240D or Ford Cortina mk3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SantaHul · #1 10-03-2007, 11:03 PM

Hi, I live in England and can't decide what to get for a car. I've got it down to either a W123 240D cos I love big chuggy diesel cars that last forever, or a mk3 Ford Cortina cos they're do god damn cool. I mainly do city driving but love to get out on the motorway with my mates and some tents when I can and visit a distant part of the country. I know the 240D would be better for this but its big and the Cortina would be better around town (plus most of my mates prefer the Cortina). What do you lot think?

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Adenauer · #2 10-03-2007, 11:28 PM

Hi,

I'm going to go out on a limb here and venture a guess that the vast majority of Americans are without much in the way of knowledge as it pertains to the Cortina. As you've come to a Mercedes forum, bear in mind that while the choice is really up to you, there's a bit of a bias here. We are into Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Many forum members own many other makes and models but I would bet that most here, have a first love for a car with a three-pointed-star on the nose.

The Cortina, especially the vintage you show in the photo, is a dated design (Is that a 1974-76 thereabouts??). A W123 Mercedes is a design that has been developed over many decades of refinement based on a dedicated engineering philosphy that continues in many respects to this day. It would be my opinion that the two vehicles are not even anywhere close to being readily pitted against one another in terms of pros and cons; one way or the other.

There is so much to be found here about the value of owning a W123. The one thing I would say is that while parts for a 123 will be available for quite some time to come, I'm sure, what is the availablity of parts for the vintage Cortina you find interst with? That would be a large factor. Having had two 123's, I'll just say that hands down, I would gladly have another. Unless the Cortina had a four-valve Cosworth mil. I'd probably take it. Then sell it. And buy a Mercedes.

I realize that likely didn't speak to your question a length but seriously, I would feel that you would end up with more car for your money in the Mercedes and it would soon grow on your mates, too.

No doubt, other forum members will jump in on this as I'm sure there are a number who are more familiar with the Ford.

chetwesley · #3 10-03-2007, 11:36 PM

I don't think you are going to get a very objective answer here...

Kind of like walking into a Catholic church and asking which is better, Catholicism or one of the other religions.

P.S. I'd personally go for the Diesel Mercedes

SantaHul · #4 10-03-2007, 11:37 PM

Yes I appreciate where you're coming and I'm ready for a bias towards the Merc. I'm just waiting for people to list the reasons why I should buy the Merc then I can compare them to the reasons I'm given in the Classic Ford forum.

I really like the Merc but you have to remember that in the UK we don't have as big roads as you do. I'll be navigating many a tight junction packed inbetween parked cars but then at the same time the Merc has it's own ways of being practical. I'm hoping to drive them both to help me make up my mind but even this is difficult.

Parts wise, the Cortina's are more common than W123's here so I think they're about the same there. You make a good point about people not being familiar with the Cortina though, I hadn't thought of that.

Stevo · #5 10-03-2007, 11:41 PM

[QUOTE=SantaHul;1636923]Hi, I live in England and can't decide what to get for a car. What do you lot think?

I think thats like comparing a salmon to a smelt

A Ford or a Mercedes?

dkveuro · #6 10-03-2007, 11:56 PM

Having rallied and raced Ford 's Dagenham dustbins a bit...I'd plunk for the Mercedes.

That old 1.6ltr, or, god forbid, the old OHV 1.3ltr was never great on petrol consumption....the Lotus Cortina even worse....and RUST? You could sit and watch it get worse!

Later models used the OHC 1.6 or 2.0 ltr....better engine by far.

Rust in the Ford is usually over the strut towers and the rocker panels...both death knell in the MOT....'sides, the boot floor rottin' away over the wheel arches.

Now, the Mercedes will usually rust under the rear of the front seats on the floor just alongside the inner rocker panel.
The boot rusts in the side panel pockets and the rear of the rear wheel arches.
Worst cases will rot away at rear of front wings and inner wing near mud flaps.
Usually due to the rubber drain plugs getting stopped up.

Still john...yer pays yer money and takes a chance...as they say.

Quids in, I'd take the Merc', supposin' ya find a good un.

Cheers

.

Adenauer · #7 10-03-2007, 11:58 PM

Well, the big thing that comes to mind is that I have been in the back seat of a Cortina and I just got the sense that there just wasn't a whole lot of meat to the car. I wouldn't trust my life with it. From a safety standpoint alone, which car would you rather be strapped into when involved in an accident? An eighties vintage Mercedes is simply built like a tank and would have a much higher survivability factor than the Cortina. Don't get me wrong, the 123 Mercedes has been raced with factory sponsorship in many off-road rally events back in the day - so they are, in fact, a capable performer depending on the exact model you happen to find. There's a huge difference between the performance of a 200D and a 280E. Again, though, we are talking about two entirely different cars.

