Help me Choose 5 cylinder V50/s40 petrol

[V50France]

Thanks to everyone for the very helpful information. I've put a deposit on the T5 I've been fancying. I fly over to UK next Wednesday to complete the deal. A bit of me regrets giving up the convenience of auto but I feel that the T5 will compensate in many ways. I think I can get reasonable fuel consumption over here on the empty roads. Can't wait.

[850Chris]

Good news! You'll love it. Enjoy (some pictures posted when you collect please )

[V50France]

A quick update, as it is pouring with rain again. I bought a 2004 V50 T5 from a small dealer in the UK. Full main dealer history, 140k miles but felt like less than half that done. Faults discoverd since purchase:
1. 6 CD stacker will not accept CDs - rejects all as unreadable. So I bought a quality FM transmitter and use it to play music from ipod and USB memory sticks. Found Volvo dealer policy on replacement radios to be unhelpful and ridiculously expensive.
2. Headlights not responding to level adjustment control. Found one side had come away from the ball on the levelling motor. OK once re-located. Other side took the hint and started working again.
3. Love the means to remove headlights and to swap dipped pattern for continental driving.
4. Dipped beam very poor. Will upgrade bulbs in due course.
5. Trim on tailgate - in particular around the interior "pull down" handle coming adrift. Fixed with some self tappers.
6. Had to resort to running a wire across the rear lights in order to have fog light on the other side from UK usage. Why do manufacturers resort to such nonsense. All there to have light on both sides except one wire at the very end. Now have twin rear fogs.

MPG - got from midlands uk to west-central France at 35 mpg. Done about 150 miles of mixed motoring since and still showing similar mpg. 30 mph per 1000 rpm of 6 speed 'box a big plus factor. I drive with economy in mind on empty roads MOST of the time but I do indulge in the performance at times. All Volvo's happy with SP95-E10 petrol since mid 1997s EXCEPT s40/v401.8i's. Google "SP95-E10 compatibility" for info.
I love the car and the Volvo ergonomics. Very happy owner. Will post a picture once rain stops and it is on French plates.
Will need to get a bike rack for the back and a diagnostic tool etc soon.
Cheers, Keith

[850Chris]

Originally Posted by V50France

A quick update, as it is pouring with rain again. I bought a 2004 V50 T5 from a small dealer in the UK. Full main dealer history, 140k miles but felt like less than half that done. Faults discoverd since purchase:
1. 6 CD stacker will not accept CDs - rejects all as unreadable. So I bought a quality FM transmitter and use it to play music from ipod and USB memory sticks. Found Volvo dealer policy on replacement radios to be unhelpful and ridiculously expensive.
2. Headlights not responding to level adjustment control. Found one side had come away from the ball on the levelling motor. OK once re-located. Other side took the hint and started working again.
3. Love the means to remove headlights and to swap dipped pattern for continental driving.
4. Dipped beam very poor. Will upgrade bulbs in due course.
5. Trim on tailgate - in particular around the interior "pull down" handle coming adrift. Fixed with some self tappers.
6. Had to resort to running a wire across the rear lights in order to have fog light on the other side from UK usage. Why do manufacturers resort to such nonsense. All there to have light on both sides except one wire at the very end. Now have twin rear fogs.

MPG - got from midlands uk to west-central France at 35 mpg. Done about 150 miles of mixed motoring since and still showing similar mpg. 30 mph per 1000 rpm of 6 speed 'box a big plus factor. I drive with economy in mind on empty roads MOST of the time but I do indulge in the performance at times. All Volvo's happy with SP95-E10 petrol since mid 1997s EXCEPT s40/v401.8i's. Google "SP95-E10 compatibility" for info.
I love the car and the Volvo ergonomics. Very happy owner. Will post a picture once rain stops and it is on French plates.
Will need to get a bike rack for the back and a diagnostic tool etc soon.
Cheers, Keith

Good news! Pictures for us fellow Volvo fans to ogle at would be good.

With regards point 4, dipped headlights are pretty poor on the S40's / V50's and upgraded bulbs don't make a massive difference as problem seems to be the beam spread of the diffuser rather than brightness of bulb. I managed to improve mine MASSIVELY by turning the vertical adjustment screw 3 full turns anti-clockwise (to raise headlight angle upwards). This is outwith MOT limits (so will fail next MOT) but after much experimentation I found 3 turns to be the optimum for getting decent visibility on dipped beam whilst not dazzling oncoming cars. Fairly simpe to do with a 6mm hex socket on the inbound adjustment screws (inbound are vertical outbound are horizontal).

Also, with regards 95 RON petrol, T5 will run happily all day long on it but you'll find it will run much sweeter on 97 or 98 RON. Noticeable swell in torque.

[vaynah]

How much did you get the car for?
I'm on the hunt for a T5 myself.

[V50France]

Hi Vahnah,

It cost £2,850. 139,000 k miles. Full Volvo dealer history. Immac interior. Exterior excellent but with a few marks if you look real close. I thought it wa the pick of the market when I bought it. Good luck with the search. The T5 is certainly an excellent bargain.
Keith

[V50France]

Thanks for more helpful info Chris. I will get the car through French MOT before I fiddle. Will hold off on upgrading bulbs but may uprate a bit when they blow.