Thinking of moving into the realm of newer cars

[JMI]

Originally Posted by BarryCambs

I was commenting on the quality of modern cloth seats rather than comparing quality of different makes. That said, at 150k, the golf still feels like driving a new car and apart from service items has had a lambda sensor, a coil pack and electric window repair. The list for the volvo is a teeny weeny bit longer.

However, I don't think reliability comparisons are that useful, as I know plenty of golfs that have been nightmarish and volvos that have happily done 300k with nothing more than a few oil changes.

That's it, it very much depends on driving and maintenance. I've done 250k miles on my last V50 2.0d and i sold it with it's first clutch and turbo! It was pretty much services every 8000 miles instead of 12-14k and this is it.

But when it comes to VW group excuse me, let's be real, they can't meet the quality of the Volvo interiors, seriously no chance, I've seen and driven many and i will take Volvo 10 of 10 times!

Ps. The only VW i'd buy is Skoda - it's a very good balance between price and quality!

[BarryCambs]

I'm not sure I said VW interiors are better than volvo, just modern cloth seat wear very well. Not sure I said VW are the greatest car in the world either.

I got the Volvo because I needed an occasional 7 seater and couldn't face an MPV and I'm actually very happy with it and will keep it until it stops.

[Paul240480]

You probably know Dan, that I 'jumped' into a V70 recently , tho' petrol model. An SE, so with the leather you dislike.
I kept my 200 and 800, so far..... Lol.
I think you will like. If you go and see one do cast an eye over the rear discs, if they look at all 'cruddy' the handbrake shoes may well be past their best. Mine failed and snapped the stop off of the hub! A common fail on these. I should have known better. If you test drive, get it on a steep hill if poss, and 'test' the handbrake before you hand over some dosh. If its an auto like mine is, the previous may well not have used the handbrake, just P. Mine was a mates car and he admitted to not using it for years....... AFTER my fail, lol.
Heater blower rheostat too is common fail 'for no real reason' . Not too pricey at 50-ish. But a fiddly old job.
Hope this is of use
Good luck.

[T5RatherAmusin]

the very late bout 07+ ex police had decent seats
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-57-Vo...item35d2c645a1
duunno bout your budget but.....

the normal ex plod seat look absol garbage! i have a set in my shed waiting for skip now lol
theres 2 seat designs these are the style id recommend for you tho

[Fridazadilak]

Cheers for the replies guys!

My budget isn't huge, probably max of about £4k but hopefully less than £3k, I'm tempted by some the other cars mentioned in this thread, the V50 and the BMW E46 estate (I have a thing for estates!).

I've only been in one V70 before, foggyjames', and it was a very nice ride (even with a couple of issues at the time). As for the leather, I've never liked leather interiors. Your legs stick to it in the summer and slide off it in the winter, it's just something that's never appealed to me.

I may have to put up with it if I find a V70 that I like, otherwise I'll be looking into the BMW/Audi camps.

I'm basically looking for a family estate that has a bit of oomph to it but also gets good mileage. My daily commute is about 60 miles of town traffic and motorway driving.

And as, like Paul, I'm gonna be keeping the 240...and fitting a bigger turbo, 3" exhaust, upgraded suspension...

[Bill_56]

Post 2007-ish, the SE spec was downgraded to cloth.