Newbie Advice. 5 Series Touring vs V90
Discussion
Hi Guys.
So I've always driven hatchbacks, starting with a corsa, then a mk5 GTI and onto my current Kia Ceed.
I'm in the market for a bigger car, however I've never been much of a fan of SUVs or crossovers so I'd rather stay close to the ground in a Saloon.
Based on my budget I've got about 22k to spend and I am trying to stay within approved used areas of the market and have found the following.
5 series touring - https://www.stratstone.com/search/details/bmw/5-se...
V90 - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104071...
And as left field an Audi A5 sportback - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104191...
I've driven a similar 5 series and a diesel version of the A5 but it's hard to choose from them on the test routes, my annual mileage assuming going back to the real world is between 10-12k miles per year, mostly dual carriage ways and urban areas.
I'm leaning towards the 5 series as it is so much car for the money but it of course attracts the higher rate of tax for another 2.5 years. Any advice on these cars or what you would choose in a similar situation would go a long way in helping me make up my mind.
Thanks
Adam
So I've always driven hatchbacks, starting with a corsa, then a mk5 GTI and onto my current Kia Ceed.
I'm in the market for a bigger car, however I've never been much of a fan of SUVs or crossovers so I'd rather stay close to the ground in a Saloon.
Based on my budget I've got about 22k to spend and I am trying to stay within approved used areas of the market and have found the following.
5 series touring - https://www.stratstone.com/search/details/bmw/5-se...
V90 - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104071...
And as left field an Audi A5 sportback - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104191...
I've driven a similar 5 series and a diesel version of the A5 but it's hard to choose from them on the test routes, my annual mileage assuming going back to the real world is between 10-12k miles per year, mostly dual carriage ways and urban areas.
I'm leaning towards the 5 series as it is so much car for the money but it of course attracts the higher rate of tax for another 2.5 years. Any advice on these cars or what you would choose in a similar situation would go a long way in helping me make up my mind.
Thanks
Adam
I would discount the 5 series in the link because its an SE spec rather than M-Sport. Be far easier to sell an M-Sport down the line than an SE and you get a better spec out of the box.
Of the three you have linked, I would take the Volvo as I think it looks the best inside and out.
The Audi is a petrol but modern 2.0T petrols get fairly decent MPG to be fair, especially if a lot of the miles are cruising at Motorway speeds.
£22k is a decent budget so gives you scope to look around. Ideally you want to be test driving them for something you are dropping that much money on.
Of the three you have linked, I would take the Volvo as I think it looks the best inside and out.
The Audi is a petrol but modern 2.0T petrols get fairly decent MPG to be fair, especially if a lot of the miles are cruising at Motorway speeds.
£22k is a decent budget so gives you scope to look around. Ideally you want to be test driving them for something you are dropping that much money on.
I would choose a 5 series tourer every time over a Volvo V90 and my last car was a Volvo V60 and my current car is a BMW M240.
The BMW is so far ahead of the Volvo in terms of build quality, I personally found the Volvo to be very poor quality in the interior trim and I found the infotainment very unintuitive compared to the BMW, I never really enjoyed using it in the 2 years I had it.
When I bought the Volvo it was a head over heart thing and it was between that and a C class and I know I should have bought the C class.
In the duration of ownership my Volvo was in the garage a few times nearly always for electrical faults. It put me off Volvo ownership completely.
The BMW is so far ahead of the Volvo in terms of build quality, I personally found the Volvo to be very poor quality in the interior trim and I found the infotainment very unintuitive compared to the BMW, I never really enjoyed using it in the 2 years I had it.
When I bought the Volvo it was a head over heart thing and it was between that and a C class and I know I should have bought the C class.
In the duration of ownership my Volvo was in the garage a few times nearly always for electrical faults. It put me off Volvo ownership completely.
I've got a V90 and have never quite gelled with it. It's very comfortable, not too slow even in T4 form (runs out of puff very quickly though), and is absolutely mahoosive. Other things:
- the infotainment has a mind of its own and crashes frequently. Luckily it's a lease so I'm glad I'm not paying to fix it
- too big, although maybe that's a personal thing. 5 point turns are frequent.
- the keys are infuriating. No matter how new the batteries are in the fob, they often refuse to talk to the auto boot or to the ignition
- piano black interior trim just looks a state as soon as you've cleaned it (not a V90 specific problem though tbf)
But, Pilot Assist is fantastic, I will miss it when it goes. I'd have preferred a T5 V60 but there weren't any good deals when I picked this up.
TLDR; I'd be looking at a 5-series.
- the infotainment has a mind of its own and crashes frequently. Luckily it's a lease so I'm glad I'm not paying to fix it
- too big, although maybe that's a personal thing. 5 point turns are frequent.
