I have noticed that the hood on the 83 240D does not open as much as the 300TD. Actually my head has noticed. Do any of our 240D owners notice this also. Why are the hood hinges different from the 240D to the 300TD, they both open 90 degrees when you release the locking levers but when they are in the normal opening position my head is getting tired of realising it.

Dave

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1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

It's all about demographics. Typically, people who bought 240D's were buying for the quality, but at the same time saving a little money vs. the 300-series diesels. They were OK with getting a little less in consideration of the money they saved. These same habits applied to many parts of their lives, including, but not limited to, grocery shopping. Generations later, as a result of "more economic" food, which would naturally be slightly lower in key nutrients, and basically "living life with one less cylinder" , this demographic developed a statistically lower overall height than its 300-series counterparts. Mercedez-Benz, whose goal was to achieve the same overall average grill to head clearance (designated "GK" for Grill und Kopflichtweite) , adjusted the hood angle on the 240's in order to maintain those averages and keep up with the demographic. Precisely what year they began to do this is uncertain (couldn't find it - someone else here may remember?). If I had to guess, I'd say it was after 1982, as the GK on both of my cars is identical. HTH.

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1982 Mercedes-Benz 300CD
1982 Mercedes-Benz 240D - stick

bjcsc, You really beat me to it....exactly correct, well said !

Hypothesis needs revision. My 77 300d does not open as high as the 85 300td.
The 't' in td stands for 'tall' as in hood opening.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13