My starting problem got much worse very quickly. If I shut it off when it's hot, it won't re-start. If I let it cool off overnight, it always starts in the morning. The jumper block no longer works. I've tried adding another ground strap in parallel to the existing one, and adding a negative battery cable. Neither helped. I was towed home twice in 2 consecutive days. That was enough. Pulled the starter, replaced it with the starter from my 240D. So far so good. Hope this is the end to my starter problems.

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked