Hi everyone,

New to the forum and on the search for a new car. I recently wrote off my Alfa 159 and a good one is rare a hen's teeth here in New Zealand. However I now have my eye out for T5 Volvo's. Imports from Japan are semi-common and it seems you can get a good bargain. Currently looking at a 08 V50 T5 with 82k's on the clock. After trying to do some research, I can't find much information on common faults and what to look out for. I live in the country so dont want something chronically unreliable (like the Alfa) but I'm willing to compromise on the odd issue as Toyota's and Honda's aren't really my thing. I'm also on the look out for S40/C30's and possibly V70's too, but only with the T5 engine. Any advice or guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

I believe you'll find a couple useful FAQs on the s40 forum, which is pretty much mechanically identical in all important ways to the "cooler variants" (like the C30 or IMHO V50). The T5s are amazing cars, but you do have to budget in a new turbo somewhere after 100,000 miles (not a big deal if you're a DIY'er). Really pretty reliable, long-lasting cars - and a lot more interesting than those "common cars" you are avoiding!

I went from my V50 to an Audi A3 and then to a BMW 530xi (touring). Nothing boring there, though also none of those are necessarily for those reliant on a dealership for service, either. ;-)