Ok guys, I am looking at new wagons to replace my aging 88 TE. Over the last two days I have driven various models including a 2002 w210. Saab 9-5, Volvo V70 and of course my TE. The wife loves the look of the W210 but I have to tell you my initial impression of the 2002 W210 compared to the volvo and my TE was not what I expected. While the v6 is smoother (& quiet) than my 103 the handling was no better, if not worse (seemed to roll more than the TE). The volvo & Saab handled much better than both MBs.

The interior of the w210 was marginally better than the TE but looked basically the same. Very surprising for a vehicle 14 years newer. The A/C did not cool the interior as fast as the volvo or the Saab (90+ degree day) and was barely better than the TE. The fan actually did not move as much air as the TE on high and the additional rear vents barely had any flow.

I will be driving another w210 this weekend to make sure the issues were not specific to that vehicle.

For now I need to hear some good reasons to stick with the MB and for spending the extra $ on the w210. For the same $ I can buy a newer v70.
Thanks

Ed

Ed, this comes down to personal preference. We have had an '02 wagon for 1 year. It's a wonderful car.

Our friends have SAAB wagons and Volvos. I can tell you they aren't repeat buyers and seem a bit anxious to rid themselves of the cars...may be partially due to the dealership service experience.

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1998 W210 diesel (wiped out by a texter)
Baum spring compressor "for rent"

Or you could buy a low-mile w124 again. I drive my '95 w124 and am amazed at how "modern" the interior is with actual modern interiors. Not bad for a 10yr old car.

You're right though - drive another one and see if the issues you have are model issues or that-particular-car issues.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

The interior design is similar because it works. Its that simple.

The AC could just need a new carbon filter, they're located under the glovebox and cost about £35 ($70?). They get clogged with age and airflow drops.

OTOH, I'm on my second 9-5 wagon (both SE, the V6 version). Ran out the lease (4 years) on a '99 that I liked, but didn't buy it out because it was overpriced; bought my current one used (same car, a year newer) a year later for $7K less. No significant complaints except they're a little more noisy than I'd expect an MB to be. The fours have an issue with ignition modules that's currently subject of a recall, but the sixes have relatively little trouble. The local dealer is actually a pleasure to work with, and Saabs have been popular in the area--but apparently we're more an exception than the rule in that regard.

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Craig Bethune

'97 SL500, 40th anniversary edition

'04 Olds Bravada (SWMBO's)
'06 Lexus ES330
'89 560SL (sold)


SL--Anything else is just a Mercedes.
(Kudos to whoever said it first)

I have a W210 sedan (E430) and a 2000 Volvo S70. I tried to get my wife in a V70 wagon, but she said she felt like a soccer mom, so we bought her the Sedan.

I also owned a W124 300E before buying the E430.

The W210 has a lot more body roll than the W124. It also wallowed like a whale. When I got my car, it had as much body roll as a Buick LeSabre. The suspension was like the Buick Dynaride.

I immediately swapped out the original shocks and struts with Bilstein HD's and it firmed things right up. I still think the ride on my 300E was better, but it's awfully close.

I'm a big fan of the Volvo S70 / V70 as well. Our S70 has been perfectly reliable. The seats are supremely comfortable, better than both the W124 and W210. I'd rate the Volvo seats as a 10 (out of 10), the W124 a 9, and the W210 seats a 7. I love the interior design of the Volvo, and the quality of the materials, fit and finish, is high. The engine (2.5 liter non-turbo) is course and loud, though, and just barely adequate.

The a/c on our W210 works fantastic. It is the coldest a/c I have ever experienced in a car I've owned. The blower speed to me seems just as fast as that of my former W124. The rear passenger vents don't blow with much alacrity, but they are there nevertheless.

One big difference you'll notice between the W210 and W124 is rear seat space. It isn't even close. The W210 has incredible back seat space. It is like a limousine in comparison.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Since rear shocks on a wagon are load levelers, "swapping for Bilsteins" is irrelevant.

W210 is larger than either Swede so obviously feels that way.

Be careful with a Volvo interior as they're VERY chinzy and anything you touch breaks.

Hard to believe this apples/oranges comparison.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

I went through a similar quandary with my w124 TE. When I was looking to replace it, a dealer gave me a slightly used w210 wagon (about 20K miles on the odo) to use for a week. I didn’t like it as much as the W124. After that I got another week long loaner of a ML and ended up ordering one of those instead of the W210 wagon. There is something about the W124 TE’s ride that is unmatched in other vehicles.

But rather than a newer wagon, why not drop a few Kbucks into the TE? The W124 is one of the most rebuildable vehicles made. Start by a new do on the suspension bushings, continue with new shocks in front and as needed in back. This won’t cost much and will permit the suspension to spring back to original spec. Folks who have done this have never been less than delighted with the results.

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...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

This might apply to the 240 and 740 models, but not the S70 and newer models. The interior materials, with the exception of the fake wood, are easily of a higher quality than that of the 210's.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

my daughter had a new volvo cross country (i think that was what it was) a few years back. i was not at all impressed. it rode rough and felt like a gussied up ford taurus.

could be just me.

i havent been in any mb wagon newer than about 95 which my daughter has now. i like the way it drives and rides.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Thank you all for the responses. I did drive another 210 and it's a/c was better. My better half is in the process of driving the Volvo, Saab and the 210 this week. Of course her reaction will drive this decision so I am probably spinning my wheels here. Once she makes her decision the work of finding the "right" vehicle will begin.

A car magazine said recently, and I think they got it right, that the best Volvo is always the base model. When they get fancy, on motors or drivetrains or suspensions or anything, they screw it up. Unfortunately for them few people buy the base model and their reputation is suffering.