Volvo DIY compared to Mercedes DIY

[jblackburn]

Vacuum lines are definitely a good start.

Can the cbv be changed while the turbo is mounted, or does it need to come out?

Difficult to access, but it can definitely be done with the turbo in the car.

I thought this article was fitting to the original topic, love the satire in it

http://dougdemuro.kinja.com/german-reli ... 1572026115

That was a fantastic read - I was laughing the whole time. Thanks for that.

[j-dawg]

a 190E with three pedals has been #1 on my automotive bucket list since i was like fifteen. i love the design - it's a scaled-down interpretation of my favorite era of MBZ, the cars by bruno sacco. i can't point to a single thing about the exterior or interior of the 190E that i think is out of place or poorly-executed. it is as close to perfect as "common" car styling comes, IMO.

[matthew1]

Great thread.

Those special 190s with the four-valve heads were fast (for their era) and rare, and good-looking. I never see them on the street these days.

I thought this article was fitting to the original topic, love the satire in it

http://dougdemuro.kinja.com/german-reli ... 1572026115

+1!

[Seaway]

I am more partial to the 300 series cars. I used to have both at the same time. The driving experience was much different. I am also 6'4" so that could play a part in it. The 190e is like driving a go kart, but in a good way. If I had a place to park it I would hold onto it. The 300D was a really cool car. Just a ton of personality.

After digging into the Volvo a bit, I do think that it seems just as easy to work on. I can assure you that without the help of this forum I would not have ever considered opening the ECU and soldering in bits from the Radio Shack. Having the OBD II hook-up is also really nice. Knowing where to start certainly saves time and aggravation.

[vanagonjon]

I have had Volvos for 37 years and Mercedes cars for only about 25 years. The engineering on the MB's seems a little better, but I don't buy MB's newer than W126 class (1991). My 1970's era 140's were fun to own, drive, and fix until they dissolved before my eyes in New England. My 1987 300SDL (my pet name for it is the velvet locomotive) may be the best car I have owned. I keep my daughters '98 V70 base up and running with little effort other than a few internet searches for the unique Volvo systems that occasionally fail and have me scratching my head for a while.

John

[1998v70xcbill]

all i saw was bmw, volvo, mercedes,. I have owned all, Plus corvair, honda, buick. I still have 1965 corvair, 1985 300sd , and 1998 v70xc, (drive shaft removed)
The volvo wagnon is noisy, compared to 300sd diesel even at idle. it's a wagon. I love driveing my diesel 300sd s class

[1998v70xcbill]

the 300sd and the v70xc get the same fuel mileage. The 300sd take diesel, the v70xc take premiun. both get comparable mileage, but the 300sd is much better city. my volvo idles too high and pull in drive.

[1998v70xcbill]

Update my 98v70xc has 232k miles, the 300sd has 349.5k miles, corvair 69k miles.

[1998v70xcbill]

The w126 is a classic. The diesel is easy

[AKJeeper]

I tend to flip back and forth between Mercedes and Volvo. I'm a bit partial to the w126 cars, but also love the w123, w124, W140 and w210s. Personally, I think Mercedes are built and engineered better - don't tend to have issues with plastics that shatter if you look at them wrong. I've never had a Mercedes with a dash rattle or squeak, either.

Cost for me to keep older Volvos and Mercedes on the road is about the same. I think MB has a slight edge for parts availability through official chains. Bought lots of parts through MB's Classic Center over the years.