Need A New Daily Driver

[andyjstone 6]

I'd look at the odd Volvo, but then again I am currently driving an 850R with 290bhp to play with! Definatley not pipe and slippers.

The 3 series is a good car but as has been said before they are bland due to so many being about.

 

The Alfa, GT would be the choice, I wouldn't go the Brera route, they're too heavy and sluggish in comparison to the GT. I had an AR, but it was a 147GTA, hardly daily driver material.

 

Yes, GT was going to be my original choice

[MrG 3]

diesel GT, black edition would be good. But I know what you mean by reliability issues on the AR. But I have to say, the 3 years I spent with my GTA was probably the most rewarding in ownership terms and driver experience, if only they could have BMW's reliability with their styling?

[Cameron 16]

I think BMW got it right with the latest 3 series, and the interiors are brilliant. As Cloverleaf said it's the little things you pay for in a BMW, the quality of the fittings and switches and the overall well thought out German logic.

[andyjstone 6]

I think BMW got it right with the latest 3 series, and the interiors are brilliant. As Cloverleaf said it's the little things you pay for in a BMW, the quality of the fittings and switches and the overall well thought out German logic.

 

Yes, but I'm not sure that't enough and TBH I think the current 3 series is an abomination of design inside and out, it would have to be an E46 if anything.

[andyjstone 6]

Well, went to look at the latest 3 series and was totally bored, went to look at the Alfas - GT is exactly the same inside and to drive as my 147 and Brera has back seats for no apparent reason as there is zero leg room with me in the front.

 

So, looked at through Volvo S40s and was quite impressed with the D5 R-Design, nice place to be in and drives well, so bought this one today:

S40 ingo - pick it up on Thursday.

 

Got it from a place in Cardiff, so Mei, if I don't like it it's doubly your fault

[Cameron 16]

Looks like an undercover police car.

[M_R_205 5 1 Cars]

Merc C220?

 

I regularly drive my dads auto estate version, its the most comfortable car i have ever driven, and also the quietest, its decent on fuel, motorways it can give up to around 45-50mpg it not particularly exciting but for A - B, flawless.

 

we have owned it from new (since 04/05? and around 75k) with nothing but service parts being replaced in that time.

 

Paul.

[RHULPUG 0]

So, looked at through Volvo S40s and was quite impressed with the D5 R-Design, nice place to be in and drives well, so bought this one today:

S40 ingo - pick it up on Thursday.

Got it from a place in Cardiff, so Mei, if I don't like it it's doubly your fault

 

Now all you need is one of these to go with it:- Link

[Justin 9]

Hope you like your Volvo - looks great. I have an '06 SE which I have done 90k in.

 

I quite like the D5 engine - it's a bit rough around the edges but characterful with it and has enough poke for the S40 to be interesting. Volvo do some of the best seats in the business and like you I do quite a few miles so comfort is important. Also rides well and has a good sound system, all of which are important if you're doing decent miles. Mine averages about 35mpg and I do mixed fairly mixed driving. Gets 40mpg on a long run, and has always been between 35-40mpg since new. The D5 seems to be the most reliable of the engines that have been fitted.

 

However the servicing costs have been horrific at my main agent - not one service (every 12/5k) under £350 yet. Also I've had a good few issues with mine, which have been a pain;

 

- door/window seals have been replaced twice due to excessive wind noise - seems a common issue

- power steering pump failed

- has had 3 replacement drivers seat sub-frames due to creaking - again a common issue

- door locks/windows have refused to open a couple of times - common issue that dealers are aware of and change the door contacts for gold plated ones

- two alloy wheels (17") have been replaced due to buckling

 

Mine has just had the 87k service and I was advised that the steering rack was leaking fluid, the gearbox has a minor leak, both front wishbones need replacing and it needs a new backbox - total price for repairs £2980!

 

Needless to say it's off to a specialist who can do the work for less than half the cost.

 

Don't let my experience put you off though - I would hope that as yours is a later model many of the niggles I've experienced will be ironed out. If you're interested the VOC is a decent forum;

 

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/index.php

 

Justin.

