MRG Chippenham to drop Volvo Sales

[BL08]

Originally Posted by cloggers

I had a Mondeo before my V70. The difference is huge and I still find it hard to believe they share a lot of parts...

I too had a Mk IV Mondeo Estate before my V70 and despite the shared components and floor pan, the Mondeo out performed the Volvo with regards to handling and interior space (rear legroom in particular). Having driven a number of large FWD cars I would venture that the Mondeo must be virtually unsurpassed with regard to its suspension geometry in amongst the mass market of Passat, Mazda 6, Insignia, Toyota and so on.

The Volvo is a much nicer (and higher standard) place to be though and the sacrifice over the handling is a gain in the ride quality.

I wouldn't swap.

[clivea]

Originally Posted by BL08

I too had a Mk IV Mondeo Estate before my V70 and despite the shared components and floor pan, the Mondeo out performed the Volvo with regards to handling and interior space (rear legroom in particular). Having driven a number of large FWD cars I would venture that the Mondeo must be virtually unsurpassed with regard to its suspension geometry in amongst the mass market of Passat, Mazda 6, Insignia, Toyota and so on.

The Volvo is a much nicer (and higher standard) place to be though and the sacrifice over the handling is a gain in the ride quality.

I wouldn't swap.

I would agree with your comments and especially the rear leg room in the XC 70. I am 6ft 4 in but with the seat in my normal driving position there is no leg room behind me, so I have to move my seat forwards. Cannot recall having another car with such a restriction. Even my wife's Nissan Note can take two six footers + sitting behind one another, but the luggage space doesn't match the Volvo. But the Note has a moveable rear seats which allow 6 inches of adjustment fore and aft which gives it tremendous flexibility. Pity Volvo couldn't have thought of that too.

Do like the XC70 for its easy going approach to long journeys and its ability to tow without any fuss whatsoever.

[bgarston]

Originally Posted by don kalmar union

But, they do have a dealer in central Bristol in a portacabin who will no doubt do a better job than MRG........OH wait a minute most Volvo owners in Bristol drive out to MRG 'cos of their experience with the Bristol dealer.

Don.

I live in Bristol. Lets just say I had a Citroen serviced at the above mentioned Bristol dealership a little over a year ago (It's also a Citroen Main Dealer). All I'll say is never again and wonder why anyone would take there Volvo there! Not a patch on the service you get at MRG!

Ben

[ady30]

First VOLVO From MRG 1994 AS IT WAS THEN KASTNER
Since then approx. 10 cars from them all Brand new
its like someone has died now at MRG
No original sales team Daniel was a good person who helped me to get all my models
as I say now it feels cold when you go in there everyone's left
as for city motors I believe in the past they lost the Volvo franchise
Its too late for MRG to get franchise back as the new team are so different in their style and attitude there will never be another MRG VOLVO NEW CAR DEALERSHIP unless Dan and team reaturn

[Finbo]

What's the situation with the service team and mechanics now at MRG?

This is one key area where their reputation was built upon.

As they remain an authorised Volvo Service Centre, I hope their good work continues but when a new company takes over often the key elements can be lost.

Reputations take a long time to build up, but they can be lost very quickly.

Hopefully, this won't happen to MRG. I have a service due in October and am interested to know how things are there.

Interestingly, I did see online recently they were selling used Volvos again after a period when there were a real mixed bag of marques for sale there. Again, hopefully, this is step in the right direction...

[Paul Wildsmith]

I was there for my service in July. Daniel still there as sales manager, Simon as service manager - even 'young' Simon Messenger has returned. Same good service (and prices) I've always enjoyed.

I believe they can also source new (Volvo) cars.

[Rettopian]

I have nothing but praise for MRG - I had my 2 previous Volvo's serviced there between 2002 & 2009. Service was always excellent - above & beyond the call of duty in many cases.

After defecting from the marque for a few years I now drive an S80 which I take there. Still many familiar faces - and the same old courtesy & care.

I can't praise them highly enough. The best dealership I've ever experienced. I would have no reservation in recommending their continued use & wouldn't take my car anywhere else.

[St Evelyn]

The changes since they were bought out by CMC, as I understand it are:

• Whole sales team changed (Paul's gone back to Platinum Nissan, Box, Dan has taken on a vehicle rental franchise and I can't recall where the or gent went)
• Simon Chiu left to try to fix City Motors Volvo in Bristol
• Simon Messenger promoted to Service Manager
• Tony McMillan now Dealership Principal of both MRG and CMC Ford
• Huge investment from the owner of CMC

Apparently, it has been agreed that MRG will retain their name, whilst all other dealerships within the CMC group trade under the CMC name. This is because of the good reputation that MRG have.
They are in the process of getting planning approval to open the front entrance and close the existing 'rear' entrance that has been in use since they relocated from Malmesbury Road all those years ago.
They have also applied for planning to change the landscaping at the front from grass to 'hard' so as to display cars all the way around the front of the showroom in the same way that Johnsons Volvo in Swindon do.
As part of this, they have had numerous 12-month old Volvos bought in to sell on, along with a couple of Mercedes and an R8 V10 to take pride of place in the centre of the showroom being highly visible from the road and roundabout as you drive past.