D3 or T4 and more

[tickedon]

Originally Posted by Sean94

but unless you're doing 20-30k a year of motorway work, why would you even consider a diesel?

For company car drivers, there can be tax advantages. Comparing the D2 and T2 engines for example, BIK is 14% on the D2 but 17% on the T2. Even with the higher list price of the D2, a company car driver would pay less tax picking diesel. Going forward, with the abolition of the 'diesel penalty' in 2016/17 (diesel engines are currently taxed at a higher rate than a petrol engine would be at the same co2 output), the cost advantage of diesel will only grow.

[Sasha94]

Fair point, but a private buyer, which I assume the OP is, the petrol engine has to be your choice.

Environmentally speaking, a diesel engine is far worse than a petrol one and the latest info from the press is that they are struggling to get diesel engines through Euro 6. The days of 200k diesels are gone IMO. My Pugly has just 83k on it now (was stupidly low when I got it) but I doubt it'll ever make it to double that. The emission control systems will stop it.

That doesn't even cover the way the car drives, the noise and refinement etc. Don't get me wrong these new diesel engines are good, but why bother? It'll never be as quiet as a petrol engine.

[NewVolvo]

Originally Posted by Sean94

Fair point, but a private buyer, which I assume the OP is, the petrol engine has to be your choice.

Environmentally speaking, a diesel engine is far worse than a petrol one and the latest info from the press is that they are struggling to get diesel engines through Euro 6. The days of 200k diesels are gone IMO. My Pugly has just 83k on it now (was stupidly low when I got it) but I doubt it'll ever make it to double that. The emission control systems will stop it.

That doesn't even cover the way the car drives, the noise and refinement etc. Don't get me wrong these new diesel engines are good, but why bother? It'll never be as quiet as a petrol engine.

I can agree with the comment re refinement. We had a Renault Megane 1.2 petrol turbo as a rental in Spain not long ago and it was increadible quiet and refined and sipped the fuel like a diesel. The rest....well, not for me thanks!

[Adders]

Well, some good input here, so thank you to all.

I guess petrol is the sensible option but as I'm not buying new it could be a long wait to get in a V40.
The few petrol V40's out there seem to have the 'sports chassis' which by all accounts makes the ride quite harsh. Not what I was really looking for.

[don kalmar union]

Maybe take a look at the current Focus, identical to the V40 as far as floor pan/chassis and suspension is concerned and quite likely to depreciate less than the equivalent Volvo, facelift clears up the earlier messy front and dash.

My money would be on the ST, 5 door hatch or estate and with Ford's Ecoboost engine that is also used in the V40 and other current Volvo's.

Don.

[tickedon]

Originally Posted by don kalmar union

Maybe take a look at the current Focus, identical to the V40 as far as floor pan/chassis and suspension is concerned and quite likely to depreciate less than the equivalent Volvo, facelift clears up the earlier messy front and dash.

Only problem is the facelifted focus won't be out until later on this year...

Despite it's problems, the V40's Sensus is also far better than Ford's Sync (in the current Focus).

[Falmouthboy]

Originally Posted by don kalmar union

Maybe take a look at the current Focus, identical to the V40 as far as floor pan/chassis and suspension is concerned and quite likely to depreciate less than the equivalent Volvo

Don.

I disagree - the Volvo will hold its value far better than the Ford. True - you should be able to get a better discount on the ford which will reduce the ownership costs somewhat, but the % retained values @ 3 years on list price will be better for a V40 than a Focus because so many Focus start life as fleet/hire/pre-reg.

[Adders]

Update,

I've decided on a used T4 just which one!?.....

Thinking of Passion Red but I've not seen one on the road. Any opinions or pics of your own cars?

Any thoughts on the panoramic sunroof? I've read that it does lower the inner roof. I'm 5'11 with my wife and children shorter.

[volvorocks]

Originally Posted by Adders

Any thoughts on the panoramic sunroof? I've read that it does lower the inner roof. I'm 5'11 with my wife and children shorter.

Have you checked out sitting in the rear seats? I found the V40 a bit lacking in headroom in the back.

Regards

[Adders]

Going to check it out today on an extended lunch break. My local Volvo garage doesn't have a car with a panoramic roof but the next closest does. They also have a car in passion red! All in diesel but it should help me tick or cross a few box's.