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  #1  
Old 07-29-2005, 12:38 AM
iNeon's Avatar
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 894
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?

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  #2  
Old 07-29-2005, 01:16 AM
Orkrist
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I've never even seen an early VW diesel, but I'd love one of those older VW pickup trucks. Kind of cool.
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  #3  
Old 07-29-2005, 01:36 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Exit 191, I-25
Posts: 124
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.
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Current money-pits:
96 Passat TDI
78 300D 100k miles(60miles/day)FOR SALE
91 Jetta Diesel 250k miles (80miles/day)
82 Toyota Diesel pickup 150k miles; out of service for a little while with a valve problem.
All on BelenBioDiesel
Past diesels:
01 Golf TDI
81 Isuzu P/U
85 Jetta
89 KW 425 cat
85 Pete 400 cat (currently still running the west coast with over 1.5 million miles)
81 KW 400 Cummins
77 Freightliner CO ???? Cummins (Buttercup)
57 180D lots of miles(gone but not forgotten)
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  #4  
Old 07-29-2005, 03:00 AM
pwogaman's Avatar
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Join Date: May 2003
Location: Northern, Virginia
Posts: 2,034
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.
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Peach Parts W124.128 User Group.

80 280SL
85 300SD
87 300TD
92 300D 2.5 Turbo
92 300TE 4Matic
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  #5  
Old 07-29-2005, 03:45 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Phoenix AZ
Posts: 336
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...
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  #6  
Old 07-29-2005, 06:09 AM
Brandon314159
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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
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  #7  
Old 07-29-2005, 06:12 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,116
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.
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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R
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  #8  
Old 07-29-2005, 06:53 AM
Admiral-Third World Fleet
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Central FL
Posts: 3,069
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
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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)
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  #9  
Old 07-29-2005, 07:27 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Canada
Posts: 495
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
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  #10  
Old 07-29-2005, 08:19 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,141
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
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83 300d
01 vw A4 TDI
66 Chevy Corsa
68 GMC V6 w/oD
86 300E
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  #11  
Old 07-29-2005, 10:49 AM
vwkess's Avatar
never enough time...
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NW Arkansas
Posts: 186
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....
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  #12  
Old 07-29-2005, 11:19 AM
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Location: Ladeluftkühlerstadt
Posts: 1,429
I've owned somewhere between fifteen and twenty VW's.
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  #13  
Old 07-29-2005, 11:22 AM
Anders
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 412
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.
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1995 E300
2015 VW TDI Sportwagen 15K
1977 240D (197K)
2002 Subaru Legacy L Wagon (115k) (Wife's)
Gone but not forgotten:
2005 Buick LeSabre
1998 C230
1984 300D
1983 240D
1981 300SD
1974 240D
1974 Fiat 124 Spider
1968 Triumph TR250
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  #14  
Old 07-29-2005, 11:23 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Central Ky
Posts: 6,265
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
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2015 Porsche Cayman - Elizabeth
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Sadly MERCEDESLESS - ALways LOOKING !
99 E320 THE Queen Mary - SOLD
62 220b - Dolly - Finally my Finny! Sadly SOLD
72 450SL, Pearl-SOLD
16 F350 6.7 Diesel -THOR
19 BMW X5 - Heaven on Wheels
14 38HP John Deere 3038E Tractor -Mean Green
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  #15  
Old 07-29-2005, 11:38 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Saugus, CA USA
Posts: 2,042
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.

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5 speed '91 190E 2.6 320,000 mi. (new car, fast, smooth as silk six, couldn't find any more Peugeots)
5 speed '85 Peugeot 505 2.5l Turbo Diesel 266,000 mi. (old car, fast for a diesel, had 2 others)
5 speed '01 Jetta V6 (new wifes car, pretty quick)
5 speed '85 Peugeot 505 2.2l Turbo Gas 197,000 mi. (wifes car, faster, sadly gone just short of 200k )
5 speed '83 Yamaha 750 Maxim 14,000 mi. (fastest)
0 speed 4' x 8' 1800 lb Harbor Freight utility trailer (only as fast as what's pulling it)
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