- the keys are infuriating. No matter how new the batteries are in the fob, they often refuse to talk to the auto boot or to the ignition
- piano black interior trim just looks a state as soon as you've cleaned it (not a V90 specific problem though tbf)
But, Pilot Assist is fantastic, I will miss it when it goes. I'd have preferred a T5 V60 but there weren't any good deals when I picked this up.
TLDR; I'd be looking at a 5-series.
Out of the two I'd take the Volvo but in reality I'd be buying a E220 AMG Line:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105182...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105283...
AMG Line Premium with some Manufacturers Warranty left which means you can extend it.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104261...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105182...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105283...
AMG Line Premium with some Manufacturers Warranty left which means you can extend it.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104261...
We ran a V90 as a family hack for two years, the FiL has a 520d touring and I've run modern 3 series.
The BMW drives better (handling, engine and gearbox). V90 depending on trim can feel nicer to sit in (we had Inscription, so better leather etc) though earlier comments about the infotainment are right- iDrive in the BMW is pretty much best in class. The Volvo system is ok, just not as intuitive.
I don't see either winning over the other regards reliability or build quality. Much of the trim in the Volvo in the less visible areas seemed 'nicer' than the BMWs.
Don't think there's a bad choice between them.
The BMW drives better (handling, engine and gearbox). V90 depending on trim can feel nicer to sit in (we had Inscription, so better leather etc) though earlier comments about the infotainment are right- iDrive in the BMW is pretty much best in class. The Volvo system is ok, just not as intuitive.
I don't see either winning over the other regards reliability or build quality. Much of the trim in the Volvo in the less visible areas seemed 'nicer' than the BMWs.
Don't think there's a bad choice between them.
Having had a S90:
The car is a very nice place to be inside
The auto box was frustrating at times
The D4 engine was OK, but the DPF cleaning putting diesel into the engine oil was annoying
I never got on well with pilot assist doing the steering but did like the adaptive cruise control
Collision avoidance could get a little annoying when weaving around parked cars
I'd have preferred a 520D Msport if it was the same price.
The car is a very nice place to be inside
The auto box was frustrating at times
The D4 engine was OK, but the DPF cleaning putting diesel into the engine oil was annoying
I never got on well with pilot assist doing the steering but did like the adaptive cruise control
Collision avoidance could get a little annoying when weaving around parked cars
I'd have preferred a 520D Msport if it was the same price.
Hi Guys,
So I managed to have a test drive of a D4 v90. Not the same one in listing but a local one that I was considering. Firstly, lovely place to sit even if it was missing some of the bells and whistle of the RDesign one.
But I completely agree about the infotainment, it froze at once when testing the voice commands. and with testing the idrive one first it did feel like a step back.
Changing between the gears from P to R to D and there was a distinct and audible clunk that might have just been for the purpose of feedback to the driver but after trying the 5 series it was a bit off putting.
It was mostly A roads so the steering which I've read is a little less dynamic than the BMW was perfectly fine, but I found that there was a significant lag between pressing hard down on the accelerator and it doing anything.
As above when it got going it went as well as can be expected but that delay was present immediately and without padel shift I don't know if it could be alleviated.
Maybe it was a bad example but it's a little off putting.
What is everyones opinion of the A5 listed above, it's very different but what are they like to live with.
So I managed to have a test drive of a D4 v90. Not the same one in listing but a local one that I was considering. Firstly, lovely place to sit even if it was missing some of the bells and whistle of the RDesign one.
But I completely agree about the infotainment, it froze at once when testing the voice commands. and with testing the idrive one first it did feel like a step back.
Changing between the gears from P to R to D and there was a distinct and audible clunk that might have just been for the purpose of feedback to the driver but after trying the 5 series it was a bit off putting.
It was mostly A roads so the steering which I've read is a little less dynamic than the BMW was perfectly fine, but I found that there was a significant lag between pressing hard down on the accelerator and it doing anything.
As above when it got going it went as well as can be expected but that delay was present immediately and without padel shift I don't know if it could be alleviated.
Maybe it was a bad example but it's a little off putting.
What is everyones opinion of the A5 listed above, it's very different but what are they like to live with.
Edited by Themintimperial on Friday 28th May 19:00
The gearbox used in the Volvo is not as well implemented as the one in the BMW. The Volvo gearbox is an Aisin one used in transverse applications (BMW also use them in the new 1 Series and other front drivers). The 5 Series uses the ubiquitous ZF, which is a longitudinal. If you are going to be driving enthusiastically the Volvo is not going to be a patch on the 5, for the gearbox alone.
On the infotainment, the V90 we had was pretty reliable and didn't freeze/have issues very often. Currently have a V60 which is the same. BMW are not immune to issues. The music apps on my 1 Series and M3 weren't that relaible and I spent days at a time with no connected services when the BMW IT went down in Germany, to the extent BMW gave me another year's subscription for free.
Another thing on the driving- the Volvos can be bit hard work in stop start traffic, as they can suddenly grab the brakes if you're coming to a gentle stop and instead come to a stop with a jolt. Pet hate of mine, as I was always taught to stop smoothly.
