the radio on my 240D. I'm not fixated on having an antenna aerial that goes up and down - seems like a bother to keep working, and risk of future vandalism when the up/down thing stops working (the fate of my current antenna). So, I'm looking for a cheap and functional fixed antenna. Got any suggestions?

Thanks for your advice, as always. By the way, I've got a functional ignition lock again... woot!

Kurt

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- '79 240D - engine swap complete! Engine broken in! 28-31 mpg! Lovin' the ride!
- '86 190D (W201-126) - 2.5 NA engine, 5 speed, cloth interior, manual climate controls, 33-34 mpg (sold to forum member).

I've seen lots of those rubber fixed antennas around. They seem to work well. I'm thinking about installing one once my power antenna finally dies. Either that or it's gonna be a standard run of the mill GM wire-wound steel whip.

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current vehicles:
'82 240D - 125k - daily driver
'85 380SE - 299k - on dry dock
'87 Vanagon - 183k - sold

In fast Lane there is this manual antenna.
$32.32.


I couldn`t find it until I typed in the search box "antenna" and several came up.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I went with an ebay special power antenna for my W124. They only cost $25.00!! and the real ones are $250.

It works great, and if it breaks, I am only out a 1/10th of the cost of the real deal.

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87' 300DT (Grey w/ red leather)
87' 300TDT (silver w/ palamino tex) SOLD

2012 VW JSW TDI (on tdiclub.com all the time "btcost")

Mine was bent a little and it was not travelling all the way up. I removed the plastic runner inside of the antenna mast and soldered the mounting nut to the mast so the antenna stays up. It can be retracted down the the first leg. The operation took on time and I saved the orifginality of keeping the motor intact and net cost was zero.

Thanks, Charlie! I thought all that they would carry would be the OEM replacements. Guess I should have called Phil.

Kurt

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- '79 240D - engine swap complete! Engine broken in! 28-31 mpg! Lovin' the ride!
- '86 190D (W201-126) - 2.5 NA engine, 5 speed, cloth interior, manual climate controls, 33-34 mpg (sold to forum member).

I saw where someone posted about changing the antenna guts with parts scavenged from the yard. This option depended on having a working motor. I don't remember the details but think it was in one of the how to's stickied.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Most of the problems I've seen here, and experienced, were nothing but a bent antenna mast which can be fixed with a new one for ~$20. Hardly seems like a big issue to keep a nice retractable in operation. The only "maintenance" is an occasional cleaning and lubrication of the mast, which is easily done each time the car is washed.

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Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

My 80 240D came with a manual antenna. there is no electric wires or switch for it. I soaked it with penetrating oil for quite a while and it wouldn`t push down. so I fixed it going through a car wash, clean as a whistle now.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I replaced the manual antenna in my 240 with the guts from a front fender mounted antenna from a w114/w115. The tube is much longer on the 114/115 antenna, but the antenna itself fit inside the tube on mine. Works dandy now. Can push it all the way in, but I never do anyway. It's easier to find manual antennas on the older models, but the trick is finding one that's not broken.

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I have a rubber one on my 300D from wall mart. looks awesome. Reception is kinda iffy though.

On my old 240d it had the hirschman 6000u. I took three non working assemblies and made on working one. It was so awesome, compared to the cheesy auta 2040 ebay special thing it had before.

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1981 300TD 4 speed manual
Euro bumpers, zender valance and skirts, H&R springs, billy HD's, leveled sls, real AMG Pentas 16x8 et11, vdo boost/egt gauges intergrated into ash tray, eurolights, led 3rd brake light

If you live in an urban area and still have one of the original analog-tuning radios, you'll find that the inability to shorten the mast is actually a problem -- those radios are sensitive and have somewhat broad tuning. They overload really easily in areas with lots of strong stations, with the mast full length. The later digital-tuning ones have better front end filtering and don't seem to have this problem.

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1981 Mercedes 300TD, 1994 Honda Civic Del Sol
http://mefi.us/images/fuelly/smallsig-us/67195.pnghttp://mefi.us/images/fuelly/smallsig-us/103885.png

I was lucky enough to find a BMW electric antenna, with a broken mast. Boxes are identical. The JY guy gave me the whole thing free. Took it apart and swapped the motors out, and the circuit board, cleaned out all the old gunk and debris......reinstalled it and it worked! Still works about a year later! easy fix if you have the time to scavenge the yards

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