Volvo V50 T5

[phil_h_88]

Evening all,
I've found myself needing an estate to replace my very boring Mondeo. My budget is only about 4k and I want something with a bit of power that will be more fun to drive than my current car. On the shortlist is mid 00's Volvo V50 T5 with 220bhp. There is a couple locally with 80,000ish miles, but both are the Geartronic autos with FWD.
I was wondering if anyone had any experience of these cars and what they're like to live with. Particularly interested in real life Performance and MPG as opposed to the book figures. I've always been a fan of faster Volvos so am hoping someone can give me an insight!
Cheers

[julianm]

A friend had one & liked it a lot, but it ate front tyres at an alarming rate!

[Megaflow]

We had an S40 T5 for 6 years.

Over a mixed commute of 16 miles for me and 20 for my wife we easily averaged a true 30mpg.

They are well made, ours was 10 years old with no rattles or squeaks, and comfortable. The handling is not the greatest, too much spring rate, not enough dampers IMO.

Can be quite expensive to service, 6 litres of high spec oil and 5 iridium plugs.

Good car through. Look out for the optional Dolby pro logic system, very, very good.

[Hubris]

The boot is disappointingly small, for an estate.

[morgrp]

Fine cars - they only eat front tyres if you a) Can't drive, b) Fit the wrong tyres or c) Don't have the alignment set up right. Auto box robs a lot of performance from it but strangely it suits it quite well. Real world mpg despite all these mad claims is an average of mid twenties going up to a more reasonable 35ish on a run and you keep the speed down. The engines are super reliable if looked after and service regularly. Not massive in the back and would seem small compared to a mondeo. Chassis is average in a typically volvo way. Good, stylish well made cars. If you need bigger, ford stuck the same engine in the mondeo or try a v70

[ben5732]

V70 is the better car but the v50 has plenty of poke but it's a bit small for an estate. I'd definitely own one if the v70 didn't exist though.

[The_Burg]

As above. The V70'is smaller, lighter and more roomy.
By an old one, spend a few £ refreshing suspension and a map. Enjoy for 200'000'miles with ease. Mine had 279k when sold, still felt like new and went like stink.

Still look good despite being well over 20'years since the first.

[phil_h_88]

Thanks for replies, I did think that they don't look especially big for an estate. Also not convinced I can justify the MPG, especially paired with an auto box! I Would prefer something with a bit more room in the back but my budget doesn't allow for a great deal of flexibility unfortunately, other options include Saab 9-3s and 3 series and Audi A4 Avants but they tend to be high-milers for that kind of price.