I have been driving an 83 240D, and while I love the car, it is awfully slow, to the point of being ridiculous.

I've run across a free-for-the-hauling 85 300D turbodiesel, and I'm hoping that, assuming I can get this running, that it will be significantly more powerful than the 240D. The car has been sitting for a few years. The body has some pretty minor rust spots- not bad at all. Probably. The drivetrain is apparently solid.

Anyway- are these cars decently powered? Not expecting a rocket ship, but one that accelerates like a normal car. And what is the fuel mileage like?

Also- I think these have the automatic climate control system that seems to be very problematic. Are these climate controls fixable, or can they just be bypassed with a lever valve or something?