|
|
|
#31
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes 1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod 2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die." |
#32
|
||||
|
||||
that kick panel being out is a big sign that the odometer cluster has been worked on... not a sure sigh, but a big one.
__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread "as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do! My drivers: 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!! 1987 300TD 1987 300TD 1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere! |
#33
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I'll have to disagree with your last two sentences, I could maybe appreciate a 240D for that it WAS, not what it currently is. Most any 5K bare-bones used economy car made in the last 10 years would seriously eclipse the 240D in power, comfort, refinement, economy, reliability, repair costs and even safety in an accident. I'll also have to disagree about driving on in crowded highway conditions on todays roads. You might not have any gripes about driving one around but I'd be willing to bet that at least some of your fellow motorists don't share your views. The last time I was using a 240D as a daily driver was around 2002 and I would frequently get horns/comments from people behind me at in intersection as I looked for a traffic gap big enough to accommodate a 3400 lb car with a 60 HP engine. I can also remember a couple of very, very cold mornings when I was accelerating onto a divided highway into a 30+ knot headwind and had to use the shoulder for about a mile to get up to 50 so I could merge into traffic. Passing? unless you're talking a tractor you can pretty much forget it, I'm guessing as a 240D driver you've mastered the 'slingshot passing method?. Just yesterday I was pulling out from a stop sign at a bad intersection and I had to use a bit of power to clear the intersection from a guy approaching a 20+ MPH over the posted speed, around here people seem to treat speed limits more as suggestions than limits. You can certainly use a 240D for a daily driver but in my opinion its borderline unsafe in high traffic areas. Than again I see you're from DC, the last couple of times I was over there the traffic was so bad I'd guess my average speed was about 15 MPH so maybe you'd be OK? I see the 240D in about the same light as the model A, a great car whose time has long ago passed and is more a novelty than a serious player for modern transportation needs. You may be correct about the niche market but I'd be looking elsewhere for that itch.
__________________
98 Dodge-Cummins pickup (123k) 13 GLK250 (135k) 06 E320CDI (323K) 16 C300 (62K) 82 300GD Gelaendewagen (54K) |
#34
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
Unless it was owned by Elizabeth Taylor, and/or an ultra low-mileage, well preserved, time capsule, I don't see a 240D as a five-figure car. I do consider it a budget collectable that can be used regularly. A '96 Toyota Camry is my daily driver. Yes, regarding ride, power, noise-level and safety in a collision, my Camry has an edge over the 240D. But my 240D is at least as safe, if not safer, than many collectable cars from the pre-airbag era. And it does have some advantages over the Camry. It handles rough roads and speed-bumps better and (at least to me) the steering and brakes feel more responsive. (neither car has ABS). Outward vision on the 240D is also superior. The styling on too many modern cars creates such horrendous blind-spots! Finally, it's a roomy car that's simple to work on, without all the gadgets and electronics that can make repairing a modern car so frustrating and expensive. Maybe that's why 240Ds are still being used as taxis in some parts of the world. As for performance, I've driven many 240Ds over the years and power has been all over the map. Age, wear & tear have taken a toll of many of them and most of the automatic versions are real slugs. My first 240D was a rusty, tired example with an automatic, that could often be called a rolling-roadblock. It was truly a learning experience! But my current example, with it's factory replacement engine (about 70 hp), and a stickshift, is quite peppy and much more useable in modern traffic. So I drive it regularly, but the Toyota remains my daily driver. Happy Motoring, Mark
__________________
DrDKW Last edited by Mark DiSilvestro; 02-03-2013 at 12:44 PM. |
#35
|
|||
|
|||
240D, gift to son?
Any of you old timers remember this thread?
