I am not experiencing any ignition system problems at this time. This inquiry is theoretical.

Let's imagine I need a new coil for my '80 242 w/ Bosch breakerless ignition.

This car has the coil with external ballast resistor.

The Bosch coil which is OE for this car is still available.

Also, ipd offers the Bosch Blue coil for this vintage 240. They do not offer the OE coil. I assume the Blue coil employs the ballast resistor but I don't know for certain and ipd doesn't seem to be to informative on the matter. So what is the big deal with this coil?

It has also been suggested in the past that I could install the Bosch coil used for the B230 and eliminate the ballast resistor.

Well, I can't go wrong with the original coil. And if the ballast resistor packs it in something could be fashioned to take it's place if the original type resistor is not available.

The Blue looks to be the least expensive. But is it right for my ignition system? ipd wouldn't steer me wrong, would they?

I sort of like the idea of going with the newer coil and ditching the resistor. Is this a good move? Or is there something in the old Bosch breakerless system that would prohibit it?

Which would you choose and why?

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'80 DL 2 door, '89 DL Wagon