Volvo or Jaguar?
Discussion
After shopping around and looking / driving various cars I have shortlisted my next steer down to 2:
Volvo S60 D5 (185)
Jaguar S-Type 2.7 TDI
Both manual, both the same age / mileage both will cost me the same, COO is similar (barring repairs and a future cambelt change) and (most importantly) the seats in both don't aggravate my back problems.
But I don't know which to go for. Both have their +ves and -ves. The Jag is smoother, RWD and feels more solid, the Volvo is likely to cost less if it goes wrong and (shallow I know) has a much much much better audio system (something I consider important).
Which one would you go for and why?
Thanks
Volvo S60 D5 (185)
Jaguar S-Type 2.7 TDI
Both manual, both the same age / mileage both will cost me the same, COO is similar (barring repairs and a future cambelt change) and (most importantly) the seats in both don't aggravate my back problems.
But I don't know which to go for. Both have their +ves and -ves. The Jag is smoother, RWD and feels more solid, the Volvo is likely to cost less if it goes wrong and (shallow I know) has a much much much better audio system (something I consider important).
Which one would you go for and why?
Thanks
I've had an S-Type Diesel auto and just traded it in for a V70 T5 - not exactly the same as your S60 but similar enough to be useful. Strangely the petrol engine in the T5 feels very coarse and rough after the smoothness or the S-Type, the car is substantially noisier on the motorway, the ride quality is not in the same league and nor is the handling although it's more fun to "press on" in the V70 than I expected. I didn't buy the Volvo for it's dynamic qualities though. The D5 engine will feel like a right nail compared to the rather amazing refinement of the Jag.
On the plus side the Volvo seems far more intelligently designed, with loads of sensible and thoughtful touches. The cabin doesn't feel as luxurious but the seats are more comfortable and the ergonomics are better. The audio system in the Volvo is so much better than the "premium" system in the Jaguar that it's comical, although the Volvo RTI sat nav system is very poor indeed.
What the Volvo really does have over the Jaguar is real quality once you get below the surface. In the Jag all the trim fittings and fixings in the car and under the bonnet were s
t (which cost me a fking fortune when the bumper had to come off to change the washer pump), the carpets in the boot were nasty and cheap, the "chrome" flaked off the plastic interior door handles, the plastic fittings for the various panels under the engine worked loose and vanished, I could go on. The Jaguar never really felt like a quality product and I had no end of niggles with the thing over the time I had it, and some MAJOR expensive failure. I'd say that all things being equal the Jaguar will cost you far more to run over a given period. Access under the bonnet is awful, so every job becomes major. My S-Type was very heavy on tyres, brakes and suspension parts but I have not had the V70 long enough to know if it's the same. The solid feel of the S-Type is purely an illusion, there are loads of common faults and problems even with the run out models. The complexity of that engine always concerned me - the knowledge that practically any engine fault would write the car off is not comforting.
I'd say a Manual S-Type diesel is a far better choice, as the automatic gearboxes seem to have a close to 100% failure rate between 100K and 150K.
Easiest way to see the quality difference is to see how many S-Types you can find for sale with 150K+ on them versus how many Volvos are still going and giving good service at 200K+.
In summary, the S-Type was much nicer to drive and the Volvo has been much nicer to own!
On the plus side the Volvo seems far more intelligently designed, with loads of sensible and thoughtful touches. The cabin doesn't feel as luxurious but the seats are more comfortable and the ergonomics are better. The audio system in the Volvo is so much better than the "premium" system in the Jaguar that it's comical, although the Volvo RTI sat nav system is very poor indeed.
What the Volvo really does have over the Jaguar is real quality once you get below the surface. In the Jag all the trim fittings and fixings in the car and under the bonnet were s
t (which cost me a fking fortune when the bumper had to come off to change the washer pump), the carpets in the boot were nasty and cheap, the "chrome" flaked off the plastic interior door handles, the plastic fittings for the various panels under the engine worked loose and vanished, I could go on. The Jaguar never really felt like a quality product and I had no end of niggles with the thing over the time I had it, and some MAJOR expensive failure. I'd say that all things being equal the Jaguar will cost you far more to run over a given period. Access under the bonnet is awful, so every job becomes major. My S-Type was very heavy on tyres, brakes and suspension parts but I have not had the V70 long enough to know if it's the same. The solid feel of the S-Type is purely an illusion, there are loads of common faults and problems even with the run out models. The complexity of that engine always concerned me - the knowledge that practically any engine fault would write the car off is not comforting.I'd say a Manual S-Type diesel is a far better choice, as the automatic gearboxes seem to have a close to 100% failure rate between 100K and 150K.
Easiest way to see the quality difference is to see how many S-Types you can find for sale with 150K+ on them versus how many Volvos are still going and giving good service at 200K+.
In summary, the S-Type was much nicer to drive and the Volvo has been much nicer to own!
Edited by dme123 on Monday 28th November 11:28
Having owned an S60 D5 (163bhp but remapped to about 190bhp) I'd say go with that. Really nice and wafty to drive, plenty of power, 40mpg, and that sound system is fantastic. I only sold mine as I got a bit bored, and I was 32 at the time so felt it aged me a bit 
Amazingly comfortable seats too
Amazingly comfortable seats too
CarbonBlackM5 said:
I had a S60 D5 as a company car and it was great for the miles I was doing (over 35K a year).
