Happy Friday, Autopians! We made it! Today on Shitbox Showdown, it’s finery versus fun as we look at a pair of coupes from the Continent. Before we go, though, let’s see which SUV you picked yesterday:
Holy crap! That’s the closest vote we’ve had in a while. But it looks like the burly old-school Ford wins it by a mere three votes. This was a bit of an apples-and-oranges comparison – two vehicles that look and seem similar but really aren’t.
And that’s what we’ve got today as well: two European coupes, as different as they are alike. Both suit different purposes and different personalities, but either one could be exactly the right car for someone out there. Let’s take a look.
1988 Mercedes Benz 300CE – $6,950
Engine/drivetrain: 3.0 liter overhead cam inline 6, four-speed automatic, RWD
Location: vancouver, WA
Odometer reading: 140,000 miles
Runs/drives? Yep
Once upon a time, before all that nonsense they’re up to now, engineers at Mercedes Benz were concerned with one thing and one thing only: quality. They spent eight years designing this car, the W124 platform, and it shows in all the little details: a silky-smooth inline six, slippery aerodynamics that cut wind noise, and that legendary “thunk” when you shut the door. It didn’t have to be ultra-luxurious, or jam-packed with technological gadgets; it just had to be excellent.
It’s a great looking car from just about any angle, especially compared to the overstyled blobs of today. It’s clean and timeless in that form-follows-function way that you don’t see much of today. Form still follows function in today’s cars, but part of that function is protecting its occupants from any chance of harm at the expense of things like outward visibility. You’ll find no such problems here: the 300CE is a pillarless hardtop. Roll down all four side windows, and you’re rewarded with wide uninterrupted openings.
This particular 300CE is in beautiful shape. It has 140,000 miles on it, barely broken-in for a W124, and the seller says it runs and drives well. Nothing lasts forever, but Mercedes of this era give it a good try. And mark my words: In the post-apocalyptic wastelands of the future, the most sought-after clothing will be made from recycled M-B Tex, and it will still look like new.
These 124 coupes are nowhere near as common as their sedan siblings, and finding one in this condition with this few miles is a treat. Sure, it’s not fast or particularly nimble, and its days as a status symbol are long gone, but it’s pleasant in that special way that only well-made things are.
1979 Volvo 242 DL – $4,999
Engine/drivetrain: 2.1 liter overhead cam inline 4, four-speed manual, RWD
Location: St Helens, OR
Odometer reading: unknown
Runs/drives? Sure does
And now we go from something sleek and aerodynamic to something… not. Yes, it’s everyone’s favorite brick, the Volvo 240, here in 242 two-door form. It’s another car renowned for longevity, but in a more brutalist style: no wind-tunnel smoothing or multi-link suspension systems here. Compared to the Mercedes above, this 242 is a glorified tractor.
And yet, there’s something about the looks of this car that resonates with people. Somehow all these rough-hewn elements combine in just the right way to balance each other out, and make a car that looks purposeful, but approachable. Volvo 240s aren’t pretty, but damn are they charismatic.
This particular 242 is a bit of a hodgepodge: the interior is parts of at least a couple of different cars, and that homemade plate with the toggle switches is intriguing. The Nardi steering wheel in place of the traditional Volvo rectangle-in-a-circle is a nice touch, as are the big round driving lights. It’s got the good stuff where it counts: a 2.1 liter “red block” engine with a four-speed manual (no overdrive, sorry), and the seller says it runs just fine. A host of newly-replaced parts are listed in the ad.
These Volvos get fixed-up piecemeal like this with such regularity that it’s hard to know what is and isn’t stock any more. But the good news is that parts are cheap and plentiful, and these cars aren’t hard to work on (except the heater blower fan motor, I’m told).
There you have it: a pair of Europeans with four doors between them. One is refined and smooth, the other rougher, but more fun. Which one is more your style?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
Love both of these but fell for the charm of the 3 legged dog Volvo
I was ready to give the Volvo a fair shake … heck, it’s almost a 262C, just like David Bowie had! … but one pic of that W124 interior sealed the deal. Make mine the Benz.
