Hi all,
Just joined this interesting and useful forum.
I own a 1982 240D, and a few months ago bought a 1973 L406D Mercedes Van (Transporter) that was converted to a camper, and imported into Canada from Holland. These camping vehicles appear to be reasonably common in Europe, but I doubt I'll ever see another one pass me on the road in Canada!
I'm presently trying to get good documentation for it (spare parts list is high on my priority list, to allow me to order necessary parts).
I gather these vehicles were never exported to North-America, except of the O309D small bus variety (same chassis, but with bus body and seats etc.).
Anyone know much about these trucks? Seems built like a tank. Mine is powered by a 2.4L 616 diesel, and is in reasonably good condition. Looking forward to camping in it this Summer with the kids!
--Robert (Ottawa, Canada)

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1982 240D 205,000miles+
1987 Land-Rover 110 diesel 50,000miles+

Neat Vehicle.... I wish they were available in North America.

With the raised roof, flat front profile and an OM616 engine I'm guessing that the top speed of the camper is about 38 MPH.

Wish I had one

Tim Freeh

I myself was only able to drive the truck around the block since purchasing (have yet to finalize licencing issues), but was told the top speed is somewhere around 90kph. Going uphill with a fully loaded camper would be slower of course. I plan on driving it on secondary roads (more picturesque scenery anyway), to and from campgrounds located within 2-3 hours of where I live, so it shouldn't be too bad. It's very attractively finished inside (quality solid wood, fridge stove heater sinks, etc.). Something else I'll need to do something about is that it's presently wired for 220V european.
The following site (Netherlands) features a lot of neat looking campers for sale, including a few Mercedes like mine. Wish I could read Dutch!
http://www.campersite.nl/particulier.html
Cheers,
--Robert

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1982 240D 205,000miles+
1987 Land-Rover 110 diesel 50,000miles+

It is a nice looking camper. It seems like it'd be an ideal candidate for an engine swap. Maybe a 3.9 liter Cummins B-series 4-cylinder diesel or one of Isuzu's excellent small diesels. Or, if fuel economy is less of a concern, a small block Ford or Chevy.

Even an OM617 would be an improvement, but the thing would still be a total dog.

Aaron

A guy in Germany I've been emailing owns one of these. He upgraded it from the stock 2.2L (!) OM615 engine to the OM616, and is now considering upgrading to the OM617.
These trucks were originally designed as delivery trucks within a city, or small buses to shuttle patrons from hotels to the golf course. So top speed and acceleration were never a great consideration I expect.
When I'm camping, I'm not in a terrible hurry so the speed restrictions don't concern me overly. I like to enjoy the sights along the road, and not necessarily race to the destination. As I indicated, I plan to stick to secondary roads so I won't get too stressed out on major highways.
I'd rather have a reliable drivetrain that won't let me down and will always get me back home. The OM616 should provide me with that peace of mind, as long as I treat it well and don't push it beyond its capabilities, given the weight of this vehicle (3500 kgs).

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1982 240D 205,000miles+
1987 Land-Rover 110 diesel 50,000miles+

Robert.

I guess that the idea of not having to go fast when having a self-contained mobile home may confuse a few posters here.

I am based in Europe and can translate Dutch in a pigeon manner if it involves campers if you wish.

Kind of a hobby of mine.

Fire away.

Richard.

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306D 1975 (camper) - rusting away
W116 450 SEL 1975 - sold
W114 long wheelbase ambulance, 3 litre diesel 1974

VW Golf 1 convertable - midlife crisis item
VW T4 van - support vehicle

I agree, I would not change the engine...who needs a fast camper, anyway? It would defeat the whole purpose of buying a Mercedes diesel...reliability and ease of service/maintenance. If properly cared for, that could very easily be the last camper you ever have to buy!