The seats were sooo comfy and it was loaded with kit. I also got 42mpg no metter how hard I drove it.
I would go for the Volvo as well. I'm not a big fan of the S-Type and the Volvo will have all the kit and comfort you will ever need.The seats were sooo comfy and it was loaded with kit. I also got 42mpg no metter how hard I drove it.
Thanks for the replies so far.
Just to add, I've already owned 2 x D5s (163s though) as an S60 and a V70 so I know how they go / sound - the extra oomph of the 185 is very tempting.
The S Type felt better put together and your observations about qualidee are interesting. Perhaps it was the uber smooth V6 that gave me that impression.
Just to add, I've already owned 2 x D5s (163s though) as an S60 and a V70 so I know how they go / sound - the extra oomph of the 185 is very tempting.
The S Type felt better put together and your observations about qualidee are interesting. Perhaps it was the uber smooth V6 that gave me that impression.
I did love the offbeat hum of my S60's 5 cylinder engine. Of course, that was a petrol. Just wish it revved a bit more (6000rpm redline). It was whisper quiet though, you only really heard the engine when you were closing in on the redline. I would have also liked a bigger, more powerful turbo, though the low pressure turbo did help it pick up off the line and it wasn't too bad from a standing start, despite it's weight.
In the end, I should have gone for a T5!
In the end, I should have gone for a T5!
Seeker UK said:
You're not helping 
They're so cheap, combining the comfort and enjoyability of a normal S60 with a beautiful engine. They can't half shift too, I remember seeing a white S60 T5 come sneaking up behind me when I was on lane 2 of the A69. I instantly recognised it as a local traffic police training car, judging by the speed it was carrying and the two black shirted blokes in the front. I moved over to let them pass, the passenger gave me a wave and they took off like a rocket. The acceleration from 70mph was tremendous and before long they were just a point of light passing over a crest in the road on the horizon, probably somewhere in the region of 150mph! I had a normal S60 at the time, and whilst I loved it I did think I had maybe cheaped out by not getting the T5!
Baryonyx said:
Seeker UK said:
You're not helping
They're so cheap, combining the comfort and enjoyability of a normal S60 with a beautiful engine. They can't half shift too, I remember seeing a white S60 T5 come sneaking up behind me when I was on lane 2 of the A69. I instantly recognised it as a local traffic police training car, judging by the speed it was carrying and the two black shirted blokes in the front. I moved over to let them pass, the passenger gave me a wave and they took off like a rocket. The acceleration from 70mph was tremendous and before long they were just a point of light passing over a crest in the road on the horizon, probably somewhere in the region of 150mph! I had a normal S60 at the time, and whilst I loved it I did think I had maybe cheaped out by not getting the T5!
Got to agree, excellent cars. Never missed a beat in the two years I've owned it. Still no squeeks or rattles, and the "high-performace" audio system is stunning. I wouldn't recommend the T5 if you were doing lots of miles, we average around 8k per year and get around 25mpg (mostly city/town driving). Very comfy indeed, just wished it was 4WD sometimes..
McMacro said:
I have a V50 T5
Got to agree, excellent cars. Never missed a beat in the two years I've owned it. Still no squeeks or rattles, and the "high-performace" audio system is stunning. I wouldn't recommend the T5 if you were doing lots of miles, we average around 8k per year and get around 25mpg (mostly city/town driving). Very comfy indeed, just wished it was 4WD sometimes..
I've been quite surprised by the economy of my T5 auto. Round town I get 23 - 25mpg but on a motorway run at 70 it'll average 32 - 34mpg depending on how much crap is in it.Got to agree, excellent cars. Never missed a beat in the two years I've owned it. Still no squeeks or rattles, and the "high-performace" audio system is stunning. I wouldn't recommend the T5 if you were doing lots of miles, we average around 8k per year and get around 25mpg (mostly city/town driving). Very comfy indeed, just wished it was 4WD sometimes..
ETA - Also worth mentioning, fuel economy of the S-Type diesel was not really very impressive. It would JUST nudge 38mpg on a long cruise at 70, but generally averaged 32mpg in the same usage where the T5 gets 23 - 25ish. I imagine a manual will do better though, and the later DPF equipped cars are about 10% better too.
McMacro said:
I have a V50 T5
Got to agree, excellent cars. Never missed a beat in the two years I've owned it. Still no squeeks or rattles, and the "high-performace" audio system is stunning. I wouldn't recommend the T5 if you were doing lots of miles, we average around 8k per year and get around 25mpg (mostly city/town driving). Very comfy indeed, just wished it was 4WD sometimes..
Had my V50 T5 three weeks and it is a brilliant blend of smoothness, power and being very wieldy around town (which the S60 is most definitely not). Hard to beat. Got to agree, excellent cars. Never missed a beat in the two years I've owned it. Still no squeeks or rattles, and the "high-performace" audio system is stunning. I wouldn't recommend the T5 if you were doing lots of miles, we average around 8k per year and get around 25mpg (mostly city/town driving). Very comfy indeed, just wished it was 4WD sometimes..
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