Estate cars are rarely as cherished as their coupe or even saloon brethren. They're not often fast and, buying one secondhand, you have to be aware that at some point a small human has probably left something disgusting down the map pockets on the back of the front seats. There are fast estates – the BMW M5 Touring and the Audi RS2 come to mind, in a classic sense – but being fast isn't everything, as a classy estate is now a must-have in most marques' line-ups.
It wasn't always the case, as for years the estate was seen as slightly utilitarian. But then came the Volvo 240 and Mercedes W123 TE series – suddenly an estate car could be desirable. But which one is best? Let's take a closer look.
The Mercedes
The classic appeal of the Mercedes is obvious – it has lashings of chrome, a proudly displayed three-pointed star and an elegant yet functional form. It carries its bulk very well, and though it's an evolution of a three-box design, it's as charming on the eye as the rest of the W123 range.
These were expensive cars when they were new, but you really were getting a premium product. Body rot problems aside, the W123 is renowned for its ability to cover long distances reliably – they're still used as taxis across the globe. And while a lifetime as a taxi may not seem very exclusive, you have to remember that this was a car developed with no expense spared. That means the quality of the engineering is simply fantastic, and up there with the highest levels of Mercedes technical know-how.
That's reflected on the inside too; it's not Aston-level opulence but everything feels refined and well-put together. The seats are firm enough to keep you awake (as was intended by Mercedes) but soft and cosseting enough to make long journeys a joy. As for toys; well, if you had the money to spec it via the sizeable options list when new, you could have it – everything from air conditioning to airbags was an option at one point or another. It's all solidly built stuff too – the all-in-one indicator/lights lever is pleasingly heavy and clicks into place with reassuring 'chunk' noise.
This solidity is reflected in the engine options – all of them are capable of vast mileages, though in the case of the smaller-capacity units that will take you much longer. Specify an OM617 diesel engined variant and it will probably outlive you and provide sufficient heave to keep up with modern traffic. And if you fancy tuning it, you can aim for 600bhp and take it drifting like these enterprising chaps. That'd make a trip to the shops more fun.
However, if you've not got the stomach for becoming on first-name terms with a tyre fitter and drive the car as it was intended to be, you'll find it's a relaxing and comforting drive. It may not be the sharpest-handling car you'll ever drive but for carrying up to seven people around in refined comfort, it's all you'll need and a lot more.
This was the first official Mercedes estate and it's probably still the best they've done, in terms of reaching its brief. This was a car that doctors, architects and intellectuals clamoured for – and still do. Brain May, Queen guitarist, astrophysicist and perm enthusiast, swore by his for years. Even as the years rolled by and the luxury sheen had worn off, its sheer capability as a load lugger meant it was still highly regarded – you could probably live in the boot. There was a guy in Manchester who actually did in the Nineties.
Now it's getting the recognition it deserves in classic circles, as this exquisite ex-Jay Kay of Jamiroquai example shows.
Volvo 240 Estate
If the Mercedes was the backbone of the upwardly mobile middle classes, then the Volvo 240 was the rather more rational alternative – and the somewhat sore backbone of the antiques trade.
Although similarly priced to the Mercedes, it eschews the glamour of the Three Pointed Star for a much more pragmatic take on high-class family transport. Volvos had garnered a reputation for safety before the 240, but it was the tank-like looks and construction of this particular car that cemented that status. In fact, combine it with a catamaran on the roof and a caravan on the back (like this writer's parents regularly did) and it'll look like a mobile artillery unit. Instead of the lashings of chrome on the W123, huge rubber bumpers bookend the subtly stylish Volvo. It's not quite as elegant as the Merc, but through modern eyes its simple three-box design has a charm all of its own.
Step inside and it's rather more austere than the Merc – black plastic abounds and on some examples there's foam covering the door card. Your writer once spent a long trip to Cumbria dismantling this covering, rather than paying attention to the Lake District's spectacular vistas, much to the chagrin of my father. However, it's all solid stuff, and a 240 is comfortable place to be for long journeys.
The diesel engines are as strong as the build quality, though perhaps not quite as refined as the Mercedes equivalents. From memory motorways could be particularly deafening. But these units will last forever, if properly maintained, with many thousands of happy family motoring miles easily dealt with. Just don't expect rocketship performance – well, unless you take it drifting, like these guys.
For those of you not fantasising about a 240 vs 123 drift race – and why not? – the 240 isn't quite as pleasing to drive as the Merc; engineered for safety it's much more likely to understeer. It's a heavy and vague beast to manoeuvre, and fairly prone to wearing out forearms and clutches when reversing caravans onto pitches – just ask my dad. But it's not a sports car, and much of its appeal is because it isn't. It's as dependable and as loveable as a labrador (as common a 240 occupant as an antique kitchen dresser or six screechingly cheerful children plus one near-deaf parent) – and for that, we should cherish this faithful servant of families across the world. This fairly late-model one looks good value.
Summary
The Volvo is well-loved by its committed enthusiasts, but outside of that circle it's not reached the classic desirability. The very reasons for its popularity – pragmatism over the W123's idealism – are the reason why it's available so cheaply compared to its German rival. Both may not offer epic levels of thrust or Lotus Elise-esque cornering finesse, but they're more than just cars – they're firm family members, and both deserve to be respected and loved for that.
If you owned one, your parents had one or you use one now, let us know below – we'd love to see it.