240 Diesel

Can anyone tell me is a 240 Diesel worth even looking at? Can you possible tell me what kind of mileage they will get on the road? Could they possible run in the 40's with that little 4 cylinder?

Thanks,

Rebe

A 240D is a bit on the slow side, especailly with an automatic. However, they are still more than tolerable. The single best thing about a 240D is the lack of all of the fancy climate control crap that is in the 300D.

As for fuel mileage, about the best I ever saw with any of the ones I've played with is 32 mpg. The car is too heavy to even consider 40 mpg. You're only talking about about having approximately 67 hp to move all that iron.

[bullwinkle]

They're worth looking at, but I would take it for a test drive and subject it to the biggest hill, the steepest on-ramp, the worst acceleration spot you would ever take it on, and see if it is strong enough for you-here, a 240D would get you run over. A 300D, for all its quirks(climate control, vacuum locks, etc.)is a much, much faster car(without a large mileage penalty-I get 25-28 MPG in mixed city/hiway driving). If you live at any kind of elevation, a non-turbo also loses substantial power.

[rs899]

I regularly get 35/36 mpg on my 4 stick 240D in my normal commute (light traffic 55mph, mostly rural roads). If Kansas is as flat as Florida , as I expect, you MAY get that kind of mileage, but I wouldn't count on it. My thinking is that my car is more efficient than the norm for these cars- perhaps the engine is tighter (?)

[tenknots]

I had an excellent running 240D 4-speed and got around 32 highway/28 city. You shouldn't expect more than that. If you want more, the 190Ds get close to 40. Otherwise, get a VW golf and get 50 mpg.

[83-240D]

as you see i have a pair of 240's. yes they lack power so what. this is about changing behavior and being aware. like both cars a lot. we stay in the right lane a lot and just catch folks at the toll both when heading south. 70 gets you there how much sooner than 65?

[RalphinSL]

I bought a 1982 240D two years ago as a second car. It had 267,000 miles on it with a recently rebuilt engine. I've had fun fixing dozens of things on the car and love driving it, but I have never gotten more than 30 mpg. On the highway, going 80, I only get 28 mpg.

[bennett]

Originally Posted by RalphinSL

On the highway, going 80, I only get 28 mpg.

You can go 80?.........It must be flat where you are?...

Is it so flat you when you look to the horizon ....can you stand on a tuna can and see the back of your head ?

[PatrickW]

Originally Posted by bennett

You can go 80?.........It must be flat where you are?...

My 240D will cruise at 85+ mph all day long.

How much time is actually spent accelerating as opposed to cruising at highway speed?

How much time in the real world is actually spent running over 90 mph?

In my 240D, I find myself catching - and passing - the "faster" cars just by virtue of paying attention to the road ahead. Things like watching for which lane is slowing up; and slowing down for red lights in anticipation of them turning green while the car is in motion and everyone else is sitting there waiting.

A 240D won't win many drag races, but I'll still get to work or to the next town just as fast (if not faster) than the next guy.

- Patrick

The car is really good and solid. No rust no leaks underneath at all real low milage. A question I have is the transmission shifts thru the gears fine, but starting from a dead stop taking your foot off of the brake pedal and stepping on the gas I hear a thud and the drive connects and the way you go. I know they sit in second until you take off I believe, but am wondering about this thud or clunk taking off if it is normal or not. Anyone encountered this before?

Thanks,

Rebe

[Johnhef]

Originally Posted by Rebe

The car is really good and solid. No rust no leaks underneath at all real low milage. A question I have is the transmission shifts thru the gears fine, but starting from a dead stop taking your foot off of the brake pedal and stepping on the gas I hear a thud and the drive connects and the way you go. I know they sit in second until you take off I believe, but am wondering about this thud or clunk taking off if it is normal or not. Anyone encountered this before?

Thanks,

Rebe

1) flex discs
2) trans mount
3) something loose in the rear end?
4) trans in need of rebuild- worn out clutches

[RalphinSL]

Originally Posted by Rebe

The car is really good and solid. No rust no leaks underneath at all real low milage. A question I have is the transmission shifts thru the gears fine, but starting from a dead stop taking your foot off of the brake pedal and stepping on the gas I hear a thud and the drive connects and the way you go. I know they sit in second until you take off I believe, but am wondering about this thud or clunk taking off if it is normal or not. Anyone encountered this before?

Thanks,

Rebe

I had the same problem with my 82 240D. The drive line support bearing and bushing are worn out. The repair cost for me was $192, although the part itself is a fraction of that. If you do it yourself, remember to line up the two shaft pieces the same because they're balanced at the factory.

RalphinSL,

Thanks for the reply back. I was inclined to think that was the problem. I have it up in the air now in front...will be getting the back up, as well. If you grab that driveline at the joint if that's it, it should have some loose feeling?

[andersbenz]

I was thinking while tooling around today how much I really enjoy driving my 77 240D 4 speed.

I bought it as a second car to my C230 and yet I take the 240 85% of the time. They really like to be driven –don’t let them sit.

They make you a better driver and put a smile on your face.

Pretty good value if you ask me. Take your time to buy the right one. I looked at least at 10 or 12 240Ds before I bought this one.

Also, the 1974-1976 240D 115 chassis cars are great too. Though a pita to change the oil compared to the 123 cars.

[gutefahrt]

As you can tell the 240 owners are a cohesive and dedicated band of owners!!!