What its like to drive a 1977 Mercedes 240 Diesel

Here is my 1977 Mercedes 240D, its quite possibly the slowest car i've owned, but also one of the most reliable and enjoyable cars. These really are special cars. The n/a 4 cylinder diesel makes an astounding 71 horsepower. This particular one has 180,000 miles. I found the car in a farm field and was told it sat for 23 years. Over a course of a weekend I had it running, and it has been my winter daily driver for the last year. They really are a special driving car, you have to keep momentum up on the hills, and cruises amazing on the flat lands. The gas milage is amazing too. Dont forget to subscribe!

[@bobbbobb4663]

Nice car. I've got a 79 240D 4-speed manual with 300,000 miles that I'm selectively restoring. Basically, most of the rubber suspension components are gone after 40 years. My car is the only W123 I've ever seen in the states with rear seat headrests. Anyway, I was watching a Pierre Hedary MBCA video the other day where he made the point that the W123 is the last car to be completely "analog" and computer free. One more reason why these cars are tanks and deserve their reputation. Happy motoring.

[@SirDrifto]

I bet a manual is an absolute blast!

[@bobbbobb4663]

@@SirDrifto It is definitely quicker than the auto. My only complaint is that 3rd gear is a tad too low. MB intended that gear to be an in town cruising gear but it drags around 30 to 35 mph. The euro models got a 5 speed in the 80’s and I’d love to have one.

[@John-kd4ef]

Years ago, I owned a 1983 300 D sedan and was hit from the rear by a guy doing 55 mph. The truck collapsed upon itself and did not protrude into the passenger compartment. The seats held firm and the car saved my life. No gas tank explosion and just a bit of a sore neck for a few days. I bought the car when it had 350,000 miles and I put another 100,000 miles before I had to total it from the accident. Best car I ever owned and a total pleasure to drive. Today, I own a 2017 Mercedes S550 that is so powerful, quiet, and smooth to drive but I'd take the old Mercedes back any day of the week. Thanks for an enjoyable review!!

[@SirDrifto]

Glad you're ok! Amazing story

[@jasonpomerance7451]

Before I got my 81 240d I had a '98 C230 that lasted until 2017, when I got rear-ended on the 10 freeway in Los Angeles. The poor old Merc was totaled, but I walked away with just a bruise from where the seatbelt held me in place. Mercedes builds tanks.

[@al7385]

These cars have a unique feel and driving pleasure due to their quality of construction and efficiency. Owned a w115 240D with an excellent manual gearbox that never let me down, then a w123 300D automatic (no turbo). If they made them again, I would gladly spend $100k for a new one of either model, their durability is next to none, perhaps only rivalled by a Toyota Landcruiser.

[@civicdriving]

I love how you drive around in traffic, blatantly using your phone, no seatbelt and dog roaming around the car 😂🐾

[@sunbeam8866]

I have an '82 240D stick and have driven a friend's Euro, stick 300D.. The best of both worlds is a base-spec Euro 300D with the manual 4-speed or the very rare 5-speed!

[@SirDrifto]

That’s very cool

[@inphiknit]

I drive a 1972 Mercedes 306d BUS it has the OM615 four cylindet doesel in it as well. It runs great. 77 hp bus. I drive it iver the Sierras with no problems... slowly.

[@budgetcarsforsale2637]

i feel your passion! i have owned many...still daily drive my 78' 300d

[@Q...........-]

Hi, thank you for reinforcing my love for these cars, in half a year I will turn 18 and once I get my licence here in germany, I will buy one of many beautiful maintained 200d or 240d for around 10k euros, thankfully here in germany, there are still a good ammount of them to be found in great condition😁

[@SirDrifto]

Redbull heli Sirdrifto

[@charliecutter3078]

Good stuff. I love my ‘83 300D

[@CrToloss]

Beautiful cars indeed.. Thank you for sharing..

[@SirDrifto]

Thanks for watching!

[@cocoon935]

Beautiful color. Enjoy !

[@cocoon935]

To improve acceleration try to change rear diff. from 300d.

[@LARRYFRANKENSTEIN]

nice video( extremely informative thank you.

[@SirDrifto]

glad you enjoyed it, w108 review and w123 wagon review coming up!

[@dieselbossbrandon]

You and i think alike! I have a 300sd and building a ranger with a 240d engine (om616) we need to bring these diesels back. Lets go back to the diesel days!

[@SirDrifto]

Nothing built quite like these machines

[@benhadcock3991]

Love the car, I have an '83 240D 4-speed in Russet Brown. I'm not sure our US cars even got 71hp... I think we got 64(I could be wrong). Glad to see another survivor being appreciated!

[@SirDrifto]

Woah 4 speed is too cool! I think your right about the hp. Amazing isn't it? Haha

[@jasonpomerance7451]

@@SirDrifto I have an '81 240d with a four-speed too! Around town it's pretty zippy, but if you turn on the AC (which works!) you lose a good bit of that zip!

