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C30 / S40 & V50 '04-'12 / C70 '06-'13 General Forum for the P1-platform C30 / S40 / V50 / C70 models

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Volvo Comfort / V50 2.0d / D5

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Old Apr 1st, 2011, 11:58   #21
tayandre
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Originally Posted by r30ser View Post
Thank you for the feedback.

I thought the R-design has 17" alloys, but also an option for 18". I understand the 18"s would make a harder ride, but what about the 17"?

Any thoughts on the interior? Advice? Leather or not?
I have read that V70 quality is better than the V50?
Quality wise I'd say out V70 is a bit better than a C30 but that may be subjective because it's a bigger car. There's no noticeable difference in materials, both have been 100% reliable.

The ride on 17" will be firm too but not as crashy as the 18" wheels. I have just changed from winter tyres on 16" back to the stock 18" and it is horrible. Hard ride and no noticeable diffference in grip. The steering feels a bit better but that's about it. I believe R-Design models do have firmer set-up than an SE or SE Lux.

Have you looked at a V60? Not much smaller than a V70 in the boot (despite what the press have said), the boot is a very square usable space.

The ride and handling on V60 is better than either a V50 or V70, you also get V70 seats so great comfort.

V50 is going to be discontinued soon and the V70 can't have more than a couple of years left before a new model arrives. If budget allows and you want a Volvo I'd suggest V60 may be a better fit for you than eithet a V50 or V70.
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Old Apr 1st, 2011, 13:07   #22
r30ser
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Originally Posted by tayandre View Post
Quality wise I'd say out V70 is a bit better than a C30 but that may be subjective because it's a bigger car. There's no noticeable difference in materials, both have been 100% reliable.

The ride on 17" will be firm too but not as crashy as the 18" wheels. I have just changed from winter tyres on 16" back to the stock 18" and it is horrible. Hard ride and no noticeable diffference in grip. The steering feels a bit better but that's about it. I believe R-Design models do have firmer set-up than an SE or SE Lux.

Have you looked at a V60? Not much smaller than a V70 in the boot (despite what the press have said), the boot is a very square usable space.

The ride and handling on V60 is better than either a V50 or V70, you also get V70 seats so great comfort.

V50 is going to be discontinued soon and the V70 can't have more than a couple of years left before a new model arrives. If budget allows and you want a Volvo I'd suggest V60 may be a better fit for you than eithet a V50 or V70.
Hi,

Thanks for the feedback.

I have to say, I sat in a V60, and I loved it.
Only trouble is that i was looking at used car prices, rather than new.
Budget for used is around £14-16K.
I am tempted with a new V60, because of the scrappage deal Volvo are offering, its a very attractive offer.
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Old Apr 1st, 2011, 13:11   #23
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I find the grey leather seats in my S40 T5 are not supportive enough for cornering and they're perhaps a bit narrow. I would expect the V70 seats to be bigger and more comfortable? Leather is not for everyone and can be slippy, too hot, too cold etc. I always thought the best compromise was half-leather/alcantara? for grip.

Here's my seats at 5 years old and there's barely a mark on them:



Volvo seats are very well shaped and tend to 'fit' you everywhere, you'll notice the upper part of the seat and headrests are very close fitting.

The ride of the Dynamic Chassis found on sport models and T5's etc with 17" wheels is firm....firm enough for you to keep a close eye on pot holes and avoid them. I'll be honest now and say that I'm driving an 05 Astra Van at the moment (with the T5 sat at home) and I'm really enjoying how the Astra just mushes through bumps and pot holes without a flinch. Anything with 15/16" wheels, squishy tyres and some suspension travel is a must if you want super-comfort on our rubbish roads. Having said that, on the motorway my car sits planted and very composed.

I suffer a bad back and can honestly say my seats have never given me any pain even after 4/5 hour journeys. It's just the bumps in town that bug me.

Thanks for the feedback.

Do you know if the seat quality is the same in newer V50's compared to those of your vehicles age?

The only leather seats I have looked at are the R-Design ones on an 2-3 year old vehicle. They did look quite worn. (maybe it was just that car?)

