Volvo
10 February 2012
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2008 Volvo V50 reviews
Volvo V50 reviews by year of make: 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Read all reviews
Craig J, Scotland
Volvo V50 1.6D S 2008
A superb car, which has so far given 33,000 trouble-free miles. As a compact estate the V50 is really quite roomy though there’s a distinct lack of cubby space for nick-nacks. A joy to drive once I fitted it with Uniroyal Rainsport 2’s. It goes where you point it and with very little lean in corners. I’m averaging 56 mpg over a tank of fuel on a mix of motorway, A and B roads and when I compare it to my previous car (Smart Forfour 1.5TDi Passion) which averaged 49mpg, I am well please with the Volvo. I had 4.5yrs of trouble-free motoring with the Smart and it looks as if the V50 is heading the same way. Like the Smart, the V50 is none-too-common on our streets and it often draws admiring looks and comments. People who complain about the size or flexibility of this car ought to have noticed this when they test-drove it so it seems odd that they now find it too small for their needs. Personally, I carry passengers occasionally, but mostly it’s just me and my labrador and the car is easily big enough. I like the level of kit that comes on this ’basic’ car though I may opt for cruise-control next time. But I knew it didn’t have this when I bought it and the car is definitely fun to drive and has excellent fuel economy. I love it!
Submitted: 06/11/2011 21:38:28
Claire Janocha, Germany
Volvo V50 2008
I’ve just bought a 3 year old Volvo V50, less than 2 months ago. Last week it lost power to the point of almost breaking down and when I took it to be looked at I was told the particle filter was in a terrible state. The shocking thing is this was bought from a Volvo dealer (Nurnberg) and they must have sold it knowing the particle filter was about to go (either that or they didn’t bother checking it.) We had paid much more than a private deal in order to feel reassured that it was thoroughly checked by the dealer. The particle filter is apparently not covered by the warranty. Who would guess that Volvo are a bunch of cowboys? I’m a very unsatisfied customer who will never buy another Volvo.
Submitted: 09/08/2011 14:50:28
Nigel Jackson, England
Volvo V50 2.0 diesel se 2008
Great car. I admit its boot isn’t the biggest but compared with the price of an Audi or BMW it is good value. I have looked at the boot size compared to the Audi A4 and found that there is ony a 6cm difference in length and 4cm in depth. The interior is well equipped and I love the clean lines with the sporty brushed alluiminium trim. The interior style is modern with easily used buttons exactly were you would want them. I found the Volvo V50 price the best thing about this car and this makes it the best value car in its bracket.
Submitted: 11/08/2010 18:02:51
M Sinclair, Ireland
Volvo V50 F1.8 2008
Nothing but trouble with this from the day I bought it, has broken down now 3 times. 1st time after only 5 days. Customer service was weak, garage since closed!!! Started stalling when stopped at lights, is now a gamble if it starts at all in the mornings.... Fuel economy sitting on 9.8l/100km about 23 mpg, and thats using petrol not bio. Car feels clunky in the gear change,; did i mention £220 for a replacement Pirelli tyre? This car is now a burden and the current climate means I cant sell it. Boo hoo Volvo
Submitted: 07/02/2010 11:27:51
Ben Sayer, Oxfordshire
Volvo V50 1.6D S 2008
I chose this as a company car as I wanted more space and the styling of this estate is better than most in its price bracket. For a base model it is also well equipped, came with climate control, e/w windows all round etc. Chose the 1.6D as I thought it would be economical - I think Volov claim 56 mpg combined. I struggle to get above 45/46 mpg. I think the best I ever managed was 50 mpg when I first got it and ran it is an 60mph. I have pumped up the tyres to the ECO pressure of 36 psi and stick to 70-75 mph on the motorway which is 80 per cent of its mileage, but still the economy is rubbish and had I known, I would not have got it. Previously had a 1.9D Megane and on the same journey driving at higher speeds happily got 50 mpg. Only other problem was that the turbo needed replacing after about six months and I also find that the engine seems to hesitate quite frequently when on part throttle. If you are thinking about buying this for its claimed economy I would avoid it.
