Would you buy another Volvo?

[Kev78]

Originally Posted by RoyMacDonald

The point I'm making is that Audi with that model have gone from offering a 3.2 litre 6 cylinder engine to only offering a 2 litre four cylinder one. I chose that example as that is the only Audi model I have looked at as a new purchase and saw the same trend to two litres as Volvo.

However I see that the TT RS with the 2.5 litre 5 pot will be available some time in the future, just not at the moment. So good news for us 5 pot lovers.

Roy

The 3.2 never suited to TT due to its weight. The 2.0 TSI always got better reviews.

I agree the 5 cylinder 2.5 is the best. Very tuneable too.

Imagine if the Q7 or Range Rover was only available with 2.0 4 pots. I think Volvo have really messed up.

I appreciate others feel different.

[Kev78]

Originally Posted by GJB

You still have the XC60 with D5 to choose

Good job they did not we then would all be beholding to a shower of Mrs Mirkles boys who will do anything to cheat the system trying to monopolize everything.

I have a XC60 SE lux nav D5 at the moment.

I would love a new XC90 if it had VAG 3.0 tdi and build quality. It would definitely be my next car.

Say what you want about ze Germans but they know how to build cars.

These new Volvo's seem very "unvolvo".

I haven't been on here for nearly a year and I'm amazed the D4 problems haven't been solved. Volvo's reputation is built or reliability and safety.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Kev78

I have a XC60 SE lux nav D5 at the moment.

I would love a new XC90 if it had VAG 3.0 tdi and build quality. It would definitely be my next car.

Say what you want about ze Germans but they know how to build cars.

These new Volvo's seem very "unvolvo".

I haven't been on here for nearly a year and I'm amazed the D4 problems haven't been solved. Volvo's reputation is built or reliability and safety.

The VAG 3.0TDi is a good engine, no doubt but the D5 is as good, if not better, just not big enough. The VEA engine is good but sadly not quite as good as the VAG 177/180 unit (both were sat on my drive until a few weeks ago).

Volvo interior build quality now suprpasses VAG in some areas. Having had 15 years of VAG company cars (mainly Passats, 1 Golf and 1 A4) my new XC60 has no build quality issues whatsoever.

Yes ze Germans certainly do know how to build cars very well by the millions - that's why they are much less charismatic that Volvo which is a cottage industry by comparison.

Horses for courses... but you probably have one of the best Volvo's that you can buy at the moment.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by NigelDay

I continue to wonder if there is a secret 'plan B' to expand the VEA to 6-cylinders, just as JLR have announced they are doing with the Ingenium block. With all the computer modelling available today, it can't be that difficult.

Isn't that what they did with the modular petrol engines of the 1990's?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Volvo_engines

[GrahamHR]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

Isn't that what they did with the modular petrol engines of the 1990's?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Volvo_engines

I had Volvos for a number of years:

1995 2,0 850 GLT estate
1997 2.5 V70
2000 2.4 V70
2013 D5 V70
until 2007
Then a Ford, 2006 ST220 estate.

Back to a 2016 V60 Polestar: the 2006 Ford was better built I'm afraid, no door trim rattles and less fragile paintwork.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by GrahamHR

I had Volvos for a number of years:

1995 2,0 850 GLT estate
1997 2.5 V70
2000 2.4 V70
2013 D5 V70
until 2007
Then a Ford, 2006 ST220 estate.

Back to a 2016 V60 Polestar: the 2006 Ford was better built I'm afraid, no door trim rattles and less fragile paintwork.

As I said - horses for courses.

My 2016 XC60 - no build issues whatsoever in first 6000 miles, last two VAGs has dashboard and/or roof lining area rattles which the dealer had to sort.

Again as I said though Volvo are almost a cottage industry compared to VAG, BMW, Mercedes etc. I would put up with a few rattles for the extra comfort....

[RoyMacDonald]

My experience of Audi and Mercedes has been one of rust far before any Volvo I've ever owned. I fact rust has never been a issue I've experienced on any Volvo I've had experience of.

I think Mercedes have upped their game since the one I owned though.