Mercedes for me… even if it has the slushbox. It just looks so much nicer and doesn’t have questionable things like a hodgepodge interior and 227,000 miles according to the ODO in one of the pics in the ad.
The reason I put “unknown” is because old Volvos are known to eat odometer gears. You basically can’t trust any reading after 100-150k. The seller knows this too, which is why they listed it as 999999, I’m sure.
They’re an easy fix, though – the plastic gear that strips can be had for $15-20 all day long on eBay. (Even if the reading isn’t accurate, I prefer my redblocks to have a working odometer.)
Let’s get one thing clear, even in terrible condition, W124s just aren’t shitboxes. They’re phenomenally well made cars, and god the CE is so pretty.
My first car was a not-at-all special E320 and I miss it nearly every day. My defining memory of that car was that you’d get light headed on a long drive if the windows were rolled up and the ac was off because the door seals were so damn tight. Also, reverse kuptted itself at some point, so I had to back into parking spots by driving up an incline of some sort.. thankfully garages have just enough of an incline it would roll out in the morning. But then, one day, about 20k miles into my ownership, it just started working again.
I was t-boned by a lifted jeep with 35s, and the door skins were barely dented. Of course, even when it was 20 years old, it had to be repaired by a certified Mercedes shop, and the entire car had to be repainted to match (per MB to allstate) so they totalled it on the paint alone. Wish I bought it back, but that’s life.
None of this is particularly relevant, but W124 always.
I voted Volvo, because I love anything Swedish, but I’d be delighted with either.
I do not think that a car (the 300CE) which is able to go 220km/h is not fast. My ’98 CLK320 should be able to go 240, but I never tried that (despite living in Autobahn-Land). 190 is fast for me, too.
That is a very cool Volvo, and hipsters will either nod their heads in respect or grind their teeth in envy every time they see you in it. A clean w124 coupe is so hard to beat though. I’d love to own one of those rolling bank vaults some day. That some day could easily be decades into the future, because the build quality and durability is that damn good. I’ll go full 80’s villain in the Benz for today.
I’m descended from a line of fine bricklayers.
And I’m loyal.
I’ll bet you thought you had us with the manual Volvo Mark…but alas, this is an easy win for the W124. While I’m not going to be one of those insufferable hipsters who can give you a diatribe on how THIS WAS WHEN MERCEDES MEANT SOMETHING, those folks aren’t wrong.
This era is peak modern Benz. Pretty much everything they were putting out around this time was resoundingly solid across the board. The attention to detail in these cars was off the charts. Absolutely every surface feels quality. The powertrains last forever. And even if they’re not head turners, the elegance is off the charts inside and out.
These vehicles exude class and sophistication. They’re real enthusiast’s cars and I’d entertain arguments that stuff like this represents peak luxury car. There’s a case to be made…just don’t be like that dude RCR interviewed about his Benz from this era. All hipsters are insufferable but German luxury car hipsters make me want to put my head through a wall…
Not sure if “survived the 1980 Mt. St. Helens volcano eruption” is a pro or a con for the Volvo…
(yes, assuming it was there in 1980)
BRB, checking prices on flights to the PNW to go pick up that Mercedes.
Tough call as both are good choices. The Volvo looks like “Let’s put together a bunch of cars to make one” vs the Merc’s “It has always been like this”.
If it were my money, the Merc.
Had to vote for the Merc: my very first car was a tan version of that with red interior. It occasionally leaked transmission fluid and some systems would howl like a banshee whenever one of the rubber bits in the vacuum system disintegrated from age and once I lost the windshield wiper during a snow storm (on the highway) and no one had that obscure size in stock, so I used socks. But it taught me a lot about actually taking care of a car, so I have fond memories too.
