Discussion
Hi,
I noticed you can grab one around 16k, which is absolutely my top. But I really, really like how it looks. The one for this money has already 60k on the clock but I believe it's more like highway millage. I wonder what is reliability of those cars. I heard few rumours that gear box and engine sometimes like to cause expensive problem, so maybe I should stick to my safe option (currently Honda CRV or Rav 4 if I will decide to extend budget)? I don't care about excitement for below 10 s to 60 mph. But Volvo looks great and is so nice inside!
I noticed you can grab one around 16k, which is absolutely my top. But I really, really like how it looks. The one for this money has already 60k on the clock but I believe it's more like highway millage. I wonder what is reliability of those cars. I heard few rumours that gear box and engine sometimes like to cause expensive problem, so maybe I should stick to my safe option (currently Honda CRV or Rav 4 if I will decide to extend budget)? I don't care about excitement for below 10 s to 60 mph. But Volvo looks great and is so nice inside!
Apparently, its the same transmission as used in Lexus/Toyota, so maybe its just a gossip, as I know that Volvo used to have issues in 2000'ies. V90 uses this one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AWF8F35
The only issues that I've heard of is with the D5 engine, the Powerpulse (TM) hose can pop off causing a reduction in power.
Apart from that most issue seem to be minor, the infotainment can be a little laggy, but overall they seem very reliable. I'd have another if circumstances change.
Apart from that most issue seem to be minor, the infotainment can be a little laggy, but overall they seem very reliable. I'd have another if circumstances change.
keasden said:
I currently have a T5 V90 CC, had it 20 months from new and its been faultless. I love it, the ride is so comfortable and the interior is amongst the best out there. Only gripe, the servicing can be expensive if using main dealer.
Thanks 
Could you please elaborate on 'expensive', how much does it cost?I have been watching these with interest as my lease ends in August so thinking about an estate. Think it's a toss up between a v90 a skoda superb (had a hatchback on lease great car) or a left field choice Kia Optima Sportwagon which are quite a bit cheaper. Not much in It money wise between the superb and the V90 just running costs of the V90 will be more but certainly looks a better interior.
Currently have a 2019 V90 and previously had a 2016 superb hatch Both leases.
We loved the superb, bags of space inside plenty of toys/driver aids in just the SE Technology spec we had. Once that leased finished there was a great deal on the S90 but due to a dealer cock up we ended up
With a V90 which out of the S and V was really the better option.
The Volvo is a bit of a reverse Tardis, nowhere near as big inside as the superb. The driver aid systems are definitely superior to the superb we had. It’s a lovely car, but I think we preferred the superb and are switching back to one soon.
We loved the superb, bags of space inside plenty of toys/driver aids in just the SE Technology spec we had. Once that leased finished there was a great deal on the S90 but due to a dealer cock up we ended up
With a V90 which out of the S and V was really the better option.
The Volvo is a bit of a reverse Tardis, nowhere near as big inside as the superb. The driver aid systems are definitely superior to the superb we had. It’s a lovely car, but I think we preferred the superb and are switching back to one soon.
I had a V90 R Design on lease a couple of years back and it was lovely. Comfiest seats I've ever sat in. Bloody massive though so took a little bit of getting used to after coming out of a 1 series. All the toys you could really want - the self driving trick was great for motorway trips (remember those?). Look for the winter pack as the heated steering wheel and windscreen are awesome.
Nothing really went wrong in my time, but the infotainment system did sh*t the bed maybe a couple of times a year and would end up looking like the matrix - restart the engine and all fine again. Main dealer servicing price was severe - think I paid £265 for the first one then 2nd one was about £450 but I handed the car back early to avoid paying. You'll be looking at used so not so much of an issue. Also the gearbox was really smooth when going, but a sudden press of the accelerator and it had the reaction time of the sloth from Zootopia, but you get used to it after a while and can start to manage it a bit.
