My 240D is quite loud at highway speeds. I still have plenty of "little" things to look into over the next several weeks as I get time to crawl around in and under the car. The 240D's are not quiet by nature, due in part to the high revs from the lack of an OD gear. I'm not at all worried about "hurting" the car at all. It keeps getting better and better as I drive it around after the valve adjustment. I actually had a hard time keeping the speed DOWN to 65 this afternoon.

Yeah they are so loud it sounds as if they are going faster than they really are. People have asked me if I forgot to shift to a higher gear

But at 90mph these cars are still solid and stable! Amazing for a $3000 - 20 yr+ old machine I'd say...

I really wish the 300D had an extra overdrive gear or something.. would be really nice at crusing speeds (nowadays cruising speeds)

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

Like many have said already..

I had a great little 79 300 CD and you knew when you were breaking 70 MPH, but it did it effortlessly, albiet with a din.

I now have an 85 300SD and there is a big difference in cabin noise. The engine may quieter, but I might attribute it more to the double fire-wall, good window seals, better cabin isolation etc. Although it does seem to run at lower RPMs when at speed than my 300CD.

Two very different driving experiences. In my mind I dont think I'll ever "replace" the spirit of the great little CD with this 126 SD. But this SD has a heavier, more luxurious feel to it. Where the CD was without question more nimble.

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James

85 300SD 285k
Charcoal Gray/Grey MB-Tex

79 300CD 142000mi "Rabenshwarz"
Black / Black MB-Tex, Burlwood Int. TOTALLED - 10/24/02 --

Yea non-turbo W123's are louder than W123 turbos...


Mercedes updated all the sound proofing for the 1982 123.133 cars. I've added the lower kickpanel insulation pieces($25 each) and plan to add the tunnel insulation if and when the transmission comes out of the car($100). If you feel like it's hugely noisy, I find that on most of these old cars the firewall grommets are shot. You can replace the oil-line, speedometer, a/c line, and gas pedal linkage grommets. They make a huge difference. If your cost consious and don't want to do the work, a tube of silicone over the holes will do a similiar thing.

Does it seem noisier on the drivers or passenger side?


Michael

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Michael McGuire
83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E