I recently purchased a 1979 240D (automatic transmission). It is beautiful down to the original radio and old CA license plates. And i got a great deal (i think). But driving it on the freeway i kept waiting for it to push into 4th gear. It never happened! I contacted the seller and he said it was a 3 speed. But the owners manual lists 4 speed as standard. Additionally, my previous 1981 240D manual was a 4 speed, so i was expecting that. Does anyone know what the truth is here?

Also, has anyone replaced a automatic transmission with a manual? I am interested in that option.

Thank you!

 

Thank you for the response! It feels like you could be right about it starting in 2nd. But it also feels like all the gears are shifting when they should until about 55-60mph when it sounds as though it should be going into fourth. Very strange. I am going to have it checked out soon. Any advise is appreciated.
Thank you again.

 

The odometer says 65-70. But it certainly sounds like it is straining. I was only pushing it before realizing that the gears were not shifting through. It sounds like it should be shifting around 55-60 and isn't.