New and ? on what MD Diesel to buy 76-83
 

First I am new here, Hello. I have been into all types of cars and trucks. Right now I has been Hotrods and Diesels. I have a 37 chevy pu and a 97 Dodge Diesel pu

I am very interested in MD Diesels, but still do not know enough. So, looking for help.

My choices are
1976 300d auto trans (may need head gasket)

1979 240d trans?

1982 240d looks to be manual trans

1983 300d trans?

any help would be greatly appreciated

rick

As a general rule on the 123 chassis cars, the newer the better. You have a more reliable glow plug system, climate control, etc...

Don't buy a 240 unless its a manual. The automatics are dogs. Not that the manual is much better... You've got around 67hp. However, they are extremely easy to work on and are very reliable.

A 300D turbo has much more power and is overall a great car too. They are almost all automatics but that isn't a problem. They will smoke a 240 in acceleration.

I don't think you can really go wrong with either. Having said that I would definitely lean towards the '82 or '83. I think the most important thing is to buy the one that is in the best condition. Parts aren't cheap.

Scott

Thankyou!
can a turbo be added to a non turbo MB? if so is there a certin psi to look for with a turbo? or does something have to be done to the engine?

You can't practically convert a non-turbo to a turbo without replacing the engine. Personally, I like the 82-84 300D turbo (the 85 is a little different, a little more complex, and has some unique parts). It's all about condition and maintenance records. If you are not very familiar with these cars, have a good benz shop do a pre-purchase inspection.

The 240D (auto or manual) is a cool "around town" car, but don't buy one for extensive highway use.

The 240D (auto or manual) is a cool "around town" car, but don't buy one for extensive highway use.

what would be considered extensive and why?

Because they have no power and rev quite high. With only 67hp its not going to happily cruise down the interstate at 80 with the AC on.

240D's are fantastic little cars though, as said above get the stick.


At this point condition is everything; also as you already know since you are a hot rodder rust is killer. Mercedes rust from the inside out so whatever you see is just the tip if the iceberg.

See my PM, I use mine on the highway occasionally but I wouldn't buy a 240D for a daily highway commute if I was going to drive over about 60-65 mph or if I needed to merge with heavy, fast traffic. They will run at 70-75 mph, but they are not very happy about it (running at 3500-4000 rpm).

cool! I plan on driving it 30 to 60 miles a day around 60mph.
thanks for the info. Now time to decide, I will let you know which one I choose.

thanks again, this has been some good info.

Ornery -
We have a manual 240D and a 300TD (wagon). I will drive around San Antonio, on city streets and on the loop (and interstate) to get from place to place in the 240D without a second thought, but I avoid traveling to San Marcos to visit my parents in the 240D - that's excessive highway use to me. Very loud and holding 70 (240D doesn't really like going that fast for long periods - it would much prefer to be at 55) while the suburbans are zooming by at 85 is a bit much in the 240D.

If you are just traveling around Austin, it wouldn't be a problem. Going to San Marcos would be a bother in the 240D.

passing along a link.....
 

Hi Rick.

Welcome to the DieselHead's Forum:D Here's a link someone passed to me about 15 months ago when I was so new I didn't know how to spell Mercedes. Hope this link helps:

http://home.hiwaay.net/~gbf/mbmodels.html

Enjoy!

What he's talkin about is 240 makin helacious racket pedal to the metal. Anybody not familiar with em is gonna think the engine will blow to smitherines at/above 3500rpm..... 3000 approx. = 60mph, BTW

Not true says me who's driven 240D coast to coast 75+ mph coupla times gettin solid 30mpg all day long. Git the 4cyl 240 insteada 5cyl 300D if ye want the ultimate economy Benz.

Am sayin this owning both 240D and 300SD.

I think a 240 is fine cruising at 72 mph. A little buzzy but not bad at all. they are the best engineered and simple cars ever in my experience.

Tom W

They will run there, but I really don't like to ring them out that much for hours on end. I drove mine from CO to NC and back last week (my 300D is still broken), and tried to keep it at 65 mph (similar rpm to 75 in the 300D). That's about 3000 miles (45 hours, give or take), it's not the same as running peddle to the metal for a few minutes on the local highway and breaking it halfway across the country is a real PITA.

Betcha found yerself holdin the 240 back from where it wanted to run better than 70mph, specially drivin east from Colorada across flatlands all the way through kansas.

It runs perfectly smooth at either speed, I would prefer to run it at 3250 than 3500 rpm for long trips (same reason I usually run the 300D at 75 instead of 80 mph). The only problem with my 240D is that the cruise control is a little flaky and I hadn't bothered to order an amp (tired foot when it would cut out). Im sure the fuel mileage is a tad better at 65 mph too.