[@luxembourgtbonbon4376]

I liked both of one !. Manually one , that's good !..

[@ItsTimePictures]

I’m seriously considering one with 325k miles, but the most perfect red leather seats you have ever seen in an old car. The owner made sure to constantly treat the leather and the drivers seat is COMFORTABLE! Of course, I know jack about car repairs and have never gone beyond changing oil so… it would be a learning project. Three out of four windows don’t work. AC is gone. I’d have some work ahead of me, but for 2 grand? Thinking about it.

[@SirDrifto]

I'll be doing a video on my wagon soon. 350k miles. Runs and drives like a dream.

[@manchesterexplorer8519]

I recently looked at a 300td as I want a wagon . It was a very clean upkept car with 450k on it . He wouldn't go down on the price of $10,000 which is way to high in my opinion , he also had a sedan that was clean for $11k . I figured he just liked to show them off and was not really interested in selling them as they've been for sale for about 6 months now 😉 I offered him $6,000 .

[@djkenny1202]

@@manchesterexplorer8519$3000 would be my offer.

[@SULTANbySULTAN]

❤️❤️will be having soon 👍

[@kathyguinto4585]

There's something very charming about a diesel car,namely the sound.I always liked the sound of them,really appealing,seriously.I like them alot!.John M Guinto

[@adventurousairman]

Well said, best cars on the planet

[@SirDrifto]

They really are

[@justinhaller2055]

My dad had an 81 300d when i was a kid. I get it!

[@SirDrifto]

That’s what I was brought home in the hospital from

[@Alanphuphalee]

Awesome video. They were certainly built to last. I couldn't agree more with your comment on today's car manufacturers expecting you to come back in 5 years for major repairs. I'm toying with the idea of buying one of these. I work at a Mercedes technician and we still have old special tools for these things that we aren't allowed to throw away surprisingly. Good video

[@SirDrifto]

Get one, you won't regret it

[@laynelane9080]

You all prolly dont give a damn but does any of you know a method to log back into an Instagram account?? I was stupid forgot the login password. I love any tricks you can offer me

[@giannicolson9080]

@Layne Lane Instablaster :)

[@laynelane9080]

@Gianni Colson Thanks for your reply. I found the site on google and im trying it out atm. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@laynelane9080]

@Gianni Colson It did the trick and I actually got access to my account again. I'm so happy! Thanks so much you saved my ass :D

[@vinnybruce2874]

I currently have a 1983 240d it's an awesome daily driving machine with little problem... Also it runs forever.

[@SirDrifto]

That's awesome 👌

[@thetwopointslow]

Beautiful car, that acceleration on the highway makes me feel like I’ve got a Ferrari in my mk4 Jetta 2.0L

[@sidheshpatil7120]

Here in Australia and in India, American cars with left hand drive controls are well treasured. They come out on the streets only on special occasions. Otherwise, owners don't mind keeping it safe, well polished and looked after in their garages.

[@SirDrifto]

That is fascinating

[@shawnbryant5242]

My first car was a 1978 240D. Loved that car and you’re right, they are slow. I currently have a 1961 190D… now a 240D can outrun that. Lol. Love to find me a W123 diesel again for a daily driver.

[@SirDrifto]

how is that 190D to drive?

[@shawnbryant5242]

@@SirDrifto It's fun to drive, but you really have to be aware of traffic when you drive it because of its acceleration (or lack thereof). It's slower than the 240D. I never take mine on interstate traffic, but on state and county highways it is fine. Definitely a cruising type of vehicle. It is a 4-speed column shifting, with no power brakes or power steering. Still a blast to drive.

[@rodneythur8754]

The interior colour is "Bamboo". I had that colour in my 1977 240D as well. I truly loved that car, but I loved my 300D even more because of the extra power, and additional accessories, automatic air conditioning, power windows, nicer trim. I truly miss having them. The equivalent quality of the drive cannot be found in anything today. I could drive all day, and not get fatigued (but not 24 hours, tried that, and I still needed to lie flat)

[@sonykristian447]

Nice car

[@SirDrifto]

Thank you!

[@jono4823]

One thing I noticed was the colour options for leather were basically a rainbow, at least in my 80s s class that was the case. Nice cars

[@SirDrifto]

Great cars indeed

[@Johans60]

Great cars, my neighbour had a 250

[@SirDrifto]

Love the 250 too

[@richardelson3261]

You’d never get out a junction in London in that

[@Diezeldawgdog]

Nice I have a 77 240 and it’s yellow and Carmel interior

[@SirDrifto]

Grrat choice

[@dieselmiro7241]

I have a dark blue 1984 w123 200D, it has an outstanding 59hp, 4 speed manual, euro specs and square headlights. Sadly you don't have the OM615 in the US market as I'm aware of. It is slower, but it is more bullet proof and it has a huge reliability. I know too many of these 200D that made 1 million Km (620K miles) and they are still going with a factory closed engine.

