Talk to me about V50 R Designs, 2.0D.

[ecain63]

The wife has decided she wants to shed the fuel burden of her 2009 Prodrive Alfa Brera SV6 and is looking to buy a more practical car instead. She is more into looks than performance and the search has ended with the V50 R Design, 2.0D manual. Also, we have 2 dogs so she's offered to take the strain off my M5 Tourer by buying an estate.

Can you shed some light on this model so i know what I'm looking for? I've / we've never owned one before so are not that familiar with the running costs etc. The Alfa returns 20mpg maximum so the extra mileage per litre will please her lots.

We have a car in mind. 09 plate, 30k on the clock, 2 tone leather and 18" boots.

Eddie

[pirie555]

Hi Eddie,

I've had a 2008 V50 2.0d R Design for a year, and would definitely recommend one. They're a lot of car for the money.

The performance is good, particularly for overtaking. ~45 mpg in mixed driving, more like 50 on a long run. It feels very sure footed and stable. The steering isn't the last word in feedback, but it's very accurate.

It has the classic Volvo attributes of having excellent seats, stereo and heating/ventilation, so it's a nice place to spend long journeys in.

The dogs should have adequate space in the back, but it's not huge - I guess it depends on how big your dogs are!

They're pretty reliable, but there are a few generic faults such as premature wheel bearing wear and alternator failure - it's certainly more reliable and better built than the Golf I had previously. Oh, and it's better to drive as well

There's one thing to watch is that the R Design does not have a fuel computer as standard, but the SE R design does. However, this feature can be "enabled" by Volvo for ~£200. I would ask for this feature to be enabled as part of the deal, assuming your buying from the main dealer. But then again, your wife may not miss this feature; Mine doesn't!

[ecain63]

Thanks mate. We test drove a couple at the weekend and the general opinion is that they do pretty much what it says on the tin, except the interior is a much nicer place to be than we expected when compared to the rivals. The engine returned an average of 45mpg as you suggested and theres enough power there to make short work of overtaking duties.

Any thoughts on this car and is the semi auto box worth looking at?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Eddie

[t5monkey]

I've been in a V50 2.0D

Nice car, good refinement, handling a bit wolly.

I drive a rather fettled S40 T5 - they are pretty reliable and well put together with some minor issues mainly to do with the lifespan of the ford parts in them.

Rear IPD roll bar really improves the handling.

I've had 18 and 17" wheels on mine (currently OZ 17's) this car is MUCH better on 17's dynamically and ride wise.

Are you about the West End of Glasgow? if your Alfa is black I may have seen it around - thought about getting one of those myself about the time I got the Volvo.

Edited by t5monkey on Thursday 5th January 00:49

[ecain63]

I'm not in Glasgow I'm affraid and the Brera was a red SV6 Prodrive which is leaving us today. Sorry dude.

[pirie555]

ecain63 said:

Thanks mate. We test drove a couple at the weekend and the general opinion is that they do pretty much what it says on the tin, except the interior is a much nicer place to be than we expected when compared to the rivals. The engine returned an average of 45mpg as you suggested and theres enough power there to make short work of overtaking duties.

Any thoughts on this car and is the semi auto box worth looking at?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Eddie

That's a very nice looking car - I haven't seen a white V50 before.

The V50 is "off the radar" for most people, so they are generally surprised with how good they are. I only test drove one because there was a dealer nearby and I thought I had better test drive some alternative cars before buying an Octavia. Needless to say I bought the Volvo!

It doesn't say so on the advert, but judging by the Spec, it's an SE R-Design - It's got the Information Centre, auto dimming mirror, and auto head lights that the standard R-Design lacks. The previous owner has also gone mad on the options - Chrome roof rails, water repellant side windows and the expensive sunroof option.

I don't have any experience of the Powershift gearbox, but I think it's basically Fords version of DSG, so it shouldn't be any dearer to run than a manual.

The price seems pretty good as well. If you like it I would go for it!

[ecain63]

pirie555 said:

ecain63 said:

Thanks mate. We test drove a couple at the weekend and the general opinion is that they do pretty much what it says on the tin, except the interior is a much nicer place to be than we expected when compared to the rivals. The engine returned an average of 45mpg as you suggested and theres enough power there to make short work of overtaking duties.

Any thoughts on this car and is the semi auto box worth looking at?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Eddie

That's a very nice looking car - I haven't seen a white V50 before.

The V50 is "off the radar" for most people, so they are generally surprised with how good they are. I only test drove one because there was a dealer nearby and I thought I had better test drive some alternative cars before buying an Octavia. Needless to say I bought the Volvo!

It doesn't say so on the advert, but judging by the Spec, it's an SE R-Design - It's got the Information Centre, auto dimming mirror, and auto head lights that the standard R-Design lacks. The previous owner has also gone mad on the options - Chrome roof rails, water repellant side windows and the expensive sunroof option.

I don't have any experience of the Powershift gearbox, but I think it's basically Fords version of DSG, so it shouldn't be any dearer to run than a manual.

The price seems pretty good as well. If you like it I would go for it!

Thanks mate. We spoke to the dealer on the phone today and so far it all sounds pretty good. The servicing is up to scratch, good tyres / discs / pads etc, MOT to July, top spec and all in fantastic condition, well thats whats been said on the phone at least. Hupefully on saturday we'll be coming home in it.

Eddie

[JaySTee]

I'm looking at a V50 but more likely petrol as my milage is low. However just wondering about diesel as it does seem offer much better mpg and performance than the 1.8 petrol. Do the volvo diesels suffer form DPF clogging on cars that just do local miles? Any other low mileage diesel related issues to consider? My commute is only 8 miles each way so I wouldn't think a diesel would even fully warm up at that distance...