[Cloverleaf 1]

Looks like a nice car

 

I've always liked the sportier Volvos

[andyjstone 6]

Don't let my experience put you off though - I would hope that as yours is a later model many of the niggles I've experienced will be ironed out. If you're interested the VOC is a decent forum;

 

Justin.

 

Now you tell me, if I have that many problems with it at that sort of mileage I won't be happy

[Justin 9]

Now you tell me, if I have that many problems with it at that sort of mileage I won't be happy

 

Didn't mean to put the dampners on it - people are always quicker to moan than to praise. I expect that I've just got a Friday car. It's been reliable enough in the sense it's always started and always gets me where I'm going. The dealers have always fixed everything under warranty very promptly and with no fuss, which isn't the point but all cars have issues.

 

I probably don't help by driving it like a hire car when conditions allow, to be fair to it! There's plenty of high milage S40's and V50's out there with 100k on the clock and no issues.

 

Justin.

[Wallby 39]

Good choice! I do like the floating centre console on the Volvo's.

[MrG 3]

same here, nice choice. I did look at the eDrive V50 but it proved to be too pricey for me.

[andyjstone 6]

Good choice! I do like the floating centre console on the Volvo's.

 

The interior is quite interesting, which I like and with the 'R Design' spec. you get really comfortable sports leather seats.

 

I'm looking forward to getting it, always nice to have a new toy to play with

[welshpug 1,657]

looks a very nice motor, certainly wont be slow, I have serviced one of these engines in an S60 and it was a fairly nice machine to work on, I doubt parts would be that expensive as there's a lot of ford under the skin there I believe.

[andyjstone 6]

looks a very nice motor, certainly wont be slow, I have serviced one of these engines in an S60 and it was a fairly nice machine to work on, I doubt parts would be that expensive as there's a lot of ford under the skin there I believe.

 

Yes, I think the D5 engine is a Ford unit, so hopefully cheapish parts.

[Baz 421]

Good choice, the D5 is a stonker of an engine!

 

I'm a big Volvo fan, had a couple, namely an '97 850 2.0 20v Estate that i sold last year after having it since i was 18, so 7 years or so! Was mainly a winter/long journey car tbh, never anything major went wrong with it, apart from wear and tear/maintenance it was uber reliable. Really comfortable and cavernous inside! I'd have another/newer one in an instant!

 

[Baz 421]

Yes, I think the D5 engine is a Ford unit, so hopefully cheapish parts.

 

It's Volvo's own unit and afaia Ford still don't use it in any of their models! (strangely as it's loads better than the TDCi in the focii etc!)

 

And yes i know Ford own Volvo before anyone points it out!

[andyjstone 6]

Very pleased with the new motor, the D5 makes a very interesting noise, kind of a cross between a smooth diesel and a petrol V6!

 

Got it booked in for a re-map next week, should come out with 253hp & 548nm torque

[Baz 421]

Nice!!

[lemmingzappa 75 1 Cars]

I want a 240 Turbo

 

[mainline 2 1 Cars]

Im sure that Alfa is working hard to fix all the problems that was wrong with the brand. Their reliablity and dealer network is getting alot better, and they hold their value better.

 

Not owned an Alfa yet then Wallby? Dealers are absolutely horrific, and my Alfa had depreciated £15k in five years. Still, it made sense to buy it when it was so cheap and so far (*touches desk several times), no huge bills, just a power steering hose and a headlight stabilisation unit. The electrics are a bit poor, for instance there always has to be one blown bulb, but aside from that I love it to bits. And its a diesel so a really good daily hack and over 40 mpg.

 

Volvo looks a nice motor, but my last car was an S40 and it was awful. Yours is the new shape though, so hopefully a lot better.

[mr_exe 1]

I'd disgree with that the Alfa dealers that have looked after my 159 has been great, especially Mangoletsi's who cannot do enough for you. The biggest problem with Alfa dealers is there are not enough of them as the nearest one to me is 40 odd miles away.

[andyjstone 6]

I'd disgree with that the Alfa dealers that have looked after my 159 has been great, especially Mangoletsi's who cannot do enough for you. The biggest problem with Alfa dealers is there are not enough of them as the nearest one to me is 40 odd miles away.

 

I agree with that, my local Alfa dealer has always been 1st class, even though I used to take mine to NJD in Pershore, but only because they were cheaper.