Can the old Volvos hold a candle to our MB Diesels? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

777funk · #1 03-17-2009, 11:05 AM

I've been looking into wagons lately and a friend recently bought a newer Volvo. Other than now being owned by Ford!!

They seem like decent cars.

Anyone here drive one for a reasonable amount of time. Obviously they're gassers for the most part. That's a bummer but how reliable are they? Are they easy to work on? Will I spend more time under the hood or in the driver's seat?

Looking for opinions on the old 240s and 740s from the 80's and early 90's.

I'd bet the 4 cylinder turbo with around 160 HP would be a nice engine. I'm curious about their fuel economy.

I've been looking into all kinds of things: making a w210 gas wagon into a 606 diesel, putting a 2.5 turbo and 5 speed into a w123 wagon. Or just being normal, making life easier on my mechanical skills and driving a stock early 80's 300td.

But that's where Volvo came in. I really doubt I'd be happy with anything but a MB after the past 4 years or so of driving them. But I'm curious. Volvo is one of the only other 20+ year old cars I see still driving. So that must count for something.

vstech · #2 03-17-2009, 11:09 AM

they seem to have more storage space than the MB's due to the squared back door... aside from that, I'd stick with MB.

UriahT · #3 03-17-2009, 11:15 AM

A few threads about 300D vs. Volvo 240.
Everyone (there are always exceptions) will urge you to keep away from the Volvo diesels.
I used to own a Volvo 240 wagon, and now have a 300TD. As for the Volvo, the interior appointments are cheaper, the seats were more comfortable, the ride was worse, and it had a little more room. Got around 20mpg. Mechanically, just about as reliable as the 300TD, though it had electrical gremlins. The Mercedes wagon just feels more solid, which it should- it sold for double the Volvo's price when new.

JimmyL · #4 03-17-2009, 11:27 AM

You can find much info on here about the Volvo's, especially the 240's. Good solid car in wagon or sedan form. Not quite the solidness of our MB's, but if our MB's are a 1-A then they are a good 1-B.
Very reliable, very easy to work on [except for the blower fan]

and very good support forums on the web.
I owned a 240GL wagon and loved it! It is what I was actually shopping for when I stumbled upon my first MB wagon [God rest it's soul...]
In summation, I would own one in a heart beat!!!

patbob · #5 03-17-2009, 12:37 PM

I own both, an '84 240 volvo sedan 170kMi, 60kMi of which we've put on, and an '83 300D mercedes sedan 160kMi, 20kMi of which I've put on.

I like the mercedes better, but the volvo has been far more reliable. From the repain manual, it looks easier to work on, but I don't because I only have time to work on one car. At the mechanic, both cost about the same except the volvo seems to need fewer ongoing repairs.

FYI, the volvo isn't cheaper to run.. ours only gets ~20MPG and the 10.5 compression ratio requires it to run on premium.

hockeyboysomers · #6 03-17-2009, 12:52 PM

Volvo 240's and 740's are good cars. I've had them both. They share a very reliable B23 engine. They have a simple BOSCH fuel injection system. I would search for one in the best possible condition and drive it into the ground. It's not uncommon to get 250,000 miles or more on one. Eventually the body rust thru and you have to scrap it The seats are the best IMHO. The interior plastic seems to take a beating in the cold north-east. Brakes are really good. The 240 wagon seemed to have a more flexible floorplan, maybe it's the added headroom. The 240 is OK in snow if you load up on weight. The 740 was really pretty bad in the snow, plan on 4 real snow tires for the winter, if you are in snow country. I would stay way from the 850, lots of problems. I would also be carefull with the XC70. Beautiful car, but they are known to have transmission problems that develop near the century mark. Thats when ours went bad. $3500. for a rebuilt one from Volvo with no warentee. I think your best bet would be a late 80's or early 90's 240 or 740.

LNGfish · #7 03-17-2009, 12:57 PM

I had a 1982 240 sedan with a 6 cylinder diesel non turbo engine in it. I purchased it with 55K miles on it for like $4,500. It was like new when I got it. It ran till about 175K miles then started to smoke real bad from poor compression. It was fun to drive with a manual transmission. We had it like 10-12 years and drove the U know what out of it.

