Hey Benz Guru's!
Since the loss of my 84 300d im looking for a replacement.

I need some 240d info please:

1) Is a 240d automatic a good commuter? (city/highway, I drive 500+ miles per week)

2)Will it be able to run 80mph for extended period of times? (i usually cruise at 70ish but once in a while going 85mph seems to be holding up traffic on the toll roads)

3)Even though it is capable of these speeds is it gonna sound like the motor is gonna blow any min? Is it designed to run this speed?

4) actual "real world" miles per gallon i could expect to see driving 70mph.
I got WRONG info when i bought my 1st 300d. They said "sure getting 30mpg is easily doable" (unless my 85 300d and my 84 300d were flukes the BEST mpg I got was around 25!! 23 seemed to be average. I know only 5mpg difference but at 500miles a week it adds up)

5) and to throw apples in with oranges someone recommended buying a w124 300d and said it was more designed for the amount of driving i do.

Thanks for any advice or help you can offer!! I wanna sell my TDI and get back into a Mercedes!!

Hip

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2006 Jetta TDI DSG 320k miles
1997 Ford F150 325k miles 4.2L V6 "Work Truck"
2008 Tundra 225k miles 5.7L
1982 240D.....sold
1984 300D...Totaled OUCH!
1985 300D Turbo 222k miles "Dos" sold to 79Mercy
1986 300SDL 98K miles "The Beater"....sold
1987 190E 2.3 16v Euro spec 115K miles....sold

I would say that if you're looking to run 80 mph in a 240D you're looking at the wrong car. Granted, this is based on my manual transmission 240D, but I don't think that the gearing is that different in an automatic. It is going to sound really, really wound out at 80 mph (I can't even tell you what it would sound like, I've never run mine that high!).

One man's opinion, for what it's worth.

Kurt

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- '79 240D - engine swap complete! Engine broken in! 28-31 mpg! Lovin' the ride!
- '86 190D (W201-126) - 2.5 NA engine, 5 speed, cloth interior, manual climate controls, 33-34 mpg (sold to forum member).

Thanks Kurt!! I deduct from what you said that this is not a highway car for todays commutes.

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2006 Jetta TDI DSG 320k miles
1997 Ford F150 325k miles 4.2L V6 "Work Truck"
2008 Tundra 225k miles 5.7L
1982 240D.....sold
1984 300D...Totaled OUCH!
1985 300D Turbo 222k miles "Dos" sold to 79Mercy
1986 300SDL 98K miles "The Beater"....sold
1987 190E 2.3 16v Euro spec 115K miles....sold

A friend has one, he states 70 is fine.

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83 SD

84 CD

I wouldn't buy a 240d to do what you want to do. 300d turbo instead. 23-25mpg is what the 617 will see despite the ridiculous claims on Craigslist and Ebay.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I agree, I use the 240D around town. The 240D will cruse at 70, but it's a strain. Not the best car for frequent highway use.

"Apples and oranges" for sure. I think your needs fall in the middle, how about a 300D, turbo or a Euro non turbo, 4 speed manual or at least a manual 240D. The auto 240D is a hazard to navigation on today's freeways. The manual 240 is a challenge sometimes. For your driving I would get a 5 cylinder W123 or 124. The turbos seem to get about the same MPGs as the non turbos or real close.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

I cruise up 70 on my 240, but usually more like 65. 70 is about 3500 rpms. No trouble going faster just wound up a lot, and oil usage goes up a lot. It is nice highway car if you can stay under 70. My 300d did 80 just fine all day long, till the flashing blue lights show up in the mirror.....

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1977 240D turbo

80 mph? I didnt know a 240d could go that fast. for the amount of driving your doing I would go with a w124. I consistantly get 28mpg winter and 30mpg sumer with a OM602 and I am not easy on a car.

My wife's W211 will get 25mpg all day long and cruise fast enough to get you in plenty of trouble; but it's still just an appliance.

Ditto's
Adolph my 300TD does not like 80mph, fuel and oil is to expensive anyway. Ava, my 240will run 80 but she is screaming every inch of the way.
If you are worried about being in the way of other motorist while driving the speed limit in the slow lane, do as I have done, I have a peace sign on the left rear window and a nobama sticker in the top middle. They just roll up on me and stare at the old conservative hippie shake their heads and blow on by.
I am getting 26-27 in Adolph at 65-70 (68)

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Collector of Fine Hose Clamps
'77 240D 'AVA' is in heaven now
'80 240D Kanarienvogel
'82 300TD 343k was my daily driver 'ADOLPH' In Surgery for a severe Deer Bite to the Nose
'88 560SL 102k 'White One'

Top speed for a 240D is 82-83 ish I don't recall exactly. Point is, you won't be doing 80 mph in a 240D.

Regarding mpg, your 300D might've been able to reach high twenty mpg if you drove it 60 mph. Same for the 240D, only low thirties mpg at 55 mph. Cruising at 80 mph in either car drastically reduces mpg to low twenties.

A w124 diesel would probably be more comfortable over the long haul. Equally so with a w210 diesel.

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1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles
1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles
2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)

At least Florida is flat, and sea level.

I think the 1985 300D got a little better mileage. And since you are going to be using your A/C a LOT in Fla. an '85 300D might be better.

Then there is the very sought after 5 speed manual 240D. I have only driven a 240D automatic 1 time, and I remember getting honked at a lot for going too slow.

I have a 4 speed manual 240D, which is much quicker off the line. (Quick is relative )

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1979 240D, 4spd manual, Power Sunroof, manual windows, 147k miles, Pastel gray/Black MB Tex.
1991 300D 2.5 - Smokes like it's on Crack!

I would have no problem using a 240D, no matter where I wanted to go. just plan your time and trip accordingly. sure a 240 in no race horse, it`s only 67 hp, with a low geared differential. 3:69, auto or manual.

I usually drive ours around 60 - 65 on the hwy. and using a GPS, and with some intown and some freeway driving, one tank was 28.18. the next tank freeway and climbing over Hwy 50 (7500 ft) to Nevada, got 28.80. she poops out some at the higher altitudes, so down into 3rd gear.
I do have a 3:58 diff out of a Euro 230E, so gears it up 3%. type of driving I do, i can`t see going up any higher. there is one guy that put in a 3:07, but must live in a flat area, or always going down hill.

I have never driven a 300D, but they are 80hp and a 3:46 Diff.

the 300D turbos are 123 hp with a 3:07 Diff, except for the 85 with a 2:88.

our 85 with the 4-spd picked up a good additional 3 mpg. we get high 28 to 31 + mpg. but that is driving around 3000rpm`s. haven`t checked this one with the GPS yet to confirm my spedo and miles driven.

I guess the bottom line all depends how young you are, and your Testosterone level.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I've got each of the cars discussed... I'd recommend the 124 first, the 85 second, an SD third, and last would be the 240... in 5 speed trim it's fine on the highway, but changing speeds has to be planned on a calender... the 4 speed 300 is great, but the 124 with a 602 is going to be easiest to aquire and handle fuel with.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!