What is a practical grade steepness a 240D can climb?

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What is a practical grade steepness a 240D can climb?

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Mercedes Forum >> Mercedes Benz Models >> Diesel Discussions >> What is a practical grade steepness a 240D can climb?

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What is a practical grade steepness a 240D can climb? - 7/18/2008 10:33:08 PM

Dukes

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Joined: 7/18/2008
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Hello, I have been researching on this forum, and others for the most reliable model Mercedes. I believe the concensus is the 240D. I can live with the slow acceleration, and the careful merging of getting on the freeway, but I am concerned about hill climbing. 98% of our driving is level, but occasionly we (three adults) travel North to Portland Oregon, and South to California. Both directions have about 10 miles of 6% grades, Sexton Summit, and Siskiyou Summit. I would hate to have a car that could not keep up with the trucks (lots of big rigs on I5). Is 6% practical for the 240D? Is 7% a killer? Please advise. Thanks, Bill Dukes

Post #: 1

RE: What is a practical grade steepness a 240D can climb? - 7/18/2008 11:28:15 PM

ForcedInduction

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Joined: 5/20/2006
From: Federal Heights, Colorado
Status: offline

They can climb any grade. The question should be how fast they can climb it. On 6-7% grade with the pedal to the floor in 3rd gear, a 240D in good tune can maintain at least 40-50mph. If you have it loaded down with luggage and passengers, expect 30-35mph.

Avoid the 240D if you can. Its a great car but its too slow for modern roads. Check out some 82-85 300D''''s and I bet you''''ll much prefer them (Thay can easily maintain 70mph in 4th up a 6% grade). The 300D is not nearly as complex as the 87+ models but its just as easy to maintain and reliable as the 240D.

< Message edited by ForcedInduction -- 7/18/2008 11:29:43 PM >

_____________________________

1980 240D 3.0VNT 222K Miles. OM617.95, GT2256V VNT turbo, 4-speed manual, 3.46 diff, 15mm rear swaybar, ALDA removed, no EGR and Amsoil by-pass oil filter. Currently 107HP and 195lb/ft of torque at the wheels.

www.youtube.com/Turbo617

(in reply to Dukes)

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RE: What is a practical grade steepness a 240D can climb? - 7/20/2008 12:01:17 PM

Dukes

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Joined: 7/18/2008
Status: offline

Hello, ForcedInduction, and thanks for the fast reply. Fueleconomy.gov shows the 300D as 23 mpg highway for 1985. I assume that is because it is a turbo, automatic. I had arbitrarily set 30 mpg as a minimum goal for what may be my last car. Since fueleconomy.gov does not go older than 1985 I can''t really do an apples to apples comparison, but from what I have read the 240D easily makes better than 30 mpg highway. I have always worked on my own cars, and appreciate designs that are easier to work on. I assume the turbo is more difficult to work on than the non-turbo. Since you recommended 82-85 300D I assume you are not recommending earlier 300D''s that were not turbo Please correct my assumptions if I am in error. Thanks, Bill Dukes

(in reply to ForcedInduction)

Post #: 3

RE: What is a practical grade steepness a 240D can climb? - 7/20/2008 9:12:48 PM

Dukes

Posts: 4
Joined: 7/18/2008
Status: offline

OK, here are the candidates I am going to search for. The
best compression, with the best deal. The most reliable is
row 1. The best mpg is row 4. A compromise between
reliable, mpg, and acceleration is row 2. Please correct me if
any of these look wrong. It''s mostly info I gleaned from this forum, and fueleconomy.gov.

Series     Chassis Engine      Model          Years HP Tran. Weight Mpg
123 Sed. 123.123 616.912 I4 240D          77-83 67 M4    3250 25-32
123 Sed 123.130 617.912 I5 300D          77-81 88 ?       3515 27-32
123 Sed. 123.133 617.952 I5 300D tur      82-85 123 A4   3515 19-23
201 Sed. 201.122 601.921 I4 190D2.2      84-86 72   M5   2700 26-35
201 Sed. 201.126 602.911 I5 190D2.5      87-89 93   A4    2855 24-30
201 Sed. 201.128 602.961 I5 190D2.5 tur. 87     123 A4   ?       24-29

Thanks, Bill Dukes

(in reply to Dukes)

Post #: 4

RE: What is a practical grade steepness a 240D can climb? - 7/20/2008 10:47:53 PM

ForcedInduction

Posts: 839
Joined: 5/20/2006
From: Federal Heights, Colorado
Status: offline

The .gov fuel economy site does not give accurate ratings for Diesels as they are generally 2-5mpg below what the cars get in normal use.

19mpg in a turbo 300d is very low and means either very aggressive driving or engine/drivetrain problems. They normally get in the 22-28mpg range.

For the 3-5mpg difference between the 240D and the turbo 300D, 45% more power is worth the cost to be able to keep up with traffic.

If you are willing to consider non-W123 models you should look into the 1987 190D 2.5T and 1991-1993 300D 2.5T models. They get great fuel economy without sacrificing power.

_____________________________

1980 240D 3.0VNT 222K Miles. OM617.95, GT2256V VNT turbo, 4-speed manual, 3.46 diff, 15mm rear swaybar, ALDA removed, no EGR and Amsoil by-pass oil filter. Currently 107HP and 195lb/ft of torque at the wheels.

www.youtube.com/Turbo617

(in reply to Dukes)

Post #: 5

RE: What is a practical grade steepness a 240D can climb? - 7/21/2008 8:31:58 PM

Dukes

Posts: 4
Joined: 7/18/2008
Status: offline

OK, here''s my new list to look for. So far I''ve only found 1 1985 300D turbo within 250 miles. It is $2000. Assuming the compression is good, what mileage would justify this price? Thanks, Bill Dukes
Candidate list modified per ForcedInduction''s recommendations:
Series Chassis Engine Model Years HP Tran. Weight Mpg
123 Sed. 123.133 617.952 I5 300D tur 82-85 123 A4 3515 22-28*
201 Sed. 201.128 602.961 I5 190D 2.5 tur.87 123 A4 2866 26-31*
124 Sed 124.128 602.962 I5 300D 2.5tur 90-93 121 A4 3,390 25-31*
* means mpg was increased approx. 2 mpg over fueleconomy.gov per experience.

(in reply to ForcedInduction)

Post #: 6