Volvo V70 vs Audi A4/A6 vs Ford Mondeo vs E39- 5.5k budget

[dave_s13]

Now then chaps. I hopefully have an interested party coming to view (and buy with a bit of luck) my alfa 156SW next week so will be in a position to replace it.

The brief is as follows

- 35mpg combined - minimum
- Space for dog, baby and associated stuff
- Will shortly be moving house and will be doing an extension so space for tip runs/kitchen/bathrooms would be useful
- Needs to be a comfortable ride and capable of driving over the UK's pothole ridden, speed bump infested roads without making me wince.

I'm kinda drawn toward the Volvo V70 as I have it in my head they are a solid bit of kit that might even hold some value. Something like this.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...


£5.5k

This is also a contender
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...



But I've already had 2 E39s, that colour too, the misses is not keen on having to endure the vavona wood interior again, I think that one looks like the ideal car though.

Other options are the A4/A6 avant and the trusty Mondeo which has a good rep but looks a bit $hit to be honest!

It's a case of get a newer Ford or a slightly older, leggier, german/swede. I'm under no illusion a newer car will offer anything over an older one though and not put off by 100k+ mileages.

so, V70 is top of my list at the moment. Should it be?


ps. I promise to update the post with what I end up with, including pictures....nobody ever does that on here.

Edited by dave_s13 on Saturday 27th March 18:25

[rottie102]

The E39 is the best executive saloon/estate of its time.
Why are you trying to fight it?

[dave_s13]

rottie102 said:

The E39 is the best executive saloon/estate of its time.
Why are you trying to fight it?

No argument there, hence why I've had 2 before.

If that particular one is still available when I@m in a position to buy I'll definitely go for a look.

I suppose the wood trim and arctic size steering wheel could be replaced. These were the only things I didn't particularly like about the ones I had.

[anonymous-user]

Might be worth having a look at Saab 9-5's as well, get an awfull lot of car for the money!

[dave_s13]

I've had one. A 54 plate Aero - just like the one you pictured.

I have even been offered a 54 reg 3.0TiD for a good price but just don't want another. Good cars on the whole but been there and done that.

[fathomfive]

Possibly dull as ditchwater, but VX Signum?

[dave_s13]

I have an irrational and completely unjustified hatred of anything made by Vauxhall (except the VX220).

[fathomfive]

dave_s13 said:

I have an irrational and completely unjustified hatred of anything made by Vauxhall (except the VX220).

I was all ready to suggest a 9-5 Aero you see and had to think quickly in light of your ruling them out.

[Beyond Rational]

On the right wheels and in the darker colours I don't find the Mondeo that offensive.

I think I'd also go for the Volvo though.

[Alexdaredevilz]

Id go for the Volvo aswell

looked at the others V50? V40?

[smack]

Volvo estates are dead easy to shift - they are always in demand. Just make sure you get one with a grunty engine. (as owner of both an E39 and a ovloV)

[GravelBen]

I'd probably bypass all of those and go for a Legacy or Outback


ETA: Except I just saw the 35mpg combined requirement which might not be so easy to meet...

Edited by GravelBen on Sunday 28th March 02:12

[dave_s13]

smack said:

Volvo estates are dead easy to shift - they are always in demand. Just make sure you get one with a grunty engine. (as owner of both an E39 and a ovloV)

Would the one I linked to be considered grunty then? Also, is there anything to look out for with v70s. I'm aware of the e39s little niggles but know nothing about vulvas.

[mercfunder]

Beemer all the way, that one just looks too nice to pass up.
Volvos are great, and will always resell, but that model is starting to show its age when compared with the current shape, whereas the BM is looking better as the years roll by.

[dave_s13]

mercfunder said:

Beemer all the way, that one just looks too nice to pass up.
Volvos are great, and will always resell, but that model is starting to show its age when compared with the current shape, whereas the BM is looking better as the years roll by.

