European 240d - Differences?
 

Occasionally, I run across MB ads such as this one:

83 MERCEDES 240 D Diesel, one owner, purchase new in Germany.

How would this 240d compare to one imported specifically for the North American market?

Just curious,

Aivars

It is possible that it was purchased new in Germany, but was US equipped, in which case it would be a US model.

If it is indeed a Euro model, there are some differences. For one, it originally had real headlights instead of the sealed beam jokes that went on US models. It could easily be that they have been changed out for US headlights.

Another difference is the radio antenna located on the passenger front fender instead of the US model with the antenna on the drivers rear fender.

The other key for identification is the bumpers. The Euro model has short bumpers which are what the designers intended. The US models are several inches longer and make the car look a little funny.

The US models were all top of the line as far as interior and trim goes. The Euro models are everything from stripped down, cloth and no wood interior with manual steering, to leather with wood and every possible accessory.

If you want to see what a Euro model looks like, you should be able to search my posts and find the picture of my '84 Euro 240D.

Good luck,

Yes, they continued to sell the w123 240D in Europe '84 and '85.

Good luck,

To sum it up, euro models are awsome. Im getting itchy for a stripped down euro 240 with a 4 speed.

Well, I'm sorry everyone, but I just can't pass up this chance to post the picture of Ol' Silver. She's been in the family about fifteen years and 533,000 miles. She's a 1984 Euro model 240D with manual transmission and cloth interior with wood trim.

Thanks to turbodiesels loan of a digital camera, here she is in all her age, experience and wisdom.

What a car! Get her back on the road where she belongs!

turbodiesel,

Thanks for the encouragement. My New Years resolution has been to get her back on the road in '02, but it won't be any time soon. We have a worldwide 25 city tour coming up in February throuh early April. After that, I'll probably have enough frequent flyer miles that I could trade them for an engine.:)

I also have two smaller projects taking up shop space that I must finish before rolling her in for her surgery.

Have a great day,