I have a 1981 240D 4 speed and I can actually “zip” around it plenty reasonably quick, but have read a lot about people being scared to drive over 60mph and was wondering why? I can do 75 in 4th and it doesn’t sound bad, doesn’t smoke, doesn’t get hot, and sure it’s a little louder than 60mph but the engine doesn’t sound like it’s struggling. Cruising at 60-65mph is downright comfortable and I’ve got bone stock everything (steelies too I think but I guess I should check with a magnet to be sure) other than 195/70r14 wheels because I’m too cheap to pay for the euro exact match tires.

What gives with folks being scared to drive these things at modern cruising speeds? I’m taking it to get krowned Thursday and it’s a few hundred mile freeway drive so just contemplating speed....


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Afraid to go over 60mph? Please.... The OM61x engines are pretty low stress all things considered and have a ridiculously high RPM limit for a diesel engine. There's no reason on earth you couldn't do 75+ all day long without consequence.

So long as the engine has oil, the cooling system is healthy and keeping the temperature where it should be, and you aren't revving the nuts off the engine, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to do modern highway speeds. It may be noisy with the higher RPM's, but that's a personal preference thing.

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Current stable:
1995 E320 157K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 125K (SLoL)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

Gone and wanting to forget:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™) [Definitely NOT a Benz]

I used to do an urban-rural commute in mine and some time at 75-80 was usual. I took it to from buffalo-toronto airport and I was around 80 a lot and nearly topped out at 90 or so for a piece. No harm done. Watch your temp, listen for funny sounds, maintain your suspension, lighting and seatbelts. The sweet spot is around 80. You'll lose speed on hills. Speed on a typical 7% blue hiway grade is in the 50's lugging 4th or wound out in 3rd. If you don't pass the garbage truck while you have extra speed and momentum, you'll follow them to the top.

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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?

Other option is to put in a '85 diff with the better ratios.
Would quieten down the noise a little bit.

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84 190D 5spd - 878K
87 300E -157K
87 300TD VIN 0007 - 298K
93 FUSO FE-HD 15' - 198K
05 158" Sprinter 2500 - 270K

"Ich mag die Dieselgeräusche"
https://youtu.be/YjrxHqNy5CQ
✞

I’ve done about 80 before realizing how fast I was going. There was still acceleration to be had but it felt kind of wrong? Not mechanically

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1981 240D 4sp manual. Ivory White.

I've had ours over 83mph, it felt like I was trying to escape earths gravity. If I'm going over 65mph I turn off the AC since the compressor is a gazillion years old.

Just before my mechanic passed a few months back he did a few things to the car (that he was going to explain on the next visit), now the car cruises nicely at 75mph and picked up 5mph on a local grade. I have little idea of what the heck he did but it cost me $400 and he took that info with him to the grave. The car does have lines that look new on what I believe is the lift pump.

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1981 240D Four on the floor, Orient Red over Parchment, bought with 154,000 but it's a daily driver and up to 180,000 miles, mostly original paint and all original interior.

Thanks for all the tips folks! I can certainly say that before changing out 4x suspension and 4x tires, it was awful driving over 50, but now it’s comfortable in third gear from about 30ish to 50mph and easy to cruise at 65-70, which now I will do a bit more carefree given your advice - many thanks!


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86 MPH on flat ground with a manual trans, IIRC auto is 83. Should be a mark on the speedometer around there. Around 70 all day long if your ears can handle the noise.

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"Rudeness is a weak man's imitation of strength" - Eric Hoffer

The noise!

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1981 240D Four on the floor, Orient Red over Parchment, bought with 154,000 but it's a daily driver and up to 180,000 miles, mostly original paint and all original interior.

As long as everything is in order, there is no reason you can't cruise at 75 mph all day.

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'80 300SD - '83 240D - '00 E55 AMG - '02 G500

Was doing 90 in my 84 240 euro just a couple hours ago... just to see if it would, but I cruise 75 all the time. Its not an issue at all.

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1985 300 TD 448K
1984 300 TD 278K

1983 240D euro 240k
1994 f-250 idi turbo 330K
1986 f-350 IDI
1987 F-350 IDI

1985 JD 1050 4wd
1965 IH 3660

Woah! It would be kinda fun to get a pic of pegging my now-working speedo at 85mph.....


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The governor should kick in about 80 to 85.

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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.

I'm also involved in the 60's/70's/80's Chevy truck community and there's a steady flow of similar topics related to those trucks, too. "I got my truck fired up and have been driving it but I just can't bring myself to take it over 45 'cuz it sounds like it's gonna blow up."

Many of the current owners of these machines never experienced them when they were the norm, being used, abused, and discarded as everyday appliances - all they know is post-80's machines with overdrive transmissions and high gears so they cruised at 1,800 RPM, and can't fathom an engine sustaining 3,000 for very long. It doesn't bother me because I grew up in many trucks and cars that didn't have overdrives and turned close to 3,000 RPM at highway speeds, and they lasted many hundreds of thousands of miles; so I have an example of how it really is possible for a drivetrain to be set up that way. The only rebuttal I can give to the feather-foots is the Benz diesels are designed for it, intended to turn that fast, and if anything fails at highway speeds it's because it was compromised anyway. Our cars are legendary for being used, not for being pristine, babied collectibles - so why be afraid of a few R's?

It's a real thrill to approach a slow car on a flat stretch in my coupe right as the solid line goes dotted, stomp down on the pedal, and feel the '5 hum up to about 80 as I blow past them. The less time in the passing lane means the less time for a dangerous situation to arise.

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'82 300CD
"Pearl", the very first turbo diesel 123 coupe
Totaled 11/23/18, rebuild in progress.
'85 300TD, "Artemis".
'78 300D euro, "Ol' Red", mostly retired.
'85 300D, "Gandalf".

My '53 Chevy, it was a slug in original trim.

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1981 240D Four on the floor, Orient Red over Parchment, bought with 154,000 but it's a daily driver and up to 180,000 miles, mostly original paint and all original interior.