Overall, I am drawn to Mercedes simply because they offer the best value for your money in terms of thoughfulness of design and built quality with exacting tolerances, fit and finish, extreme ease of maintenance, durability (ever notice that just about every car you see on the news from the Middle East seems to be an old 123-bodied Mercedes? They are everywhere on the planet), commonality and interchangeability of various subcomponents from model to model, a feel behind the wheel like no other car, have a long, unique corporate history, have beautifully sculpted lines, you could drive across North America in a 123 and not feel as though your body has been sapped of life (try that in the Cortina), that, it's a Mercedes-Benz.

I could go on.

Motorhead · #8 10-04-2007, 01:02 AM

If you were talking about the 1966-67 Cortina and maybe it had the Lotus twin cam......I know what I would want!!!

Jim B. · #9 10-04-2007, 04:03 AM

Adenauer said it perfectly, I totally agree with everything he said, especially with his remarks about this being mostly a Mercedes oriented site, with mostly American contributors.

I'd add, with whatever you choose, likely passing the MOT would be a real concern, and BOTH of these choices woud be subject to pretty strict scrutiny, and would have been likely to have rust issues by this point.

Rust free right hook cars like those would be difficult to find in good nick, and
heaven help me, when ever I think of that Cortina, I can't help but think of the old banger that Onslow drives on BBC's "Keeping Up Appearances".
Ya know, living in a squalid run down house on a council estate, sitting around all the time, drinking beer, eating crisps and watching TV all day...

I'm pretty sure Onslow's car is a Cortina of about that vintage...

You wouldn't want to be like him, innit?

So, get the Mercedes. I mean, the Merc.

myssrhl · #10 10-04-2007, 07:23 AM

I never cared for that body style Cortina liked the older ones.

I had a Lotus twin cam Cortina. Now let me tell ya it was the original low rider, pre rice rocket, street sleeper. Upgraded to 45 delo's, cosworth big valve, cam, etc. Would embarass GTO's, 442's, rubber bumper Corvette's, V12 Jags, etc.

Wished I still had it as they bring a premium. Vintage racers love them. That is the car that got me into Formula Ford and Atlantic racing.

Just depends if you want to build a fun kick in the pants, Cortina
If you want a solid ultimatly solid car, Merc 240

Plus in the Merc you have the option of running on whale blubber.

I drive a 300sdl daily yet got into my 300cdt the other day and thought I was driving a hot rod. That old 300 coupe is quick and light, in comparison.

Just my thoughts and a "trip down memory lane"

Hell get em both.

Dave

SantaHul · #11 10-04-2007, 07:40 AM

I start to agree with you (and last night I was pretty much sold) but then I watch this video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfIKk1x5QIY - and I'm back to square one. I'm not sure if you lot would be aware but these Cortina's have kind of a bad boy image here in the UK.

I worry that I'd get a bit bored of the Merc in the long run, but then I worry I'd get sick of the Cortina in the long run.

With regards to safety, I recently had a near death experience in a Leyland Sherpa (google it) camper van which flipped at 60mph, so you'd think I'd have learnt my lesson, but I haven't.

Ken300D · #12 10-04-2007, 08:16 AM

Just looking at the pictures, there doesn't seem to be that much difference in the width of the two cars. The 240D is probably longer, but they are amazing in their ability to make a sharp turn. The front wheels have a wide range of movement.

How much of a difference is there in the UK between the price of diesel and the price of petrol gasoline?

Ken300D

SantaHul · #13 10-04-2007, 08:25 AM

Diesel's about 2p more at the moment I think.

KAdams4458 · #14 10-04-2007, 10:10 AM

I'd have to ask how well a Cortina parks, for one thing. I know that the W123 is a breeze to pull in and out of tight spots. In fact, my 300D is simply amazing in terms of city maneuvering, and easily beats out most of the other vehicles I've driven. For crowded city use, it's something to consider.

eagle-co94 · #15 10-04-2007, 10:17 AM

Personally I think the Ford is ugly...correction...I think it's FUGLY.

Now if it were between the Mercedes and an Opel of the same era it would be a tougher choice. In this case, go for the benz!