On the infotainment, the V90 we had was pretty reliable and didn't freeze/have issues very often. Currently have a V60 which is the same. BMW are not immune to issues. The music apps on my 1 Series and M3 weren't that relaible and I spent days at a time with no connected services when the BMW IT went down in Germany, to the extent BMW gave me another year's subscription for free.
Another thing on the driving- the Volvos can be bit hard work in stop start traffic, as they can suddenly grab the brakes if you're coming to a gentle stop and instead come to a stop with a jolt. Pet hate of mine, as I was always taught to stop smoothly.
APontus said:
The gearbox used in the Volvo is not as well implemented as the one in the BMW. The Volvo gearbox is an Aisin one used in transverse applications (BMW also use them in the new 1 Series and other front drivers). The 5 Series uses the ubiquitous ZF, which is a longitudinal. If you are going to be driving enthusiastically the Volvo is not going to be a patch on the 5, for the gearbox alone.
On the infotainment, the V90 we had was pretty reliable and didn't freeze/have issues very often. Currently have a V60 which is the same. BMW are not immune to issues. The music apps on my 1 Series and M3 weren't that relaible and I spent days at a time with no connected services when the BMW IT went down in Germany, to the extent BMW gave me another year's subscription for free.
Another thing on the driving- the Volvos can be bit hard work in stop start traffic, as they can suddenly grab the brakes if you're coming to a gentle stop and instead come to a stop with a jolt. Pet hate of mine, as I was always taught to stop smoothly.
I'm at that point in life where I do like to cruise more than driving enthusiastically, (especially with the other half in the car. it isn't worth the looks. On the infotainment, the V90 we had was pretty reliable and didn't freeze/have issues very often. Currently have a V60 which is the same. BMW are not immune to issues. The music apps on my 1 Series and M3 weren't that relaible and I spent days at a time with no connected services when the BMW IT went down in Germany, to the extent BMW gave me another year's subscription for free.
Another thing on the driving- the Volvos can be bit hard work in stop start traffic, as they can suddenly grab the brakes if you're coming to a gentle stop and instead come to a stop with a jolt. Pet hate of mine, as I was always taught to stop smoothly.
) but having the option to give it a bit on B road would be great. I did notice that brake issue a little, it was the evening commute when I was testing and I got the distinct impression it did not glide to a stop as smoothly as even my Kia, I put that down to me not being familiar with the brakes but it does stand out. I would probably get used to that in the event we got one though.
Edited by Themintimperial on Friday 28th May 19:32
For that budget you would get a top of the range L&k Skoda superb which has every conceivable option you will ever need - it will also get you a sportline which looks better and you would also be in budget for 280 hp 4x4
Before you dismiss this based on the badge I would seriously urge you to have a look at them - they are really well put together - before mine I had a 4 series and a Maserati ghibli and the interior is better in the Skoda than both of those.
They are immensely practical, fully loaded at that budget, performance if you want it and cheaper to insure and service etc
Before you dismiss this based on the badge I would seriously urge you to have a look at them - they are really well put together - before mine I had a 4 series and a Maserati ghibli and the interior is better in the Skoda than both of those.
They are immensely practical, fully loaded at that budget, performance if you want it and cheaper to insure and service etc
As a long term bmw driver, we went for a v90 and it’s brilliant. As are the dealers.
Radar cruise, auto steer, auto main in beam lights, heated seats and wheel, infotainment hasn’t crashed and works well, really good sound system and comfort. Boot is huge, ride quality and seat comfort are closer to a 7 series than a 5.
I had a 5 series for 4 years in the same spec, great family car. The gearbox is great and you soon get used to it.
We ended up with a v90 as a courtesy car for a couple of weeks, I didn’t gel with it, felt far too wafty for me and far too big. The bmw was definitely more dynamic than the Volvo yet was comfortable on a long cruise.
I did try the v60 as a replacement for my f11 and really liked that, but the v90 was too much of a barge for me.
We ended up with a v90 as a courtesy car for a couple of weeks, I didn’t gel with it, felt far too wafty for me and far too big. The bmw was definitely more dynamic than the Volvo yet was comfortable on a long cruise.
I did try the v60 as a replacement for my f11 and really liked that, but the v90 was too much of a barge for me.
I’ve had 1 new and 2 six month old 5 Series since 2007. In between them I’ve had an Alfa 159 and Mercedes E Class. I’ve currently got a 530D M Sport.
With a budget of £22k I don’t believe you can go wrong with a 5 Series. However the new Audi A6 is a great looking car and the 3.0 S Jaguar XF is a superb drive. I would also consider an E Class. Drive them all and the answer will soon come.
With a budget of £22k I don’t believe you can go wrong with a 5 Series. However the new Audi A6 is a great looking car and the 3.0 S Jaguar XF is a superb drive. I would also consider an E Class. Drive them all and the answer will soon come.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff