[251EPyso]

Okay, if my BMW dealer doesnt come up with an unbeatable offer I will choose the Volvo.


Another question though: Would you think a 4cyl 2.0 diesel engine (136BHP, 320Nm) would be better for that car than the 5cyl 2.4l (170BHP 230Nm) block? Less torque but more BHP... whats better? The diesel would also come with a 6 gear gearbox, the petrol engine does have only 5 gears. The car weighs ~ 1.4 tons.

[Overlord]

The Petrol will be faster, but the Diesel will feel faster.
The torque that the diesel offers I would imagine give it better starts from a dig, and smoother over taking, and pull you out of corners better but that is about it.

I would get the diesel. Mostly because of economy, but I love torque myself. Though, if you plan on keeping it, I am sure that you can easily and cheaply get that diesel pumping out the same HP as the petrol and just own it, which is what I would do.

[251EPyso]

Okay, just bought one today! Got the Volvo V50 in black metallic, 17" wheels and the 2.0l Diesel engine which is chipped, so it has 168BHP now. Did a little test drive today, the difference between that and my current car (Volvo V40 1.8i 125BHP) is like night and day! It comes with everything but a navigation system which is kind of a downer, but I didnt want to pay the 1800€ extra just for that.

[thumbup]

[Poohoppesmase]

Looks wise i really like the Volvo, not liking the look of that BMW at all.
I really like modern turbo diesils.

[Overlord]

That is awesome! Any pictures?

How is the economy showing in that bad boy?


Also, look at the bright side. Now you can get a nav unit for like $300 or $400 that is touch screen. May not be as large of a screen, but a heck of a lot cheaper and I am sure a lot more functional.

[251EPyso]

Well here in Germany you cant just drive off the dealers lot after buying, you have to register it first and get licence plates. Without them you arent allowed to move it. The dealer does it for you but that takes about a week. So I can pick it up next Saturday.

I dont know how to convert this into miles per galon, but it uses about 6.0l per 100km, when you drive it real sporty then about 7.0l per 100km (Edit: combined 50/50 city/Autobahn). And since Diesel costs about 10cent less than gas here, its even better.

I'll post pics when I pick it up, thanks for your interest.

[+++Poguru+++]

I don't know much about either car. But just going off looks I would go with the BMW personally.

[Overlord]

Well here in Germany you cant just drive off the dealers lot after buying, you have to register it first and get licence plates. Without them you arent allowed to move it. The dealer does it for you but that takes about a week. So I can pick it up next Saturday.

I dont know how to convert this into miles per galon, but it uses about 6.0l per 100km, when you drive it real sporty then about 7.0l per 100km (Edit: combined 50/50 city/Autobahn). And since Diesel costs about 10cent less than gas here, its even better.

I'll post pics when I pick it up, thanks for your interest.

That is awesome. That equals 39mpg US which equals 32.5 Imperial gallons. That is some awesome economy there!


That sucks that you just can't drive off with the car. The dealers here in the States issue you a 30 day license plate so that you can buy and drive without braking the law. Does Germany not have emission testing? Not the entire US, but everyone is starting to do emission testing, so even new cars need to get tested. You have to get your car tested and pass before you can go pick up your plates/tags.

[251EPyso]

We have emission testing. Actually every car has to pass it every two years. But since the car does have a diesel particle filter it is in the lowest (best) emission class. Unfortunately they arent awarding this with lower taxes yet, but I hope this will come soon.

It does have its advantages though when you have to wait. The dealer does everything and I dont have to deal with our stupid traffic department (waiting in lines, talking to stupid unfriendly employees, no parking anywhere near the building etc...). As we say here in Germany, Anticipation is the greatest joy. Gawd, thats going to be a long week.

[jeockammece]

Congratulations on the car purchase! [thumbup]

[251EPyso]

Since there have been quite a few car threads here, I hope you dont mind me starting my own. I took a day off today and went to a number of car dealerships and I'm about to buy either this one


Volvo V50 2.4i (5 cyl. 170BHP, 230Nm)

or this one



BMW E91 325i (4 cyl. 170BHP, 210Nm)


And yes I need a station wagon because its so much more practical. The models I have looked at cost about the same, even though the BMW financing plan is kinda worse (worse annual percentage rate).

Which one would you pick? Dont let the wheels affect your choice, these arent the cars I can buy. In both cases I picked 17" alu wheels.

