can anybody tell me thh diff. between the 1983 240 and the 300 series? is the car smaqller in size? how much weaker is the engine?

Look through the list file:

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/diesel_mercedes/files/

The cars ( chassis) are identical. The only differences are in the engine, and some options.
As for how much weaker is the engine--do a search--there have to be a dozen threads that address that issue here on the diesel forum.
The 240 is a minimalist car ---it has the least amount of power that will move the car. They acclerate slowly; but have great charm.

The 240 will not win any race's, but is one of the most long lived and reliable car ever built for mass sales. These cars (123's) were the last of the hand assembled cars by MB and built like a tank. You can walk up to a Toyota Lexus and make the fender flex by slightly pushing on fender, and for goodness sake don't lean on the fender. I'm not sure I could kick a dent in the fender on my 240D. The 240D was the basic taxi of Europe, Africa and Asia. The first taxi I ever road in while in Europe (Italy) was a 240D and the following day I road in a 220D that had 4sp on the tree.

The thing with the 240D is it's simplier and cheaper to maintain then the 300's (turbo models), the engine has a smother idle (4cylinder vs 5cylinder) and is just hard to tear up. They make an excellent car for a begining teenage driver's due to lack of speed, low insurance rate, takes a beating with ease, body built like a tank, and in their own way are really fun to drive if in good condition. What's really funny is these cars are getting to be considered cool by teens that are starting to enter the driver's world.

If you look at all the people on this forum that recently (last 2 years) bought these 240D's, most are in their twenty's. When these car's were sold new in this country, they were considered a conserative old man's car to put-put around town in and you didn't want to be behind them.

All that said, this old lead footed hot rodder loves driving his turttle, and we all remember the story of turttle and the rabbit.

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'10 Chrysler T&C Stow-N-Go White. Grandpa's ride.

'13 Chrysler 200 Touring Candy Red. Grandma's ride.

Age and cunning will always over come youth and vigor.

Depends on what you're racing. I can usually take city buses and dump trucks.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

Local buses here are Sprinter van's, but one out of two ain't bad.

My 240 has a radar detector!!! :p

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'10 Chrysler T&C Stow-N-Go White. Grandpa's ride.

'13 Chrysler 200 Touring Candy Red. Grandma's ride.

Age and cunning will always over come youth and vigor.

For one thing, the heater/AC is far less complicated than the "climate control" on the 300 models. You can find '83 240Ds with a range of trim and options...sunroof, power windows, nicer interiors, etc. I have an '83 automatic (owned ten years) nicely trimmed, and it will hold it's own a little above 80 on the highway. An '81 240 bought last fall is a "stripper"...crank windows, no 'roof, manual tranny...this one is a highway slowpoke, but a LOT of fun to drive. Also have an '83 300CD diesel coupe, which has been much harder to keep up with repair- wise.

I don't consider the 240D to be underpowered any more than I regard a sailboat as being underpowered when compared to a motor cruiser. Different philosophies...fun trying to drive and enjoy a 240 within it's limits...other side of coin from say, "musclecars" with more power than most drivers will EVER need.

Well said!

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Toblin

'79 300D, "Liesel von Diesel", 235K

I kid proofed the house....but they still get in

You can dent the W123 fenders, but it just takes alot of effort. I know it's hard to kick one, and put it dent, it would take a hammer or another W123 running into one to dent the fenders.