E320 CDI or Volvo V70R ?

[roadhog]

Not too sure which bit of the forum to post this but half of it is Merc related....
I'm about to replace my prematurely expired Volvo and am down to two cars as per title.
Both have similar miles, price and equipment. The Volvo has SatNav.
I am aware that this is a Merc forum but which would you choose?
The 320 CDI is 53 reg which I'm almost certain is before they introduced the super duper paint? What about the Valeo radiator issue?
Are there any other cons to owning one of these?

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Difficult choice, I don't really see how they can be compared. One is a turbo petrol FWD, the other is a turbo diesel RWD.

I've owned an 850 and a V70 (old shape) and they were excellent cars, but I feel that Mercs are screwed together a bit better. Saying that, I don't recall rust on either Volvo.

 

[NewMB]

Before getting my current MB, I was a devoted Volvo driver for years.

I have owned 760, 850, S80 and V70 with almost no problems. The last one, a V70 2.5T SE was the best Volvo I have ever had. Never a problem. Great on fuel (despite being petrol Turbo) and very comfortable to drive.

I change to MB only because of company policy. If not, I would still be driving a Volvo.

Quality wise....well, it's hard to say that MB is better on everything. But truth is, MB's are slightly better come quality and for technology (the germans) beats everybody. Volvo is WAY behind with for example gearboxes.

Advise: if you do get the V70R.... ignore the auto tranny. It can not handle the torque of 300 Bhp and thus, are restricted to same amount as a T5. This is still very respectable (police use them!) but having the manual would give you alot more fun.

If auto is a must, get a well specced T5 for alot less.

 

[jhcun08]

Which - Merc or Volvo?

Hi,
I have both - a 320CDI avantgarde 04 and a Volvo XC70 07 and I have to admit I love both.
The Volvo with the "slanted towards driver dash" is very "cozy" and excellent in crap conditions and very comfortable.
My Merc is just great and has better fuel consumption (both are diesel), but driving experinece of both is good.
I had some reservations about the Volvo pricewise at £30k +, but now I've had a full year driving it without any problems whatsoever, I'm really pleased. Apparently it is a better car than the previous years (has the 185 engine), has lot's of power (though not quite in the same league as the Merc).
My wife tends to drive the Volvo, but we are both pleased to drive either with no real favourite I have to admit.
However, if I had to part with the Merc for any reason, the Volvo would be my choice as an all round motor.

 

[television]

Well I have the V70R 1999 and 300 bhp and the SL 230. the Volvo would outlive the MB with little trouble.

No problems with the auto box on the v70R and no rust, not one pin prick and superb seats.

I like driving the SL500 better but there is nothing wrong with the V70R and it has superb seats.

Maybe I should not try and compare the 2 they are not the same thing

 

[stumpy]

From my experience (my gf is Swedish) Volvo cars are very well regarded, and the dealers I've been to seem a bit less arrogant than MB. I reckon the Merc in question could be a can of worms unless all the documented issues have been done on it.

 

[Bluegrass]

Definitely the Volvo.

I had a Volvo 740turbo 1989 with 185000 miles on the clock before my current E320cdi (2001).I collected it from the south of France.

Although the trim had seen better days it was the most comfortable and reliable car I had ever owned.Absolutely no rust.

On my advise my brother bought a Volvo 850 and I drove it for him from London to Derry. When I got out it's as if I hadn't driven at all it was so comfortable.

I agree with stumpy regarding the dealers (parts dept). They are often very helpful and less pretentious than Mercedes.

 

[NewMB]

Volvo dealers in my neck of the woods used to be a pile of C***. But after ownership change.... it was like night and day. Suddenly you were treated as a customer, not as a disturbance.

I do still keep in touch with my contact at the loacal Volvo place.

As we are now entirely OT, I must add that their new XC60 looks brilliant!

 

[NewMB]

Well I have the V70R 1999 and 300 bhp and the SL 230. the Volvo would outlive the MB with little trouble.

No problems with the auto box on the v70R and no rust, not one pin prick and superb seats.

I like driving the SL500 better but there is nothing wrong with the V70R and it has superb seats.

Maybe I should not try and compare the 2 they are not the same thing

The main problems was on the original T5-R (as in "T Yellow") that had huge problems with the torque. It would break the autotranny.

The later ones are ok.

It was only the last model that had the power restriction. In manual form, the V70 R had 300 Bhp and 400 Nm of torque. In auto... 300 Bhp and 350 Nm.

Since then, things have obviously changed.

 

[Sanny]

I am a long time Mercedes fan and owner. I had a 2003 E class estate which was a beautiful car but was the worst car I have ever owned. It was so bad that MB took it back after 12 months and 43 warranty claims (all proven).

It had two gearboxes, 3 torque converters, numerous brake problems and just about everything electrical go wrong. The customer service was absolutely appalling and I swore I would never buy another MB car. MB swapped it for a new M class, significantly upgrading me in the process.

This car has restored my faith in the marque being bombproof like MBs of old. The customer service has improved no end (at least locally). You pays your money and takes your choice. I know of at least 3 friends who bought 2003 E class's and all of them had problems. If you must buy a 2003 car buy the Volvo. Later model E classes are much better as MB appear to have stopped using owners to identify poor build and reinstated a proper process of quality ocntrol.

 

[roadhog]

Thanks for all the replies guys.
I went and looked at both cars but didn't buy either.
The Merc was nice but not especially well looked after or perhaps they don't wear well.
The Volvo was very nice but my other half didn't like the colour of the interior! Otherwise I'd have had that.
Back to the drawing board for now. I might have to leave the modern MB experience until the later models fall into my price range.

 

[stumpy]

What colour was the Volvo then?

 

[roadhog]

Silver.... Have a look for yourself. I think the interior goes very nice with the rest of the car. The pics don't really show that mind.

http://www.carlians.co.uk/vehicle-details.asp?intMax=&intMin=&RSPage=3&ID=483304

The common alternative is a very dark blue called Nordcap but I don't like that one. I much prefer lighter coloured interiors, my Saab is black leather and it's OK I guess, but in something this big I think it's way too dark.

 

[stumpy]

Looks nice. Beige is nicer than black everywhere. Carlians is very local to me and I have had a few dealings with them. Gavin has been very good to me before and I recommend them highly.

 

[NewMB]

Hm... Silver with Beige interior. Not my cup of tea either!

However, the car itself looks good.

They also did a blue interior (looks good, very deep blue...almost black) and a hiddeous Light Green Metallic.... urk!

 

[jhcun08]

You pays your money and takes your choice. I know of at least 3 friends who bought 2003 E class's and all of them had problems. If you must buy a 2003 car buy the Volvo. Later model E classes are much better as MB appear to have stopped using owners to identify poor build and reinstated a proper process of quality ocntrol.

Hi,
Just a note - My E320CDI is February 2004 (built Stuttgart I believe) now 40,000 miles without any problems at all (till my last MOT 2 weeks ago, when front lower ball joints needed replacing as a precaution - there was some obvious play).
So from personal experience 2004 onwards seems pretty good!