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  #1  
Old 11-10-2007, 02:45 PM
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Mercedes owners opinions on Volvos

Just as a fun debate... who would win the reliability war between a 300D and a v. 240 diesel? Average of course... excluding exceptional owners and terrible owners.

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Old 11-10-2007, 02:48 PM
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I don't know much about the old Volvo's, but I know the new ones are pretty nice. I like the XC70, but its not as nice as the X5 or new ML.

I do know that they seem to break pretty often, so they are most certainly a trade in before the warranty runs out car.
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Old 11-10-2007, 02:51 PM
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I'd drive a volvo..
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Old 11-10-2007, 03:13 PM
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How's that OSHA training?
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Old 11-10-2007, 03:14 PM
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If you're talking about the Volvo 240 diesel, the 300D will win hands down. Volvo didn't make their own diesel engines back then- they sourced them out to VW. Basically, they are poor engines with a very small market for parts.

If you consider the 300D against a 240 or 740 gasser, it would be much closer, probably too close to call. Our 740 is a great car. Every aspect of it is very well thought out and very sturdy.
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  #6  
Old 11-10-2007, 03:16 PM
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Why would I want own a Volvo, or a Saab? --Two boutiquey brands. lol!

BMW? YUup.
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Old 11-10-2007, 03:19 PM
mrhills0146
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A 300D cost twice as much as a 240D in 1984, for what that's worth.

Considering the price differential, it's quite impressive that ANY 240Ds are still out there in daily driver duty, but I see them all the time.

They obviously don't hold up quite as well as a W123, but you gotta pay to play, right?

A Lambo on the other hand definitely won't last! Lucky to get 20K miles between major engine work, but I ought to let Nick share his first-hand knowle....
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Old 11-10-2007, 03:39 PM
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Lambo Countach does not go far between major or minor work. My current one (the 1989) has set me back quite a large amount in repairs in the last few years and I've barely had it on the road more than a few times in all that time. The first, was the only one that could actually take any sort of beating. The others have been problems and spent more time in the repair shop in the Ohio dealership shop, than in my own garage, or on the road.

For the time I've had them on the road, they've each been a blast, for short drives, but leg gets cramped from the heavy clutch, kneck and back get sore from not being used to limited visibility side/side, ahead, and almost none at all directly behind. I'm in extremely good shape, so i could imagine how some fat-bastard, or old guy would have even more trouble driving it than I. Long drives are pretty much prohibited due to these factors.

Nick
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Old 11-10-2007, 04:02 PM
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That's a limited comparison in the US. I wonder how MB Diesels compare with Volvo Diesels in the rest of the world. And through the range of subcompacts to semis to marine and industrial engines.

Engines aside, there are a ton more W123 Diesels in this area these days vs a ton more 240s in the 80s so I have to say MB has already won.

I find the 760 gasser or td to be a very comfortable cruiser. IMO the W123 has no advantage in that regard.

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Old 11-10-2007, 05:04 PM
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Folks, can we watch the language, please?

Thanks,
Sixto
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  #11  
Old 11-10-2007, 05:08 PM
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I reported it, the moderator will handle it.
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Old 11-10-2007, 05:21 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PanzerSD View Post
I agree, I glare at Volvo drivers as I pass them by, but I'd like a nice Intercooled diesel Volvo....FOR PARTS

we call them Vulva's here I dunno...somehow it's an insult...lol
Yes, we should have a Volvo, at our next GTG. We'll have a blast beating it with baseball bats, and hammers.
Finally crushing it with someones Mog afterwards .

Then we can set the thing on fire... UMMM...Ok, I suppose the fire wouldn't go over well with some folks.

The Bats, Hammers, and Mog will be fun !!

Wait Wait!!! We could have TWO Mogs there, some stout lengths of chain and after it's properly crushed, we could have a TUG-A-WAR with it and rip it in two from each end with the Mogs...

I think I'll host this GTG, if we can find atleast a few participants, and a couple fellas with Mogs to come to North Carolina. How about the guy in Atlanta with the Mog. Kay, need one more Mog, and a Volvo or three, some Burgers/Cheese, dogs, Buns, and Beers and women. We'll have a wet panties contest , and Topless Vollyball game...
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Old 11-10-2007, 05:27 PM
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I didn't realize that was a "bad word"?? Geez you people are awful sensitive! Anyway I don't have a diesel Volvo, but do have a 95 850 turbo wagon with 220k miles that I bought for $400 and it is a great car! I spent another $700 to get it to the point where I wanted it to be at for a daily driver. The thing is you can pick these cars up for cheap if you find one that blows white smoke out the exhaust. The one I bought smoked like a chimney, and I convinced the seller the engine was shot, but it turns out that a common problem is a clogged up PCV system, which is a strange system of vacuum hoses and oil traps. Cleaned out the PCV, and it never blew another bit of smoke! It's definitely a more comfortable car to drive than my MB, it's very tight and the seats fit like a glove, but then again there is an 8 year difference between the 2 cars.
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  #14  
Old 11-10-2007, 05:29 PM
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Okay, I posted a thread like this on VWvortex awhile back...
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3066798

The general consensus was that both were durable, but that the 240DL Volvo tends to fall apart on the inside, and certain electronics were weak at best.

I would say both are built like tanks, but I think a Diesel engine has an inherent advantage built-in when it comes to long term durability just by being a Diesel.

The newer Volvos (like newer MBs, for what it's worth) are not nearly built to the same standard as the older ones. I don't think it has anything to do with being owned by Ford; I just think they aren't built as well.

My dad has a 1998 S70 GLT. He is the original owner, and he babies the car and drives it responsibly. He has just under 100,000 miles on it. His repair bills are ridiculous, and he goes to an indie.

The S80 was reputed to be a disaster, and so was the XC90. I would say that electronics have been the demise of both cars, as it has been with MB and BMW, but still...ack!

I wouldn't buy a Volvo after seeing how my dad's car has held up. Great car - handles well, quick turbo power, and looks pretty good, but I think it's just too much to maintain.
I think the same would apply to the 850, which was the same as the S70 barring some styling updates and interior freshening.
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Old 11-10-2007, 07:18 PM
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I like the Volvo wagons. Oddly enough for a Swedish car, they are terrible driving in snow.

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