As long as you give her a very good once or twice over you should be fine. I did almost 13k last year in 2 months. I went everywhere, from over 12,000ft in CO to death valley, and the only issues I had were the brushes wearing out on the voltage reg. and I had to drive 150 miles with zero electrics.

I do have a turbo on my 240D but I think you should be able to do ~75mph most of the way as I did, and what ever she will do (~45-65) on the really big hills out west.

I do 8-10K miles between oil changes, but I'm using Pentosin full synthetic. I would change it at 4-5k miles if its the reg stuff. Just make sure you have a good filter, (Robbins in Nashua, NH carries Mann), and check the level every other fuel stop. I used something like 1L/4k miles.

Oh, one thing I found out is when you stop and fill up at the big truck stops you usually get free coffee when you buy diesel. I told them I was only getting a little amount and they said it does not matter every time :)

Oh, yeah, she could probably do 80 all day... on flat ground. It's just those grades I'm worried about.

As for filters, I've just come upon several MB filters (I think they're just Mann).

So how's that 240 holding up with that turbo, anyway? BTW if you still want to see more of that trans rebuilding, PM Yellit, cause he has it now.

Looks like I may be doing something similar. I've been planning a trip from Carson City to Atlanta and back for some time, but I haven't had time to do the 4spd swap into my 300D, and I don't have enough miles on the gasser to know how reliable it's going to be since getting the tranny rebuilt. So, I think I'll be taking the 240D.

This is ESPECIALLY true if you keep the valves adjusted.

Alright, did an 800 mile round-trip about a week ago and no problems. My driver's side window stopped going down on the way home, but I didn't worry about it cause I didn't want it open anyway. On a trip I took a few days later, though, I took the switch apart in a parking lot to clean up the contacts and that's all it needed.

The trip did confirm that I need to rebuild my injectors and fix a exhaust leak (which I think is just the manifold gasket) before I leave. I also want to stuff as much temporary sound insulation against the firewall as I can, cause it was just a little loud. I think I'll do alright, though. Just passed inspection today, too, not that I was worried about that.

Don't forget about the Northern Ohio GTG just off the turnpike on July31/August 1. You guys would be the guests of honor, and I'm sure we could do any maintenance necessary! Check the stickies.

after reading through this, I also would not be all that worried about power over the rockies. You will slow down, sure, but most of the time you should be able to easily keep up.
In my 1981 240 4-speed I used to own, I welded a receiver hitch onto it, loaded up three grown men and a cooler of food and drinks, picked up a tow dolly, and towed a 1981 VW rabbit half way across the country with the 240. The rabbit was also loaded with moving boxes.

the only time I ever had a problem was getting through NYC with the car in tow with out destroying the 240. Blew out two of the side shift seals, but that did not happen until somewhere in IL, and because we were going about 75 with the rabbit on there. Most of the trip, the 240 did 65 with no problem.

I also later took the same car out to CA over the rockies and down part of the coast on highway one. (something I have done with several mercedes, lots of fun!) The grades dropped me to 3rd and 45-55, but she chugged right up the hill, and that was the extent of it. Made up for it on the back side. :D