how many VWers have we here?
 

I just hijacked someones thread talking about VW's, so i thought I'd be polite and start this thread.

How many of youall moved up to the Mercedes from VWs(gas/diesel and/or air/water?)

Im 25 and have been driving for a few years now, in that time I have owned half a dozen VWs, even a 1600TL auto/ac

the benz is heads and tails above the VW in creature comforts, reliability and ride, but I still find myself wanting for a ride in my now disassembled VW!

the warm sound of a single blown speaker with an AM radio, the stick in a dixie cup shifter, the complete lack of any safety feature(mine didnt come with seat belts, nor seat locks(if i remember correctly!) so it troubles me that i could basically be folded into the steering wheel by the seat in any collision. but i digress...

how are early model VW diesels as compared to the w123 240?

I've never even seen an early VW diesel, but I'd love one of those older VW pickup trucks. Kind of cool.

i wouldn't say my MB is any better than my Jetta diesel, just different.
many things about the Jetta are easier to work on, parts are cheap.
ride is just as good in either. Jetta handles better in a turn. Jetta seats are much better.
never owned a VW bug. would like to someday.
:)

My first VW was a 59' Beetle. Man I wish I kept that!. Then I had a 67' Beetle (Baja cut) - some other cars - and eventually a 80' Rabbit. After getting married and having kids I got an 87' Golf as a second car for business trips. Soon I found I was putting the kids in the back (with no shoulder strap) and fast found that unacceptable. It was then that I got my first Mercedes - for the sake of the kids' safety in the rear (no, not the trunk) - and I was hooked! I did, however, get an 87' VW Cabriolet but that was just for fun. It only cost $200 bucks and only needed some wiring work.

I like the VW's because they're easy to work on. But I really like the Mercedes because of the way they're built.

I've eyeballed some BMW's and Porsche's but no deal really presented itself as attractive enough. Never gave much though to the Audi's - they can't decide whether they're an MB or a BMW wanna-be. The VW is what it is. So is the MB.

I haven't owned a VW, but am an Audi owner since 1996, MB owner since 2005. I really only care for the 5 cyl turbo quattros, they are their own thing. It is what it is... I like having the 1987 5000TQ to go with the 300SD for when I want to remember what acceleration feels like. I came into diesel power with a very nice 126d... would be hard to step into a VWd now, altho I do have extensive experience with them at work...

A similar vintage watercooled VW compared to a similar vintage Benz...

Handling is much better...rabbits from the early 80's scare me...the w123 feels much more stable through a corner.

The new ones...I dunno..never driven

I am a VW owner :)

VW's are one of my first loves as you can tell from my handle. I have a '69 Empi Imp fiberglass body on a shortened '67 beetle chassis. I have owned another '67 as well as a '76 beetle. After I put the finishing touches on my Imp, I plan on looking for an early Beetle shell to convert to a Baja. Over the last few years I have collected enough fiberglass to build 3 bajas. I also have a 2.0 "Porshce" (bus) motor for the baja.
I will post pics of my buggy soon.

I have had a VW Diesel Rabbit Pickup for going on 11 years now. I think I could field-strip that thing blindfolded. It is in some ways much simpler to work on and in some ways more difficult to work on than a W123.

The front suspension is a breeze- pull the struts off- take them to a shop with a strut compressor- put new inserts and strut mounts in- new lower a-arms and bushings- bolt on new ball joints-new tie rod ends. That's a front end rebuild for maybe $300.

The engine is a different story. Adjusting valves is a PITA. You need to fit new shims (each costs $2) instead of adjusting. Timing belt needs to be changed every 40k miles. IPs don't last like they do on MBZs. Alloy head warp easily if overheated and head gaskets blow once in awhile.

That said, with mine getting routinely 49 MPG on my commute, I'll probably keep it or continue to look for a VW Cabriolet to convert to diesel.

Rick

Here's my VW history-
'73 Beetle with extractor exhaust and 2 barrel carb- my first car
'77 Rabbit gas
'80 Rabbit C 5 speed (last of the German built imported to Canada)
'79 Rabbit L Automatic (wifemobile)
'76 Audi Fox station wagon (does this count?)
'84 Jetta Diesel
'86 Jetta Diesel Automatic (wifemobile and starter-eater)
'89 Golf Diesel 5 speed (divorce-mobile- got to 413,000 Km still running great but drivers seat fell through the floor)
'91 Passat Gas 5 speed (re-married-mobile and certified money pit)

As you can see, I can keep track of my personal history with the VW history.

I also had a '72 BMW 2002 stuck in there somewhere.

Dave M.
'76 300D (Daily Driver)
'70 Euro 200 (Parts Car)
'98 Cavalier (Wifemobile)

WANT- early 90's Jetta or Golf 2 door Diesel for winter- must be $1000 or less

I own a 2001 TDI jetta...


I'd have to say it being new and a simple car, repairs have been minor compaired to my benzs. The seats are much less comfortable, suspension, and noise. Hands down driving 4-20 hours straight the benz will be infinitly more pleasureable.
The down note, the new timing belt and water pump service on VW's is harder by a long shot than replacing the chain in any OM6XX engine.

Wife loves the tdi mileage... and in the city it's easier for her to get around. I'd personally rather have 2 W124's.

Michael

vdubs are my first love as well. Have had too many to count! No doubt the MB is more solid, but it just doesn't have the same feel to it. I've grown up with both (dad was a VW/MB mechanic many years ago when I was a kid), but I've always preferred the VW's.
A friend of mine was involved in a serious accident with his Rabbit a few years back... T-boned a drunk driver @50mph in an Explorer who crossed the median. He survived; was in the hospital about a week. The Rabbit did everything it was supposed to and absorbed the impact all the way up to the windshield pillers. For a little car, I'd have to say the Rabbit is well built and safe. That said, I still wouldn't put my daughter in it. That was the main reason I started getting the MB's... better chance of survivability in a crash. Didn't think much about that when I was younger though....

I've owned somewhere between fifteen and twenty VW's.

1985 VW Jetta
 

I purchased a '85 Jetta in 1987 that I drove untill I bought my first Benz ('84 300D) in 1992. Sold it with 150,000 miles and original clutch.

Great car. Five speed, manual window and sun roof winders. Fun to drive.

I have tons of literature from the 60's on the VW line. One brochure talks about unbolting your engine and sending it to Germany for rebuild , back to states and then good as new.
Of course all of it is for sale :D

My first car was a 69 bug, real rust bucket. My wife just recently bought a 2001 Jetta VR6 5 speed with a scary amount of whistles and bells. It's a pretty nice little car, but its not a Mercedes.