Where is the quality?

v40bart · Jun 27th, 2011, 23:57

After the honeymoon period I started noticing little things that are really letting volvo down. Is it me or is the quality of yesteryear gone? It shows especially in interior trim quality. My S reg V40 SE has soft, durable fabric on the seats that still looks nearly new after 13 years, is soft and pleasent to touch and doesn't hold dirt. The off-black cloth interior ofmy 3 year old V50 is covered with coarse fabric that is a bastard to clean, not so pleasent to touch and little balls of fluff are forming all over the surface from abrasion on clothes. I dread to think how it would look after 13 years... The design of the interior is very modern and slick but quality off materials is gone...

MonkeyMatt · Jun 28th, 2011, 07:47

Without doubt Volvo are trading more by reputation than actual quality. I have owned 4 Volvos, including two phase 2 V70 T5s and I've now gone back to a '96 850 TDI, which is without doubt a superior build quality.

v40bart · Jun 28th, 2011, 08:28

Another thing are the carpets. Why would they put £25 quid carpets into £20K plus car? These things look like are made of felt that is normally used for furniture pads, you know that stuff you put on chair legs to stop the floor scratching. It's small detail that makes a car in my opinion and that's where it is lacking.

jco · Jun 28th, 2011, 14:42

I think new cars sell on design/style etc these days not "real" quality.
No real gain to Volvo in making a car to last 25 years - but I do think V50's are a little over priced in quality terms - but its a real good looker

tayandre · Jun 28th, 2011, 16:16

Speaking as someone emplyed in matters of quality management there's a few things to remember...

Quality is one thing and grade is another.

Quality is far higher these days than it was years ago - your car today will be far safer, quieter, more economical, faster, lower emissions, (hopefully) break down less and go far longer between maintence stops.

Grade...well there's probably an argument that this has slipped. Materials may not be as plush or hardwaring but they are cheaper so money can be spent on airbags, hifi, ESP, electric and sensored everything, fat alloy wheels and tyres, etc.

Personally I would not give up any of these for better carpets or thicker paint. However, I do symathise if you do want grade over quality then even buying something like a Merc you are not going to get it.

MonkeyMatt · Jun 28th, 2011, 16:29

I guess it's time to buy a Bentley. Donations please....

fenton_jd · Jun 28th, 2011, 18:09

I sat in a brand new 11 plate "up market" Vauxhall astra the other day.

The interior quality was effectively bad materials covered with a thin layer of soft touch plastic. I cannot see the interior lasting 5 years.

The S40 is leagues better.

Remember, manufacturers across the board INCLUDING VW are trying to get as much cheap plastics inside the car without anyone noticing.

The brand new 2011 Passat was accused of having scratchy plastics in some areas.

If you want solidly build cars with durable interiors, go for 90's Honda/Volvos/VWs/Audi/Merc.

Will22 · Jun 28th, 2011, 20:06

I agree with you and was going to give a big responce of my own but decided to start my own thread here http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showth...599#post936599 so as not to hijack yours.

I do know how you feel.

Jun 27th, 2011, 23:57	#1
v40bart Master Member Last Online: Jun 14th, 2015 13:09 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London	Where is the quality? After the honeymoon period I started noticing little things that are really letting volvo down. Is it me or is the quality of yesteryear gone? It shows especially in interior trim quality. My S reg V40 SE has soft, durable fabric on the seats that still looks nearly new after 13 years, is soft and pleasent to touch and doesn't hold dirt. The off-black cloth interior ofmy 3 year old V50 is covered with coarse fabric that is a bastard to clean, not so pleasent to touch and little balls of fluff are forming all over the surface from abrasion on clothes. I dread to think how it would look after 13 years... The design of the interior is very modern and slick but quality off materials is gone... __________________ 2008 V50 2.0 D, silver, off-black leather interior, plod spec 320mm brakes and suspension, says 140 ps on the sticker but flies like proverbial off a shovell. NICE...

Jun 28th, 2011, 08:28	#3
v40bart Master Member Last Online: Jun 14th, 2015 13:09 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London	Another thing are the carpets. Why would they put £25 quid carpets into £20K plus car? These things look like are made of felt that is normally used for furniture pads, you know that stuff you put on chair legs to stop the floor scratching. It's small detail that makes a car in my opinion and that's where it is lacking. __________________ 2008 V50 2.0 D, silver, off-black leather interior, plod spec 320mm brakes and suspension, says 140 ps on the sticker but flies like proverbial off a shovell. NICE...

Jun 28th, 2011, 07:47	#2
MonkeyMatt Member Last Online: Dec 2nd, 2021 00:16 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shropshire	Without doubt Volvo are trading more by reputation than actual quality. I have owned 4 Volvos, including two phase 2 V70 T5s and I've now gone back to a '96 850 TDI, which is without doubt a superior build quality.

Jun 28th, 2011, 14:42	#4
jco Member Last Online: Jun 26th, 2017 10:04 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Rossett	I think new cars sell on design/style etc these days not "real" quality. No real gain to Volvo in making a car to last 25 years - but I do think V50's are a little over priced in quality terms - but its a real good looker

Jun 28th, 2011, 16:16	#5
tayandre Senior Member Last Online: Jun 25th, 2013 21:37 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kilmarnock	Speaking as someone emplyed in matters of quality management there's a few things to remember... Quality is one thing and grade is another. Quality is far higher these days than it was years ago - your car today will be far safer, quieter, more economical, faster, lower emissions, (hopefully) break down less and go far longer between maintence stops. Grade...well there's probably an argument that this has slipped. Materials may not be as plush or hardwaring but they are cheaper so money can be spent on airbags, hifi, ESP, electric and sensored everything, fat alloy wheels and tyres, etc. Personally I would not give up any of these for better carpets or thicker paint. However, I do symathise if you do want grade over quality then even buying something like a Merc you are not going to get it.

Jun 28th, 2011, 16:29	#6
MonkeyMatt Member Last Online: Dec 2nd, 2021 00:16 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shropshire	I guess it's time to buy a Bentley. Donations please....

Jun 28th, 2011, 18:09	#7
fenton_jd turkeyspace.com Last Online: Nov 5th, 2016 16:41 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Gloucester	I sat in a brand new 11 plate "up market" Vauxhall astra the other day. The interior quality was effectively bad materials covered with a thin layer of soft touch plastic. I cannot see the interior lasting 5 years. The S40 is leagues better. Remember, manufacturers across the board INCLUDING VW are trying to get as much cheap plastics inside the car without anyone noticing. The brand new 2011 Passat was accused of having scratchy plastics in some areas. If you want solidly build cars with durable interiors, go for 90's Honda/Volvos/VWs/Audi/Merc.

Jun 28th, 2011, 20:06	#8
Will22 Senior Member Last Online: Aug 15th, 2011 22:07 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Midlands	I agree with you and was going to give a big responce of my own but decided to start my own thread here http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showth...599#post936599 so as not to hijack yours. I do know how you feel.

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