Help! BMW or Volvo?

Since I'm moving back to the UK I'm in the the market for a 'new' car.

I'm not going to be a daily commuter, so with my size 12 Carbon foot print I'm not unduly fussed about economy and fancy a big but fun car.

I've narrowed my choice down to either a Volvo V70 T5, or a BMW 528i, both around 2001/2002 year.

As far as I can decide, the BMW is widely regarded as one of the ultimate drivers cars, but the Volvo is a real wolf in sheeps clothing with its 250bhp turbo charged engine.

I worry that if I buy the BMW, I'll spend all my time enjoying its perfect poise, but knowing I could have something more (and no I can't run to the 540 or M5!). Where as the Volvo is going to be heaps of fun and a match for anything on the straight, but won't be so enjoyable on twisty stuff.

Also at that age, ongoing maintenance costs are going to be a factor, where I guess Volvo have the edge over parts affordability.

Any advice?

[Scrooge]

While a lot of people may well scream BMW I have always had a thing for q-cars, also to me the Volvo offers a lot more bang for the buck, if your not worried about badges I would go for the Volvo.

[Scrooge]

While a lot of people may well scream BMW I have always had a thing for q-cars, also to me the Volvo offers a lot more bang for the buck, if your not worried about badges I would go for the Volvo.

I'm with Scrooge.If it were me I'd be looking at the T5. Far less unassumimg and im my view the classic Wolf in Sheep's clothing.Practical car too (lots and lots of load space).Having had a 5 series previously, all I can say is that every other other road user seems to hate you (particularly men if you happen to be a woman. Don't know if MrsPVGSLF will be forraying behind the wheel but this may be something for you to consider? )and it seemed to be a magnet for car vandals (I speak from costly personal experience).Admittedly it was a great drivers car but the aggro was continual.It was eventually traded in for an E class and all the aggro disappeared immediately.If you find an independent BMW garage maintenance costs can be reasonable and I'm sure the same could be said for the Volvo.I'm not sure that part affordability will be cheaper for the Volvo but there are plenty of part specialists about who will help keep running costs down for either the BMW or Volvo (particularly if you're reasonably competent in an engine bay).

I'm with Scrooge.If it were me I'd be looking at the T5. Far less unassumimg and im my view the classic Wolf in Sheep's clothing.Practical car too (lots and lots of load space).Having had a 5 series previously, all I can say is that every other other road user seems to hate you (particularly men if you happen to be a woman. Don't know if MrsPVGSLF will be forraying behind the wheel but this may be something for you to consider? )and it seemed to be a magnet for car vandals (I speak from costly personal experience).Admittedly it was a great drivers car but the aggro was continual.It was eventually traded in for an E class and all the aggro disappeared immediately.If you find an independent BMW garage maintenance costs can be reasonable and I'm sure the same could be said for the Volvo.I'm not sure that part affordability will be cheaper for the Volvo but there are plenty of part specialists about who will help keep running costs down for either the BMW or Volvo (particularly if you're reasonably competent in an engine bay).

Sorry got to be BMW.

Sorry got to be BMW.

I would not wee on BMW if it was on fire.
There is something called a social concience and well, I won't go into details here but I have many good friends who are still suffering due to the way BMW cynically operated in this country.

I hate them with a passion

I would not wee on BMW if it was on fire.
There is something called a social concience and well, I won't go into details here but I have many good friends who are still suffering due to the way BMW cynically operated in this country.

I hate them with a passion

If it's a choice from those two, I'd go for the Volvo !

What about an Audi ? [;)]


Cheers

Mark [:D]

If it's a choice from those two, I'd go for the Volvo !

What about an Audi ? [;)]


Cheers

Mark [:D]

[Nottingham Nick]

I am also a Volvo man. I got a new S40 a few years ago, and it has been perfect for me. I keep thinking about swapping it, but then think.. why?

It has got just over 50K miles on the clock, and has just sailed through another MOT. If reliability is what you want in a non-warranty car, then Volvo gets my vote.

One word of warning - I have test driven a couple of V70s and driven them at work - they are very powerful, in fact deceptively so. You just don't realise how fast you are going.

After my test drive I made the decision that, if I had one, I would be a sitting duck for the speed cameras. [:w]

Nick

[Nottingham Nick]

I am also a Volvo man. I got a new S40 a few years ago, and it has been perfect for me. I keep thinking about swapping it, but then think.. why?

It has got just over 50K miles on the clock, and has just sailed through another MOT. If reliability is what you want in a non-warranty car, then Volvo gets my vote.

One word of warning - I have test driven a couple of V70s and driven them at work - they are very powerful, in fact deceptively so. You just don't realise how fast you are going.

After my test drive I made the decision that, if I had one, I would be a sitting duck for the speed cameras. [:w]

Nick

Originally posted by AlanA
I would not wee on BMW if it was on fire.
There is something called a social concience and well, I won't go into details here but I have many good friends who are still suffering due to the way BMW cynically operated in this country.