[@SirDrifto]

Great choice 🙏

[@dieselmiro7241]

@@SirDrifto 1 year later of daily using the car for long runs I can confirm you that I didn't open the bonnet only for cleaning dust and oil/filter change .. yep absolutely a good choice 😁

[@bobbbobb4663]

1979 240D owner here with the manual. The key to driving it is to maintain momentum. My only complaint is that third gear is too low (although it was intentional as to be used as an in town gear). The Euro five speed would fix the issue!

[@t-d9118]

Hi nice videos 😊 Can you do some videos about your's boat and jet ski please 😊 See you on the French road

[@SirDrifto]

You got it! I'll do that. Keep an eye out :)

[@ChaChiVooDoo]

Two things killed the old 240D's. Rust in salt belt states in Winter. And auto trans that literally unraveled the engines after so many years because most people that drove them were impatient and held their foot to the floor and let it scream in each gear when they should have bought a 300D turbo instead. I rebuilt the engine in an 82 240D 5 years ago I planned to drive for years. It wasnt running when I bought it. Once I put the engine back in I took it for a drive and was so disapointed with that trans even after I dialed it all in. I sold it and have been looking for a stick shift one since and have found a very clean 1980 locally with 106,000 miles but they want $13k and Im not ready to spend that for a right lane car.

[@mdy5252]

Iove classic 👍👍👍👍👍👍😍

[@SpikeArrowood]

Thank you for this video as I am contemplating "simplifying" my life. I am debating the 240D, 300D or E300d🤔🤔

[@SirDrifto]

Definitely do 300D. Classic lines

[@SpikeArrowood]

@@SirDrifto I found a 190D good shape..good price...100k🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔it is speaking to me

[@rhapsodycienfuegos6153]

If you want to make it go faster you can tune it up a little bit. It will not be a get up and go right off the bat in a race to finish first but the short delay and you will be taking off and will have the endurance

[@SirDrifto]

What methods do you recommend

[@espenrudsengen6080]

If the engine is original, you got 64 hp. The power upgrade came in 1978.

[@SirDrifto]

Oh man even less than I thought

[@panosvrionis8548]

Im very glad that i can buy for cheap mercedes that i saw in Miami vice 😊😊😊. Because Ferrari is very expensive 😢😢

[@honguenloh4612]

Wunderbarr

[@SirDrifto]

Thanks 🙏

[@saveyourhero3307]

I have an 83’ 300D Turbo with 280k miles on it. The weird thing that it used to run on biodiesel

[@SirDrifto]

How was bio diesel?

[@saveyourhero3307]

@@SirDrifto well it’s waste vegetable oil that would run on a secondary fuel system apart from the regular diesel

[@Tigerfire75]

One thing you have to do is check valve adjustment on it about every 12,000 miles on it

[@SirDrifto]

Very true!

[@PGF5000]

😂 <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="257">4:17</a> German accent attempt lololol

[@stoneylonesome4062]

If you have a manual 240D, adding a Turbocharger to it will make it feel a bit more like a naturally aspirated 300D with an automatic.

[@djkenny1202]

My Fried has a 77. It’s been sitting since the pandemic. Automatic. I’m debating getting it. He says it’s been sitting and battery dead. Might need to clean tank. Should I just put a battery in it and try? It was originally well maintained. 290k now. How much is getting fuel tank done at a Mercedes shop? If it needs it. Sunroof needs a seal. He never opens it.

[@johnmorelli3775]

Is the seat height adjustable for a shorter person. I assume not given the age?

[@SirDrifto]

Some versions did. Mine unfortunately did not. Just tilt, and forward and back

[@johnmorelli3775]

@@SirDrifto Thank you!

[@hubalahu]

I didn't know the 240d has an automatic. Is it's slowness ever been hazardous to your safety on road?

[@SirDrifto]

Well I think of it as a momentum car. You kind of plan ahead for the traffic merge etc. The only real issue I had was trying to get over a pass at 11000ft. I didnt get enough speed and had to back all the way down and get more momentum back up. Eventually I made it over. Truly anything past 45mph you have good passing speed and the car will accelerate

[@rivatrebbo983]

@@SirDrifto I could be wrong, but with the 72hp version you coulda made it without run-up

[@SirDrifto]

@@rivatrebbo983 I might have low hp version haha

[@rivatrebbo983]

@@SirDrifto and the automatic trans doesn't help of course XD

[@djkenny1202]

How many miles?

[@Keeferlgb]

I agree with you. I've always owned 300D's, never wanted a 240D because it would be slower, right? Well, I recently acquired a 1982 240D and I absolutely love driving it! I like the way it feels like it's working hard to do 65mph. There is something more endearing about it, the little diesel that could, the underdog! But, it's just a little more querky and a little more fun to drive than my 300D's. Of course, I wouldn't part with any of them.

[@vambat3523]

How rare is this?

[@SirDrifto]

They’re getting rarer

[@U2WR4]

Nice car but dont let the dog on the sits

[@SirDrifto]

He’s the driver

[@al7385]

He’s allowed, it is a German breed.