[330XDave]

Good morning all.

Having owned my 330d xDrive Touring for 18 months now I'm beginning to acknowledge it's time for a change. I still very much love the car but it is starting to show its age against more modern competition. Also with a 5, 8 and 15 year old to fit in the back, things can get a bit tight.

A step up to the 5 series touring (G30 series) would be the most obvious choice however low mileage examples are 25k plus in basic M Sport spec.

Having a look around, my head keeps being turned by Volvo. More specifically the V90 or XC60. I've decided the XC90 is just too big for my needs. Yes I will lose out on a bit of drive engagement (although not a lot when I have a xDrive) and power although it would be a D5 so 230ish bhp. What you do gain is supreme comfort and levels of equipment you can only dream of in a BMW.

Any thought, especially from those that have had any time in a V90 or XC60?

Anything else to consider? Ideally no more than £25k but could probably go to £28k at a push.

[Watsey]

Obviously the Volvos would be a different driving experience - it depends whether that's a big consideration.

One of my Mayes has an XC60 which looks good and is well specced. Nice car but perhaps not as 'involved' as I'd like in terms of the drive.

[330XDave]

I get that but as more than half of my driving life seems to be spent stuck in traffic jams I think the benefit I get in this situation (ie pilot assist) would outweigh a lack of driving dynamics. Also don't forget I'm driving a 330d xDrive without any suspension modifications - hardly the pinnacle of fine handling.

[Watsey]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

I get that but as more than half of my driving life seems to be spent stuck in traffic jams I think the benefit I get in this situation (ie pilot assist) would outweigh a lack of driving dynamics. Also don't forget I'm driving a 330d xDrive without any suspension modifications - hardly the pinnacle of fine handling.

In that case either of those Volvos would be a comfortable and practical place to be.

I do like the current Volvo range, but as we already have a family tank I'll be an admirer rather than an owner/driver.

[MashinBenzin]

@225 has spent the last year or two in a V90. Tagging not working properly in the app.

And Grant_7 has a XC60 in the household.

[XAlp]

Not sure about the big screen in the facia - too much touchscreen action for me. Rode in a colleagues’ great long estate one the other day (v70?) - very comfy seats and ride.

[Bibbles]

Have a look at https://www.tieroneautomotive.co.uk/...5-Series-U176/ if you're interested let me know as I know the owner of the company.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

Good morning all.

Having owned my 330d xDrive Touring for 18 months now I'm beginning to acknowledge it's time for a change. I still very much love the car but it is starting to show its age against more modern competition. Also with a 5, 8 and 15 year old to fit in the back, things can get a bit tight.

A step up to the 5 series touring (G30 series) would be the most obvious choice however low mileage examples are 25k plus in basic M Sport spec.

Having a look around, my head keeps being turned by Volvo. More specifically the V90 or XC60. I've decided the XC90 is just too big for my needs. Yes I will lose out on a bit of drive engagement (although not a lot when I have a xDrive) and power although it would be a D5 so 230ish bhp. What you do gain is supreme comfort and levels of equipment you can only dream of in a BMW.

Any thought, especially from those that have had any time in a V90 or XC60?

Anything else to consider? Ideally no more than £25k but could probably go to £28k at a push.

Maybe get a lower cost 5-series that's 1-3 years older so it's in your price range. Drive it a year or so until you spot a G30 with the price, mileage and features that you want.

I had a Volvo S80 T6 that I purchased new. Very nice car that performed as expected. But now that I drive a BMW, I could never go back to Volvo.

Another car that I would consider for rear passenger space for the three kids is a Mercedes E-Class 4Matic. German AWD ride and well appointed inside. Exterior styling is consistent so E-Class that are a couple years older with low miles and low cost still appear to be a newer model year. Just a thought...

[mikeoz]

New X3 has alot more room in back than F30s?
Good deals on at mo...

Obviously more than 25k if buying out right..

[Panchoa]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

Good morning all.

Having owned my 330d xDrive Touring for 18 months now I'm beginning to acknowledge it's time for a change. I still very much love the car but it is starting to show its age against more modern competition. Also with a 5, 8 and 15 year old to fit in the back, things can get a bit tight.

