maybe my heart is in a Volvo... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

frosty · #1 10-03-2003, 12:01 AM

I dunno, lately my 855 Turbo dream has come back to entertain me. I'm tired of the elitist label that comes from owning a Benz and the elitist mentality of many of the newer Benz owners here. I don't mean "here" in this channel! I know many of you guys are true M-B lovers. I respect those who drive the new M-B models yet have respect for the older models. Those are not the people who have the elitist mentality. You can tell that they know what owning a Benz is all about.

Anyhoo, maybe I will sell my Benz for a late model 855 Turbo. I already have an '89 245 DL. Maybe I will have a Swedish stable.

wbain5280 · #2 10-03-2003, 04:44 AM

try: www.brickboard.com lots of good info there, also www.volvospeed.com and the maintenance section for Bay 13. BTW, the 850T's are awesome.

blackmercedes · #3 10-03-2003, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by wbain5280
try: www.brickboard.com

They need to upgrade their forum to the same software that MB-shop uses.

blackmercedes · #4 10-03-2003, 09:39 AM

On the 850, my father-in-law is as big a Volvo nut as I am MB nut. He gives the following advice for 850's:

1. Automatic trannies are weak and seem to fail at a high rate. Manny-tranny versions are better.

2. AC systems are unreliable. The evaporators fail often, and like a W140 or W124, require large labour charges to change out. Condensors also leak and require frequent repair.

3. The AWD systems are terrible and are as unloved as the original 4-matic MB systems.

He says the S70 versions are improved (1998-) and worth the few extra dollars, but still have the above problems, just not as frequent.

Flash Gordon · #5 10-03-2003, 04:12 PM

Had a 1998 850 GLT. It had a low pressure tubo charger. The power was good, but the ride was rather harsh, really bad on the rough road. Trade it for my current Acura CLs. The Acura is a much better car, more power, better ride and handling and more quiet.

frosty · #6 10-03-2003, 04:35 PM

hey wainblain! yeah, I hang out at brickboard.com too. I know you! hmmm, but my benz personailty is being threatened by my volvo personality not to reveal itself in a M-B channel. anyhoo, nice to see a fellow brickster!

one thing I like Volvos is that they have character, and the fact that they have this unassuming image. but also the fact that many people think they are aesthetically-challenged--dare I say ugly--makes me feel like a deviant because I think they are extremely sexy! Other cars may ride better, look cooler and faster, and give you no problems, but there is something about a Volvo (850) that makes you see things differently. (I think Volvos look cool.)

TTaM · #7 10-03-2003, 08:04 PM

I too am a Volvo fan. My daily driver 745T has given me no problems since I got her a year ago. Well, I did have a timing belt break, but I knew that was going to happen, and was too busy to fix it....

I like brickboard, but it is not a very user friendly board. Oh, and did the 850 ever come in stick? I'd like to step up to one eventually, but would like to get stick [my 745 is one of those rare american wagons that has the 5 spd

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wbain5280 · #8 10-03-2003, 09:59 PM

I think the Brickboard is user friendly, just as this one is. Both boards look different but provide the same function.

Yes, thre were problems with evaps but that's been fixed. The trannies need oil changes, like other cars. The idle is a little high in my V70, 950 rpm, which I think contributes to the failure.

The new AWD is much better that the old. The old AWD requires equal sized tires or it's toast.

The engines, new and old, are tough. The new FWD engines require timing belt changes or the valves bend. 105K miles vs 200K for MB chaines.

Regards

TROVERMAN · #9 10-21-2003, 09:43 AM

Own a 1996 RWD 960 Wagon and the 1995 MB E320 Wagon. Right now, the Volvo is for sale and the Benz lives on. The Volvo has 105k on it, the MB, 42k. The Volvo runs terrific, is totally dry as a bone, no oil usage, very tight, etc. Has quicker initial acceleration, a more tight handling car than the Benz. (Because mine is a wagon??) It has a 2.9liter inline six DOHC 24 Valve, very smooth. Mine had impeccable maintenance, so a very good. car. I love the sound of the inline 5cylinders like the 850's have, but don't like front drive. The engine compartment is crowded. I have had the following Volvos: 1976 245 DL, 1980 240 DL, 1982 240 GL Diesel (Still Own, now converted to 4cyl gas as diesel was a junker) 1984 240 GL Wagon, 1987 760 Turbo, and now the 960. I have driven the 850's, the an S-70, the cross country and a V70 AWD. The 960 is richer than all the front drivers, although they are good looking too. If the timing belt isn't changed every 70k on the wagon, it wrecks the egine. Difference between the Volvo and the Benz: the Cross Country has plastic door handles that have a fake chrome finish on them. My E320 has real metal chrome door handles. Build quality is really better. The Volvo has character, but I think the Benz has more. The Volvo feels so ergonomic, so standardish, almost American-Car ish. The Benz does not, at all. My older Volvos did not either. Volvo is trying to gain the character of something they are really not. I like boxy cars, for sure.