get a c70

One thing I've noticed since being on this forum for about a year and half now, is that Mercedes never seem to crop up on anyone's wish list. Sure, the image of a Merc is more in the "elderly gentleman" section than a BMW, but doesn't the same apply to Volvo as well?

A 190E 2.6 or a 300E (W124) are much cheaper versions of their legendary 190E 2.3 /2.5 16v or 500E brothers. Best of all, they're RWD, are built to last a lifetime and you'll still be able to order bits of trim when you inherit them on to your grandsons ...

Tom

And that 190E apparently has quite good chassis so it handles well. I haven't driven one but would like to and why not own one. Shame that the 2,5 liter 16valve engined models are so expensive, so the 2,6 is probably the one for me if i start changing cars again. But that 190E with MB's 3liter turbodiesel engine along with huge turbocharger. I wouldn't mind owning one...

I wouldent say no to this but whos going to give me £68,000

http://motortorque.askaprice.com/review ... ss-4x4.asp

DO NOT get a modern Merc! My dad had one as a company car for a while, and hated the thing.
They break.
Alot.
And cost a hell of a lot of money to get fixed!

Performance is good though, and they're great for posing! (always fun when talking to mates about cars to be able to say 'well I've got a merc!') ...although certain models will make you look like a hitman...

SteveP wrote:I'd ideally like to be saving for a house etc etc...

Somehow I think a modern Merc wasn't quite what Steve had in mind

AFAIK very recent Mercs have got a lot better, but the catastrophic slump in reliability in the late nineties shows how things can go wrong when shareholder value becomes more important than a satisfied customer ...

Tom

190's and W123/4's were built to last, but they weren't very well equipped. Like similar BMW's of that era A/C, Cruise, Leather were all extra. Even a radio, let alone a radio/cassette or god forbid a CD player was extra!

W124's are probably too big for Thhhhhppaaynetah's tastes, but a suitably high spec 190E would fit the bill. Equally a E36 328i SE with M tech suspension would be ideal. Chances are it'd be highly specced and suffer from none of the 'wayward tail' features of the E30. The 316, 318 320 and 323 are the ones to avoid as they've most likely been Chavved up. A 325, 328 or 330 is most likely to have been owned from new by either an enthusiast or a 'respectable' person who will have looked after it.

Unfortunately I don't really like BMW's or Mercedes' especially. A 190 is really a bit old now anyway and the E36's are silly expensive for what they are imo.

I'd like to stick with Volvo but I don't know if it will happen, they offer nothing out of the box which fits my bill exactly

SteveP wrote:Unfortunately I don't really like BMW's or Mercedes' especially. A 190 is really a bit old now anyway and the E36's are silly expensive for what they are imo.

I'd like to stick with Volvo but I don't know if it will happen, they offer nothing out of the box which fits my bill exactly

You need trip to Sweden, there you will find something that will be bit more than out of box product for good price

Tourinki wrote:Shame that the 2,5 liter 16valve engined models are so expensive

I just had a look, they only made 6700 2.5's compared to 20000 2.3's. That may have something to do with it ...

V6 Man wrote:190's ... were built to last, but they weren't very well equipped.

Don't know what you mean, PAS was standard across the range from 1985 And a heated rear window was on board right from the start, unlike my '75 W114 where it was an optional extra

SteveP wrote:A 190 is really a bit old now anyway ...(

A '93 W201 or a '95 W124 will be going on strong for a long, long time yet ...

Maybe I should have a look and see what's available near me. Wow, check this out:

160 bhp 6-cylinder, AMG bodykit, leather, hmmm... And in my town too
http://tinyurl.com/5td5dy

No, I will not weaken. I'll stick to my W114 and my 360s

Tom

Steering in older Mercs is like steering jellyfish with rubberband, seats are like sitting on wooden park bench but ride is not so bad eventually, specially after you put cushion under pants or something.

However drive several to see how you like from how they drive, there are cars with worn steering parts available, some British car program did show on tv how to make money with old Mercs and availability of parts was quite impressive compared to Volvo.

6 cylinder turbo diesel stw with all toys would not be too bad, even it has faults, but for point A to B travelling those might be just enough.

jtbo wrote:Steering in older Mercs is like steering jellyfish with rubberband, seats are like sitting on wooden park bench but ride is not so bad eventually, specially after you put cushion under pants or something.

LOL! Yes, the steering on a W123 with 400.000kms on the clock is notoriously vague And the huge steering wheels fitted to many of them, designed to make steering non-PAS versions easier doesn't help that sporting feeling either

And nothing is comfier than a good seat in a 300 ...

Tom

trabitom99 wrote:And nothing is comfier than a good seat in a 300 ...

Incorrect, sir.

960's have more comfortable seats than 300's.

I stand corrected, I didn't realise that was possible

Tom

V6 Man wrote:

trabitom99 wrote:And nothing is comfier than a good seat in a 300 ...

Incorrect, sir.

960's have more comfortable seats than 300's.

Agree, probably best seats in current automotive history of passenger cars

My 240 driver's seat seem to be gone from uncomfy to very uncomfy stage, I should solve seating problems quite soon or my arse will say no go, there is something hard at surface of seat and there are no any rigidity left in seat.
300 seat felt really good as I sat in it few days ago, almost got temptation to move 300 seat to 240, but I guess you would stab me from that