Diesels: S40/V40 or S60/V70...My heart keeps ruling my head!
Discussion
I not bore you, but for various reasons, we are back in the market for a Volvo...this time a diesel one! I'm not convinced with VAG's...
However, I don't know which model to go for. I'm looking at either a S40 (which we've owned before)/V40 1.9D (102/115bhp), S60/V70/850 (D5 or maybe a TDI if they are as good?). All pre 2004/5 due to DPF's/EuroIII etc. This is where I'm hoping someone on here may be able to advise
My criteria for the car is as follows:
> I have upto £2.5k to spend (the less, the better)
> Mileage covered per week is approx 200-250miles. Commute 14 miles daily on B roads. 50 mile round trip to the Missus twice a week (she lives in the Peaks) and the odd weekend away.
> Must seat 4 adults with room for a bit of luggage
> Must be economical, so thinking a manual?
> Must be reliable and easy to repair mechanical wise if something does go wrong
> Must be able to do odd Motorway jaunts in a bit of comfort
So, I'm sat here at the moment, with my head one minute thinking S40/V40 1.9D, as I think this will be cheaper to run and more ideal for the daily commute, but then the next minute my heart gets giddy and I start drooling over V70 D5's (the 163bhp ones)...
Convince me one way or the other lads and lasses please
However, I don't know which model to go for. I'm looking at either a S40 (which we've owned before)/V40 1.9D (102/115bhp), S60/V70/850 (D5 or maybe a TDI if they are as good?). All pre 2004/5 due to DPF's/EuroIII etc. This is where I'm hoping someone on here may be able to advise
My criteria for the car is as follows:
> I have upto £2.5k to spend (the less, the better)
> Mileage covered per week is approx 200-250miles. Commute 14 miles daily on B roads. 50 mile round trip to the Missus twice a week (she lives in the Peaks) and the odd weekend away.
> Must seat 4 adults with room for a bit of luggage
> Must be economical, so thinking a manual?
> Must be reliable and easy to repair mechanical wise if something does go wrong
> Must be able to do odd Motorway jaunts in a bit of comfort
So, I'm sat here at the moment, with my head one minute thinking S40/V40 1.9D, as I think this will be cheaper to run and more ideal for the daily commute, but then the next minute my heart gets giddy and I start drooling over V70 D5's (the 163bhp ones)...
Convince me one way or the other lads and lasses please
Woody3 said:
All pre 2004/5 due to DPF's/EuroIII etc.
Point of info: the thing to look for with regards to presence of a DPF is to check the 8th digit of the VIN. If it's a 3 it's EUROIII without DPF, a 4 it's EUROIV without DPF, or a 5 it's a EUROIV with a DPF. You can find cars later than 2004/5 without DPFs, I think.
I was looking at S40s originally but in the end decided against it and went for an S60 D5 (163bhp). It seems a better screwed together car and an altogether more accomplished car. It'll be more refined and comfier for racking up those miles in too, as well as having that sweet 5 pot motor.
I would imagine an S40 is easier to maintain yourself and bits are probably cheaper but I'm just guessing here.
I would imagine an S40 is easier to maintain yourself and bits are probably cheaper but I'm just guessing here.
Having had two of the newer s40's and now an S60 they are worlds apart, The previous S40/V40's were Mitsubishi based IIRC, the newer S40's are Focus based, whereas the S60 platform is (i believe) a native Volvo platform, so what you are buying at the S40 end is a normal car made better by Volvo, once you make the leap to an S60/V70 you are getting into the range of cars built from the ground up by Volvo 
Certainly for me going from the 40 to a 60 was like going from an old ford to a bently, they are truely worlds apart!
However, My sister has a V40 and loves it, and they are very good cars, as mentioned the 40's are easier to maintain too, cheaper to buy and a bit better on fuel!
I'd advise looking at both, and buy the one in best condition that pulls your heart strings!!
HTH!
Certainly for me going from the 40 to a 60 was like going from an old ford to a bently, they are truely worlds apart!
However, My sister has a V40 and loves it, and they are very good cars, as mentioned the 40's are easier to maintain too, cheaper to buy and a bit better on fuel!
I'd advise looking at both, and buy the one in best condition that pulls your heart strings!!
HTH!
Woody3 said:
I have upto £2.5k to spend... I start drooling over V70 D5's (the 163bhp ones)...
I think you'll struggle to get a nice one for circa £2500 chap. Also, there's a word of difference between a S40 and a V70... so it'd be best to narrow down the criteria. If it was my money, I'd say either a V40 1.9D or a V70 Classic 2.5D or if it doesn't need to be an estate, an earlier S60. Gassing Station | Volvo & Polestar | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff