Volvo RWD 200 Forum

Had a 142 and a 245.
I then switched to a W116 (240D)
then a W123 (240D)
a C126 (380 SEC)(beautiful car, but far too complex!)
another W123 (240D)
850
and finally a 1977 242 with 66,000 miles.

The 300D is subject to a casting crack near the #5 cylinder
and that problem can be masked by the turbo. The 240D uses
the European climate control system, the 300D uses the gen.
1 & gen. 2 Chrysler system. The gen. 1 system is made by
Chrysler and is about to break. The gen. 2 is identical to
the gen. 1, the only difference is that it has already broken.
Very, very expensive.

My opinion is that the old Volvo ('93 & older bricks) will last
as long as the 240D, and possibly longer than a 300D. The critical
factor is maintenance.

My 240D with a new factory engine got in a wreck. Found a donor
with 116,000 miles, but the engine was destroyed. Turns out the
entire car was wasted. From what I gather, Mom, & Dad bought the
car new when the baby was born. When the baby turned 16 they gave
him the 240D. In short order he absolutely destroyed the car.
Just like any other car they must be maintained and not abused.
That kid broke everything! It was totally hammered! That kid broke
things on that car that just could not be broken!

I had a five year old 142. Loved that car, but had to have a Porsche.
Hated the Porsche, and then really upgraded to a BMW (BIGGER MISTAKE!)
Is that "Bring More Water", or "Bad Motoren Werken"? Ever paid $1,600
for what you thought was a routine oil change. Don't ask....

I just bought the '77 242 last month. In my opinion, there is no
finer car than the '72 - '77 Brick.
BTW...the '95 850 is for sale. Very nice car, but could it ever compare
to the Bricks?

The 300D is easy to work on, the 240D even easier, but a monkey could
work on the old Volvos. Now if the 242 just came with a diesel, had
a five speed with an electric overdrive (6 speeds total), Recaros, racing
harness, rear headrests, bypass filter, pre oiler, pre heater....

-Rick