Best V50 engine

[bg5678]

I’ve decided to get myself a V50 but wanted some advice on the best engine for an automatic gearbox?

Petrol and diesel is an option for me.

[Tannaton]

Either 2.4i petrol or 2.0/2.4 D3, D4, D5 diesel - avoid everything else as it comes with a Ford autobox which isn't that great, especially if not maintained correctly. Avoid D2, 1.6D and 2.0D and any petrol engine that's not 2.4.

If you aren't bothered about performance, the 2.4i is a super smooth, refined drive and the most reliable as it's normally aspirated (no turbo). But they're not common.

[T5R92011]

The Volvo petrol engines - 2.4i and T5 are low 20mpg engines around town. They are very nice engines, but are from a time when fuel was cheap, so only buy these if you have lots of spare money for fuel.

Otherwise any of the Volvo diesel units (D3, D4, D5) are recommended with the Geartronic autobox.

Engines to avoid due to Peugeot/Ford roots, and thus Ford/Peugeot problems:
- 1.6d
- 2.0d

Also any automatic that is referred to as "powershift" should be avoided, as they are dual clutch "DSG" style gearboxes from Ford, and they are problematic. They are only available with the 2.0d engine, so avoid.

[GrahamBrown1]

I had a 1.8 petrol V50. It was toilet material

[andy_d]

Originally Posted by T5R92011

The Volvo petrol engines - 2.4i and T5 are low 20mpg engines around town. They are very nice engines, but are from a time when fuel was cheap, so only buy these if you have lots of spare money for fuel.

Otherwise any of the Volvo diesel units (D3, D4, D5) are recommended with the Geartronic autobox.

Engines to avoid due to Peugeot/Ford roots, and thus Ford/Peugeot problems:
- 1.6d
- 2.0d

Also any automatic that is referred to as "powershift" should be avoided, as they are dual clutch "DSG" style gearboxes from Ford, and they are problematic. They are only available with the 2.0d engine, so avoid.

the 2.4i 5 pot petrol Maybe in the 20s round town league, but its also Clean airzone exempt.
yes there are "cheaper on fuel" engines, but copable even with the fuel costs now, just Dont drive it like you stole it.

smaller engines, you are still lugging the weight of the car about, but with less engine to do it with, thusly working it Slightly harder,, mpg suffers then.

dont bother with Any diesel engine Unless you are doing Lots of frequent motorway trips where you can get the benifits, otherwise you are just compromising everyones health for your wallet, and have the potential for Rather large bills when the "dpf" goes fubar/forget to add the eloys addative/otherwise skimp on servicing like far too many do
,, i think you spelt ford "powershift" slightly wrong,,take the f out and its closer to the truth there,, made worse by those who skimp on servicing ,,,

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by andy_d

the 2.4i 5 pot petrol Maybe in the 20s round town league, but its also Clean airzone exempt.
yes there are "cheaper on fuel" engines, but copable even with the fuel costs now, just Dont drive it like you stole it.

smaller engines, you are still lugging the weight of the car about, but with less engine to do it with, thusly working it Slightly harder,, mpg suffers then.

dont bother with Any diesel engine Unless you are doing Lots of frequent motorway trips where you can get the benifits, otherwise you are just compromising everyones health for your wallet, and have the potential for Rather large bills when the "dpf" goes fubar/forget to add the eloys addative/otherwise skimp on servicing like far too many do
,, i think you spelt ford "powershift" slightly wrong,,take the f out and its closer to the truth there,, made worse by those who skimp on servicing ,,,

^^^^^ oh yeah - the T5 also has a good geabox!

[The Thong]

Regardless of the Naysayers the 2ltr PSA diesel engine is a good unit. I had one for 4yrs. The only issues were the butterfly flap which is easy modified to overcome a slight sticking issue and all the usual age related problems of an 8yo motor. I would say get the Euro 4 spec engine V50 that doesn’t have the DPF and Eloys fluid. EGR needs degunging from time to time but they good on diesel and battle on if needed. The manual gearbox is the better choice with clutch failure generally 75-90k on normal use. As mentioned by others, the Autoboxes are problematic sadly.
Buy smart, any issues like a slight misfire, electrical etc… Walk away, there plenty of good ones out there. My previous 06 V50 is still alive and well with its new owner of six years and nearing 150k

TT

[Turbodave]

I'd echo the above. Bought my non-DPF equipped 2.0D at 167,000 miles about 6 years ago and it's now on 238,000 miles. It's pretty much neglected, treated with contempt and has never needed anything engine related... aside for a weepy oil pressure switch at £7. Experience dictates that's a achievement that a D5 could only dream of. Maybe I got lucky.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by The Thong

Regardless of the Naysayers the 2ltr PSA diesel engine is a good unit. I had one for 4yrs. The only issues were the butterfly flap which is easy modified to overcome a slight sticking issue and all the usual age related problems of an 8yo motor. I would say get the Euro 4 spec engine V50 that doesn’t have the DPF and Eloys fluid. EGR needs degunging from time to time but they good on diesel and battle on if needed. The manual gearbox is the better choice with clutch failure generally 75-90k on normal use. As mentioned by others, the Autoboxes are problematic sadly.
Buy smart, any issues like a slight misfire, electrical etc… Walk away, there plenty of good ones out there. My previous 06 V50 is still alive and well with its new owner of six years and nearing 150k

TT

I'd agree with that and I had a 2.0D (non DPF) which I took to 180k - but the OP was asking specifically about auto cars..... so I'd avoid the 2.0D as it's grafted to the Ford Powershift

[The Thong]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

I'd agree with that and I had a 2.0D (non DPF) which I took to 180k - but the OP was asking specifically about auto cars..... so I'd avoid the 2.0D as it's grafted to the Ford Powershift

Ok, my mistake. I’ve just looked the powershift box up. That sounds over complicated.