VOLVO S60 T5 or D5 FOR 6k?

[littleandy0410]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but those of you in the know - I'm looking at an S60 or a V70 D5, which gearbox is the one to go for, and what are the things to look out for besides what have already been mentioned?

I do closer to 20k a year, so the T5 isn't an option unfortunately!

[jimbobsimmonds]

K321 said:

my car if i was to sell it would probably go for under 4grand?? the car has been fine, have had alternator go, and shock absorbers went last week, but hey its got 201k miles on it and still going strong (auto|)(original turbo/gearbox/engine/)

if you got the d5 remapped for 300 quid you wouldnt notice the difference in power much at all

A mapped D5 owner at work thought this, and this wasn't the case... On the same logic you could get a T5 mapped and get it past the 300bhp mark...

The rest of the post I agree with other than I have never heard of engine problems on the T5...

[confused_buyer]

K321 said:

i have owned both. however you are looking at the wrong D5 . The D5 you have chosen is the one with 163bhp.. You want to be looking at the 185bhp Euro Version, with 295lbt. The D5 Euro spec with 185bhp, is a nippy car, as its got 295lbt of torquer it doesnt feel much slower than the T5 when driving.

The 185 is certainly a bit brisker, but it is noisier, less economical and less reliable than the earlier version so it is swings and roundabouts.

[S. Gonzales Esq.]

Specs of the various engine options here.

[kieranjholland]

I got rid of my Volvo T4 for an oil burner last year because of mileage - would highly recommend the D5 as a great car but if I was doing less mileage it would have to be the T5.

Enjoy

[davidjpowell]

I used to have an 04 V70 D5 so 163hp. It was an Auto and pretty much averaged 37 mpg.

I have just bought a 2001 T5 only had it 2 days, but it looking at about 30mpg at the moment. Given the difference in fuel cost, and your low mileage I would seriously consider T5...

[Seeker UK]

confused_buyer said:

The 185 is certainly a bit brisker, but it is noisier, less economical and less reliable than the earlier version so it is swings and roundabouts.

I've had a couple of 163BHP D5s and they're more than adequate. From 30mph+ they shift a bit. The 185s are apparently not as good on fuel.

[y2blade]

if fuel economy is no issue and having driven both, I'd go for the T5 personally

bear in mind a remapped D5 will perform as well as a T5

Edited by y2blade on Monday 28th February 08:31

[Adam205]

Seeker UK said:

I've had a couple of 163BHP D5s and they're more than adequate. From 30mph+ they shift a bit. The 185s are apparently not as good on fuel.

From our experiences the 185 is actually better on fuel. Used to average 43-44mpg in the 163 5spd Auto V70 and 45-46 in the 185 6spd Auto V70. Don't know about the manuals...

[off_again]

Only one thing I would say - comedy turning circle.....

[y2blade]

off_again said:

Only one thing I would say - comedy turning circle.....

yep

[jimbobsimmonds]

y2blade said:

yep

I hade a competition with this the other day:



Was bloody close...

[ad551]

If you can afford the fuel, go for the T5. I have a D5 because I'm tight.

[y2blade]

ad551 said:

If you can afford the fuel, go for the T5. I have a D5 because I'm tight.

aye...I'm half Scots

[Seeker UK]

Adam205 said:

From our experiences the 185 is actually better on fuel. Used to average 43-44mpg in the 163 5spd Auto V70 and 45-46 in the 185 6spd Auto V70. Don't know about the manuals...

I suspect that's a function of the better autobox. I know the manuals are not as good.

[K321]

add to say, both volvos the t5 i had and the d5 i have are/were both auto's. i could see today the d5 was doing 45mpg today on the mway doing 80mph. 80mph seems as if u are doing 50mph, as its so solid on the road..the t5 is a great car, i liked it, but like my saab turbo the mpg is awful..25mph at best

if u get the 18 rims, and 235 tyres like i have on mine, the turning circle is the worst ive ever encounted in a car, try doing 3 point turns or going round a small roundabout in one before you buy!

[.:ian:.]

Had a S60 D5 for 5yrs/60K miles and its been really very solid. Hardly spent any money except for servicing and consumables. As everyone has said, for only 4K miles per year, the T5 is a better bet. And £400 away from a 300bhp remap .
Get one with the most toys, SE at a minimum, upgraded sound system is a bonus, winter pack is nice.

At bit over budget, but fully loaded : http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Oh, and dont get one in "baby blue metallic" like you have linked above!

Edited by .:ian:. on Monday 28th February 16:33

[y2blade]

.:ian:. said:

Had a S60 D5 for 5yrs/60K miles and its been really very solid. Hardly spent any money except for servicing and consumables. As everyone has said, for only 4K miles per year, the T5 is a better bet. And £400 away from a 300bhp remap .
Get one with the most toys, SE at a minimum, upgraded sound system is a bonus, winter pack is nice.

At bit over budget, but fully loaded : http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Oh, and dont get one in "baby blue metallic" like you have linked above!

Edited by .:ian:. on Monday 28th February 16:33

I like the baby blue metallic

[JimexPL]

T5R+ said:

I would double check the 260bhp for the T5.

The last T5s were 2.4 litre, 260hp, and 6 speed. It was a smoother, more progressive engine than the 2.3 and is definitely the one to go for in this case. 30mpg isn't a problem on a run if you're sensible.

The dawn blue metallic isn't an ideal colour, but it does have the expensive soft leather seat/contrasting stitching option which are lovely to sit in.

When people talk about handling/steering feel on S60s, they forget that the car evolved throughout it's life.
The '05-'06 cars feel quite different to the '01-'02 cars, with the later cars having more precise and feel-some steering and more composed handling. They are better built from the '04 model year onwards also.

[Jon177]

Guys im having a nightmare choosing what to buy next.

I didnt go to the dealer to view the T5 today after some more research last night. I feel i choose the right car for my money and then find a review or some feedback on a forum that puts me right off. I am now seriously considering an ST220 at '03 upwards or a '04 plate Jaguar X-Type 3.0 Sport Manual with all the toys. What has really put me off the Volvo is one the turning circle but most of all i have read numerous people saying that the ride is very crashy over rough roads and a comparible mondeo soaks up bumps and potholes much better and is generally a better package. I have read soooo many threads on here today about 'ST220 vs ......' that i really can't discount one as the vehicle im looking for. The X-Type im looking at ticks all the boxes but when i go on the x-type sub forum of the jaguar forum its all doom and gloom with nearly every thread being a problem thread and owners having to spend fortunes on their cars to keep them on the road. A very different impression is given on this forum, saying how underrated the x-type is etc. I see nothing but good feedback for the ST220 with pretty much the only significant problems being they can spin a main bearing with low oil and the rear suspension bushes being prone to failure.

Sorry to go off topic but car buying is hard work!