[xresultsearch]

I looked at both these cars when I eventually got my Audi A4 Avant and the V50 was my preferred choice to be honest but theyre still selling at a premium over here, and I have a friend who's sales manager at a Volvo dealership who couldnt help out much on price Having had the previous gen BMW I wasnt impressed and I hate the design of the current series of BMW's I think theyre ugly as fook, plus the boot size isnt in the same league compared with the A4 and V50.

Both very nice cars but I would choose the V50 every time over the BMW.

[DrKirkNoliss]

Bimmer... or Audi A4 Avant.

[Overlord]

Volvo hands down.

BMW's are nice and all, but I hate their interior and the seats are the most uncomfortable that I have ever sat in for a car.

Though really, these are both great cars and it might end up coming down to economy and insurance. I would think the Volvo would have cheaper insurance, and with it having a bit more power and being FWD, it most likely is faster if the weight is roughly the same, and you get the rain and snow safety of FWD.


I know that I am comparing the American versions, though I think that they are still basically the same thing. Auto Consumer Guide gave the Volvo a slightly higher score. Also weighs 400lbs less, so the Volvo should be quiet a bit faster, and also get you a bit better economy then the BMW. I would think even if the BMW feels more sporty, on the road it won't perform more sporty compared to the Volvo. The Volvo is also a slightly smaller car, but takes better advantage of its interior and offers more interior space for the front and back and also offers slightly more cargo room.

That was comparing the same 2.4L for Volvo compared to the 3.0L I6 BMW. Even for 2008/2009, the BMW is still below average, while the Volvo is slightly above average.

[Yifnvmzp]

Volvo if you want a comfy get around car, BMW if you want a "sporty" car with good road feel and feedback.

I personally would pick the BMW because you are already driving a station wagon, why not give it a little bit of zest instead of the regular mundane get around car approach.

[Overlord]

I'm bored, so I compared the Audi to the Volvo. I think that I would still take the Volvo, but the Audi does score 4 points higher compared to the Volvo out of 100. 67 vs. 71.


The Audi like the BMW is larger exterior wise, but once again is smaller interior wise which is sort of surprising because this is a FWD system like the Volvo with the engine mounted sideways. It is even smaller interior wise then the BMW hatchback! Less room for the front and rear seats, and also less cargo volume. Does offer a peppy motor N/A but still weighs more then the Volvo, and I am sure that it gets worse economy still then the Volvo. Volvo's 2.5L Turbo pumps out more horses then the 2.0L Turbo from Audi and are rated for the same economy. The Volvo's Turbo would feel more like the 3.2L V6 from Audi then the 2.0L Turbo.

[Staillateno]

Volvo all the way... cracking cars.

Volvo 5 cylinder engine is one of the best motors out there.. ultra reliable and smooth performing.

[xresultsearch]

I'm bored, so I compared the Audi to the Volvo. I think that I would still take the Volvo, but the Audi does score 4 points higher compared to the Volvo out of 100. 67 vs. 71.


The Audi like the BMW is larger exterior wise, but once again is smaller interior wise which is sort of surprising because this is a FWD system like the Volvo with the engine mounted sideways. It is even smaller interior wise then the BMW hatchback! Less room for the front and rear seats, and also less cargo volume. Does offer a peppy motor N/A but still weighs more then the Volvo, and I am sure that it gets worse economy still then the Volvo. Volvo's 2.5L Turbo pumps out more horses then the 2.0L Turbo from Audi and are rated for the same economy. The Volvo's Turbo would feel more like the 3.2L V6 from Audi then the 2.0L Turbo.

The majority of Audi's purchased over here are Quattro's (4wd), which version are you using for comparison? As for size, well if your going off the B6 or B7 models possibly it is smaller than the Volvo but it didnt seem it side by side to the V50 when I looked, but it certainly is not smaller than a BMW hatchback, I've come from a 3-series and its much bigger inside. The new B8 model is the biggest outof them all beating the Mercedes C-class, the BMW 3-series and the Volvo V50, so I dont know where you've got your stats from there

[251EPyso]

I thought about an Audi but then again I dont wanna driver a better VW. [rofl]

And they are so freakin expensive here, for an Audi A4 Avant 2.5 with all the extras you pay more than for a similiar equipped BMW or Mercedes. Audi has gone insane with their prices.

[oscilsoda]

i would say the volvo