V60 - help me decide
Discussion
Currently a 1-car household (Tesla Model Y) but need to add a second car (for short trips and school drop-offs) and would like something that can also tow a caravan (not got one yet) and the V60 appeals, but I can't decide which one with my budget of c.£25k:
- Diesel - cheapest option, not a fan of diesel and would prefer petrol. With diesels going out of favour, is it likely to plummet in value?
- 11.8kwh PHEV - "cheap", but limited electric miles. Will probably be fine for the short journeys I need it for range-wise. Just a turbo'd engine so less to go wrong in the long run. Probably looking at 2020/21 so the increased road tax from the high value will not last for many years.
- 18.8kwh PHEV - can just about get into one with my budget. Longer EV miles. Higher road tax for longer given it would be 2022 or newer.
- Polestar Engineered - as above for 11.8kwh PHEV but with the added desirability of it being a PE. Higher purchase price but might hold its value better given it's a PE. Supercharged, turbocharged and hybrid causes me concerns from a reliability perspective. No idea if the PE extras are just going to cause me headaches/cost from a maintenance perspective?
Long story short - the petrolhead in me wants the PE, but I can't help but think it's a bit overkill for what it's going to be used for...
- Diesel - cheapest option, not a fan of diesel and would prefer petrol. With diesels going out of favour, is it likely to plummet in value?
- 11.8kwh PHEV - "cheap", but limited electric miles. Will probably be fine for the short journeys I need it for range-wise. Just a turbo'd engine so less to go wrong in the long run. Probably looking at 2020/21 so the increased road tax from the high value will not last for many years.
- 18.8kwh PHEV - can just about get into one with my budget. Longer EV miles. Higher road tax for longer given it would be 2022 or newer.
- Polestar Engineered - as above for 11.8kwh PHEV but with the added desirability of it being a PE. Higher purchase price but might hold its value better given it's a PE. Supercharged, turbocharged and hybrid causes me concerns from a reliability perspective. No idea if the PE extras are just going to cause me headaches/cost from a maintenance perspective?
Long story short - the petrolhead in me wants the PE, but I can't help but think it's a bit overkill for what it's going to be used for...
I would suggest staying well away from the present 'volvo' 4 pot engines, either diesel or petrol powered. The design was a quick fix bought-in turnkey design, a turkey as it has turned out.... acquired by the chinese in the early years of their ownership of 'volvo' cars when they had much diminished previous abilities that came from the engineering staff rapidly being payed off. It has caused significant and continuing problems for owners that 'volvo' have been obliged to fix under warranties or more likely just obfuscate about to avoid any responsibility after warranties end. The situation is such that many traditional Volvo breakers will not buy these latest cars to break for parts just consigning them to the crusher.
Your best bet is to have a look at those older V70s... AWDs and the original XC90 that have the superb older, genuine Volvo 5 pot engines that will go on and on if properly maintained and if with an AW auto box then you must flush and change the oil regularly. Those gearboxes were never intended to be lubricated for life... the oil must be flushed and changed. VED is though higher on those earlier vehicles
You will save a lot on your purchase and have a proper Volvo..... not a chinese car with a Volvo badge slapped on it, such a car will last if it has a good service history and is maintained by you properly.
Your best bet is to have a look at those older V70s... AWDs and the original XC90 that have the superb older, genuine Volvo 5 pot engines that will go on and on if properly maintained and if with an AW auto box then you must flush and change the oil regularly. Those gearboxes were never intended to be lubricated for life... the oil must be flushed and changed. VED is though higher on those earlier vehicles
You will save a lot on your purchase and have a proper Volvo..... not a chinese car with a Volvo badge slapped on it, such a car will last if it has a good service history and is maintained by you properly.
norchi said:
I would suggest staying well away from the present 'volvo' 4 pot engines, either diesel or petrol powered. The design was a quick fix bought-in turnkey design, a turkey as it has turned out.... acquired by the chinese in the early years of their ownership of 'volvo' cars when they had much diminished previous abilities that came from the engineering staff rapidly being payed off. It has caused significant and continuing problems for owners that 'volvo' have been obliged to fix under warranties or more likely just obfuscate about to avoid any responsibility after warranties end.
