I'd just like a tach, turbo motor for about 90 hp or so, the 5-spd transmission, and leave off all the junk that breaks anyway like vacuum locks and air conditioning.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

If you change anything, it's no longer a 240D; it becomes the "new beetle" or the "new mustang" or the "new t-bird" or the "new charger," or any other half-ass reinterpretation of a nice old car that you can think of. There is a whole generation that will think of these car models as some plastic POS because the manufacturer decided to recycle their names. I don't even want to think about current corvettes.

It was what it was, don't mess with it.

I agree, as far as I am concerned if the 240D was reproduced the only option would be "early" (77-80) or "late" (80-85), I like the new "features" of the "late"ones but I like the early 240s for other things, like the more streight forward heater control. Maybe combine the "best fetures of both but, thats it The standerd tranny would be the 5 speed, painted too match wheel covers, manual everything.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

The five speed box ideal keeps coming up. . At the price new of the 240d it should have already been the standard equipment. Needed it then as well. Just more so today.

A five speed, better ac and a turbo done the mercedes way.

Tom W

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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.

I guess I'm shallow-I like the w123 240D for it's body most.

Holy ancient thread!

I don't have a 240D, and probably never will. I like cars to be able to at least have the potential to get halfway out of their own way, and a 240 doesn't fit that criteria. That being said, add another cylinder to it, and things improve enough to be mostly tolerable. Add a turbo, and then it's perfect.

I do wish the US 300D's came without the annoying ACC crap. That system is the bane of my existence, I tell you! I just love the sexy choke cable that would only really fit with the aesthetics of a rotten old Ford truck that I have poking out of my dash to control a heater valve. I'd take the 240D manual controls in a heartbeat if they weren't such a total pain to swap.

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- K.C.Adams

'77 300D Euro Delivery
OM617 turbo / 4-speed swap
404 Milanbraun Metallic / 134 Dattel MB-Tex

Current status:
* Undergoing body work

My '77 300D progress thread

My wishful design contains a 6 speed transmission coupled with a 3.88 rear end.
No Sunroof, Period. Everything else, stet.

Screw the turbos, I'll eat their lunch

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Bama1


2008 SLK 280, Firemist Red - "Hurricane"
2001 F150 Lariat 4x4, Black on Black - "Badboy"
1982 240D 4 speed survivor -"Pearl" - Donated to Vietnam Veterans
1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 -"Gertrude"

1954 model original owner - ~2.5M
Gray softtop/solid exterior/modified chassis

The five speed manual tranny was an option in Europe anyway so I'd just make it standard. Other than that I'd change nothing. You can't improve perfection.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

w123 body style. It would probably already meat crash test safety standards
Of course add some airbags.
New engine. A very economical, low power engine, N/A, 4 or 5 cylinder IDI. Just make it as durable as they used to. Inside, nothing else different. the w123 cars had everything you needed realy. I like the 300's, all power everything. And make nothing computer controlled, all vacuum/mechanical.

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1981 300SD 512k OM603

I am getting read to dump my 240D for a MK3 VW gasser....

What would I love the improve on the 240D ?
Hydraulic valve lifters
Serpentine belt

5spd
turbo+2.88 rear end
optional LSD or posi rear end

The turbo and new diff would give you an economy that a 240D should have. it'd still suck next to modern diesels, but itd be W123 reliable =)


-John

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2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

Lets see. Gold plating. Trunk full of gold bars with SLS. Diamond something or other. Dinner with the people who assembled the car and engineers who designed it. Full set of factory manuals and video documenting the build of my car. Tour of the plant. GOLD 240D golf balls.

It is what it is and I'll love it like it is.
It would be like making a 1970's Beetle front wheel drive and quiet, oh thats been done.

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Currently driving a very clean 1985 300SD from the West Coast.

Unfortunately for you, all 180Ds were fours!

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

The Euro versions were available with an air bag, ABS and a 5 speed.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Last September I was getting some parts off an '82 240D in a Virginia Beach 'Pick-N-Pull', and that car actually HAD plastic liners in the front fenders. Were they optional on W123s, or availible aftermarket?

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW