Can anyone confirm the year that changed from early to late type?


Early was mostly mechanical everything and late was mostly vacuum everything. Specifically looking at auto trans (240d). Since the question of installing early trans into late car was inconclusive, I may have to buy a used trans and need to know what year started the "late model" vacuum trans.


The early model I have is 722 117. I dont know what the late model one in the car is, may be a 117 or 118, but it is vacuum controlled.

If you lived in Europe, I'm pretty sure a fully mechanical as in manual climate control system could be optioned for every model year. They even had a dual system which is mind blowing to me (pun intended).

In the US, I believe only the 240D could be optioned with a 4 speed manual. I think it always had manual climate control but someone will need to confirm that for me.

Beyond that, everything was more "behind the scenes". 1985 had a special carry over year with a different auto trans and a 2:88 differential.

That's about it.

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-Typos courtesy of my mobile phone.

1980 may have been the update year. The AC was moved down in the engine compartment along with other things....perhaps oil filter relocated. The later years are a significant improvement over the early ones.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.