Talk to me about Volvos

[thatsprettyshady]

We are looking for a reliable estate car to replace a Mini Cooper S, for about 5k.

I have had a browse and come across Volvos and there are quite a few out there, we definitely want an largish estate so V60/V70 but are there any specs to aim for/avoid?

I don't do massive mileage so not fussed about petrol or diesel, must have a decent turn of speed but I have my other car for that sort of stuff (although a 1.6 estate car strikes me as underpowered so that's out) and just want something that's reliable, comfortable and has a couple of toys for comfort etc.

TIA

[DoubleD]

What about a Mondeo estate?

[covmutley]

Really like a Volvo! Weve got a D5 xc60 now. I've had a D5 V70 and a 2.4 petrol V50.

Their not exciting, but they are very comfortable, very dependable and with great sound systems as standard.

[elanfan]

Volvo top the reliability surveys jointly with Kia (yes really!).

I’ve had a V50 D5 R Design 2.4 180 bhp for 11 years. Never let me down once(apart from a battery dying in really cold weather) Quick car 0-60 in 7.6 secs top end 144mph.

I’ve a Motability XC70 2.4 D5 217bhp. Geartronic when you shifypt riptide into sport mode it goes surprisingly well. Shocks a few people.

Also got a V40 1.5 petrol think it’s about 160 odd bhp 0-60 is about 8 seconds quickish for a small engined car.

All have been reliable all look like new. Throw a cheap private plate on and no one would know. Highly recommended by me.

Edited by elanfan on Sunday 14th June 09:14

[heisthegaffer]

Not what you're after but our V40 T3 1.6 turbo (150bhp) is quick enough, very economical... Done a couple of French road trips 45mpg+

Lovely air con, good sounding stereo. Discovered yesterday that I can stream Spotify from my phone... Only had the card 2 and a bit years!

Feels very well build, lovely gearbox.

It is a little small so reckon in next year or so we'll have to think about what we do. I fancy a V60, maybe 2.0 turbo

[dmsims]

Did 150K in a V70 2.5T

Was a great car, auto boxes benefit from a fluid change at ~100K

Fantastic seats and practicality that laughs in the face of "so called" SUV's

[VR99]

I'm also looking at changing my car later this year and the V40 is really appealing. I've only been in a D2 variant but it felt quicker than the stats suggest, full leathers and the cabin was a very nice place to be, the interiors of other alternatives don't seem to be a patch on the Volvo. My only gripe is there are significantly less petrol autos Vs diesel autos and this is reflected in the higher used prices esp for the T3 variant.

[DoubleD]

dmsims said:

Did 150K in a V70 2.5T

Was a great car, auto boxes benefit from a fluid change at ~100K

Fantastic seats and practicality that laughs in the face of SUV's

Whats practical in a car varies from 1 person to the next. For some an estate car is more practical, for others it will be an SUV thats better.

[dmsims]

DoubleD said:

for others it will be an SUV thats better.

Name one

[DoubleD]

dmsims said:

DoubleD said:

for others it will be an SUV thats better.

Name one

What, name an SUV?

[LargeRed]

I had the V70 'hearse' it was brilliant !

Built a towbar mount spare wheel carrier for it, as once you loaded it up, you had no chance of getting to the spare.

Traded it in for a real 4x4 (xFar)

[anonymous-user]

I was reading that one of the Volvo models was amongst the worst for failing the first MOT.
Seems strange!

[JJ55]

I’d strongly recommend one. I have a V70 2.5T petrol. The only bad thing about it is the fuel economy but as it doesn’t do many miles it’s not much of an issue. It’s also ulez compliant. The diesels have a good mix of power & economy, the d5 would be my choice if I was in the market for one.

The car is so comfortable, auto box is great & plenty of poke when needed. Lovely thing to waft about in & a delight for long motorway distances. Just don’t expect sporty handling! It’s also seems to be a car not judged on its badge/ looks so other road users treat you well. You can also park it anywhere without worrying it’s going to get nicked or vandalised.

