MB V.S. VOLVO

i am looking at a 91 300 2.6 with 75 k any thing i should know about it im diciding between that and a 98 volvo s70 with 40k what do you think the mb is what i like more quality but the s70 got the looks

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1985 euro 500sel 220k
1981 300sd 278k sold
1989 chrysler
leabaron 130k
1990 320sl (hopefully)

[Robert W. Roe]

I have not owned, or even driven, either of these models but I can offer some general observations from a former Volvo ('91 940GLE wagon) owner. Bought it because the wife "always wanted a Volvo wagon." After driving it for a year she started to drive my '90 Acura Integra, leaving me stuck driving the Volvo POS (it left us stranded at least 4 times).

Compared to the five Mercedes I have owned, the Volvo had a floaty, boatlike ride, lots of power, very little road feel or directional stability, cheaper build quality, and it looked, well, old. The interior looked more like a Pontiac rather than a fine luxury car. I realize you are comparing a mid-line 98 Volvo with an entry level 91 Benz, but my 77 300D had a much nicer road feel than the 91 Volvo.

Can I suggest that you look at a 91 or 92 300E? We saw a 91 300E, w/82K miles, at a local car lot this weekend for $15K, and it looked very nice. Can't afford one yet, but there is hope Happy shopping though; the S70 is probably a much nicer car than my 940 was (FWD vs RWD, turbo, etc.)

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Robert W. Roe
1984 300SD 170K mi

it will all depend on wich is the better deal and whats a better engine in my mechanics opion




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1985 euro 500sel 220k
1981 300sd 278k sold
1989 chrysler
leabaron 130k
1990 320sl (hopefully)

My brief knowledge of Volvos was that they had significant electrical problems - I heard this from more than one Volvo owner. I have also heard that one model of the "new style" had some tranny issues. All of these are second hand stories. I would go with the MB.

[TCCBass]

I have always been a Mercedes lover, but have owned a couple of Volvo's. I loved both of them. My 71 year old mother is on her 7th Volvo (92 740 Turbo Wagon-she drives WAY too fast), and won't drive anything else. They have been extremely reliable, comfortable, and have served well in 4 accidents. As far as electrical gremlins, no more than I have experienced with my 3 Benz or the previous SAAB. The Benz IS more comfortable, and does have a much more substantial feel. You won't go wrong either way. As everyone here knows...just make SURE it has records.
You'll do fine with either, but the three pointed star will always have more "arrival impact."


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R Talley
84 300D-T

I've owned a Volvo 240 before and now the Miss's owns one too. The only MB I've owned has been my 300SD. Although the MB has a better build quality and ride comfort I'd have to say that the Volvo 240 as about as durable as any Mercedes. I haven't heard the same about the 900 series though.

[stevebfl]

Well, I have a different view than about everyone as I have driven many of each. I happen to do all the local Volvo dealers alignments (at least the problem ones).

The two cars are about as different as night and day which makes comparisons like apples and oranges. The Volvo is front wheel drive the MB is not. The Volvo is actually bottom of the line and the MB middle even though it is the cheap option package, The electrical problems were on early eighties 240/740 models and was very similar to the late EFI injected 104 MBs. Neither problem exists of either of these models.

The Volvo is a T-Belt motor with severe castostrophic clearance problems. The MB has no such problem. The Volvo has an awfull transmission to remove and we have had to do it way too many times for that late an auto both for clutches and rear main oil seal leaks.

I personally would rather drive the MB but I know people that like FWD. I would also rather drive a newer car so it makes the decision tough.

If I had to guess both cars would have about the same expected life span from this point.

Of course I'm prejudice (bg).

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician

wich do you think would run longer ive haerd the e's have problems and the volvo may be a little to new for me would a 300ce 89 w/ 89k be a better deal

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1985 euro 500sel 220k
1981 300sd 278k sold
1989 chrysler
leabaron 130k
1990 320sl (hopefully)

[This message has been edited by Benzman500 (edited 06-26-2000).]

Hey, I'm for the VOLVO on this one and go for the Turbo. You will love it! The 2.6 is not the car a 3.0 or E320 is. Just do the timing belt on regular schedule. I like 60K miles. You'll have a great time in another great car. It will provide you excellent longterm service, good mileage, good AC, doesn't run warm, low maintenance and reasonable parts prices. Find a good technician since the dealers are a bit pricey.

I don't know anything about FWD Volvos, so I don't know how relevant my experience is, but my '82 240 wagon with manual trans has 222,000 miles on it and the engine has never been apart. It burns no oil between changes (3000 miles) and has never let me down in the harshest weather. The a/c works well (added an electric fan in front of the condenser) and it has a big, sturdy feel, although not as substantial as most Benzes. With religious 40,000 mile timing belt changes, a B21/B23 Volvo motor will run at least as long as any other gas car engine. My sister in law drives an 86 740 wagon with 191,000 on it. Again, it is still solid, looks good and runs very well. It starts in any Chicago winter weather and has been very reliable. In short, my general experience has been that Volvos more durable than any other car with the exception of M-B, and are much cheaper to maintain and repair than a Benz. Just my .02 worth.
Good luck!

The 240 series Volvo (and the 740 series which was basically the 240 with different sheet metal) certainly was a solid car, but there's a pretty big engineering disconnect between it and more current models.
From news accounts over the past ten years it seems that Volvo has been groping for a market niche and making cars from a position of weakness instead of a position of strength. I believe they have used both Renault and Mitsubishi engineers and designers and now of course Ford owns them.
Mercedes on the other hand has grown and solidified it's position.
Something to consider anyway.
Harvey

I have heard from a reliable TRW employee that TRW(an American company)supply car parts to mostly all car companies. BMW is a major user of their parts, Mercedes also get parts from them. TRW also owns Lucas electrical systems. Parts are manufactured in the U.S. then shipped to the car companies. I just don't know if Volvo still make their own parts. Volvo was not in the topic of my discussion with the TRW employee.

Gam0524
1975 240D
1984 300SD

I have a biased opinion here, so I'll say that up front. The experiences I've seen people have with Volvo's, and being the car guy among my friends, meaning that I help people work on their cars, I think that for most people after a while driving a later model Volvo they will come to a point where they want to go get their shotgun and shoot it.

Of all the posts here, I would listen to Steve Brotherton and keep in mind the MASSIVE experience he has with Benz and other automobiles.

Good luck, whatever your decision,


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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

[yal]

I would have to vouch for Steve's description too. Volvo wanted their FWD cars to ride like RWD cars. This was their main goal. One of the things they did was use a stubby transmission on the S70 so that they could get a tight turning radius, much tighter than you would expect from a FWD large body. Consequently everything near the trans has been designed with very close tolerances and clearance. In short maintanence in that area would be an expensive proposition after the warranty runs out. If you intend to keep the car for a short time under warranty then go with Volvo its newer with more modern safety features. I think the jury is still out on the long time maintenance of the S70 however with the W124 its pretty much written in stone (think energizer bunny )!

yal
88 230E (W124)
sister owns a Volvo 850GLT (aka S70)