I hate them with a passion

BMW's problem, in the UK at least, has been that the 3 series has become the Ford Mondeo of the naughties. This has resulted in dealerships becoming more akin to your local ford dealer and thus levels of service have gone down.

I will leave you with this thought- as an avid reader of Car magazine- I have never seen them pick a volvo of any kind over a BMW in a road test between the two.

Originally posted by AlanA
I would not wee on BMW if it was on fire.
There is something called a social concience and well, I won't go into details here but I have many good friends who are still suffering due to the way BMW cynically operated in this country.

I hate them with a passion

BMW's problem, in the UK at least, has been that the 3 series has become the Ford Mondeo of the naughties. This has resulted in dealerships becoming more akin to your local ford dealer and thus levels of service have gone down.

I will leave you with this thought- as an avid reader of Car magazine- I have never seen them pick a volvo of any kind over a BMW in a road test between the two.

Excellent! This is just the response I was wanting!!!
MrsPVG is very badge conscious, and where she comes from BMW is not yet loathed by the masses, but she also accepts Volvo is pretty 'Big Face' too.
For me, I've always had a soft spot for Volvo's and I like the understated hooligan that is the V70 T5.

Wise words Nick, I'm sure that if I got one I'd also spend time in the back of one having a 'chat' with some of your colleagues if I wasn't careful!
But equally MrsPVG could safely be let loose in one as she is used to a V6 buick that has never seen the wrong side of 3000rpm, so she is unlikely to press the loud peddle more than quarter distance.

Now the next question is do I go for the apparent bargain that buying an ex police one is? Any colour so long as it's white! Well maintained but had a hard life so I hear, but at bargain prices you can run the risk of having to spend more on it later.

Excellent! This is just the response I was wanting!!!
MrsPVG is very badge conscious, and where she comes from BMW is not yet loathed by the masses, but she also accepts Volvo is pretty 'Big Face' too.
For me, I've always had a soft spot for Volvo's and I like the understated hooligan that is the V70 T5.

Wise words Nick, I'm sure that if I got one I'd also spend time in the back of one having a 'chat' with some of your colleagues if I wasn't careful!
But equally MrsPVG could safely be let loose in one as she is used to a V6 buick that has never seen the wrong side of 3000rpm, so she is unlikely to press the loud peddle more than quarter distance.

Now the next question is do I go for the apparent bargain that buying an ex police one is? Any colour so long as it's white! Well maintained but had a hard life so I hear, but at bargain prices you can run the risk of having to spend more on it later.

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by PVGSLF
Now the next question is do I go for the apparent bargain that buying an ex police one is? ..... Well maintained but had a hard life so I hear...

Ten years ago, I would have agreed. I can only speak for Notts, but our vehicle maintenance went out to private tender some years ago when we got rid of our 'County Council' workshops. Lets just say - the contract went to the lowest tender, and IMHO you get what you pay for. [n][V]

If I was going to buy an ex police car, I would certainly make sure it was given a very thorough once over, by someone who knows about cars before I jumped.

Nick

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by PVGSLF
Now the next question is do I go for the apparent bargain that buying an ex police one is? ..... Well maintained but had a hard life so I hear...

Ten years ago, I would have agreed. I can only speak for Notts, but our vehicle maintenance went out to private tender some years ago when we got rid of our 'County Council' workshops. Lets just say - the contract went to the lowest tender, and IMHO you get what you pay for. [n][V]

If I was going to buy an ex police car, I would certainly make sure it was given a very thorough once over, by someone who knows about cars before I jumped.

Nick

[Darren Wheeler]

and only get an ex-traffic one rather than a noddy pedal car. It might have a lot of miles but at least it's motorway miles and not too many incontinent drunks on the back seat.

[Darren Wheeler]

and only get an ex-traffic one rather than a noddy pedal car. It might have a lot of miles but at least it's motorway miles and not too many incontinent drunks on the back seat.

If your annual mileage involves making several trips of 3 hours and more, I would advocate choosing the BMW. The smoothness of the engine is BMW's usp.
Look at honestjohn.co.uk and check the reliability index for your 2 choices.

If your annual mileage involves making several trips of 3 hours and more, I would advocate choosing the BMW. The smoothness of the engine is BMW's usp.
Look at honestjohn.co.uk and check the reliability index for your 2 choices.

I would go for the Volvo. Buy a BMW if you want to feel that you 'own the road' and want to be a hate figure of other road users. Also for practicality and power the Volvo wins hands down...and it's a very safe car too!

I would go for the Volvo. Buy a BMW if you want to feel that you 'own the road' and want to be a hate figure of other road users. Also for practicality and power the Volvo wins hands down...and it's a very safe car too!