Any comments?
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Old Apr 1st, 2011, 15:20   #24
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The seats in the C30/S40/V50 are good, very good if you are less than 1.85. I have the dark leather ones, and no wear in 2 years. The seat and suspension comfort is far better than in a Golf. But if you care about a soft ride, get 16 or 15 inch wheels. (My 205/50 17 rims are a tad to firm for me, with 15" rims for the winter tyres it is better.) The S60/V70/S80 should have even better seats.

If you really care about your back and good seats, get a second hand Saab or try a Citroen with the hydroactive suspension.
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Old Apr 1st, 2011, 15:32   #25
r30ser
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The seats in the C30/S40/V50 are good, very good if you are less than 1.85. I have the dark leather ones, and no wear in 2 years. The seat and suspension comfort is far better than in a Golf. But if you care about a soft ride, get 16 or 15 inch wheels. (My 205/50 17 rims are a tad to firm for me, with 15" rims for the winter tyres it is better.) The S60/V70/S80 should have even better seats.

If you really care about your back and good seats, get a second hand Saab or try a Citroen with the hydroactive suspension.


Thanks for the feedback.

My main requirment is seat comfort.

Do you find that you slip/slide in the leather seats?
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Old Apr 1st, 2011, 16:08   #26
faffi
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I have only used the R-design leather seats for a few days, and apart from how terribly cold they were in minus 16C, the thing I noticed most was how hard they felt compared to the fabric seats in my S40. Whether that is good or bad is an individual thing. The leather do not offer much grip as such, but the R-seats have decent side support built in and their firmness will mostly keep you in place just fine - at least for normal brisk driving.
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Old Apr 1st, 2011, 16:19   #27
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After several Volvos and BMWs I would say that fabric seats are much more comfortable than leather. Leather is cold in winter and hot in summer

We've had three V70s and are on our second V50. V50 is just as comfortable and has a better ride on our rural roads. Auto does well over 40 whereas V70 struggles to get anywhere near 30. If you don't need to get a 3 metre worktop in the car, go for the V50

For comfort, especially with back trouble get the smallest wheels possible. Every inch up gives a much harder ride
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Old Apr 1st, 2011, 16:47   #28
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After several Volvos and BMWs I would say that fabric seats are much more comfortable than leather. Leather is cold in winter and hot in summer

We've had three V70s and are on our second V50. V50 is just as comfortable and has a better ride on our rural roads. Auto does well over 40 whereas V70 struggles to get anywhere near 30. If you don't need to get a 3 metre worktop in the car, go for the V50

For comfort, especially with back trouble get the smallest wheels possible. Every inch up gives a much harder ride
Thanks for the feedback,

Which V50 Auto do you have? D5? 2.0D?
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Old Apr 1st, 2011, 17:04   #29
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Thanks for the feedback,

Which V50 Auto do you have? D5? 2.0D?
2.0 Powershift, 16" wheels, fabric seats
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Old Apr 2nd, 2011, 23:38   #30
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I Just picked up my V50 D5 R-Design SE Sport few days ago, and coming from an Audi S6 Avant i have to say it the R-Design seats (Cream Leather/Off black wet suite material) are more comfortable than the big bolstered supported Recaro leather seats in the Audi!

For a quick comparison....

Geartronic.....very smooth, hard to tell gear changes at all
D5 Engine...quickish for a diesel, but in the same light very very economical! averaging 50+ easily on the motorway, so very impressed!

18" alloys....firm ride, but still smooth... personally the 17" sport alloys look very dated and don't suite the car as well as the 18's do..

The platform is the Ford P1 (Focus)...which to be fair has a class leading chassis!

R-Design with the cream/off black interior will undoubtably in my mind will hold residuals much better than any other model....but thats just my opinion

Regards to full leather, its not a patch on Audi's S/RS cars..IMHO

So the Volvo V50 for me lives up to its reputation! Very economical, yet punchy diesel, very well designed interior and exterior, great supportive seats, smooth gearbox!

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