Volvo V50 - The worst car I have ever owned? Or is it me?

[Johnny8718]

Hi All.

I have owned four Volvo's now.

1. XC70 2.5 SE LUX
2. C70 Collection 2.0T
3. V40 1.8 (forgive the choice - I know)!!
4. Currently my V50 2.0 D SE LUX

1, 2 and 3 - great. That's why I bought a 4th.

However. I am pi**ed off with silly little electrical faults and other parts failing.

Clutch gone (dual mass flywheel) £700.

Rear shock absorbers (can't source spurious parts - dealer only) £300.

Bearings, injector seals, rough running when cold, the list goes on.

Some days the car won't lock.

Some days the odd door refuses to open (especially if it is parked near another Volvo).

Some days the windows refuse to work.

Now don't get me wrong. The car has done 120,000 miles which is high whatever anyone says. However it has a good history and most people will tell you that this is 'nothing' for a Volvo. Furthermore My V40 and XC70 had done similar mileage and were absolutely bullet proof.

Only Monday, the car develops the dreaded BRAKE FAILURE and IMMOBILISER warnings. Wife stranded as the car won't start. I think I have traced it to a loose connection on the CEM which (touch wood) has cost me nothing to fix. However my wife is a full time foster carer and needs a reliable car. On Monday she had a two week old baby with her and was stranded when the car ironically told her to STOP SAFELY and then proceeded to just cut out! This is becoming a car that we love to look at, love to drive, but are frightened to go out in, in case it decides to f**k up again. Don't get me wrong. When the car is working it is lovely - BUT.

I have an MGTF for work. It cost me £500. It NEVER misses a beat. I then spend £7K on a V50 - bordering on liability!

I never thought that I would be typing this about one of my beloved Volvo's but I am beginning to think that I would be better off getting rid. Did Volvo make the car too clever? Did Volvo add too many sensors and gadgets? the threads on this and many other forums are cringe-worthy. Tales of owners going back and forth to the dealer. Trying countless numbers of parts and throwing money at the car only to find that the fault STILL isn't completely solved.

To top it all, I suggested that my neighbour buy a Volvo at around the same time I bought this. Oh no! 1.6D S40. An absolute money pit and much of the same.

I was a mechanic some years ago and class myself as a good DIY'er. Dare I say that I am actually considering cutting my losses and buying something less technical. Something that has less chance of going wrong and something that I can figure out (or a garage for that matter).

Does anyone else feel the same or is it just me?

Thanks, John.