And Post#20 is a classic one. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/open-discussion/137811-240d-gift-son.html I took a ride in my venerable old '83 Mercedes 240D last night. 2.4 liters of raw power, 4 cylinders of asphalt-tearing terror with 67 rompin stompin horse power at my beck and call. It's stock, all right, nothing done to it, but it pushes the 3200 pounds of German engineering around with AUTHORITY. I'm always catching mopeds and 18-wheelers by surprise... I was headed back from Baskin Robbins with my manly triple-latte cappuccino blast ("No Cinnamon, ma'am, I take it BLACK"), when I stopped at a streetlight. As the "D" rattled its throaty idle around me, I sipped my bold beverage and wiped the white froth my stiff upper lip. I was minding my own business, but then I heard a rev from the next lane. I turned, made eye contact, then let my eyes trace over the competition. Geo Metro -- a late model, could be trouble. Low profile tires, curb feelers, and schoolbus-yellow paint. Yep, a hot rod, for sure. The howl of his motor snapped my reverie, and I looked back into the driver's eyes, nodded, then blipped my own throttle (Rattle Rattle!!). As I tugged on my driving gloves and slipped on my sunglasses (gotta look cool to be fast, and I am *damn* cool, hence...), the night was split with the sound of seven screaming cylinders... Then the light turned... I almost had him out of the hole, my four pounding cylinders thrusting me at least a millimeter back into my seat, as smoke pouring from exhaust pipe... I'd let it sit and idle too long! I saw in the corner of my eyes, a yellow snout gaining, and I heard the roar of his three cylinders. He slung by me, right front wheel juddering against the pavement, and he flashed me a smile as his gasoline powered 1.1 liters of motor stretched its legs. I turned off my AC to gain 10% more power and kept my foot gamely in it. Then I saw a glimpse of chrome under his bumper, and knew the ugly truth... He was running a custom exhaust -- probably a 1.5-into-1 dual exhaust... maybe even cutouts! Damn his hotrod soul! The old lady passing us on the crosswalk cast a dirty look in our boy-racer direction... Yet still I persisted, with my four pumping pistons singing a steady, deep, diesel song, wound fully out. Though only a few handfuls of seconds had passed, we were nearing the crosswalk at the other side of the intersection, and I heard the note of his engine change as he made his shift to second, and I saw his grin in his rearview mirror fade as he missed the shift! I rocketed by! Not ready to give up so easily, he left his foot in it, revving, and I heard one wheel *almost* chirp as he finally found second and dropped the clutch. We careened over the crosswalk, now going at least 15 miles per hour. A bicyclist passed us, but intent on the race as we were, neither of us batted an eye. I was waiting for the first dot on the speedometer to tell me to shift (no tachometer here!). Shifting, I nursed the clutch gently to keep from bogging, keeping my motor spinning hot and pulling me ahead, now trailing a cloud of stinking clutch smoke, no that's diesel exhaust again... He pulled slowly abreast of me, and neck and neck, I shifted into third at 38 MPH - a little early, but better safe than sorry. The scream of motors deafening all pedestrians within a five foot circle. He nosed ahead as we passed 42 miles an hour, then eased in front of me, taunting, as he shifted into fourth. I decided to keep my car in third, counting on the ability to pump out the power at higher speeds and lower gears. I was staring up the dual 6" chrome tips of his exhaust, snarling, my cappuccino forgotten, as he lifted a little to take the next corner. I saw my opportunity, and counting on the innate agility of my trusty steed, I pulled wide into the number two lane and kept my foot buried in carpet. Slowly, I inched around him, feeling my German Diesel roll slowly to the left as I came abreast in the midst of this gradual sweeping turn. I felt the front start to push a little, so I added more power only to realize that was all I had! But, I saw the right rear wheel lift on the Metro and realized he had reached his limit! Slowly I gained on him through the outside of the turn passing him with ease!!! The Metro driver beat his wheel in rage as my car eased past him on the outside, my P175/R14's screaming in protest, as we raced to the next light. We coasted down, neck-and neck, to the red light. I tightened my driving gloves, ready for another round, when this WIMP in the next car meekly flipped his turn signal and made a right. MB superiority reigns!!! I drove off sipping my masculine drink, awash in my sheer virility, looking for other unwitting targets.... Perhaps a Yugo, or maybe even a Volkswagen Van! ...Courtesy of Mark Shilling. Charlie
__________________
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 |
#36
|
||||
|
||||
LOL!
