I currently have a 1989 300te...I USED to have a 1987 Volvo 740. What I miss, that I had, are: Heated seats and electrically defrosted side view mirrors.
Is there anyway to add these options to my car? Were they ever offered?
Plus, my windows take forever to lower and raise...Really, not forever, but certainly much slower than the Volvo...Toll booth operators have to wait... Alan

I understand your nostalgia for the 700 series Volvo. I drove a 89 Volvo 780 turbo for 4 years until it was totaled last November by a BIG Toyota SUV. I miss it. The Volvo was fun to drive (had the best seats), and work on. My current 94 E320 is better in most areas, but not as much fun. If you liked the 740, get another, or a 760, they are available everywhere and pretty cheap. Stay away fron the V6; find a 4 cylinder turbo. I'd say look for a good 780, but the unique body and interior parts are very rare and costly (only 9,000 780s made between '87 and 91).
Let me know if you need any help, or better go to swedishbricks.com for all your questions.
regards,
Mark

I know what you mean about the Volvo -- my 740 is laid up at the moment with a no-start problem (probably injection pump, it's the diesel). IF you can find a diesel, and the engine is in good shape, these are really the cat's meow. A bit slow off the line, but the 5-speed manual does 0-60 in 8.5 sec! A dream to drive, too, and those seats.....

I love my 300D to (and the 280 and the TE....),but really prefer the Volvo for highway trips.

Anyway, heated seats can be retrofitted, you must need the heater strips and switches. Don't know exactly what models they were available on, but I do know the W126 had them, either driver's only or both front seats.

Slow windows need some dry silicone lube in the channels. Wax may work too, but will cause trouble with streaks on the window glass. Occasoinally the regulator will get stiff, too, from disuse.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Your mirrors are heated, but may not be working. Mine do not in my '86.

We missed our heated seats as well, but now are even happier with our sheepskins than heat (and cost much less than retrofit)

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David
1986 300E Anthracite + ECodes + MB Mileage Award