Tessa403
05-08-2006, 04:01 PM
Introduction
Wagons aren’t generally looked upon favorably by motoring enthusiasts. Like any compromised product, they are treated with more than a little disdain by the purists of the world.
The Mercedes Benz 300TE is not a new comer. We’ve sampled the excellent W124 Wagon chassis in wagon form before. The previous car was powered by the 2.3 four and while adequate, it hardly sent the pulse racing. That’s been replaced by a 3.0 ltr six and to say it transforms the car is an under statement.
Volvo’s 740 Turbo wagon is nothing new to these shores either but buyer acceptance has ensured that demand has remained high. The Volvo is a big car and in terms of metal per dollar is more than a match for the Benz.
The wild card is all this is the Magna Wagon. The Mitsubishi represents the most European flavor in any of the locally made wagons, and the VN and EA not withstanding it’s as near as dammit to being the best. If it sounds like a weird comparison, consider the price … The Magna is about 1/3 the price of the Benz.
Performance
Mercedes Benz
3.0 ltr 6 cylinder
4 spd auto
0-60 km/h
4.7
0-80
6.7
0-100
9.5
0-120
13.2
60-100
5.2
80-120
6.5
400 meters
17.1 (142km/h)
Volvo
2.3 4cylinder turbo
4 spd auto
0-60
4.3
0-80
7.4
0-100
10.2
0-120
15.0
400 meters
17.21 (132km/h)
60-100
6.71
80-120
9.39
Magna
2.6 4 cylinder
4 spd auto
0-60
4.9
0-80
7.7
0-100
11.4
0-120
17.7
400 meters
18.0 (122 km/h)
60-100
6.8
80-120
7.7
Conclusion!
There were no surprised faces when the Benz come up comprehensively trumps. Unfortunately the price tag can’t be ignored and the Benz remains firmly entrenched in a dream for most of us. The real upset came when we decided our 2nd preference. Despite a price difference and all that a European design implies, the Volvo was comprehensively beaten by the Magna on nearly every count. The Volvo offers more interior space and the option of 7 seats but apart from that, the Magna is the better car. It’s quieter, smoother and generally more civilized and in our opinion would be easier to live with in the long term.
Certainly there is nothing nasty in the Volvos dynamics, but it neither does it inspires you like the Benz or quietly get on with the job like the Magna. If you’ve got the money buy the Benz, if not buy the Magna.
Wagons aren’t generally looked upon favorably by motoring enthusiasts. Like any compromised product, they are treated with more than a little disdain by the purists of the world.
The Mercedes Benz 300TE is not a new comer. We’ve sampled the excellent W124 Wagon chassis in wagon form before. The previous car was powered by the 2.3 four and while adequate, it hardly sent the pulse racing. That’s been replaced by a 3.0 ltr six and to say it transforms the car is an under statement.
Volvo’s 740 Turbo wagon is nothing new to these shores either but buyer acceptance has ensured that demand has remained high. The Volvo is a big car and in terms of metal per dollar is more than a match for the Benz.
The wild card is all this is the Magna Wagon. The Mitsubishi represents the most European flavor in any of the locally made wagons, and the VN and EA not withstanding it’s as near as dammit to being the best. If it sounds like a weird comparison, consider the price … The Magna is about 1/3 the price of the Benz.
Performance
Mercedes Benz
3.0 ltr 6 cylinder
4 spd auto
0-60 km/h
4.7
0-80
6.7
0-100
9.5
0-120
13.2
60-100
5.2
80-120
6.5
400 meters
17.1 (142km/h)
Volvo
2.3 4cylinder turbo
4 spd auto
0-60
4.3
0-80
7.4
0-100
10.2
0-120
15.0
400 meters
17.21 (132km/h)
60-100
6.71
80-120
9.39
Magna
2.6 4 cylinder
4 spd auto
0-60
4.9
0-80
7.7
0-100
11.4
0-120
17.7
400 meters
18.0 (122 km/h)
60-100
6.8
80-120
7.7
Conclusion!
There were no surprised faces when the Benz come up comprehensively trumps. Unfortunately the price tag can’t be ignored and the Benz remains firmly entrenched in a dream for most of us. The real upset came when we decided our 2nd preference. Despite a price difference and all that a European design implies, the Volvo was comprehensively beaten by the Magna on nearly every count. The Volvo offers more interior space and the option of 7 seats but apart from that, the Magna is the better car. It’s quieter, smoother and generally more civilized and in our opinion would be easier to live with in the long term.
Certainly there is nothing nasty in the Volvos dynamics, but it neither does it inspires you like the Benz or quietly get on with the job like the Magna. If you’ve got the money buy the Benz, if not buy the Magna.