Making a 240D run at its best involves; clean fuel filters, clean accurately set injectors(this is done by the injection service guy in his clean room,) properly set valves, IP in good shape and probably most important injection timing properly set.

All this is assuming that you are working with an engine with good compression and a clean air filter.

One of the reasons for my comment about a manual 240D being peppier is that there is lots of torque that is lost with an automatic transmission.

Good luck,