What problems are suffered by the recent/current 4-cylinder petrol engines? (not including the hybrid electric drive axles here with the known ERAD issues)I'm not sure my contribution will help but just a few things off the top of my head as the owner of a 2019 V60 D4.
As a safe, reliable and comfortable load lugger that also looks pretty good it definitely ticks all the boxes. Dynamically though a 3 series is far superior so if you like to hustle one a bit there are likely better options out there. They come pretty well specced but there are some must haves imo. For example the winter pack or climate pack I forget the exact name now adds a heated steering wheel and front screen which i couldn't be without. Options like carplay and even the towing pack can be dealer fit... The latter is about £1,200 from memory so just factor that into the purchase price.
The biggest gripe for me is they are a very low car and I struggle a bit to be honest. Getting the little ones in and out has my back in bits hence I'm thinking now about upgrading to the XC90.
As a safe, reliable and comfortable load lugger that also looks pretty good it definitely ticks all the boxes. Dynamically though a 3 series is far superior so if you like to hustle one a bit there are likely better options out there. They come pretty well specced but there are some must haves imo. For example the winter pack or climate pack I forget the exact name now adds a heated steering wheel and front screen which i couldn't be without. Options like carplay and even the towing pack can be dealer fit... The latter is about £1,200 from memory so just factor that into the purchase price.
The biggest gripe for me is they are a very low car and I struggle a bit to be honest. Getting the little ones in and out has my back in bits hence I'm thinking now about upgrading to the XC90.
I bought a 2020 V60 T8 about 4 months ago for bang on your budget. Tried the standard T8 and the PE back to back and decided PE didn't warrant the premium. Also note that from 2021 they don't get paddles and 112mph limiter was introduced.
It fits my brief brilliantly, I'll get 28 miles pure electric if I'm careful and comfy for stop start commute, then when I'm out the city just under 400hp to get me home.
It fits my brief brilliantly, I'll get 28 miles pure electric if I'm careful and comfy for stop start commute, then when I'm out the city just under 400hp to get me home.
BlackStang5point0 said:
I'm not sure my contribution will help but just a few things off the top of my head as the owner of a 2019 V60 D4.
As a safe, reliable and comfortable load lugger that also looks pretty good it definitely ticks all the boxes. Dynamically though a 3 series is far superior so if you like to hustle one a bit there are likely better options out there. They come pretty well specced but there are some must haves imo. For example the winter pack or climate pack I forget the exact name now adds a heated steering wheel and front screen which i couldn't be without. Options like carplay and even the towing pack can be dealer fit... The latter is about £1,200 from memory so just factor that into the purchase price.
The biggest gripe for me is they are a very low car and I struggle a bit to be honest. Getting the little ones in and out has my back in bits hence I'm thinking now about upgrading to the XC90.
I agree with this, except mine's a CC so it's a more comfortable height!As a safe, reliable and comfortable load lugger that also looks pretty good it definitely ticks all the boxes. Dynamically though a 3 series is far superior so if you like to hustle one a bit there are likely better options out there. They come pretty well specced but there are some must haves imo. For example the winter pack or climate pack I forget the exact name now adds a heated steering wheel and front screen which i couldn't be without. Options like carplay and even the towing pack can be dealer fit... The latter is about £1,200 from memory so just factor that into the purchase price.
The biggest gripe for me is they are a very low car and I struggle a bit to be honest. Getting the little ones in and out has my back in bits hence I'm thinking now about upgrading to the XC90.
If your only doing short distances a petrol will probably be better. I'm currently not doing the mileages I intended (should have kept the previous gen XC60) and occasionally it needs to borrow the trickle charger from my classics. If the assist battery gets too low not only does the stop start not function, for some reason the park sensors stop working as well.
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