Volvo V50 Diesel

[SteveD]

bev wants a v50 diesel for some reason

anyway anyone have experience of the v50 good and bad points they would like to share before i take the leap and look at a few sunday

[sweet orange]

I may be wrong, but are'nt they a ford focus in in a different tin? If so i should say you would be ok.

We test drove a v40 i think a few years ago... felt very nice but a bit cramped for an estate car.

Ended up at the time with a toyota avensis.... taxi anyone!!!

Good luck.

[Tom Frankland (T3OMF)]

My mate has got the V70 R-Design, I spent a day driving it and would buy one when the Jeep needs changng. The V50 is a lot smaller

[Captain Colonial]

Neighbour has a new V50 diesel, quite pleased with it but mpg way below what was being claimed, they say 63, he gets 46, less than his old S60' that got 50 mpg, wide too, but he's happy with it

[SteveD]

I may be wrong, but are'nt they a ford focus in in a different tin? If so i should say you would be ok.

We test drove a v40 i think a few years ago... felt very nice but a bit cramped for an estate car.

Ended up at the time with a toyota avensis.... taxi anyone!!!

Good luck.

hmmm il look into the focus bit , bev had a brand new v40 when they came out and she loved it ,though it ate wheel bearings for some reason but other than that it was ok

[jak]

We had a few V50 s at work. Everyone seemed pleased with them, some doing 100K in 3 years, no major issues. They are basically the Focus mechanicals in a posh frock, just as the V70 is a Mondeo that won the the lottery! I have driven a V50/S40 very good car, comfortable but not that spacious inside and the boot space on the V50 is n't that big, think hatchback with higher roofline. The engines are either 1.6 or 2.0. Not driven a 1.6 diesel, but the 2.0 was OK, 140bhp I think?

John

[stephenh]

Your last comment is interesting, Steve, as I have a V50, had it over a year now, and I have just had to replace the nearside front wheel bearing. Quite pricey for one bearing too. Still, if that is all I have to do other than routine maintenance I shall be a happy bunny.

It tows well. It drives well, although the ride is a bit harsh. That is probably down to the fact that I have the "Sport" spec., so larger diameter wheels with lower profile tyres. I wouldn't say it is "much smaller" than the V70, except for one thing. The rear leg room is useless unless the driver and front seat passenger have their seats fairly forward. I wouldn't want to be sitting behind me, IYSWIM!

I agree about the fuel consumption, mine is diesel 2.0, and I dont get much better than 40 mpg average, although that includes quite a bit of short distance commuting, and I probably use more of the loud pedal than most. Mrs. H. seems to manage a better consumption than me when she borrows it. It certainly is a lot cheaper to run than my old 2.5 petrol Subaru Legacy was!

On the basis that you get what you pay for, on balance I'd say they are a good car for the money.

[MrL]

My ex has a V50 R-Design diesel with the semi auto box. We bought it in 2008 and it's been a great car. It is based on a Focus but is in a different league trim & quality wise. We did look at a Focus but could get a V50 with a better spec & finish for less !

I'd recommend one.

[Matt F]

I have a V50 D4 R Design as a company car and love it, not the biggest car in the world but has been faultless for 14,000 miles so for. Some of the other guys here have the e version and they are terribly underpowered. Mine is probably a bit too powerfull if I'm honest and if I was buying one I would go for the D3. I find the handling is very good and the grip from the Conti tryes is excellent

[Kevin Jones]

The C30 I have is on same platform, just less rear overhang. The 2.0D is not good low down the revs, even with 6 gears 1st is pretty poor. I have seen reports that a remap helps a lot with this. Trim is a bit basic not at all like V70 etc but then it's considerably cheaper. A/C is weak. Not really convinced about clutch, over heated it once towing not been the same since. Good points are comfy seats, not bad handling although slightly harsh & fairly good steering feel for a Volvo. Overall I am happy with mine but would not buy another.

[Torqueman]

The diesel engines in the Volvo and Ford are from Peugeot/Citroen, apart from the D5 (5cylinder) diesel wich is made by Volvo.

Cheers

[Jumpy07]

I have a D5 R design.. goes like the wind.. but as has been said.. not the most room ... build quality is ok.. but not as good as some others... you also dont get a lot for your money... residuals are bad.. they depreciate pretty quickly

I would buy a V70 if you have the dosh...

Craig

[stephenh]

I agree with Kevin about lack of low down pull, but isn't this a symptom of the modern relatively high performance diesels? That is why it has a 6 speed box on the manual, and it needs it.

[markcoopers]

If you need a V50 then it is not a bad car Steve, but there may be other cars that are slightly better, or better in some aspects. If these aspects are more important then they are perhaps better cars for you?

Rear space and lower mpg seems to be the areas that they are week on.

Trip quality and fit appear to be the strong points.

A friend at work swears by his Mazda 6, and there are now 3 or so in the car park. He says that he can part ex it into a new one every 12-18months as the deal the dealers are doing means he is better off.... No experience of them myself but he makes a convincing case, I am a BMW man myself.

[SteveD]

well the **** dealer sold it without letting me know after arranging to be there at 10 am this morning with cash to take it away ,yesterday he said let him know when im half an hour away ,so i txt him saying 20 mins away and he txt back saying sorry its sold so i rang the **** up and told him what i thought of him ,off to look at another later thats very local