83 mercedes 240 D

[fbaurley]

Ive found an 83 mercedes 240 D for sale, it says very good shape, with 103K . From what I've researched its a 4 cyl, I was hoping for a 6 Any body has any info or experience on this unit?

 

[RonA]

I have an '83 300SD. It has a 5 cylinder in it. 103,000 is not many miles. Mine has 260k on it. I have heard the 240D is rather lethargic, but a very good car.

 

[clinebarger]

can't get out of it's own way. but very good milage

 

[FordCummins]

Tough as nails, and good with fuel, but as it was said... ... ... an absolute dog on power. Dont expect to get anywhere fast, but itll get you there. A few years ago a friend and I picked up a 240 with a 4spd for free, and cut the exhaust off, threw a set of tire chains on it, and beat the tar out of it. Hell we went placed a CJ7 couldnt with it. It still comes back for more to this day. The older MBZ's are really a tough unit.

 

[Blakers]

We've had 17 Mercedes diesels through the years, starting with a 1962 190D. The 240D is a dependable car, but it doesn't have a turbo and is a dog. Should get you 35 mpg easy. They're nice and heavy and safe and should last you a long long time.



I would only buy it if it's a 4 speed manual. The automatics are double dogs



Blake

 

[FloridaEd]

I was a travellling salesman (All over Florida) for a number of years. I knew several other salesmen who drove MB 240D 4-door sedans with 4 cylinder diesel engines.



Most would drive them 300K or more miles. One drove his over 500K, had the engine rebuilt, and sent his kid to 4 years of college (FSU - Florida's SECOND University) with it. They would get 30-35 MPG and smoke like crazy and were slow off the line.



But they didn't tear up and went a long, long, way with almost no maintenance cost. I would go through a Mercuy Grand Marquis every 3 years. Not very smart, moneywise, on my part when compared to buying a MB and driving it for 15 years or more.



I expect it was the cheapest transportation available, over time, in the US in the 1980's.



Florida ED

 

[Heepdriver]

I like em. there is an adjustment screw for the AFC on the 5 cyl. cars that will get a little more power, look around and be conservative in your screw turning. And you can always through a small turbo set to a low boost pressure on it. I guess unless you live some were that the smog laws are strict.

 

[Island Dodge]

I am assuming you are talking an automatic transmission, if so, it will really be slow but as stated above "a bullet proof car" I have had many 240Ds, all with manual trannys. The deal is the auto transmission cars (300Ds also) usually come with "automatic everything" which can be an expansive bucket of worms. My 240Ds have manual windows, heating & AC controls and sun roof. These cars are easy to work on and the parts are plentiful and relatively cheap but I would defiantly stay away from one with an automatic trans. You are welcome to email me if you need any more info, 240Ds are my retirement hobby

 

[Blakers]

I expect it was the cheapest transportation available, over time, in the US in the 1980's.



Florida ED

We had a 1965 190D, which is basically the same engine as a 240D, 220D, 200D, except for very small differences in displacement. Practically the same power. Anyway... to my point... We had the 190D and went on a week-long trip in 1969 down through Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina and back to NE Ohio. The car got 35 mpg and fuel was 15 cents a gallon. I think we used between 10 and 15 bucks for fuel for the whole trip.



Blake

 

[Island Dodge]

"15 cents a gallon"



Yah, them was the days.



I get almost 36 mpg on the road with my 5 speed 240Ds. The 5 spd 190s will do better tho. I had the liners bored on my "79" and used oversized pistons when I rebuild the engine. Shes rather "zippy" for a 240D now

 

[fbaurley]

I take it these are natuallly aspirated? If so, i think it would be a neat project to turbo one of these cars, but preferably the 5 cylinder version.

 

[Island Dodge]

"preferably the 5 cylinder version"



None of the 4 cyl engines were turboed and the 5 cyl engines that are turboed have "extras" like oil sprayed under the pistons and heardened crank. So you wouldnt want to "add" a turbo to a natuallly aspirated engine. MB never coupled up a manual transmission with a turboed engine but lots of folks have and it seems to work fine.