The engine I was told was made by VW and they never make it to 200K. I'm proof. I pulled the head and pistons were very sloppie, Junk Yard. But it lasted 100K+ for me so I was happy with it. From what I read the MB engines are way better.

777funk · #8 03-17-2009, 04:33 PM

Moved this post from my duplicate thread... sorry guys! My internet bleeped out for a second and I ended up with two of this thread. Anyways, here's the post added from the duplicate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseldiehard

Volvos, well, other than the boxy look and lots of plastic interior parts that tend to break, they are pretty reliable, especially the manual trans with the exception of the electric overdrive which tend to die.
Here's what I know:
The 4 cyl Volvo has chronic failures in the power steering pump bracket. I know an owner that had a welder make up custom brackets to replace the OE bracket, it still failed. I checked the belt, it wasn't overtightened. Its a vibration prone thing, metal fatigue all fail in the same place. At times the dealers are all out of these brackets, its a widespread problem!

O/W the 4 cyl is a good, non-interference engine. Change the timing belt every 80K or so without fail and it will run forever. They are easy to work on. Just look at a transverse engine or any of the ricers and you'll see what is NOT easy to work on! Or try working on a C36 and you'll wish it was a Volvo
A number of engine related parts actually cost more than Mercedes parts, I was asked to look into that and that's what I discovered. IMHO there are more Mercedes on the roads so parts are available from more sources than with Volvos.
DDH

Hip001 · #9 03-17-2009, 05:56 PM

I've always heard the volvos were high mileage tanks. but that was the 240 gas car. Never owned one yet, but my daughter will be driving soon so who knows!!

snookwhaler · #10 03-17-2009, 06:11 PM

Great cars... I have had several and still own one.

The brakes and steering in those cars are fantastic. The quick steering and power of the 850 saved my skin in I-95 traffic more than once.

Pretty much anything built after 1999 or 2000 is crap. Transmission and lots of sensor/electrical issues. The brand new ones may be different but that has yet to be seen.

The 240's are great. It is getting really hard to find good clean ones. The estates are getting to be as rare as the Mercedes in good condition. That is what I was looking for before buying my 300D. I could not find one, so I got the 300 instead.

The biggest problem with any old Volvo is the damn interior plastic. I swear they make the stuff in "Stuckys" peanut brittle factory. The dashes, pillar trim and console trim falls apart if they are not garage kept. There are fixes for most of it and there are plenty of parts in salvage yards if your up for making a perfect car.

My old beater V850 is a much better driver than the 300D with about the same mileage. But then again... The car is 9 years newer and has more advanced systems on it.

dieselman · #11 03-17-2009, 07:38 PM

I know where a tan 240 wagon is with 80k on it and no rust. It is one of the ones with the big square headlights. I had ne when I was in high school and I really loved that car. I have never had a car that had more comfortable seats and it was very reliable. I sold it to a guy with 188k and he drove it ten more years. I will check on the price this weekend. It is in good shape and the seats are still even good the driver seat usually looks bad in a 240.

mobetta · #12 03-17-2009, 08:34 PM

The wife drives a 93 940 wagon, Mom's in an 87 240 wagon. both great cars...

the 940's interior is way nicer than my TD,(it is a newer design by at least 10 years) comfy leather heated seats (volvo leather disintegrates in time, though- it doesnt hold a candle to MB Tex) and is roomier. it pulls in mid twenties on the highway, loaded with the family and gear.(the only time I drive it and keep track)

It has a locking diff(heated seats=locking diff) and does great in the snow w/ 2 or 4 snow tires. better than the TD.

the volvo has been way less $$ to maintain, over the same amount of miles, but it just hit 170K and 16 YO, while the 'Benz is 320K and 25 Years Old.
Id way rather do lower ball joints on a volvo.

there is a DOHC 16 valve engine that is of interference design- dont skip a belt service with that one.

240's are a more basic car, with the same drivetrain. they all have some relay issues( I pull and re=solder, fixes 'em most of the time), But in the mid eighties they have biodegradable wiring issues.

they're great cars, pretty easy to work on, good online forum support system.

they started zinc'N the bodies in 87(?) so newer cars have less rust issues.

here's the brickboard FAQ on buying used 7/9xx.