Nothing really went wrong in my time, but the infotainment system did sh*t the bed maybe a couple of times a year and would end up looking like the matrix - restart the engine and all fine again. Main dealer servicing price was severe - think I paid £265 for the first one then 2nd one was about £450 but I handed the car back early to avoid paying. You'll be looking at used so not so much of an issue. Also the gearbox was really smooth when going, but a sudden press of the accelerator and it had the reaction time of the sloth from Zootopia, but you get used to it after a while and can start to manage it a bit.
Richard-51tz1 said:
I have been watching these with interest as my lease ends in August so thinking about an estate. Think it's a toss up between a v90 a skoda superb (had a hatchback on lease great car) or a left field choice Kia Optima Sportwagon which are quite a bit cheaper. Not much in It money wise between the superb and the V90 just running costs of the V90 will be more but certainly looks a better interior.
The V90 is a league above the Superb in terms of interior quality, but the Superb feels much bigger on the inside and is still a nice place to be in it's own right. I'd happily have either.Just forget the Kia Optima - it's really not a good car. For a budget option look at the Mazda6, Mondeo, and the new style Insignia - all streets better than the Kia (I left a leased V90 and into a 2 year old Mazda6).
Leftfield choice would be the new style 508 SW (obviously depending on budget etc)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202007020...
Edited by ilikejam on Tuesday 23 February 17:31
casualdriver said:
Thanks. I wonder about price - 16 k is top of my budget and in comparison I could have goodish spec superb with lower milage. I am new to buying more expensive car, so why you can buy 40k+ GBP car which is 60k miles and 3-4 yo?
In a word depreciation & certain cars will be more affected than others in this case the V90 isn't classed as premium by the general public so depreciates more so than the Germans.If you want a nice car for your budget I'd say go for the Mondeo Vignale in 2.0T form they're a cracking car, mine has been faultless (mines a diesel) in nearly 80'ks worth of driving.
casualdriver said:
Thanks. I wonder about price - 16 k is top of my budget and in comparison I could have goodish spec superb with lower milage. I am new to buying more expensive car, so why you can buy 40k+ GBP car which is 60k miles and 3-4 yo?
I remember looking around before I signed up to my lease deal. The car I ordered was a D4 R Design, metallic black paint, with Winter Pack option.The Volvo configurator had the car at just under £45,000. I then went on to Autotrader and found the exact same car at a main dealer, pre reg, 0 miles for £28,000. A £28k car of any kind at 2-3 years old losing £12k in depreciation would be par for the course I'd say.
ucb said:
I couldn’t get along with the big touchscreen to control everything on my test drives with a V90, but that was the only downside for me
I used to work for Volvo, and drove a load of the new generation cars with the huge touchscreen. You get used to it after a while, to the point where every other car's infotainment system feels a bit crap by comparison. 
It's akin to getting used to a new mobile phone. Once you're used to the layout, it's absolutely fine.
We had 2 years with a 2018 D4 V90. The infotainment/software was a bit glitchy, but generally improved as patches and updates became available. Average to drive and the gearbox is pretty dimwitted compared to some others. On the whole very reliable. There was one visit to the dealer to drain the oil because diesel was topping it up when it did the regen (we did lots of short journeys, which we know modern diesels aren't keen on).
Very comfy, very barge like.
Very comfy, very barge like.
Thanks again. I don't mind slow gearbox, or glitchy system, as long as the car drives well. I just wonder how much more expensive it will be than say, Honda CRV during 7-9 years I am planning to keep my next car... Also, myself and my wife, we love how great this car looks inside and outside.
I'm biased because I had a 2015 CRV whose engine gave up the ghost at 2.5 years old and had a V90 for 2 years that didn't do that, but there's really no question with those 2 - get the Volvo. Of course any random car from any manufacturer can go wrong, but the Volvo is a whole different class of car in pretty much every aspect.
It's like saying you can't decide between a Qashqai and a 5 series estate - there's no contest!
It's like saying you can't decide between a Qashqai and a 5 series estate - there's no contest!
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