__________________
83 SD 84 CD |
#37
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
'95 E300D ("Tank") - 231,000 miles '79 240D ("Biscuit") - 197,250 miles (Sold) '83 240D ("Ding-Ding") - 217,000 miles (Death by deer) ______________________________________ "Back off, man. I’m a scientist” ~ Peter Venkman |
#38
|
|||
|
|||
I've owned two of these old 240's now and both were very nice. Actually, the one I have now is what I consider pristine. 123K.
MB Classic Center says maybe 10G's to the right buyer. Normally they like any car more with lower miles, but 120 on the 240 is not unacceptable. I don't think there's a lot of intrinsic value in the automatic version. Power is marginal on the manual, just too slow on the auto. That's why they added a cylinder to the motor. I don't know if I would pay ten grand for mine, but I might sell it for that. And that's a big maybe. I think the value could easily go up as it gets older and older. It sees maybe a thousand miles a year, probably less. Definitely a garage queen now.
__________________
Chris Brown "OC", So-Cal 1979 240D, 122K, 4spd, Colorado Biege w/Tobacco, Pwr Roof, AC, Cruise, Becker Corona - SOLD Past Benzos: 71 250 • 83 240D • 84 190E • 04 C240 • 11 GLK350 • 13 c250 Coupe http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...ine=1276896801 |
#39
|
|||
|
|||
My dad had a 240D Manual, manual everything inside the car. He was the original owner since 82 or 83 I think. It was midnight blue and palomino MB Tex. He stored it in the garage for years and ended up selling it about 11 years ago with only 2,800 original miles for about $15k! Original sticker price was about $21k If I remember. Gosh I wish he kept that car. Some lucky guy from the Dakotas bought it. I wonder if he is on this Forum? I would like to know if he still has the car.
__________________
2001 E55 2001 E320 Sedan 2001 Subaru Legacy 2006 SLK280 2016 Subaru Outback 3.6 |
#40
|
||||
|
||||
Our family owned (1) 220D auto/AC, and (2) 240Ds auto/AC, in the '60s/'70s all bought new, and all sold. They were fine in their day, but it's not something I'd lust after in 2013 at any price. Too many ungodly fast and high-powered MB turbodiesels made in the past several dozen or so years to ever want to go back to them as a driver.
|
#41
|
||||
|
||||
Man, I love my 87 TURBO, I've owned 2 240's, 1 manual, 1 auto, both ran awesome, both around 200k, both frustratingly slow as S#@T. reliable yes, good mileage yes, good looking with it's color matched hubcaps yes, sought after for big money??? mmmmmm.? Maybe for a museum piece. Maybe for the person who wants to clog up the highway on their Sunday drive trying to live out the "Good old days". Everyone else that I know that owns one, owns it because they themselves and the car are cheap, period. and a few of them think for some ungodly reason that they are saving the earth by driving one, you know, because belching diesel smoke at 30mpg is better for the environment than a gasoline car. but Im from Portland, where there are still 100's and 100's of daily driven 123 diesels proudly roaming the streets. a very nice 123 that claims to need nothing with under 200k only gets about 3k to 4k TOPS here and most of the high ends would be 300's not 240's, the others are either not for sale or not being sold publicly so it would only be speculation beyond that.
