I went to look at a 1980 300td today (not going to buy it though, it has too many problems, and its likely doomed to go to the crusher as a result of the government price fixing of used cars in this area). It seemed to run ok (idled smooth, and no smoke) although it was hard to start and had almost no oil pressure. The transmission was dying too, which had at least a little bit to do with it, but it was much slower than even a 240D 4 speed, and far slower than my 300sd. Are they really that slow? Or was this one just in really bad shape.