I never had a 240D but from now on if I were ever in the market for an OM616/7 powered MB I would probably expect it to start like mine.

I wait for the pre-glow light to come off (usually 5-6 depending on the outside temperature) and just cranks it as soon as it goes off. It fires up instantly all the time even when it got to 25F last year. (Coldest in the city last year) - the motor works for one second or two .MAX.

The idle was rough but fast idle for a few seconds cures it.

Have you checked out the glow plugs? What about those quick relays? I saw some on E-Bay.

Good luck,

*Oh! At one point it took more than two cranks to start but an oil change cured it right away*

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe