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Sept 22, 2011 15:53:55 GMT
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Hi! Please help me decide which car I should be taking... Car 1: A '89 Merc W124 230TE. 4 spd. Auto, ~340.000km, 132HP, ~28MPG. I know the car, I know the owner, I know it's weak and it's strong points. I know what's been done and I know by whom. Almost no rust, few minor naggles here and there and 1,5 years MOT. It's white with all black interior. ~750€ Car 2: A '86 Volvo 740 estate. 2.3, 4 spd. manual + 5th overdrive, ~500.000km+, 113(? I think)HP, ~29MPG I'm told. It has no MOT, needs new brakes, looks scrubby but comes with many spares, inc. engine & gearbox. But I don't know it. Dark green. 500€ I know next to nothing about Volvos, but a good deal about Merc W124s. So I'm leaning towards the Merc, as it is the more sensible choice. But the Volvo has a bigger coolness factor, I think. And it's cheaper... Both cars have a very good reputation regarding reliability and toughness. I'd need it mainly for commuting on the Autobahn - so the auto would be nice in the daily traffic jam, the Volvo's overdrive for the MPGs. (Not pictures of the actuall cars ) Cheers, Jan
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Sept 22, 2011 15:58:57 GMT
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If you know the merc is good I would say its a no brainer.
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R.S. Autotech. Servicing/Repairs/Diagnostics.
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Sept 22, 2011 17:00:23 GMT
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i don't like volvos, so i voted merc. your choice overall though.
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Sept 22, 2011 17:19:47 GMT
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I actually voted bacon, and I'm instantly suspicious of anyone who wouldn't.
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R.S. Autotech. Servicing/Repairs/Diagnostics.
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Copey
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,845
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Sept 22, 2011 17:45:03 GMT
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bacon for the win!!! though you cant really drive it
i think the Volvo would be more reliable, as long as its been looked after, but i can see why you would want to go for the merc, comfort zone kinda thing, and the fact its actually road worty as is, i would probably lean towards the merc
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1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire GLSi with 2.0 Zetec 1985 Ford Capri 3.0 (was a 2.0 Laser originally)
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Sept 22, 2011 17:54:49 GMT
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I got all excited until I saw it wasn't a 740 Bmw. So I vote bacon. If there were two votes i would also vote for go find a dizzle.
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ChasR
RR Helper
motivation
Posts: 10,269
Club RR Member Number: 170
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Sept 22, 2011 19:01:17 GMT
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Out of the two, the Merc. Regardless of car, knowing the history of the car goes a long way IMO. As for reliability qualms the W124 was (and by some still is) considered to be one of the most reliable Mercs to leave the factory. I believe they were a German Taxi drivers' car of choice, making it a sad day for them when they ceased production.
If it was a 2.3i 740 my reply may have been a little different, but still in favour of the Merc, just.
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tomti
Part of things
Posts: 937
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Sept 22, 2011 19:14:09 GMT
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Mercedes. Better the devil you know
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dbdb
Part of things
Posts: 821
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Sept 22, 2011 19:25:12 GMT
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I voted "look for someting else," but of the two here I would get the Mercedes.
David
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THE_Liam
Yorkshire and The Humber
If at first you don't succeed... HAMMERS.
Posts: 1,363
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Sept 22, 2011 23:08:43 GMT
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I have a solution that will satisfy the voters and provide convenient transport
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skinnylew
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,632
Club RR Member Number: 11
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Sept 23, 2011 0:10:18 GMT
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find a diesel and BACON!
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Sept 23, 2011 0:28:32 GMT
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Head says Merc, heart says Volvo. For Commuting, head should probably win.
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mrj
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,662
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Sept 23, 2011 7:48:35 GMT
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i had the same query a couple of weeks ago; i'd go for the W124; you are a Merc man, and they are the last proper Mercedes ( it is always like that; the fintail used to be the last proper one, then the stacklight, then the W123, now the W124; i am just waiting for someone to come up with the 210 as the last good one ...). A Volvo is a good choice, but i wouldn't want one with 500.000 kms .... as good as they are, but over here it appears, that Volvo owners learn to live with a lot of faults on their cars; a lot of cars which are offered, have all the problems you find in a buyers guide; if it would be possible to drive on three wheels, i am sure Volvo owners would be doing that here ;D I thought about another Volvo : the 850; ok , it is FWD, but they have 5pots and are also cheep, and still don't have that Scene tax you'll find with RWD Volvos ... but as the wife is gone now, there is no need for an estate car, so i'll probably buy something with a lot of power instead .... ;D
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- 1971 VW 1600 TL Fastback - 1978 Passat GLS Variant - 1980 Audi 100 5E - 1981 VW aircooled panel van (sold) - 1983 VW Jetta Mk.I - 1984 VW Polo Coupé - 1984 VW Passat hatchback - 1987 VW Passat Variant - 1987 VW Passat hatchback - 1988 VW T25
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Sept 23, 2011 8:25:46 GMT
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To be fair; a lot of W124 estates, specifically the diesels, are very 'worn out' as well... "The better the reputation, the worse the maintainance". I think that's a very valid saying for W124 estates They'r too often abused as working (w)horse. And then sold on before TÜV runs out... It's VERY hard to find a good diesel estate - I should've never sold mine... Untill now it would've been on a good standard, I guess. Anyway; I too think the Merc is the better choice. And I know it's rather well maintained and looked after. Cheers, Jan
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Sept 23, 2011 8:55:47 GMT
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Realized I do hav pictures of the actuall car: With the satin black hubcaps of my old W124 diesel [edit] And the stereo out of my old Twingo ;D Ha! Full of history...
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mrj
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,662
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Sept 23, 2011 9:11:30 GMT
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there was a dirt-cheap 280TE W124 over on fusselforum.de , that would have been a nice cruiser .... it sold then on ebay for 700 €s , which i consider not bad... a lot of car for that money.... on the downside you get all these trading cards from the arabian car dealers under the wiper ;D
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- 1971 VW 1600 TL Fastback - 1978 Passat GLS Variant - 1980 Audi 100 5E - 1981 VW aircooled panel van (sold) - 1983 VW Jetta Mk.I - 1984 VW Polo Coupé - 1984 VW Passat hatchback - 1987 VW Passat Variant - 1987 VW Passat hatchback - 1988 VW T25
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MrSpeedy
East Midlands
www.vintagediesels.co.uk
Posts: 4,789
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Sept 23, 2011 11:00:53 GMT
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W124 with bacon sandwich FTMFW !
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EmDee
Club Retro Rides Member
Committer of Autrocities.
Posts: 5,933
Club RR Member Number: 108
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Sept 23, 2011 11:02:29 GMT
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Since I had to vote BACON I thought I would post and say which car I would buy.
Get the Merc - more emphatic win if it was a derv though...
edit - Nice to see that everyone cares and there is some love for turtles out there.
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Last Edit: Sept 23, 2011 11:03:27 GMT by EmDee
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Sept 24, 2011 16:45:52 GMT
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*GNAA* - I hate when people change theyr minds suddenly... The 230TE is no longer for sale... Means Lolvo (without MOT - nah, I don't want - thinking about it...) or start all over again, searching for THE car... God damn it! Back to mobile.de and eBay... *Sigh* I'd realy, realy like another W124 - would also be suited best for work... Cheers, Jan (just to vent my anger I give you this useless status update) PS: at least there was BACON on my pizza
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Sept 24, 2011 22:11:48 GMT
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...the Volvo has a bigger coolness factor, I think... Nail on head. The Merc looks modern. The Volvo looks like a big, solid slab of steel. Which it is. The Merc is the sensible choice, and it looks it.
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" East bound and down, loaded up and truckin' "
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