by "Amoore100" (amoore100)
Published 04/07/2017 at 19:03
by "Amoore100" (amoore100)
Published 04/07/2017 at 19:03
Tags: Used Car Face-Off
; Peugeot
; Mercedes
; Volvo
STARS: 1
Saddled down with the aftermath of wisdom tooth surgery, I decided it felt like a good day to do a Used Car Face-Off.
Peugeot, Mercedes, and Volvo. Three European marques renowned for durability, quality, and reliability.
But wait, I hear you say, what about the 1007? The W203? The 440? Those were awful cars that can hardly be considered durable, reliable, or even respectable!
Ahh, but before those failures there were the three big estates that respectively defined the brand equity of these three European brands: the 505, the W123, and the 200 Series. Today, we take a look at these venerable haulers over the course of their two-decade lifespan and decide once and for all, which one deserves the reputation it made for itself. Sure, none have the pizzazz of their individual successors, the 405 Mi16, the 740 Turbo, and the 500E, but sometimes there’s something to be said for rugged steadfastness and longevity.
The first contestant: 1991 Peugeot 505 - $6,700
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Well, first off we have this Tardis of a Pug estate. It apparently hasn’t received the memo that it’s currently 2017 and wears 63K miles on its 2.2 petrol linked to what is likely the 4-speed ZF 4HP22 automatic. Barely any rust (if at all), seven pristine cloth seats, and period-correct steelies keep this giant lion looking just like the day it rolled off the line at Sochaux. Sure, the Douvrin is a bit lethargic in comparison to the turbocharged Simca plants, but I’d be more than willing to take this big Frenchie on a cross-country adventure tomorrow!
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The second contestant: 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300TD - $6,995
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If that Pug seemed to be a time-travelling wonder, then this Merc must be an immortal legend. At 288K miles on its OM diesel, this automatic Benz has somehow meandered the distance from the Earth to the Moon albeit very, very slowly. It looks no worse for the wear, however, and seems perfectly content to come all the way back at the same pace, gliding along with that elegant star at the front of its prow. Is it just too slow, even compared to the naturally aspirated PSA car, or do you appreciate its image and heritage?
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The third contestant: 1991 Volvo 240 - $6,495
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Settling in right between the Gallic and the Teuton is this Viking with 168K miles to its name. B23 Redblocks are never fast, but at least this one has a factory five-speed to help build momentum. The leather is just as plush as that seen in the Benz, but this socialist brick certainly doesn’t have the cachet of the Merc nor the esotericness of the Pug. Does it strike the right balance, though, between the stateliness of the German and the angular quality of the French?
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"just-a-scratch" (just-a-scratch)
04/07/2017 at 19:36, STARS: 1
I always liked the simple openness of the cabin of the 240. It’s friendly and easy to use.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
04/07/2017 at 20:30, STARS: 0
Having grown up in two 740s, I can attest to that.
"fintail" (fintail)
04/08/2017 at 01:38, STARS: 1
I’d usually pick the MB by default, but I think the numeric model nameplate is on the wrong side, which sets off alarms. That’s one clean brick, and I think those Pugs might have had a transmission Achilles heel.
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
04/08/2017 at 02:58, STARS: 0
They’re all astoundingly clean, but leave it to you to know which side the badging belongs on! Still, if it’s made it that far I wouldn’t call it a bad means of transportation by any metric, even if it is excruciatingly slow. The brick is very enticing with the five-speed, but with only 63K miles I might go with the Pug myself—it couldn’t break that quickly, could it? It ain’t no 604!
"fintail" (fintail)
04/08/2017 at 13:05, STARS: 1
I’d be more comfortable with either if they were a grand or two cheaper. If it passes a PPI, I’d probably still go with the 123. Nice colors on it, too. It may be slow as it is pre-turbo, but it will be adequate (traffic isn’t fast where I live) and probably not much slower than the others. It’s enough of a known entity for me that it doesn’t scare me.
There might be a reason the Pug only has 64K - I want to say they have a common fault, but maybe if it is addressed, it is good to go. Memory fails me, I recall either the gas or diesel 604 was the one to have, but keep away from the other. The Volvo being a manual might make it a chore to drive - I can’t imagine it is sporty. You could get a manual in Euro 126 or early 140 too, but I am not running out to import one :)
"Amoore100" (amoore100)
04/08/2017 at 13:26, STARS: 0
True, I have heard that life’s not so bad in the slow lane when you have a heathy OM clattering peacefully and an ornament at the end of a long bonnet! Plus, burgundy on tan is one of my favorite car colors. As for the Pug, well, it’s biggest fault is just parts availability in the USA. The 604 had the shitty early PRV or a notoriously hard to start diesel, so they were pretty bad either way—should have put a basic Douvrin in and called it a day. What I mean to say is that the manual 240 might help you out a bit to keep up in traffic, but it’s definitely more fun in the turbo 740 estate we had!
"Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction" (rustholes-are-weight-reduction)
04/08/2017 at 15:06, STARS: 1
Voted 505, but might be biased
"fintail" (fintail)
04/08/2017 at 15:52, STARS: 0
I’ve had the fintail for so long, slowish driving doesn’t get to me, and around Seattle, going the speed limit on the highway sometimes means you are moving faster than many. 0-60 in that car is around 12 seconds, if a 300D can do similar, it is fine. Same for the 240, it’s slow, but probably not 200D automatic slow, so it would be fine for city/suburban driving.
Did any period Pug have transmission issues? That sticks in my head for some reason.