mercedes v volvo loadluggers

a really middle aged threrad here.... my Volvo estate is costing an arm and a leg to keep running so it's time to change, for a 3-4 year old big diesel. in one corner we have the Merecdes E320 or 270 estate. in the other we have the Volvo XC90. The Merc is a better drive, more comfortable, faster, marginally more economical and I can easily get 3 mountain bikes on the roof. the Volvo hits all my urban 4x4 guilt/contempt buttons and needs a ladder to get near the roof but does have 7 seats, which would often come in handy as our kids seem to turn up welded to other kids these days and we end up ferrying them round in two cars. both get good reviews online, so it's a tough call. has anyone owned either and have a view on their day to day merits/problems?

 

Saab LOL

 

not recently, but have whatever you want/need ....

just a few thoughts;

1) my brother maintains mercedes are the cheapest to run (of anything) as they depreciate less...so that loss is negligable when you cme to part company.
(hes just swapping a volvo estate for an big audi...he told me at xmas ....but thats a company lease scheme)

2) we had a volvo for many years 1971-1985...an old 145 estate. The hting did end up a collander (rust proofing in those days wasn't what it is now) but they do have a reputation for tenacity.

 

E class seems to make the most sense from what you've said. Why no 5 series though? Comfortably the best car in its class in its previous and current iterations (assuming you can cope with the styling of the E60).

 

I drove the volvo today and thought it was OK but nothing special - it's really only the extra seats that are useful; will probably wait for a merc to come up at the right price. hadn't really thought of a 5 series - thought they were quite a bit smaller?

 

I worked for a Merc dealership for ages followed by a short stint at Volvo so Ive had plenty of experience with both. Unless 7 seats are really really needed Id go for a E320CDi any day. The 270 is, if I remember correctly, is the 5 cyl model, bout 170ish bhp?? I found this to be one of the weaker merc engines, being quite gruff and an 'on or off' delivery. The 320 is a beast. Not too bad running costs wise though the big services get high. Saying that, I'd find a decent specialist who charges less than the £70 per hr main dealers charge. Problems wise; pretty solid, not your classic merc build but find a face-lifted Avantgarde and its a nice motor. Only other major problem was with the gearbox so always have a decent test drive.

Didnt like the Volvo at all, thought it was slow, dull, poor handling and expensive to run. Still, if thats your thing they are quite well built, hold their money and are no doubt safe.

 

Thanks T-Bone - that's really useful

 

Im running an e270 avantgarde right now as a temperory company car - whilst I feel 20 yrs older (I swear my hair goes that bit greyer as soon as I sit in it!) - It is a lovely car. I dont like the auto box (you have to wait a while for the engine to respond to the pedal hitting the metal!).

Im waiting for my 3 series tourer to arrive, but that would be too small for your needs. good luck.

 

When I want to carry large awkward things I use a Montego estate.

I sh1t you not, it like an F'in tardis !

Granted its not in the same league, and physically a smaller car, but as there is little or no sound proofing, or other things that take up internal space, you can move so much shit !

 

Midlifecrisis,

make sure you buy a merc that was made in late 2004 onwards because the later models are galvanised. Earlier models suffer from rust. I'm not kidding.

The 320 engine is a beast. Its got to be the merc over the volvo.

Will,

why not BMW?

Image!

 

Well the image of the other cars in question is hardly fantastic either, when you think about it - the E class is regarded in most cirtcles as either a grandad mobile and/or chain-of-corner-shop owners vehicle of choice.

Then we have the Volvo XC90 - a massive 4x4 which from the sounds of it will get a lot use on the school run! Chelsea tractor anyone? :SLEEP: Drive the bimmer and people might think you're a tosser...but maybe they'll think the same if you drive the Volvo.

 

I think I'll stick with my old mans car. Although it has to be said that the image of the 5 series is much better than that of the 3 series. Much less wannabe.

 

What about the 1 series? Awful car.

James, consider yourself lucky you don't live around here. Even you'd be rather embarrassed to be associated with the vast number of idiot 3 series drivers on the roads.

Luckily, your car is getting to the age where it is deemed to be more of a 'classic' and not driven as a lease car by a sales rep/estate agent so you escape the image problem. For example I could tell you of how the estate agent who lives opposite used to pull away doing huge wheelspin/tailslides with smoke pouring off the tyres in his 330i getting up to speeds of well over 40 miles an hour in our short residential street as children rode their bikes in the opposite direction. It was a regular occurence. I've never seen that from a merc or a volvo driver. one doesnt have to look too hard to see where the reputation comes from.

Anyway, when I get a Mercedes SL in a couple of years then you really will be able to call me an old man.

 

The Merc must be incredibly comfotable to beat the Volvo (I've never been in the Merc). Volvo seats are amazing.

 

I wasn't joking about the Saab a 9-5 estate it's cheaper than the Merc or Volvo, holds as much, is better equipped and I found it to be a better drive, it's safer than them too and cheap to run as it uses quite a few GM parts.

I've had mine a while now and I must say it's impressed me. Also the seats in a Saab are without equal AFAIK so ner!!!

 

Neil, I know at least 6 BMW 3 series drivers and none of them drive like that the lunatic you describe. I really don't want to get into this argument but I don't think bad drivers with small non-functioning willies necessarily all buy BMWs. I remember seeing a documentary on BBC2 a few years ago about how sales reps drove their Vectras and their attitudes to other drivers with lesser badge would scare most drivers, including some that drive BMWs.

Anyway back on topic, I'd go for the 5 series (I bet that surprised you).

A cheaper alternative could be the Passat, another well built car.

 

I really don;t think the 5 series estate is a match for the E class in terms of space and passenger comfort. The BMW is nowhere near as big and the loading is much more difficult. The 5 is a better drivers car no doubt and I think it;s fair to say built a bit better, but it's not the practical choice.

 

I'd agree that the BMW is a better drive and the Mercedes has a better load carrying capacity but in terms of comfort I think they are quite close.

 

With seats folded:

XC90: 1837 litres
V70: 1641
E-class: 1910(!!!)
5 series: 1650
Skoda Octavia: 1620
A6 Avant: 1660
Passat: 1731
Accord: 1707
Legacy (just for will ): 1649

My choice: Accord i-CTDi

 

Honda NSX? Ok, a bit aged now but boring? Never. apologies for the off topic but it's one of my favourites.