Mike

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1979 300 SD
350,000 miles
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1982 300D-gone---sold to a buddy
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1985 300TD
270,000 miles
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1994 E320
not my favorite, but the wife wanted it

www.myspace.com/mikemover
www.myspace.com/openskystudio
www.myspace.com/speedxband
www.myspace.com/openskyseparators
www.myspace.com/doubledrivemusic

Thanks Mike, those were my thoughts too. Even if possibly somewhat underpowered, there are few engines I'd prefer having in a vehicle than a Mercedes diesel. After all, MB have been using such engines in cars and trucks for what, at least 70 years? It could be argued that the OM615/616/617 (I have the 616 in this truck, as well as my 240D) stand near the end of a long evolutionary line that has seen MB perfect and improve this venerable engine over the years. I'll definitely stick with it, and drive accordingly, given the weight of the vehicle. Taking secondary roads and keeping the speed down around or below 50MPH sounds like a wonderful thing to me - slow down and enjoy the scenery!
Cheers,
--Robert

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1982 240D 205,000miles+
1987 Land-Rover 110 diesel 50,000miles+

I just bought a motorhome in the UK based on a Mercedes 307d chassis with the 616 diesel. I drove it about 650 miles over the last few weeks. While it is no speed demon, it could do 60mph on the flat. It has a 5 speed box and I would sometimes have to drop down to 4th on steep hills on the motorways. I would not consider switching the engine. I wish they had been imported here into the USA. I'd buy another here if I had a chance.

You have a great deal there and I'd trade for that any day! I have an 84 Chevy Class C motorhome that gets around 7.1 m.p.g.

During the last 4 trips out West (MI to Montana & beyond), I chose to drive at 50 m.p.h. in order to slow down as a person. Passed only 2 people during 3 weeks. Its very wierd traveling that slow because suddenly you have very little traffic concerns and you begin to lighten up as a person (if you're wired like me).

What kind of mileage will that deliver?

Don

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Kerry. The Mercedes camper you drove in England sounds like it was a little more modern than mine (mine is a 73).
Indeed, they are very interesting vehicles to say the least. The chassis is very solidly constructed (to be expected since these trucks were after all designed for the commercial sector, as small delivery trucks etc.).
To DieselDon: I believe I can expect mileage anywhere from 15-20MPG on the truck, because of the 2.4L diesel engine. I have a Mercedes sedan (240D) with essentially the same engine, and I get over 30MPG with it, city or highway. The camper is a lot more heavy, hence the mileage is reduced (as is the top speed).
I also look forward to driving more slowly and enjoying the scenery more, keeping the stress level down (as long as anxious cars behind don't add any more stress - that's why I'm planning on taking secondary roads to get to my destinations).
Looking forward to winter's end so I can start doing the necessary things to get it on the road and licenced. Right now, I"m trying to locate a good parts dealer for this vehicle. Bit of a challenge in North-America (since they were never imported here) but I'm hoping to find a mailorder place in Europe.
--Robert

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1982 240D 205,000miles+
1987 Land-Rover 110 diesel 50,000miles+

You're right, mine is newer, 1984 motorhome on a 1983 chassis. However, it still has the 616.9 engine. I'm curious about whether or not your 240d with a 616 takes the same oil filter as the 406. I'd like to buy some filters here and take them back to the UK with me when I return but I'm not sure of which is the correct filter. On my motorhome the filter assembly comes of the back of the engine pointing back and down towards the transmission. By the way, I saw a recent list of fuel mileages for a variety of European motorhomes and the reported average for Mercedes motorhomes with the 2.4 litre diesel was 29.4 mpg (Imperial gallon)

ENGINE SWAP?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Such blasphemy!

Larry,

What's wrong with making a neat vehicle into a great vehicle? In my opinion, there's nothing wrong with that camper that an extra 100 hp and 300 ft./lb. won't cure. I mean, come on. It has around 70 hp and weights 7,700 lb., according to the owner. It's also about as aerodynamic as a barn door.

Drive cross-country at highway speeds and climb long grades, all the while running with traffic. What would be so bad about that? A small Cummins certainly wouldn't hurt reliability, just help drivability.

Sincerely,

Aaron

Aaron,
You may have a point about improved driveability. However, my confidence in the quality of design and construction of the Mercedes 4 cylinder diesel engine will make me stick with the present engine. I'm prepared to adjust my driving habits to accomodate the limited power plant. As I indicated earlier, I actually look forward to taking secondary roads (as opposed to the major highways with speedy cars and semis) and having a more relaxed drive to/from my camping spots.
Also, the cost and complexity of drivetrain change would make me stay away from that scenario, even with the advantages it would possibly deliver. If this camper doesn't cut it, for one reason or another, I'd probably sell it and buy another one.
Here is a side picture of my camper.
--Robert

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1982 240D 205,000miles+
1987 Land-Rover 110 diesel 50,000miles+