[ecain63]

Just for your ref. I've been to see the car and its awful. Actually on 46k, not 40k. Leather in terrible condition. Dents and marks. The wheels had obviously been painted with a spray can as the colour rubbed off on my fingers. On top of that the sales guy wad aggressive and cheeky when I said it wasn't as advertised. He said, 'well just down the road is a Volvo dealership, go and buy a new one'. Makes me sick!
Eddie

[Deerfoot]

ecain63 said:

Just for your ref. I've been to see the car and its awful. Actually on 46k, not 40k. Leather in terrible condition. Dents and marks. The wheels had obviously been painted with a spray can as the colour rubbed off on my fingers. On top of that the sales guy wad aggressive and cheeky when I said it wasn't as advertised. He said, 'well just down the road is a Volvo dealership, go and buy a new one'. Makes me sick!
Eddie

That's a shame, it looked good in the advert. Have you got any others to look at?

[ecain63]

Bought a D5 from a dealer in the end. Woops! Lol.

Absolute steal and top spec. Electric blue, 23k miles, D5 R design, every option but a suroof, 2 tone leather, lightwieght alloys, full 3 year bodycare pack, 1 year Volvo warranty, all new tyres / discs & pads thrown in, full service. £14k. Win!

[y2blade]

ecain63 said:

Bought a D5 from a dealer in the end. Woops! Lol.

Absolute steal and top spec. Electric blue, 23k miles, D5 R design, every option but a suroof, 2 tone leather, lightwieght alloys, full 3 year bodycare pack, 1 year Volvo warranty, all new tyres / discs & pads thrown in, full service. £14k. Win!

Good choice the D5 is a superb Engine, enjoy.

any pictures of it? I'd love to see them

[BE57 TOY]

ecain63 said:

The wife has decided she wants to shed the fuel burden of her 2009 Prodrive Alfa Brera SV6 and is looking to buy a more practical car instead. She is more into looks than performance and the search has ended with the V50 R Design, 2.0D manual. Also, we have 2 dogs so she's offered to take the strain off my M5 Tourer by buying an estate.

Can you shed some light on this model so i know what I'm looking for? I've / we've never owned one before so are not that familiar with the running costs etc. The Alfa returns 20mpg maximum so the extra mileage per litre will please her lots.

We have a car in mind. 09 plate, 30k on the clock, 2 tone leather and 18" boots.

Eddie

Pretty cars. I like the S40 R Design, too.

[Deerfoot]

ecain63 said:

Bought a D5 from a dealer in the end. Woops! Lol.

Absolute steal and top spec. Electric blue, 23k miles, D5 R design, every option but a suroof, 2 tone leather, lightwieght alloys, full 3 year bodycare pack, 1 year Volvo warranty, all new tyres / discs & pads thrown in, full service. £14k. Win!

Well done. Any links to the ad? That sounds like a good price.

[ecain63]

Here you go. The salesman was quick to admit that the car was priced too low given its condition and spec. £15.5k was where it should have been but he had to honour the price and we squeezed him to the bone to reach £14k. It had only just arrived on the forecourt so we were the first to view. I do enjoy a good price battle. Had we not phoned earlier he would have changed the price in the ad.

http://www.selektvolvocars.co.uk/selekt-search-res...

[Deerfoot]

Very nice!

Looks like you've had a very good deal there.

[Elderly]

ecain63 said:

I do enjoy a good price battle.

So do I; back in October I bought a V70 D5 variant.

The first two Volvo main dealers I was hoping to buy from would hardly move on price at all,
so I walked.
The third asked me where I wanted to start, I offered a low starting price,
and after the usual 'going around the back to see his boss', said we were close; at which point I stuck to my guns and he accepted it!

A lot of these newish Volvo main dealer used cars are bought by them in closed auctions, only open to Volvo main dealers to participate and there's no shortage of supply from Volvo themselves.

[pirie555]

That's good that everything has worked out well - you've got a very nice car for an excellent price.

There's a part of me wishes I had gone for a D5, if only for the the 5 cylinder backing track. The ~45 extra horses must be handy as well!

Enjoy!

[ecain63]

pirie555 said:

That's good that everything has worked out well - you've got a very nice car for an excellent price.

There's a part of me wishes I had gone for a D5, if only for the the 5 cylinder backing track. The ~45 extra horses must be handy as well!

Enjoy!

Thanks mate, i'll let know how it goes and if its worth the extar cylinder. Past experience would suggest that more cyclinders = more pleasure. Im sporting a V10 currently, which is very much a pleasurable experience.

Eddie

[ecain63]

Well its arrived:
Delivered today by Volvo Reading, our V50 D5.


Im amazed at how much grunt this thing has. It spins up the front wheels so easily, im going to have to ration the wifes right foot else we will be forking out for new front tyres before the coming of spring. Its a 58 plate and has only got 23k on the clock, comes with nearly all the options (no sunroof but everything else) and we blagged so much from the dealer that they were unhappy to sell at the price we paid. £14k and we forced them to throw in 4 new tyres, new discs and pads front and back, fresh service, fresh Mot, a year of tax, 3 year body care plan where they come out and detail your car for you whenever you call and if they find damage that cannot be polished out they will repaint the panel free of charge, we had 3 panels painted and refinished by volvo before they dropped the car off to us, had the alloys refurbed and had some interior trim replaced. The manager asked 'if i kept a fork in my sugar bowl' and stormed off after a heated negotiation. lol

Obviously we'll miss the Brera but the wife will love 50mpg vs the 22mpg she got from the Italian. The next big question is what to do with my M5 Tourer. Atom 300 maybe?

Eddie