im currently struggling to fit my family and dog in my vrs fabia. as much as i love the fabia and its performance i really need an estate.seen a tidy v50 diesel. anyone an experiences of one? are they mappable as well? i need practacality and safty but still want a car thats fun to drive.

See here...

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/268706-volvo-v50-t5/page__hl__%20volvo%20%20v50

OK, it's not a diesel but the rest of the car is the same and it seems to get positive feedback.

Or just get the T5 since he didn't buy it

I drove my bosses 55 plate 2.0d today & it went well,was surprised by the performance,bit bland on the inside but overall a nice diesel estate. It has done 125k & no rattles or clunks (just a noisy front wheel bearing).

I traded my 1999 Octavia slx tdi for a V50 2.0DS on the scrappage scheme in July 09. My car was built in the latter years of ford owning volvo. Build quality is not as good as the old Octavia which had 180000 miles, hard miles on it when I got rid of it. Seats in the Volvo are excellent which is why I purchased it instead of a mk2 Octy Scout.

I drive 20000m per year on mostly rural roads and average 45 mpg, engine is good and strong, gearbox feels flimsy.

There is a DPF filter issue with some cars in that dependant on the model year the DPF needs to be replaced at the 75000m service. I was lucky and mine doesnt nor the ad blu(Eloysis?) top up.

Space wise the V50 is poor, far poorer than the Octy and poorer than the other half's astra.

I have painted a really negative picture, 3 and a half years and 78000m on I would not buy another V50(they are now an obsolete model) BUT I intend to run it till it drops. But it is not that bad. Timing belt does not need replaced till 120000miles.

If you need space look elsewhere. Ceed Estate or Avensis would spring to mind

The V50 is basically a ford focus estate so its not going to be massive,

They seem to weather queit well and i see them regular with well over 100k on clock, the 2.0d is basically a peugeot 2.0hdi so there just about bomb proof if looked after just watch out for noisy flywheels and heavy clutch pedals,

They did this engine with or without dpf filter, i would personally get one without if possible, its easy to tell they have a sensor mounted to the side of the battery tray with 2 pipes that disappear down under car

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=58

may help

Funny as I'm looking for a new car as fabia not big enough for family and dog. Love the look of the v50 but think the mrs wants a octavia. Have you looked at the 2.4 one? 180bhp and easily tuned up to 210/220

Thanks for the replies. The 2.4 is a bit harder to find.

Thanks for the replies. The 2.4 is a bit harder to find.

They are very good cars, as has been said they are a Peugeot/citroen/ford engine that will run forever if serviced, only problem is the dpf at 75k and the timing belt around 100k (If I remember right) there are loads kicking about so try and go for one with all the toys.