RE: Volvo V40 T5: Review
Discussion
s m said:
I'd always pick a car with a sunroof if I had the choice - I like aircon too though. All three of my cars have a sunroof
Agreed! I have specifically just chosen my 2007 Focus ST3 WITH a sunroof. I'd also like to point out this engine is IDENTICAL to the one in my ST3, same layout, airbox everything - only it says Volvo on it now. Can't honestly say I would choose a Volvo over the Mercedes AMG at that level of money, however, I do like the "Tired of German techno, try some Swedish metal..." type advert.
The Volvo does look pretty unique, and is fairly smart. But am in total agreeance with earlier posters - where is the Polestar version???!
In response to previous comments, as an owner of a Ford Focus ST with the 2.5 5 cylinder engine I can easily see why Volvo continue to make this engine. It is VERY flexible, has very good in-gear acceleration, is capable of very big mileages in standard tune, is very refined in normal use and best of all, provides an excellent sound track when using the performance.
Yes it is thirsty, and as a private buyer I have to pay my own fuel bills. However, as someone who tends to keep their car for a long time, I would much rather own a slightly thirsty petrol compared with the potential horrors than can afflict modern Diesel engines, e.g. DPF, failed regeneration, 'making oil', injector failure...
Outside Europe, where priorities are different (and fuel cheaper) there is strong demand for both this and the T6 engine (improved from what was available in the XC90).
What pleases me is that amidst all the run of the mill diesel offerings, Volvo have actually offered this engine in the UK; a market where we are happy to spend 30+k on a car but worry about MPG and RFL (fair enough if you do big mileage).
I have looked at the V40 Cross Country version with this engine and AWD as it rides better (without much loss in handling) and has AWD (useful round Lincolnshire lanes in the winter) but the major sticking point (as is increasingly the case with Volvo) is price. The OTR with a few choice options is nearly £38k!
I know that it is normally possible to get serious discounts off a Volvo but I do think that Volvo need to seriously reconsider their pricing strategy in the UK to make their vehicles appear more competitive. In my view the car reviewed is more a £26-28k car in standard trim.
Yes it is thirsty, and as a private buyer I have to pay my own fuel bills. However, as someone who tends to keep their car for a long time, I would much rather own a slightly thirsty petrol compared with the potential horrors than can afflict modern Diesel engines, e.g. DPF, failed regeneration, 'making oil', injector failure...
Outside Europe, where priorities are different (and fuel cheaper) there is strong demand for both this and the T6 engine (improved from what was available in the XC90).
What pleases me is that amidst all the run of the mill diesel offerings, Volvo have actually offered this engine in the UK; a market where we are happy to spend 30+k on a car but worry about MPG and RFL (fair enough if you do big mileage).
I have looked at the V40 Cross Country version with this engine and AWD as it rides better (without much loss in handling) and has AWD (useful round Lincolnshire lanes in the winter) but the major sticking point (as is increasingly the case with Volvo) is price. The OTR with a few choice options is nearly £38k!
I know that it is normally possible to get serious discounts off a Volvo but I do think that Volvo need to seriously reconsider their pricing strategy in the UK to make their vehicles appear more competitive. In my view the car reviewed is more a £26-28k car in standard trim.
PunterCam said:
Totally. Sunroofs aren't for air, they're just so lovely on a warm summers day, or a cold and bright winter morning. My current car is the first I've owned in ten years of driving without a sunroof, and I really miss it.
I really miss a sunroof on my CTR, nearly every car I have owned has had a sunroof. Apart from being more enjoyable when actually driving, I used to leave the sunroof open when parked at work on hot days which prevented the inside of the car turning into an oven.I own a D3 R Design as a company motor, picked it up two weeks ago, it's great - I preferred it to all of it's immediate rivals and it feels and looks very solidly put together, I think your selling the V40 short looking at the T5 which I will admit, is useless, look further down the range at more realistic engines for every day folk and I think you'll be impressed. The only gripe I have with mine is the steering feel is lacking a bit (just like all Volvos really), but it's not a sports car so I can forgive it that.
gdelargy said:
When buying my new daily runabout in April I specifically hunted down a car with a sunroof. First car I've had in years that had one, and all the better for it. Lots more light in the cabin (even when it's closed if you get a glass one), fresh air... what's not to like? Thank gawd there's people like Tomatogti, so that a few years down the road I can get the benefit in the used car market. Cheers, Mr T!
+1Funny thing journalism isn’t it? Constructing an argument to suit your needs seems to be the main objective.
Of the Volvo V40 Matt Bird said “Without a single option, the T5 R-Design is £31,390, which places it squarely against that BMW and the Audi S3 Sportback is expected at around that price too. A five-door Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance is £3,000 cheaper if not quite as fast. To compound the Volvo's problems, our test car came with options such as a £1,000 sunroof that pushed the total cost to £38,115. That's A45 AMG money.”
What he fails to point out is that the A45 AMG starts with a near £40k price tag and options then quickly push the bill up towards £45k. So not similar money at all then but about £6-7k cheaper!
Of the Volvo V40 Matt Bird said “Without a single option, the T5 R-Design is £31,390, which places it squarely against that BMW and the Audi S3 Sportback is expected at around that price too. A five-door Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance is £3,000 cheaper if not quite as fast. To compound the Volvo's problems, our test car came with options such as a £1,000 sunroof that pushed the total cost to £38,115. That's A45 AMG money.”
What he fails to point out is that the A45 AMG starts with a near £40k price tag and options then quickly push the bill up towards £45k. So not similar money at all then but about £6-7k cheaper!
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