E90 320D or Volvo S40 D5 R-Design 2.4d?

[Jordan63]

Talk to me,

Currently got a 59 plate e90, opportunity to swap for an 08 plate S40 in blue with anthracite wheels. My E90 has 99k on it & is Barbera red (Read purple). Volvo has 73k.

In love with it but can't decide whether or not it's worth the hassle.

Ps, I'm not a newbie, had a login a few years back but forgotten it, sorry.

[RobM77]

Handling is the main difference (the BMW is in a different league to the Volvo), so I guess it depends how high that is on your priority list. I predict this thread will either deteriorate into a RWD vs FWD debate or bring out the diesel haters who think the engine makes all the difference to cornering enjoyment :-) Hopefully I've got in before that with some common sense

[Jordan63]

Hmm. I like the E90 but I've just got, in my opinion, a naff colour & I can't click with it.

Here's mine:



And the Volvo..



For reference I do 20-25k per annum, 30 mile commute 5-6 days a week, and a trip from Norfolk to Derbyshire once a month, and lots of other trips on A/B roads in between.

I just find the Volvo so much more aesthetically pleasing, can't fault my 3 series apart from its looks!

Jordan

[Jordan63]

Any more thoughts on this? I'm very undecided.

Pro's for the Volvo (IMO)-
Colour
Interior
Less common
22k less miles

Cons -
Worth less
Slightly less MPG
Higher tax
08 plate whereas the E90 is 59.


Pro's for the E90 -
Newer
I've already got it - less hassle - no plate to change over
Cheap tax
Decent economy

Cons -
99k on it - I worry about the N47 chain issue constantly
Common
BMW stigma attached
It's purple.


I'm still very much on the fence about what to do, I'm reluctant to go and view without at least some certainty of what I want to do, as I know I'll be more likely to make as split second decision whilst at the dealership & act like a child in a toy shop!

[triggerh4ppy]

N47 had some modifications made to the engine design around 2009 so that should help with you timing chain worries.

In my opinoin they are two very different cars. I personally would be different and go for the volvo as youll prob get more for your money. I think the volvo is maybe a little more practical also with a larger boot (I think). And you will be getting more performance with the volvo.

Depends what you want a bit of premium badge show offery or practicality?

[dbdb]

I would keep the BMW. I like the colour- it is pleasing and distinctive, though the Volvo is also a decent colour to my eyes.

I have never driven the Volvo so I can't comment on how they drive. I have quite a bit if experience of the E91 3 series (albeit the 325i) and they drive very well with very satisfying handling. I can't imagine the Volvo handles better.

My only gripe about the 320d from driving them as a loan car a few times when ours was serviced is that the 4 cylinder diesel engine is a gruff thing which wasn't rewarding to listen to at all. The 320d has reasonable perforamnce though. The Volvo's engine may better it, but I have never driven one.

Personally I prefer the BMW. I think it looks better, and the colour suits it. Your car looks to be in better condition on the photos than the Volvo does. In any event, in my view, the Volvo is not sufficiently different to warrant a change - unless you really can't live with the colour of course!

[BoRED S2upid]

Big fan of the R Design volvos it does look so much nicer than the BMW.

[Jordan63]

Everyone I've asked so far has commented on how they're completely different cars, yet physically virtually the same car.

I'm not fussed about the fact the E90 is a BMW, I like the fact the Volvo is a bit different & you don't often see the R-Design S40 in comparison to a 320D.

I've had the BMW 3 months now and coming from a remapped Vectra C it felt like a nice, wise upgrade.

I just haven't really 'Clicked' with it - I thought the colour would grow on me - it hasn't. I also changed the awful grey interior to black, which looks ten times better but it's just not 'Wowing' me, which I appreciate it's an 8.5 grand car, but to me that's a fair whack at my age.

I just like the fact the Volvo is a bit different, and much nicer looking.

Still can't bloody decide!

[Basil Hume]

I think the D5 lump (even in 185PS form) would be a step-up despite the lower day-to-day MPG, but you'd probably need to drive the S40 to see whether you prefer it to your current car. Compared to the 3-, I expect it would feel very neutral and solid - perhaps less agile.

[va1o]

I don't see why you'd do that swap unless it was freeing up a significant amount of cash? Reality is however you dress it up the BMW is the better car by quite some margin. S40 is just a saloon Focus really.

[gaz1234]

Volvo

[Steviehay2505]

How uncanny. Just been doing research on Volvo s40 rdesign and I spot this forum. I now own this exact Volvo and what a car it is!! I too went from a bmw to this. Not by choice I might add. I was knocked off the road by a careless driver and wrote the bmw 320d msport off. I then spotted this exact car on auto trader and had to have it. She has got such a beautiful grumble and is more economical than my bmw was. Don't get me wrong the 320d was amazing but this car is exciting and a thrill to drive. It's not all about name.

[RobM77]

triggerh4ppy said:

Depends what you want a bit of premium badge show offery or practicality?

Steviehay2505 said:

It's not all about name.

Jordan63 said:

Common
BMW stigma attached
It's purple.

This place is turning into Mumsnet by the day! If you look past the image and the colour or how 'common' they are , mechanically you've got two fundamentally very different cars. The Volvo has its engine sideways with gearbox and diff up front and front wheel drive, whereas the BMW has its engine lengthways, gearbox between the two front occupants' and diff and drive to the rear. What that means is they will both drive completely differently. Surely that has to factor in somewhere, this being Pistonheads...

[anonymous-user]

The 5 pot diesel in the volvo is so, so much nicer and more characterful than the tedious 4 banger in the BMW. Very different character to the rest of the car too, I'd say a test drive is essential.

[RobM77]

dme123 said:

The 5 pot diesel in the volvo is so, so much nicer and more characterful than the tedious 4 banger in the BMW. Very different character to the rest of the car too, I'd say a test drive is essential.

[Debaser]

I'd get the BMW.

[Axionknight]

The Volvo wont drive as well being a basic FWD, I'm not sure how important that is to you, though. I had a C30 on the same platform and it was a good car, competent enough when pressing on but boring an uninvolved - a very good car though, it never let me down once in 5 years and 85,000 miles.

The D5 is a good engine, it can sound a tad gruff under hard driving but it's plenty torquey/powerful - test drive it I say!

Smashing colour too, and the seats in the C30/S40/V50 R Design are excellent.

EDIT: wow, mega thread ressurection and I didn't notice, duh me.

[TheJimi]

In terms of driving enjoyment, it comes down to chassis / drivetrain (BMW) versus engine (Volvo)


Me? I'd go for the Volvo. That D5 lump is an absolute cracker and sounds far better than a diesel has any right to.

[BGarside]

The colour of the BMW doesn't matter when you're driving the car! Anyway it's a much more interesting colour than the usual photocopier salesman grey/silver/black.

I'd test drive the Volvo then go with whichever is best to drive.

I get a feeing the Volvo won't be as economical as the Beemer, or as well-balanced, but the engine will probably sound more interesting, but these things might not matter to you if the colour is the major issue