You're not wrong, I am very, very drawn to it. The only reason I sold my previous Tourings was the MPG really. 22 and 17 average in a 528 and a 540. I've never experienced a derv engine one before but would imagine they suit the car well. 4.4 litres of V8 at 6k rpm is kinda fun but not really necessary 99.9% of the time I would also imagine the light(er) engine in that one wold improve turn in a great deal - and not scrub the front tyres after a couple of hours!

There's no doubt (in my mind) the BMW is the better car, all things being equal. I suppose it's going to be a case of just buying the one in the best condition.

Anyone got experience of the 525d lump - is it adequately torquey and reasonably quiet? Essentially I want to be wafting in near silence if possible.

Edited by dave_s13 on Sunday 28th March 09:46

[300bhp/ton]

I quite like these:



but personally would probably go for something more like this as they offer so much more than what any estate car can (IMO):

[blueg33]

I have had 2 V70's of the era. Probably the most comfortable cars I have had but uninvolving to drive. Huge space, average pace, eats front tyres.

[theboyfold]

dave_s13 said:

mercfunder said:

Beemer all the way, that one just looks too nice to pass up.
Volvos are great, and will always resell, but that model is starting to show its age when compared with the current shape, whereas the BM is looking better as the years roll by.

You're not wrong, I am very, very drawn to it. The only reason I sold my previous Tourings was the MPG really. 22 and 17 average in a 528 and a 540. I've never experienced a derv engine one before but would imagine they suit the car well. 4.4 litres of V8 at 6k rpm is kinda fun but not really necessary 99.9% of the time I would also imagine the light(er) engine in that one wold improve turn in a great deal - and not scrub the front tyres after a couple of hours!

There's no doubt (in my mind) the BMW is the better car, all things being equal. I suppose it's going to be a case of just buying the one in the best condition.

Anyone got experience of the 525d lump - is it adequately torquey and reasonably quiet? Essentially I want to be wafting in near silence if possible.

Edited by dave_s13 on Sunday 28th March 09:46

It's interesting you should lean towards one of these, I've read that the diesel 2.5 isn't much more economical than the petrol 2.5, I'd imagine this would be very true of the auto version.

Are they capable of getting 35mpg+

I'm currently looking for something similar but I'm leaning towards the Honda Civic 2.2 diesel which looks like a decent buy.

[confused_buyer]

Both the 525d & 530d E39 really struggle to do 35mpg in auto format. They'll do it on a run (approaching 40mpg in fact) but around town it is more like 25mpg.

The Volvo's average about 43mpg in mixed driving in manual form and about 38mpg in auto.

No one else seems to agree with me but I think the Volvo D5 unit is better than the BMW 6 from this era. It is a newer design for a start and seems a lot more economical and less tractor like when cold.

If you're interested in economy then you really need to stick to manual - the auto diesels of this era have a big impact on mpg. The Volvo, in particular, is nice to drive in manual format as well.

Edited by confused_buyer on Sunday 28th March 12:56

[stemll]

dave_s13 said:

smack said:

Volvo estates are dead easy to shift - they are always in demand. Just make sure you get one with a grunty engine. (as owner of both an E39 and a ovloV)

Would the one I linked to be considered grunty then? Also, is there anything to look out for with v70s. I'm aware of the e39s little niggles but know nothing about vulvas.

The D5 is supposedly the engine of choice for these and I doubt the worth of a T5. The V70 is not a sporty choice in any way shape or form. It is a wafty cruiser and all I see in the T5 is higher insurance, higher fuel bills and more front tyres. The D5 is also supposed to be pretty bomb proof and good for 200k.

The wife has a V70 2.4 on a 2001 Y plate and it is supremely comfortable with the 15" rims (very like the silver one at the same dealer as you linked to). She describes my A3 quattro as feeling like a toy whenever she drives it as it's so much quicker and more responsive. For any sort of distance, especially if it involves motorways, I always take the Volvo.

If you want sporty or involving look elsewhere, be prepared for a big contrast to the Alfa.