I gave my 1977 240D to my brother becuase he gave me back my 1994 Plymouth Grand Voyager back.(What a piece of junk it is!!!!) Found out that the number 5 cylinder is gone on it and I was told that I needed a new engine for it. Instead of putting a more money into something that is a piece of junk I'm looking into buying another Merceredes to get around in.

I liked my 240D allot very cheap to run. Good gas miles. Is there a big differnece between having one more cylinder like the 300D? I don't want a turbo one becuase if the the turbo broke it would be allot of money to fix it. I rode in a 1983 300TD yesterday. I don't like the look of it, I like the 1970's look allot better.

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Then put the five cylinder into it "ala Ridge".

The problem with the 300D IMHO is that it is harder to work on. Added to that is the fact that if you get a non turbo one, you get the theoretical added 25% torque, but since they all have automatics, you give that added torque back to the automatic.

There are those who will tell you how much greater the five cylinder is because of increased power(for which I already explained my position) and the added accessories such as climate control, power windows, power sunroof, yada, yada, yada....

To me all those doodads are things that, when broken, are a severe pain in the backside. Simple things like replacing a starter is extremely easy on the four cylinder but a serious PITA on the five.

If you want all the doodads, be willing to pay dearly in frustration involved in keeping them all workingl.

Personally I would take one 240D manual in fair condition over two normally aspirated 300D's that are mint.

My $0.02,

I used to own a 300D as well as my 240D. The 300D had less mileage, PW, better interior, etc. After all the trouble, expense, and long repair times for simple jobs.... well, just notice my signature to see which one I sold.

After nine nearly trouble-free years with a W123 240 recently bought a (cosmetically) very nice 300 CD (coupe). It's turning out to have LOTS of problems although in many ways a very nice car.

I think the last series of 240's were about as perfect as a car can be..."mature" technology, overbuilt, styling that doesn't get old. Don't really see much difference between MBTEX and leather...especially after nearly 20 years.

As to the earlier 240s, I believe Mercedes based a long-wheelbase "limousine" on the 240...'nuff said.

While looking on ebay for one. I saw a limousine. That looks cool!! I have seen a coupe, but not many of them around.

Is the 240D a DOHC? Or is the 300D a DOHC? Or are they all SOHC?

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I own both. A 77 240d with auto and an 83 300d. The 240 is VERY easy to work on. Tons of room, simple A/C, but it is a town car. Long highway trips don't seem as nice as the 300d. The 300d is fast compared to the 240, is much quieter at speed, feels like a luxury car etc. I like them both A 240d with standard tranny would be a great all around car. With the auto it is very slooooowwwww off the line. Great car for the teens I won't let her drive my car.

I love the 300CD though if I found a mint 240D with a M/T I'd probably trade it. It depends on the color of the 240D though :p

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

The 240D I gave me brother was a auto, it was slow off line but when I got going it was nice to drive. It was VERY LOUD at highway speeds!!! What should I look for when buying a used 240D? Price range? How long were these made?

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I agree that the 240D with manual transmission is about the same as a 300D non turbo with an automatic. My 240D manual works very well in most traffic once you’ve become comfortable with it. The only problem is accelerating up hills, particularly those that you don’t see and can’t anticipate. Other than that, if you keep it in good running condition and use good fuel it’s almost like a normal car for me. (But I’m an admitted speed limit driver too.)

JohnM 1983 240D 4sp man 152K

The 240D is the first car I have ever owned that I didn’t feel the urge to re-design. Everything about it says that it was designed to last a long time and not cost much to fix.

There are some places where the highway engineers have not allowed enough distance to get up to speed to integrate with traffic on an Interstate.... particularly if visibility is limited before you get to the highway.. acceleration from 40 or 50 up to 65 is a little slow for those places... not bad if you know an area and can just avoid them.. but if you are new to an area it is pretty hairraising.... Greg

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1980 240d manual

Larry, I do not like the doodads... so that is why I am thinking that maybe my rollup window,no sunroof,manual ac,manual shift 240d with a five cylinder might be the perfect car.

After reading the first few posts on this one, some of you guys are the purest or purists. Do a search on turbo's you'll find out they don't break so easily! But more or/less power to you, you guys are die-hards. Those older ones are truely THE most durable, I will agree but heck, I aint goin' to the moon with it, just 400+ thousand miles or so! HAHA!.

By all means get the 240D with the manual transmission. If you don't find it has enough power it's a very simple job to put the 300D engine up against the 240D manual tranny. And yes TXBill you do need a stinking 5 cylinder. As some of you know, I've added manual trannys to all our turbos. Well, I finally found a 5 speed and ordered it delivered today and will let you all know how it moves a trubo 300D. Likewise, about the time that gets installed my Intercooler kit will be in the turbo. I had the good fortune to find a local trubocharger shop to do the piping and the owner has a turbo wagon, so he's as excited as I am about how the whole thing will work. Doing the tubing for half price. Likewise on the update and will include phots when all is done.

But back to the original subject, get the 240D even if you're going to put a larger engine in it as the a/c is simpler and works as are the manual windows, as are the front spring and the quicker steering. You'll loose the 300Ds and Turbos any day on winding roads driving a 240D.

P.s. Looks like I'm picking up another 300D to strip, so if anyone needs any parts sing out.

Good Luck!
Ben