A step up to the 5 series touring (G30 series) would be the most obvious choice however low mileage examples are 25k plus in basic M Sport spec.

Having a look around, my head keeps being turned by Volvo. More specifically the V90 or XC60. I've decided the XC90 is just too big for my needs. Yes I will lose out on a bit of drive engagement (although not a lot when I have a xDrive) and power although it would be a D5 so 230ish bhp. What you do gain is supreme comfort and levels of equipment you can only dream of in a BMW.

Any thought, especially from those that have had any time in a V90 or XC60?

Anything else to consider? Ideally no more than £25k but could probably go to £28k at a push.

If your willing to spend up to £28k then why discount the G30??!? We have a 540i and it’s a massive step up from Our old f30. You can get a decent 530d or even 540i for less than your £28k budget

[GBR1]

I went from an F31 330d x drive to a V90 D5. At the time I looked at the 5 series but discounts weren’t strong and the kit levels on the V90 made it an easy choice.

I have just clocked up 50k in mine, not a single issue or rattle. It’s been a great mile muncher and loads of space. Averaged just over 40mpg, which isn’t amazing but I am happy.

Adaptive cruise etc work really well and make long journeys easy, handling is actually pretty good, it’s more comfortable than the 330 and when pressing on it’s not actually to bad given the size of the car..

If there is a negative, the gear box is great in normal day to day driving, but it can be a little slow to react if you nail the accelerator for an overtake, once you know this though you can predict it..

Bottom line, no regrets, looking at the XC90 B5 to replace it..

GBR1

[225]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

Good morning all.

Having owned my 330d xDrive Touring for 18 months now I'm beginning to acknowledge it's time for a change. I still very much love the car but it is starting to show its age against more modern competition. Also with a 5, 8 and 15 year old to fit in the back, things can get a bit tight.

A step up to the 5 series touring (G30 series) would be the most obvious choice however low mileage examples are 25k plus in basic M Sport spec.

Having a look around, my head keeps being turned by Volvo. More specifically the V90 or XC60. I've decided the XC90 is just too big for my needs. Yes I will lose out on a bit of drive engagement (although not a lot when I have a xDrive) and power although it would be a D5 so 230ish bhp. What you do gain is supreme comfort and levels of equipment you can only dream of in a BMW.

Any thought, especially from those that have had any time in a V90 or XC60?

Anything else to consider? Ideally no more than £25k but could probably go to £28k at a push.

I have had a v90 d5 for 18months now and as I've posted before really isn't the car for me. The only reason I got one was the really cheap lease rates at the time.

Plus points are it looks great, interior quality is great, loads of space as its huge.

Downsides are I nearly handed it back a few months in as the gearbox was so awful it was dangerous. A software update made it driveable but it's very dim whitted and as mentioned above you can adapt to it but it's still cr8p. It really doesnt help with the d5 lump as it just means it drops a couple of cogs and revs the 20.tdi lump which is not pleasant.
I have a tuning box on mine which gives about 260bhp and 400ft lbs torque so it goes better now but it's no 6pot.
Interior tech is naff, satnav is basic, parking sensors are useless, digital dash is ok but basic and I miss having buttons for basic stuff like temp control.

I have driven an xc60 and they are nice but go for a petrol and make sure you give it a good test drive and can live with the touch screen, 4pot engine and gearbox.

I would look at the g21 as they are bigger than f31 inside or a 5er as you mention.

All being well I'll be back in a 6pot petrol 3 touring next year!

[330XDave]

I guess the last 2 posts just some up that until you've tried it you really don't know! I'm going to have a look at a V90 and XC60 later. Not going to necessarily buy as I'm guessing they'll be offering the usual silly finance rates that I'm not prepared to pay but we'll see.

Thanks for the input folks.

[JD6]

Worth looking at the contract hire Volvo deals which Santander have:

https://www.santanderconsumer.co.uk/...racthireoffer/

[330XDave]

Originally Posted by JD6

Worth looking at the contract hire Volvo deals which Santander have:

https://www.santanderconsumer.co.uk/...racthireoffer/

Thanks, some incredible deals there, especially when you consider they are £0 deposit and only 18 months! Shame it doesn't look like you can be a bit more specific with the trim level. Also not a Santander customer but happy to move over for deals like this!

