My first 240D was a '77, my second was an '84 (Euro.) My wife had an '80 along the way and I have an '80 parts car. My wife also had an '83 300TD wagon and my daughter had an '81 300D.

There are pluses and minuses for early and late. I consider the biggest change around the '80 model year marked by parallel glow plugs. I think the differences are a "wash."

If I were looking for one, my NUMBER ONE criteria would be CONDITION. I would try to find the one in the very best shape, whether it was a serial glow plug, York a/c compressor '77, or a Euro '85. Condition is everything.

BTW, I would NEVER settle for an automatic transmission in a 240D.

Good luck,