1983 Mercedes-Benz 240D | Retro Review

The Mercedes 240D was easy at the pump during uncertain times but wasn't exactly wallet or performance friendly.
Show 216 | Originally Taped 03-01-1983

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[vladansretenovic]

Everybody complaining how its slow, but this car is indestructible and can last a lifetime, they dont build it like these anymore unfortunatelly…

[chuckhpnwx]

It's now 2021 and this 240D is still trying to reach 60 MPH, BUT it has 800, 000 miles on it and is still running!

[bethehammer]

I guess they never figured out how to get the hood in 'service position' over at Motorweek, having the hood up at nearly vertical makes service on these a breeze.

[vwestlife]

In addition to the service position of the hood, John also didn't know that the I, II, and III marks on the speedometer indicate the shift points for each gear. I had a 1981 240D with the 4-speed manual and it was actually more peppy off the line than a turbocharged 300D automatic, because there is no turbo lag or torque converter lag. That's what made it an ideal city taxicab car, a job which many 240Ds are still doing today in Africa and Indonesia!

[JC-cmbn]

I'm still driving a 1981 Mercedes 300d in 2022 with a manual transmission it has over 500k and still runs great! Best tractor ever!

[compu]

1983 was the last year for the 240D in the US market.
I'm guessing John didn't notice the shift marks in the speedometer, or that the hood can be raised to a service position!

[estebanamador]

When luxury meant quality and reliability, nowadays luxury is having all the electronic gadgets (many unnecessary, that brings down long life reliability). That's why I prefer simple and cheaper modern cars vs a new Mercedes S class. Greetings

[FliegerFliegen]

I had one of these as my first car, but it was automatic. Even slower. We called it the Dragon fly. It would drag up hills and fly down it. I donated it when it had 356, 000 miles

[EBenzin]

3:06 That's why it has the vertical service position for the hood, John Davis bro.

[Tuppoo]

This with an automatic transmission was a popular taxicab back in the day. My dad used to drive one. He said the car was so slow that he spent most of the day on full throttle, but at least it was endlessly reliable and got decent mileage.

[kevinbarry]

This car was built back when German engineering meant something good; not the bad joke it has become

[bjfitz]

February 2024 comment — living in Los Angeles, I can’t tell you how often I see these old tanks bumbling up and down the main roads. Not quick, but no one living here ever gets anywhere quickly anyway!

[authenticvegas]

As the caretaker and (almost) daily driver of a 1983 240D for 22 years -- with another one on the way! -- I'm laughing at the preference for leather or velour (ugh!) over MB-Tex. We W123-heads know that MB-Tex is the superior material and is as indestructible as the rest of the 240D. Note: This car isn't slow (I've driven mine on two-week road trips all over the southwest), it's just telling those who think it is, to slow down and enjoy.

[pungo]

Had a chance to drive one of these with the automatic a few years ago. We clocked 30 seconds flat 0-60. The car was still immaculate inside and out, but wow was it scary to drive.

[chrisdooley]

These cars cannot die. That’s why there are still hundreds maybe even thousands all over Africa and the Middle East as taxis and livery cars. Their redeeming quality is their tank-like construction not their speed lol

[anthonynicholich]

The best longest lasting also efficient car ever made

[elirenigar]

The only reason they didn’t handle is the wheel and tire package. With a 16x7 inch wheel, and a couple of inch lower ride height, these things change from a heavy cornering road yacht to a firmly planted responsive road carver! Ask me how I know 😎

[westend]

That one was actually called the "Wanderdüne" "(shifting sand dune") over here in Germany. The engine is virtually undestructable, but it's a nightmare on the autobahn. On the acceleration line, you feel kind of stationary nowadays, and going over 70 mph for a longer time will make your ears feel like they'll fall off. Still, it's the lovely taxi sound (and smell!) of German cities in the 80s.

[andilife]

Finally a car where americans could learn what slow acceleration really means. I laugh everytime when some people nowadays complain about slow acceleration when a car needs 10 seconds for 0-60.

[kermitefrog]

It is an incredible car. I have a 1981 Mercedes 240d manual 4 speed. Actually working under the hood is easy. There are 2 mechanical devices on the hood at the hinges that allow the hood to pull much further back for easy access to the engine compartment. The Mercedes Benz W123 body style 240d is a masterpiece of engineering. I live in a small community of about 65, 000 and 40 years later I am not the only person who still is driving one of these cars. I see almost on a daily basis other Mercedes W123 240d's on the road. What does that say about quality.