How would you expect a 1976 240D to compare to a 1983 240D? I believe the earlier ones had even weaker engines and were slightly heavier. What other differences? I think the 76 will have the old series style glow plugs, but they are easily upgraded to the pencil style, which I believe are better.

I have an 83 240D and use it daily. I may be able to buy a 76 240D pretty cheaply, and I wonder how it will measure up to the 83 I'm used to? Both are automatic.

W115 are much more problematic rust wise, I hear. Are you in the snow belt?

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CC: NSA

All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?

From what I have heard, the '76 has a bolt on the tranny to tighten up reverse if its slippy, avoiding a rebuild but the w123 ended that around '79..

Around 1980, Mercedes changed the cam shaft material on the diesel engines and apparently the geometry of the cam as well. Changed at the same time was the cam followers, of which the new style has carbide followers. These changes resulted in about a 10% increase in HP in the different engines, giving the 616 engine a boost to 66 HP from 60.

Regards,

W.

If not for rust I'd say that the plusses and minuses balance out. Unless there is some extraordinary way the older car is rust free, etc. I'd buy the 83 if its a good car. I've had about 25 or 30 123, 126 and or 115 cars and I'd say the 83 is my favorite year for 240s.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

My '82 240d has the 'oil separator' which helps separate oil from the valve cover vapors and then back down to the oil pan, the '76 did not have this setup so it MAY burn more a little more oil as a result if blowby is present.

More rust issues, harder to find parts for the w115 chassis. They're out there, but few and far between. It's harder to get parts for a w123 than it used to be, so imagine a w115.

The automatic 240d is bareable, but you have to anticipate merges they're very slow. I'd much rather own a 300d with a turbo and properly running they have no problems merging.

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Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

I recently had a '76 240D as a daily driver for two years and it never let me down. I miss that car a lot and it had a lot more style to it I think than the w123. Downsides, parts are harder to get, and the york a/c system that had been converted was next to useless and very loud with lots of vibration. The car always started, was easy to work on, and got a lot of looks. Don't expect to cruise more than 55mph though.

Is this true? My reverse is slippy, and slow to engage. Fluid is full and looks new. I like the style of the W115 but wouldn't kick a 123 out of my garage.

Here is more info:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/vintage-mercedes/314321-1976-240d-no-reverse.html

Interesting, thank You!

At 76k miles (with service records as backup) I really hope it hasn't been adjusted yet, and bringing it into spec once will be just what it needs for several years.