I was a serial Volvo owner before BMW, had an 850 T5, V70 Mk1 T5, and then a 'blobby' V70 T5 Sport.

The early ones were brilliant; fantastic engine, reliable (better than my BMW experience), practical, comfortable, and went like stink when required. I am also a fan of understated cars so suited me.

The first V70 was a softened 850 which lost some of the fun, and the new V70 entirely killed the driving experience for me. 250bhp was too much for the front wheels, you needed an airfield to do a U turn, immensely practical but it felt like driving a bus.

A 530d Sport Touring put some fun back into the chore of driving and I never regretted changing, despite some relaibility issues. I would however keep from the Volvo their sports seats (the VERY best), and the ergonomics - what they achieve with two knobs knocks i-drive into a cocked hat IMO.

Nearly forgot the dealers. Give me a Volvo dealer over a BMW one any day.

Bought a new E61 though and didn't even look at the Volvo, says it all really.

P.S. I am still using the V70 boot mat with the 'wings' cut off, load space is very similar in all.

 

Strangely one of my reasons for buying the e60 was thinking about what cars would still have some value with 100K + miles after 5 years or so.

When you look around the only BIG cars that you see being run on beyond that point in the UK are:

5-series and the big Volvos !

 

I opted to change for the E61 this time as the BMW has not been as compromised in critical areas, being outside the GM & Ford families. These are killing the Character of such great cars like the Saab, Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover


2 wheels; I absolutely agree with you.

 

I lost ?12k in 2.5 years on my last T5, ?17k in the same time on my e39 530d sport touring.

Arrival of the E60/61 contributed in some part to this, timed the Volvo better.