The climate control systems that where really troublesome where made by Chrysler and present in earlier years of the 123s. For todays use this model has quite a gain in power and performance over the 240ds.

A little reduced fuel milage in comparison to the average 240d. Yet if the 240ds engine was not tuned up you might actually get better fuel milage with the 1985.

At highway speeds for example the rear end ratio is a far better one. You can even hear each other talking. I think the general secret with the 240ds is you have to keep things pertaining to the engine in good condition.



Just driving one where the engine has been ignored for years can seriously impair the needed power. I have never owned or driven a 240d with an automatic transmission. I suspect they might be even too slow for me in our rural setting.

You should find the turbo five cylinder meets your needs if in good shape. Or after you sort out years of mechanical needs being ignored. . Simple and pretty cheap to address them if needed usually.

Thanks for the info, Barry. When I got the 240D, I went through it quite well, using this forum, info from Kent Bergsma, etc. I built the tools and adjusted the valves, new fluids, new vacuum fittings, etc. So, I think the 240d is running about as well as it can.

I'm pretty excited about this 300d. I think that the paint will be restorable, whereas the paint on the 240d is a lost cause- lots of deep scracthes and what looks like a clear coat coming off.

Having been through the 240d, I know exactly what to check for on this car. For one, I'll take out the seats and pull up the carpet and look for a rusty floorboard. It seems like these things often get a firewall rust hole behind the battery, then water gets into the passenger side. We'll see.

That is another annoyance on the 240D- if I go much faster than 60-65mph, it feels like the engine is revving too high. I mean, it doesn't sound like it is about to come apart, but it is just not relaxing to drive fast- it feels like I'm taxing the poor thing to rev that high.