[Wills2]

On leasing deals, the price goes upwards very quickly when you start to tick option boxes, that XC60 T5 deal at £489 needs to be set against the X3MC deal at £549 or the M40d/i at £499 starts to look expensive then.

That deal also looks like the 2WD model.

[JD6]

Originally Posted by Wills2

On leasing deals, the price goes upwards very quickly when you start to tick option boxes, that XC60 T5 deal at £489 needs to be set against the X3MC deal at £549 or the M40d/i at £499 starts to look expensive then.

That deal also looks like the 2WD model.

I agree that Santander's XC60 deal is not that great. The S60 T5 Inscription for £279 looks competitive, and the V90 T4 Momentum Plus at £379 isn't bad.

Perhaps the key upside for serial car changers is that these are 18 month deals.

[330XDave]

So just had a couple of hours at Volvo in Nottingham. Firstly, a very nice dealership, very easy going and they're not pushy at all. Also the test drive was great, a good 10-12 miles which makes a change from the usual up the road and back down policy of some dealers.

The car itself was fantastic, I test drove the car I was interested in, a V90 R Design Pro D5 on a 19 plate with just 8k on the clock. I was very impressed with the interior, it felt very upmarket and the seats were superb. Also the level of equipment is ridiculous, just about everything you could ever need. The engine itself was about what I expected, there was definitely a bit of poke there but not on the same level as my 330d. I wouldn't want to drop to the D4 which is a 45bhp drop in power. Handling wise it felt a bit sharper than my 330d which really surprised me, the steering was definitely more direct and it seemed to stay a bit flatter in the bends. It was by no means a sports car but felt very grown up.

Ultimately though I have walked away as we couldn't agree on a deal. I don't mind paying a bit of interest on the monthlies but we were talking £150+ in interest on top of the 0% figure - I personally can't live with that.

I will definitely be keeping my eye out for the right car though and it could very likely be a v90.

[330XDave]

Originally Posted by JD6

I agree that Santander's XC60 deal is not that great. The S60 T5 Inscription for £279 looks competitive, and the V90 T4 Momentum Plus at £379 isn't bad.

Perhaps the key upside for serial car changers is that these are 18 month deals.

Yeah I agree that the XC60 deal is not great. That S60 deal is brilliant though, Inscription is top of the range.

[225]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

So just had a couple of hours at Volvo in Nottingham. Firstly, a very nice dealership, very easy going and they're not pushy at all. Also the test drive was great, a good 10-12 miles which makes a change from the usual up the road and back down policy of some dealers.

The car itself was fantastic, I test drove the car I was interested in, a V90 R Design Pro D5 on a 19 plate with just 8k on the clock. I was very impressed with the interior, it felt very upmarket and the seats were superb. Also the level of equipment is ridiculous, just about everything you could ever need. The engine itself was about what I expected, there was definitely a bit of poke there but not on the same level as my 330d. I wouldn't want to drop to the D4 which is a 45bhp drop in power. Handling wise it felt a bit sharper than my 330d which really surprised me, the steering was definitely more direct and it seemed to stay a bit flatter in the bends. It was by no means a sports car but felt very grown up.

Ultimately though I have walked away as we couldn't agree on a deal. I don't mind paying a bit of interest on the monthlies but we were talking £150+ in interest on top of the 0% figure - I personally can't live with that.

I will definitely be keeping my eye out for the right car though and it could very likely be a v90.

Lease will be best bet I'd say as volvo are still doing cheap ones from time to time.

[330XDave]

Originally Posted by 225

Lease will be best bet I'd say as volvo are still doing cheap ones from time to time.

I can't lease as I could get a work promotion within the lease period which means I'll have to take a company car and I'll get lumbered with a £25k car I don't need.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by 330XDave

I can't lease as I could get a work promotion within the lease period which means I'll have to take a company car and I'll get lumbered with a £25k car I don't need.

I'd probably keep what you've got then as buying a new car and then having to sell it will also lead to a loss.