V50

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Discussion

rednotdead

Original Poster:

1,215 posts

226 months

Wednesday 26th October 2005
quotequote all
We're considering a V50 to replace our A4 Avant. Spent mucho good times a few weeks ago on a Volvo drive freedom day sampling 4 different V50's and 1 S40.

Seriously impressed with the car generally. The T5 was a hoot but 'frantic' whereas the 2.4 seems to be a bit more civilised. The AWD T5 was a real disappointment - the AWD killed it dead IMHO.

Almost made up our mind (2.4 SE Geartronic) but a few questions for those of you that own one;

1) How solid are they - how many squeaks/rattles appear over time? Our A4 has none after 9 years so the ovlov has a lot to live up to.

2) Interior storage seems naff - how restrictive is it in everyday use?

3) Just how good is the Dolby sound upgrade - is it worth the 250 notes?

4) Any comments on Alan Gison of Basingstoke as a dealer?

TIA.

jvaughan

6,025 posts

283 months

Thursday 27th October 2005
quotequote all
No comments on the V50, im considdering a V50D myself.
Alan Gibson are not too bad. Since they moved they seem to have a lot more stock.
I used to go to Kings in Winchester.

Mrs Fish

30,018 posts

258 months

Thursday 27th October 2005
quotequote all
rednotdead said:
We're considering a V50 to replace our A4 Avant. Spent mucho good times a few weeks ago on a Volvo drive freedom day sampling 4 different V50's and 1 S40.

Seriously impressed with the car generally. The T5 was a hoot but 'frantic' whereas the 2.4 seems to be a bit more civilised. The AWD T5 was a real disappointment - the AWD killed it dead IMHO.

Almost made up our mind (2.4 SE Geartronic) but a few questions for those of you that own one;

1) How solid are they - how many squeaks/rattles appear over time? Our A4 has none after 9 years so the ovlov has a lot to live up to.

I haven't come across any squeaks as yet, and we have had ours a year now.

2) Interior storage seems naff - how restrictive is it in everyday use?

There isn't a lot of interior storage space but to be honest I haven't really had any trouble with it, the look of the interior has made up for the fact


3) Just how good is the Dolby sound upgrade - is it worth the 250 notes?

Not sure whether we had that or not but the stereo is very good

4) Any comments on Alan Gison of Basingstoke as a dealer?
Nope, we live in Derbyshire
TIA.



We went for the 2 litre Diesel as the torque from it made it better than the T5, it is also cheaper. We have since had it chipped which makes it even better.

>> Edited by Mrs Fish on Thursday 27th October 13:37

rednotdead

Original Poster:

1,215 posts

226 months

Thursday 27th October 2005
quotequote all
Cheers Mrs Fish for the comments.

We would like a diesel but it has to be automatic and as Volvo can't get the Geartronic to fit with the 2.0D.......

As an aside - the 'new' 185bhp D5 in the S60 was awesome (to coin a phrase from American Chopper )

Maycott

586 posts

250 months

Monday 31st October 2005
quotequote all
Had one as a loan car when the T4 went in for service....a bit disappointed to be honest. Hopefully though its down to it only being a stabdard 1.8 litre car

Gibsons are a good dealer...we prefer Kings in Winchester for the V70 and the V40

plfrench

2,350 posts

268 months

Friday 4th November 2005
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A Colleague got a V50 2.0d SE last month. Has the dolby sound upgrade, although to be honest I'm not sure it was worth the extra cash. The door pockets are ridiculously small, 2 cd's and they're full (no joke!) but there are pockets on the fronts of the seats which will hold keys, wallet & and phone just fine.

Seems very well built, has only done 3000 miles so far, so a bit early to tell!

Certainly very nice to drive, but then it would be being based on a Focus Chassis!!!

Paul.

phillwalden

39 posts

248 months

Thursday 1st December 2005
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Took my V40 to Alan Gibsons for a service.. was not impressed at all and will never be going back.. The car had two fault which were reported to them when I took the car in and had the same two faults when it came out!! They did not try to fix either of them! Luckily I am a member of the AA as they had to tow me home a few days later..

T5-R

434 posts

226 months

Thursday 1st December 2005
quotequote all
If it's Volvo servicing you're after, I can highly recommend ACC UK Ltd, in Farnborough. It's run by 2 blokes who left volvo and set up their own shop so, as you can imagine, they're volvo trained specialists. Friendly service and very reasonably priced too.

pdV6

16,442 posts

261 months

Thursday 1st December 2005
quotequote all
rednotdead said:
Cheers Mrs Fish for the comments.

We would like a diesel but it has to be automatic and as Volvo can't get the Geartronic to fit with the 2.0D.......

As an aside - the 'new' 185bhp D5 in the S60 was awesome (to coin a phrase from American Chopper )

My brother in law has had a V50D for just about a year now and is still impressed with it.

I have the geartronic 'box on a V70 and have to say that its a bit slow to react in "manual" mode, so can't really see the point except for engine braking.

After_Shock

8,751 posts

220 months

Sunday 4th December 2005
quotequote all
The door pockets are so small due to crash safety, no good having cans of drinks and mobiles lying around the doors if your hit from the side, that fizzy drink suddenly turns into a breeze block if you do!

They are very well put together and the 2.4 auto is definately the smoothy of the range. The T5 is good in FWD set up and definately the fastest in the range(the diesel has the same torque but not the rev range to carry it through).

Maycott

586 posts

250 months

Tuesday 6th December 2005
quotequote all
T5-R said:
If it's Volvo servicing you're after, I can highly recommend ACC UK Ltd, in Farnborough. It's run by 2 blokes who left volvo and set up their own shop so, as you can imagine, they're volvo trained specialists. Friendly service and very reasonably priced too.


Haven't got a number for them by any chance.....the V70 is due (again!)

After_Shock

8,751 posts

220 months

Tuesday 6th December 2005
quotequote all
Theirs another Volvo specialist in Teeside in Thornaby which is also ran by all ex Volvo mechanics.

T5-R

434 posts

226 months

Wednesday 7th December 2005
quotequote all
Maycott said:
T5-R said:
If it's Volvo servicing you're after, I can highly recommend ACC UK Ltd, in Farnborough. It's run by 2 blokes who left volvo and set up their own shop so, as you can imagine, they're volvo trained specialists. Friendly service and very reasonably priced too.


Haven't got a number for them by any chance.....the V70 is due (again!)


Here they are http://accukltd.co.uk/

01252 370701

Maycott

586 posts

250 months

Tuesday 20th December 2005
quotequote all
Thanks T5-R

Mrs Fish

30,018 posts

258 months

Monday 9th January 2006
quotequote all
James here:

Yes we have the 2.0D and is chipped to above T5 levals. it goes like stink and the handling is one of the best for a front drive I've experienced in years. When pushed you can even get the backend out on an off camber road.

I still enjoy driving it. Storage is not brilliant and the lack of clutch foot rest goes un missed eventually. Our stereo is the std one with the SE and is excellant so I wouldn't bother with the upgrade.

Good car hope you enjoy it.

rednotdead

Original Poster:

1,215 posts

226 months

Monday 9th January 2006
quotequote all
Just read that Volvo are putting the 180bhp D5 in the V50 with the geartronic - available this summer. That has gotta be worth waiting for The S60 D5 we test drove was a hoot.

>> Edited by rednotdead on Monday 9th January 21:17

After_Shock

8,751 posts

220 months

Monday 9th January 2006
quotequote all
D5 will be fitted as of June, dealers will have their first cars then, 180 bhp and as you say geartronic only to start off with, you cant wait and neither can we it will be one mental little estate car! Just the torque might be a bit of an issue with it being FWD but we will see when its here.

Flat in Fifth

44,047 posts

251 months

Sunday 22nd January 2006
quotequote all
1) How solid are they - how many squeaks/rattles appear over time?
Seems fairly solid unlike the Mundano which it replaced where a bit of trim broke on first day.
2) Interior storage seems naff - how restrictive is it in everyday use?
Yes it does but in practice not so bad. If you take a look at the cassette which holds the rollup luggage cover and roll up mesh screen there is a lid on that which takes a fair bit of stuff. Also plenty of nooks and crannies underneath the boot floor so quite serviceable.
3) Just how good is the Dolby sound upgrade - is it worth the 250 notes?
My upgrade came as part of the comms pack which was required by employer. Not sure if I'd actually shell out £250 of my own folding tbh, but the inclusion of the CD stacker is fine.

Re handling, yes it grips, but I find it all a bit remote and not that involving. Grip away from a standing start is grotty when temp < 7C and a bit damp but that is more down to the tyres I think.

The easytronic gearbox is one of the better ones I've tried and pity not available on the 2.0D, don't really understand why. The D5 version will be a gem methinks and there will be a few people get a surprise when more are on our fleet.

Small fuel tank 52 litres. Typical range about 300 miles, but then it does get hard work. 45 on a long run which is nowt brilliant in the scheme of things and avery high 6th gear tbh.

btw should I change my login to Flat in Sixth??