I looked for awhile and finally found a nice manual 240D. While it has some slight cosmetic issues (some paint fade and chips), it has all service records. It really has more get up and go than i expected from a 240D.
I drove it around town yesterday and noticed an odd sound around corners. It sounds like something rolling around in the trunk, although there is nothing in the trunk. At first i thought it was just the first-aid kit vibrating but when i removed it, the sound was still there. It mainly comes from the rear driver side area. I know it's extremely vague, but does anyone have any idea what it could be, or where i should look to figure out what it should be?
I've learned a lot already reading this forum, and i look forward to any advice that anyone has.

Lucas

Year, mileage, etc.? Check your shock mounts.

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1989 300E 144K

Ck the sway bar link at the outer edge of the 1/2 shafts BUT it sounds like you probably have a bad 1/2 shaft on that side.

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Jim

It's a 1981 with 149,683 miles.
I just checked the rubber pieces that hold the exhaust up, and they are really loose. Could that be moving around and causing the noise? The shocks seem fine, they bounce back to normal height immediately.

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1981 240D manual (149,683)
1973 280SE 4.5 (project)

Interesting,

My 300D also has this "rolling" sound in the back when cornering. However it is a relatively "light" sound (like a golf ball, not a bowling ball) that lasts maybe 1 to 2 seconds. I can also hear a bad CV joint on the right (click, click, click) when cornering. The car is currently having both 1/2 shafts replaced (should be done by Friday). I will be curious to see if the rolling sound also goes away. I'll let you know.

I actually had a similar "golf ball" noise coiming from under the front seat.

It was......a golf ball.

Turns out a golf ball fits perfectly in the hole backside of the stiffening crossmember that runs in front of the front seats.

That's probably not the case in this thread.

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

I'll have to search for golf balls in my car .

Seems like folks always find either a half shaft or wheel bearing issue when experiencing cornering noises.
I'd also like to know Craig if your noise goes away after your half shafts are replaced. Be sure and let us know.

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

FTI, I have been driving for about a day with new half shafts. All the cornering noises seem to have gone away . In addition, with the old half shafts I would sometimes get a drivetrain clunk when it shifted hard, that seems to be gone as well.

Heard a story of someone (can't remember if it was someone here or not) who had an awful rolling and clattering sound coming from underneath the rear hat shelf. Turns out there were a dozen or so colored pencils in there, stashed away by the previous owner's kids.

I wish it was always that easy (and cheap).

Your going to enjoy being in everyones way while driving on the expressways The fuel mileage will make you laugh at everyone that doesn't have a 240D. I really don't know how you can hear anything rolling around while cornering over the tires squalling? Or is my wife the only person that drives that way

Have fun with your 240D I am

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1984 280SEL, 62,000 miles
Euro model in the USA
1983 300D (Totaled out 10/2004)
New Factory Mint Green paint
Palomino int
1982 240D (Steak dinner for two)

Replaced the plastic sway link. Problem solved. I know the 240D is known for it's lack of power, but this one seems different. I've got enough power to pass people in faster cars at red lights. Sure, it's a four-cylinder, but it will get up and go. I don't know what the PO did to it, but I'm content with the power available.

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1981 240D manual (149,683)
1973 280SE 4.5 (project)