__________________
Live simply so others can simply live 07 E350 sport Wife's Daily 01 E320 sport My Daily 00 C230 Kompressor Our back up (new Arrival) 87 300D Turbo my Daily for 8 yrs. Selling to neighbor 82 GMC Jimmy (K5) 6.2 Diesel (my Wheeler) 73 Roadrunner 340ci My very first car, still own it |
#42
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver 1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone 1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy! 1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits! |
#43
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I don't disagree with your points. The majority of 240 buyers are looking for cheap transportation of which they are not. Since I'm able to perform all mechanical and cosmetic work on a car I thought one would be good for my teenage driver. We even talked about brewing up biodiesel for a multitude of reasons, one of them just to see if we could do it successfully. I am fascinated by the whole process. Normally a collector car has some special uniqueness or features, like convertibles, hotrods, rare production models, etc. Here in California at least, virtually any car that gets past 30 years old that is original and still shows as new has value as a collector car. Especially to anyone that holds great favor for a particular marque, and Mercedes Benz is a popular one. Car afficianados will buy and hold a car if it's old and nice regardless of model. I'm not really a car collector, but I recognized the uniqueness of the one I found in Wyoming that had been wonderfully preserved. Bought new with all documents, history, just so complete, with all the right features, and everything works. I flew to Rapid City where the seller picked me up in the car and I was just blown away upon seeing this car for the first time. I had to call my son and tell him this wasn't the car for him, it became 'dad's toy', my collector car. We got him a Toyota Camry, much newer, that drives better, for much less money. He still doesn't get it, niether does the wife. I have heard that the Portland area is/was a hotbed of old diesel cars that would run biodiesel or other alternate fuels. Not sure why that trend took hold such that it did there. No, the old oil burners are not really worth much, and most are gross polluters. I would never run anything but clean diesel or biodiesel in my example of this type of car, instead keeping it running in as-new condition. It's performance is very good, it has no trouble managing LA traffic and freeways. I don't run it much over 70, so if the freeway opens up and everybody is driving faster we just cruise in the right lane. Never a problem with keeping up on city streets, at least with the AC turned off. This forum has been invaluable for information on keeping the old car running. And there's local interest in the old Benz's and we've gotten together for some touring runs as a group. They've been a lot of fun, and it's something to do with our old car and to show it off. It does have quite a reputation locally. For me the car is an investment, costing virtually nothing to let it sit in the garage, keeping it preserved. One day I'll sell it or someone will come along that just has to have it and it will sell at a handsome profit. I call it my little bank account. Perhaps one might call it a poor-mans collector car since it's not a SL, convertible, or otherwise traditional 'collector' car model.
__________________
Chris Brown "OC", So-Cal 1979 240D, 122K, 4spd, Colorado Biege w/Tobacco, Pwr Roof, AC, Cruise, Becker Corona - SOLD Past Benzos: 71 250 • 83 240D • 84 190E • 04 C240 • 11 GLK350 • 13 c250 Coupe http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...ine=1276896801 |
#44
|
|||
|
|||
Yes, some 240D owners are cheap, but many of us think most modern cars, like so many other modern consumer products, are JUNK! Designed to be sent to the crusher or landfill after 5 or 10 years.
Yes, most have more power, performance, safety and run cleaner than my 240D (though I've never seen any of my old diesels belching diesel smoke!) So what if it takes more energy, resources and environmental pollution to manufacture new cars? So what if the new technology becomes impractical to repair after the warranty has gone? Why should we care? The next generation has even more power, airbags, computers, menus, interactive infotainment touchsceens, multi-zone climate systems, etc... Lets all just be good consumer zombies and rush, lemming-like, to our local dealers. They'll be only too happy to finance us with mortgages to run the term of the new-car warranty. So we can enjoy all that technology and power, as we crawl in traffic, on our way to earn the next monthly payment! Happy Motoring, Mark
__________________
DrDKW Last edited by Mark DiSilvestro; 02-10-2013 at 01:25 PM. |
#45
|
||||
|
||||
Quote:
I dont hate them, They are wonderful cars, But they are just too slow for my taste, maybe in another 30 years, Ill be ready for an other one.
__________________
Live simply so others can simply live 07 E350 sport Wife's Daily 01 E320 sport My Daily 00 C230 Kompressor Our back up (new Arrival) 87 300D Turbo my Daily for 8 yrs. Selling to neighbor 82 GMC Jimmy (K5) 6.2 Diesel (my Wheeler) 73 Roadrunner 340ci My very first car, still own it |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|