I defend the 240D to the bitter end, but I would not consider an automatic version for any duty other than to put under a teenager that you deliberately want to have in a slow car. The Jetta diesels are rocket ships in comparison.

A manual 240D on the other hand is workable and a fabulously well built and simple to maintain automobile. Even though the 240D and 300D seem like the same car, there is a huge difference between them. The 4 cylinder is easier to work on and typically a longer lived car, again, especially with a manual transmission.

Good luck,