The C5 estate arrived back from the repairers last week, though the repair is less then great given the final sum for the work. So its gone back to get the work done properly and the new parts it should have had. Since the loan car Laguna III went back last week we have been given an 02 plate Volvo V40 by the repairer for the time the C5 is away. We need an estate but this little Volvo cant cope with the load, it has half of what our C5 normally carries, its boot is full and the rear seats are folded. The suspension flat on the floor, bouncing along on its poor bump stops at the rear.
Anyway, the Volvo is a 1.8i V40 with 156K miles. If the speedo clocks were covered over id have thought it had done 50K miles, never 156, really has worn its miles effortlessly. The engine sounds very smooth and silky, the body work is unmarked, hardly a dink or scratch and no rust anywhere. The bonnet is a bit stone chipped but thats about it. The interior shows no real wear, everything works and operates very nicely. Unbelievable. What i was expecting of a Volvo really.
I took it out for a drive this evening, im quite impressed with it. The engine is very smooth and fairly lively, the gearbox is slick and the clutch is very nice to use. It handles quite well given the load and its got a great driving position. I actually found myself driving it for a lot longer than i had planned, its just a nice thing to drive. Well its not great but there is something about it that appeals to me ... I like the Volvo-ness of it!
Every single thing on it works too, everything still looks smart and the buttons and switches operate very nicely.
The only thing i can fault about it is a heat shied rattle or similar when changing gear at slow speeds and when engaging 5th it has a very slight scream at you as it slides in. Not bad for a petrol car with its mileage, it has the feel of a car which will easily go on for another 150K. Im very impressed, if I wanted a cheap runaround it buy it, as its for sale.
I can certainly see the appeal of Volvos if this one is a typical Volvo. Value for money, reliability, comfortable, well equipped and with nice interior touches. Ive always quite liked Volvos though, its one make id consider swapping to from Citroen.
I went out in the Xm after driving the Volvo as Im using it tomorow, it feels, and is, HUGE compared to to the Volvo. Someone had also, very kindly, removed the bumps from every road before I went out in the Xm.
Actually the Volvo when empty doesn't ride to badly, quite good in fact. With the weight that the Volvo has in it looks even smaller than it really is, im left looking down on the roof
My dad hates the Volvo, even more than he did the LagunaIII. Its suspension is shocking as its riding on the bump stops - even though it has half the amount of luggage that our C5 carries - he doesn't like the low driving position, he doesn't like petrols, Its too small for his business, etc.
Ive been looking for some genuine Citroen Xm contoured mudflaps for the Xm for over 18 months, but ive been unsuccessful. However Robert had a new pair of front ones sitll in their box and a good set of rears for the estate. They arrived today and ill be fitting them this week. I think the Xms, as do most cars, look so much better with mudflaps fitted and it will save chips and dirt from getting at the bodywork a little too.