“When there was no wipers, we used socks.”
“You used socks?”
“We used socks.”
(From Raising Arizona)
So very Benz. I had to look very hard at those pics to find a flaw, and the one that I found was so minor (small split in a rear seat seam) that it would hardly qualify as a flaw in a car like this at this price. You can’t get a car to look that way by spiffing it up for sale – it has to be cared for over the entire journey. I’d imagine that applies to every facet of this Benz. Great car, priced right.
This Merc is the Bougie classic that David should have purchased for his Hollyweird stardom.
I actually said, “wow” out loud when I saw the interior of that Merc. Shame about the auto-box, but that’s a nice highway cruiser you got there
I owned a very similar Slovo 25 years ago. It was reliable as hell and a blast to drift in the snow.
But damn, this Merc is an absolute beauty. And it’s old enough that it won’t be a complete shit-show to repair. If I ever go crazy enough to drop coin on a luxury German uber-beater, this is a car that would entice me to do it.
I just scrolled up and looked at that interior again. I’m gonna need a tissue.
except it is not even really a beater, it is just too clean for that price. Mileage is scary I know for some, but it is actually quite low for a lightly driven example of that car.
Yeah this thing is just getting started. I’m glad it’s on the west coast because if it was within a few hours of me I’d be rolling up with a check this weekend…what a pristine example
Merc for me. Tho both of them are so irredeemably car-shaped, it’s hard not to love either of them. I wish modern cars didn’t look so stupid, I really do
You had me at pillarless.
Agreed, I still grump about his with the Challenger and Camaro.
Step 1: Are the cars in the contest better than a K-Car? Yes. Move to Step 2.
Step 2: Initially looking at the pic in the header I was thinking the Merc had to be beat to hell, so I’d prob go with the Volvo. Uh no. That is one clean looking Merc. Volvo’s a bit of a hodgepodge. Merc’s more expensive but I’d probably end up spending the difference in price cleaning up the Volvo to how I’d want it.
Merc. Better than a K-Car.
Man, you’re like a dog with a chew toy with this K-car thing…
Squeaky chew toy at that.
Absolutely. K-Cars are the worst.
And I thought maybe it was Saab bias. 😉
I guess my choice isn’t a surprise to anyone.
Look, I love a Volvo just as much as the next guy, but that Benz can’t be beat. It still looks like a million bucks and it’ll run for a million miles.
The 124 is neither diesel nor manual: nope.
242 by a mile-especially with those glorious driving lights proudly projecting
I could go for either of today’s cars, but finally picked the CE because every W124 I ever drove was either wonderful or better, and I love the looks. They handle pretty well, and are great mile-eaters. Can’t fault that inline-six under the hood….
On top of that, the Merc looks as if it has received better care than the Volvo over the years, and that counts for a lot. Either that, or it has been spiffed-up by the best detailer in the Lower 48, or maybe anywhere.
Only Volvo 240s and cockroaches, will survive the apocalypse. Plus you can haul a small town in that trunk.
The Mercedes 123 waves a hand
So do about 10 million GM sedans with a 3800.
or plenty of GMT trucks with the TBI 350 or 5.3 pre AFM/DFM. the latter will be rusted to crap, but they will still move if asked of them.
My GM with 3800 is rusted to crap. The bottom of the fender just behind the wheel is flapping in the breeze. But it still avoids tow trucks like the plague.
I had a 85 squarebody pickup that I once repaired by the side of the road with only a screwdriver and a pocketknife… A poorly-routed heater hose spring a leak near a connector. Unscrew clamp, cut off bad bit of hose, re-attach and tighten the clamp. Engine and drivetrain were unkillable, despite uncountable previous owners’ attempts. Rust was finally claiming the frame and doorframe structures, and it had to go off to the scrapyard — and the tow operators were already ticking off just how many good parts there still were to keep others of its kind on the road as they picked it up.
And Miatas. They are the bedbugs of the apocalypse.