Also although I like Audis a lot the interiors don't wear as well as Volvos do. I've driven 300k Volvos that were still great inside and showing little signs of wear mechanically or physically. Also Audis are defiantly more prone to engine failures than Volvos are.

Roy

[ericy]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

The VAG 3.0TDi is a good engine, no doubt but the D5 is as good, if not better, just not big enough. The VEA engine is good but sadly not quite as good as the VAG 177/180 unit (both were sat on my drive until a few weeks ago).

TDI is a dirty word over here right now, and VAG is spending huge amounts of money to pay for their crimes. They will be buying mine back, and paying me more than I paid for it new 2 years ago. Enough to pay for a certified pre-owned 2015 V60.

This is probably the end of passenger diesels in the US. It amuses me that much earlier in this thread someone speculated that a lack of diesels might be the reason why people over here aren't as satisfied with Volvo.

[Kev78]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

The VAG 3.0TDi is a good engine, no doubt but the D5 is as good, if not better, just not big enough. The VEA engine is good but sadly not quite as good as the VAG 177/180 unit (both were sat on my drive until a few weeks ago).

Volvo interior build quality now suprpasses VAG in some areas. Having had 15 years of VAG company cars (mainly Passats, 1 Golf and 1 A4) my new XC60 has no build quality issues whatsoever.

Yes ze Germans certainly do know how to build cars very well by the millions - that's why they are much less charismatic that Volvo which is a cottage industry by comparison.

Horses for courses... but you probably have one of the best Volvo's that you can buy at the moment.

BMW are "less charismatic" than Volvo? I think you will find 99.99999% of people massively disagree. Have you ever drove one?

What is "charismatic" about every model from v40 to xc90 being built on the same production line with the same cheap engine?

The public perception of Volvo is that they are slow, safe and for older people. My friends make jokes about mine all the time.

I love my XC60, but I'm under no illusion that is a better car than a X3 3.0d. It's miles behind dynamically.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Kev78

BMW are "less charismatic" than Volvo? I think you will find 99.99999% of people massively disagree. Have you ever drove one?

What is "charismatic" about every model from v40 to xc90 being built on the same production line with the same cheap engine?

The public perception of Volvo is that they are slow, safe and for older people. My friends make jokes about mine all the time.

I love my XC60, but I'm under no illusion that is a better car than a X3 3.0d. It's miles behind dynamically.

My friends all made jokes 25 years ago when I sold a Cavalier SRi and bought my 440 Turbo. That is until they drove it... one of them even sold their RS Turbo and bought one (mainly becuase the 440 was quicker). Same recently with my C70 T5.

I don't think Volvo would actually want the image that BMW and to some extent Audi have.

I've driven 10's of BMW's over the years from 3-series to an M5 and X6, and they are brilliant cars - I never said they weren't. In fact they are as close as you can probably buy to engineering perfection - every component will do exactly what it was designed to do and for a long time. Which makes them boring - in the eyes of some independent thinkers and some with their own personality. It's like going out with the prefect at school - your mum will be pleased and she will always be faithful but the slightly chubby b-grade redhead with a few spots will be a lot more fun and memorable.

That said the XC90 is picking up more awards that an X5 right now.

I never really meant to criticise any other cars, just make the point that with a Volvo it's value is often more than the sum of its components. Which is why you love yours even though you know the equivalent BMW or Audi might be in some ways a technically better car. Bear in mind also that the XC60 is now 9 years old and near end of life without any major facelift - the fact that it is still out there in large numbers is real testament that Volvo did they best they could with it.

And as for all cars having the same engine - not sure what your point is as all manufacturers do this - do you think the 2.0 4-pot diesel is any different in the BMW 1,2,3,5 series cars? Audi TDi in A3,A4,A5,A6,Golf,Passat,Tiguan, EOS,Octavia,Superb,Exeo,Leon,Alhambra etc.?

And the same production line - mine and your XC60 was made in Belgium along with the V40. The 90 and 70 series cars are built in Torslanda along with some V/S 60. There's a new factory opening in America in a few years and a good half dozen engine/component factories in Sweden, Chinaand Malaysia.