This series of posts helps to prove my point that compression tests are damn near useless on these engines. First, many people get numbers all over the place with the same engine. Then, everybody scratches their heads (or other body parts) after they get the numbers. They don't know what to do with them.

What matters is cold starting. Low compression can be offset somewhat by having a good battery, a good 300D starter (even in the 240ds), using synthetic oil to keep the oil thin in low temps, and having a good glow plug system. Those things are a lot cheaper than overhauling the engine.

Let's forget compression testing, and use the other, more reliable troubleshooting techniques available to us.

240Joe