V50 General : Talk T5 to me!??

[Higgy50]

Hello All,

I am currently driving the 1.8se petrol V50 but desperately missing my old T4!!

With this in mind I am considering swapping in my current V50 for the T5 version or something which is a bit more 'fun' to drive....

Any one got any thoughts or experiences that I should be considering before purchasing a T5?

Are there any other 'sportier' options to consider??

Any views / experiences / tips appreciated

Cheers

Higgy

[Clan]

Road test a 2.0 Diesel first see if that suits your needs , the T5 uses twice as much fuel in real terms for little more "go" in the real world unless you are talking 90 + mph where it will gain on the 2.0 D ... The T5 is however much more refined than the 2.0 D
This T5 is not the T5 as we know it .. it is the low pressure version and doesn not have the raw power of the T5 of old ..
If you want a T5 go fo a V70 as it will use the same amount of fuel as a V50 T5 and have the high pressure turbo T5 engine .

[iainmd]

By all means test drive a 2.0D but I did when I bought my T5 and I don't mean to demean 2.0D owners but the T5 was in a different league. Clan has a point in that the S40/V50 T5's are light pressure turbo's and therefore lack the feeling of thrust that the T4 or the bigger T5's have with their high pressure turbos.

What the S40 T5 does give is boundless amounts of torque coupled with a good wedge of power. On most TDI's I have driven the Turbo merely feels like it's making up for the power tailing off mid-range and right enought the 2.0d feels better than that but it reallt isn't a match for the T5 from a driving enjoyment point of view. The overtaking confidence given by my T5 is excellent and the driving experience is super-smooth.

Remember that the S40 is a smaller and lighter car than an S60/V70 and to me the LPT 2.5 feels well mated to the car. As far as fuel economy goes on a long motorway run I get 32MPG and around town between 24-26MPG. Not great I accept but if you don't mind the running cost it's a cracking car. The only thing I do wish is that I'd got a V50 since I now have a child ;-) and space versatility would have been good.

[Higgy50]

Thanks guys, valuable input...I really need to test drive both of these now to see how they are...the problem now is finding one of each locally enough!!

I also fancy the 'sport' version with body kit etc so again I just have to find the right car!!

Many thanks

Higgy

[Welton]

Modern Diesels are great and they feel quick but the torque comes in one big dollop and that's your lot. Compare a 220bhp petrol to a decent 150bhp Diesel and the petrol car pull away consistently and to a much higher speed. Wasn't it the American's who say you race brake horse power but you drive torque?

The T5 has torque all over the place and doesn't need thrashing either. There's a lovely instant burst of power with the T5 whenever you prod the gas - very satisfying.

As ianmd said the LP T5 is well matched to the (lighter) S40 and it's a super smooth, clean and reliable package.

My fuel economy is the same at 25 on local roads and 32 ish on a long run and I don't exactly hang around!

[Higgy50]

Cheers guys,

Test drove the 2.0d as suggested and loved it as it gave me the balance between a little extra torque and good fuel economy. Gone for the 2.0d se sport in met black with the body kit, 18" wheels, winter pack etc...etc...!

Loving it so far getting around 44mpg generally without being too careful! My 1.8 petrol was crap and ended up costing me money but it is now gone which is the best thing I could have done with it!!

For anyone else currently researching V50/S40 steer clear of the 1.8petrol and buy yourself the 2.0d and save yourself a lot of hassle!! (my experience only!)

Thanks guys

Higgy

[Welton]

Originally Posted by Higgy50

Gone for the 2.0d

Doh! another loss over to the dark side. And it could have been so different too

*goes and stands with the T5'ers for a group-hugg*

[Higgy50]

Sorry mate but it fits the purpose that I need if for.......and the Xenons are good in the dark side!!!!

Cheers

Higgy

[Welton]

Originally Posted by Higgy50

and the Xenons are good in the dark side!!!

Xenons? *shakes fist* I reckon I have the only T5 in the country with absolutely no optional extras fitted (not even the winter pack) why would someone order a £20+K car and not stump up the extra £375.00 for heated seats?

[Higgy50]

Oh I know my last V50 was a bit like that....I suffer some back pain at times and heated seats are just greeeeaattt!!!!

I rushed into my first V50 so have taken some time to find the right one this time and held out for all the extras and styling that I wanted.....definitely worth it!!!

Cheers