Looking at a V50

[muzza65]

Been looking at this forum for a while thought i'd join up and put my 2 cents in.

I'm looking at buying a V50 got about 5k to spend. 05/06 models seem to appeal to myself. Don't know why, just do.

I don't do much in the way of miles. So should a get a petrol of a diesel. Seems to be abit of debate on whats better for the pennies these days.

Are the auto's gear box (do they need regular servicing) any good or is it best to stick with the manual.

I've also heard the v50 is really a ford would I be better off getting the v70. I don't really need anything bigger then the v50 as its only myself and 2 mucky dogs.

Or should I just bite the bullet and go get one.

Cheers

[MJK 24]

Welcome to Pistonheads!

If you're only doing a small annual mileage, I'd be looking at a 1.6, 1.8 or 2.0 petrol. Manual box shouldn't cause many sleepless nights. You've then essentially got the same mechanicals as a Ford Focus of the same age which are proven to be reliable and cheap to maintain.

Diesels and auto boxes can get expensive to look after as the years tick by. Petrols must be advertised quite a bit cheaper too I imagine?

[Super Slo Mo]

They're based on a Focus floorpan, but with a nicer (IMO) interior, seats etc.

General consensus is that the 2.4 D5 is the better of the two diesel engines, as it's much more reliable and not much less economical.

For low annual mileage, you'd probably be fine with a petrol engine, although I've only driven the T5, so can't comment on the smaller ones.

Size wise, they're ok, bigger than the new V60, particularly regarding the boot, but they are a Focus sized car, so are not large.

[muzza65]

Thanks for the reply, think i'll take the petrol 1.8 ish, manual.

Out of interest I heard some one say that in the Volvo v50/70 diesel range. All engines come with turbos attached as standard. Are they any good or just more things to go wrong.

Forgot to add, is the mileage much to worry about with a vovlo as long as it has a full service history.

Edited by muzza65 on Monday 14th January 20:40

[fjord]

I looked at the v50 once. The performance figures on anything but the T5/D5 were so woeful, i didnt bother following it up any further.

I also hated the bland dashboard, and optional extras seemed minimal.

[MJK 24]

muzza65 said:

Thanks for the reply, think i'll take the petrol 1.8 ish, manual.

Out of interest I heard some one say that in the Volvo v50/70 diesel range. All engines come with turbos attached as standard. Are they any good or just more things to go wrong.

Forgot to add, is the mileage much to worry about with a vovlo as long as it has a full service history.

Edited by muzza65 on Monday 14th January 20:40

All the V50 and V70 diesels are turbocharged. This could be a possible problem in the future but is in no way a certainty.

Higher mileage shouldn't be too much of an issue but keep in mind that the petrols I listed above need a timing belt change around 100,000 miles. Look for evidence of if having been done or otherwise budget to have it done.

[Super Slo Mo]

muzza65 said:

Thanks for the reply, think i'll take the petrol 1.8 ish, manual.

Out of interest I heard some one say that in the Volvo v50/70 diesel range. All engines come with turbos attached as standard. Are they any good or just more things to go wrong.

Forgot to add, is the mileage much to worry about with a vovlo as long as it has a full service history.

Edited by muzza65 on Monday 14th January 20:40

In the UK (I'm assuming this is where you're buying), all the diesels are turbo'd. You wouldn't want a non-turbo diesel, surely, last one I drove was a VW Caddy SDI, which was pretty slow.

The V70's are pretty much bombproof, so mileage doesn't matter too much. The V50, I'm not so sure about, but as it's Ford based, and mechanically they can generally cope with reasonably hefty mileages, so I wouldn't worry too much.

In terms of performance, they're perfectly adequate, you just have to appreciate they're not high-performance cars.

[ben5732]

Autobox was a common failure on the V70, no idea if they use the same box, if it turns out they do get a manual or your gonna have a big headache sooner or later.

[Golaboots]

My wife has a 2 litre petrol.

Lovely seats and stereo, smart looks and been pretty reliable. Also does nearly 40mpg on a run.

Downsides are a few niggles, the gearbox isn't amazing, and I think the air com compressor is going.

Would have another though.

[Nigel Worc's]

Oooh I thought, a fellow enthusiast, quite a nice one here :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Moto-Guzzi-V50-/32105240...

Then I find out the thread is about a poxy ovlov !