I bought mine when I was in between vans but it’s so good I couldn’t bear to sell it. It can do the tip runs that I can’t do in the van which is useful. My partner borrowed it off me a few months ago while her car was in the garage & she loves the waftiness & huge boot for all her work gear, she’s now going keep it & sell her little iq.

Took me a while to find one a really good one. Mine had 53000 on the clock & 2 previous owners. It had been religiously serviced at Volvo every year. It cost well under your budget.

[dxg]

I hear that, in Sweden, they are all pink.

It's a pink car nation!!

[heisthegaffer]

VR99 said:

I'm also looking at changing my car later this year and the V40 is really appealing. I've only been in a D2 variant but it felt quicker than the stats suggest, full leathers and the cabin was a very nice place to be, the interiors of other alternatives don't seem to be a patch on the Volvo. My only gripe is there are significantly less petrol autos Vs diesel autos and this is reflected in the higher used prices esp for the T3 variant.

This may not help but the manual in my T3 is lovely and the clutch light. Also, it auto revs to 1500rpm in first and reverse so handy in traffic jams, parking etc.

[smiley_boy2501]

V50 2.5 T5 here.

Not a 'real' volvo but I still like it for daily duties. Engine aside the seats are comfy, the sound system is fantastic (although I have dynaudio) and the ride is more than acceptable on 18s.
I have done a few bits and bobs suspension wide including a full refresh, bilstein b4s to replace the aging dampers and a thicker rear arb so I think it's handles well but to be honest the handling wasn't bad for 1.5 ton estate as standard with knackered wishbones.
Electrical niggles can be common but mines been reliable.
Generally though my favourite bits are all the little 'practical' additions such as a fold flat front passenger seat and the little hook to hold up the boot mat when changing a tyre. I got 10 9ft scaffolding boards inside it (made a lovely bookcase).
I've invested preventatively because I can't really think of anything I'd rather have for a daily for less than 10k.

[VR99]

heisthegaffer said:

VR99 said:

I'm also looking at changing my car later this year and the V40 is really appealing. I've only been in a D2 variant but it felt quicker than the stats suggest, full leathers and the cabin was a very nice place to be, the interiors of other alternatives don't seem to be a patch on the Volvo. My only gripe is there are significantly less petrol autos Vs diesel autos and this is reflected in the higher used prices esp for the T3 variant.

This may not help but the manual in my T3 is lovely and the clutch light. Also, it auto revs to 1500rpm in first and reverse so handy in traffic jams, parking etc.

Thanks, they have some nice features and IMO look classy if not the best in terms of boot space. As mentioned the auto petrols are quite rare/ holding values firm and I tend to hold onto my cars for at least 5 years+...these V40's seem much more complex than say the older S40's/V50's and the potential borkage bills long term are a bit of an unknown. I may need to stick to a less tasty Civic or Mazda 3 lol

[bearman68]

V50 D5 here. A few faults - prob the most difficult to sort was the engine ECU failure. But the steel fuel lines from the tank to the engine corroded and leaked, and I've had a bit of trouble with the auxiliary belt and tensioner. (Oh and it ate it's A/C compressor).
So not a paragon of reliability. But it has done 185k miles, and still runs very nicely indeed. 1000 miles to ski, and it averaged 73 mph (which means a steady 85 on the clock for many hundreds of miles), with skis on the roof, and managed 43 mpg. Not terrible at all, and as others have said, very very solid and comfortable.

[thatsprettyshady]

I’ve started looking at V50s as well, the V60 seems a bit of a funny shape for me but Luckily there’s a local dealer here that seems to have a few different models in stock so I’m going to nose around tomorrow.

[bearman68]

My view is the best engine in the V50 is prob the 2.0d. The D5 is a bit (lot) nose heavy, and wears the suspension, as well as being an arse of a thing to work on.