I have an aquaintance at work who has a 1972 MB 220d (W115)in wonderful shape. He is thinking of selling the car to the right buyer and I was thinking of maybe taking it off his hands. The car has just over 100k original owner miles on it and is in concours shape. Exterior is an ivory/light yellow with a darker tan MBTex interior.

About the only thing automatic on the car is the transmission. Crank windows, etc. I believe it has a similar engine to the 240d.

I'm not all that concerned with the mechanics of this car, as it has had excellent care and is relatively simplistic. I could "shadetree mechanic" most if not all items that would require attention.

I was a bit curious about how this car would perform in relation to my other diesels. My 300SDL isn't exactly a dragster but, given its relative bulk, it moves along respectfully once rolling. Is this what I should expect from the 220d? My Jetta TDI has a tuning chip and other mods that will allow it to easily outrun and stay ahead of a gas VW. I'm not thinking the 220d will be like that.

Back in the day, I had an 85 Olds 98 with a 4.3L V6 diesel. It only had 85hp and 165 ft/lb torque. 0-60 was in the neighborhood of
around 18 sec. That car was SO SLOW it was almost unsafe. Very scary to pass anything larger than road debris. Expressway merging was next to dangerous. With that car, it was pretty much floorboarded all the time until you were up to speed.

Also, any ideas what kind of $$$ I should expect to pay?

__________________
Lance Allison
Lance@LanceAllison.com

Current:
11 MB S550 4Matic, 55k miles, Designo Black/Black
14 Ford F150 XLT Lariat Crew, 73k miles, 5.0
Coyote V8 4x4. Black/tan.
09 GMC Envoy Denali, 5.3 V8, 4x4 SWB. 38k miles,
Jewel Red/Med Gray.

Gone:
87 MB 300SDL, 320k miles, Astral Silver/Blue.
98 VW Jetta TDI, 488k miles, Classic Green/Gray.
85 Olds 98 Brougham FWD, 4.3 DIESEL V6, 80k
miles, 3x Gray.

MBCA Member, Chicago Region

I had a 1969 220D for many years. We picked it up on European delivery back in 1969. My dad got the car with no options, so it had a 4 speed manual on the tree. I ended up with the car and drove it many reliable miles till I upgraded to a 1987 300TD. The car was a gutless wonder. I did learn how to get the most out of it. THe old sling shot approach on passing. TImeing the lights and the rest. I would imagine that the car with an automatic would be a dog. I fun dog, but a dog none the less. If it is a three speed auto, even more so. It is a simple realiable car that has great lines. When ever I see one, especially one in good shape, I get emotional. I learned to work on cars on a 220D. Mechanically it is a simple car to maintain and was my first real car. Learned how to drive in it, took it to my high school senior prom, sking, vacations and my daily driver for 10 years

Henry

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63 190d (sold)
69 220D (sold)
69 280SL (sold)
76 BMW 2002 (sold)
86 190E-16v (Demised at Laguna Seca Turn 9)
87 300SDL (sold)
87 300SDL 135k
87 300TD 280k (sold)
95 E320W 211k
95 E320w 111k
05 C320 4matic
06 E320 CDI 90k (Totaled by a texting 19 year old girl in a nissan)
2013 GLK 250 Bluetek 4MATIC

I have the same car, except with the 4-speed. I can keep up with traffic OK, although it's very doggy going up a steep hill. It's fine on the LA freeways, although pretty noisy. Keeps up at 70 mph fine, as long as you don't mind the NOISE. Good fuel mileage, although not as good as my 300SD. I love my 220d because it's so simple and reliable.

I've only had mine for about 1-1/2 years. Paid $1000. It came with a completely new cooling system (radiator, water pump, new hoses and belts); and, five new Michelin tires.

Go for it!!

__________________
Jeff Naumann
Torrance, California
1972 220D 138k miles (sold)
1982 300SD 263k miles
1989 BMW 750iL 183k miles
1993 Dodge D250 Cummins 5.9 202k Miles