Submitted: 30/10/2009 22:54:26
Helen Lawson, Northumberland
Volvo V50 2.0D SE Lux 2008
Second V50. Previously owned 2005 2.0D SE. When I set out to look for the replacement I tested Audi and BMW, but when it came down to it the Volvo beat them on price, value for money, specification, and safety features. Bigger mirrors of the revised car, a big improvement and heated/memory seats a great luxury. Overall, the drive is unexplainably better. The clutch is a bit heavy and the gear box a bit agricultural compared to some rivals, but this is a vice I am prepared to live with. No reliability issues from either car, though inexplicably the newer one averages 42mpg after 20 months, whereas the last car got about 47mpg. I drive the 136bhp C class diesel today and it was snail like in comparison. Support previous comments about problems with heater, read the instruction book, the air con system slightly complex, but good if you use it probably. Mill Volvo Sunderland - service excellent.
Submitted: 28/10/2009 20:39:26
Peter Fearnley, Yorkshire
Volvo V50 2.0 d e.s sport r design 2008
This is my second review, I bought the car new in Jan 2008 and fell in love with it immediately. The car is definitely a head turner, the ride is firm, the drive responsive and can be fast when you need it. I test drove both Audi and Saab and I must say the Saab came close to the Volvo but lost out on looks. I’ve had no problems with the car and the servicing package was a bonus, as Volvo servicing can be expensive. The down side, if there is one, is that the boot space is a bit on the small side. I’ve done just over 15,000 miles and I reckon it won’t be long before I need 2 front tyers at a cost of £160 each (ouch).
Submitted: 13/10/2009 08:50:23
Richard Piper, England
Volvo V50 2008
To previous complainer , the throttle taking over engine revs is because you are in too high a gear and the anti stall device takes over. Gone are the days when the car would rattle and shake when you are in too high a gear as cars are so refined these days they compensate for almost everything. Most cars have this feature. As for your air/con try reading the hand book, all cars with air/con or climate control can have their heaters and air/con on together.
Submitted: 06/07/2009 10:05:12
Simon Clements, Bedfordshire
Volvo V50 2.0d r design 2008
Had it just over a year now, it is my first company car; didn’t know my boss had got me the r design until it turned up at the office. I was like a kid at Christmas! I drive around 35000 miles a year and it has been trouble free. I drive it quite hard and at 36000 it now needs its 2nd set of rear tyres and 3rd set of fronts. I get 42/44mpg when pushing on, the seats and headrests are fantastic when doing 400 miles a day. The only real niggle is the headlights/fuel filler release/fog light buttons have not survived the conversion to RHD; there is no dashboard light for the front fogs and the button is obscured by the steering wheel. I love the huge torque and have surprised faster cars a few times. I do find the DTSC gets in the way sometimes too. The space behind the floating dash is perfect for my man bag!!!! It looks good in black but is a bitch to keep clean. I would love to try a t5d... Overall I can’t complain... it’s free after all!
Submitted: 22/06/2009 12:03:47
James Roberts, Lancashire
Volvo V50 2 litre diesel estate 2008
Has anyone else found the car goes along at 20+ mph without your foot on the gas even uphill, also picks up speed going round corners so much so that I have to brake in the corner which is dangerous. I have had it into my dealer twice but they can’t find the fault on diagnostics and to be honest they do not really want to know. Also, the car steams up badly I can’t keep it clear unless I select the screen button which only works on aircon, then you can’t have the heating on as well, which in this weather is freezing. I am finding the fuel consumption poor - only getting approximately 38mpg on combined usage when statistics claim I should be getting 50+. I am so disappointed with it I am seriously thinking of getting rid, bought it for safety features but it’s the worst car I’ve had.
Submitted: 30/12/2008 15:38:33
Peter Fearnley, Yorkshire
Volvo V50 2.0d r design se sport 2008
One of the best mid range car I’ve ever drove - comes with loads of extras - also came with a good service package. The car looks the biz . Test drove the A4 - the car was not a patch on the Volvo. Just one down side - I would have liked badges on the back to let people behind know what the car is.
Submitted: 22/08/2008 15:59:40
Jonathan Maitland-MacIntyre, Berwickshire
Volvo V50 D5 2.4 185bhp SE Sport R-Design 2008
Forget the T5 version and certainly don’t bother with the 2 litre engines or the even smaller ones, this is the one to have for sure! With the R-Design spec and the 18" wheels, as well, it’s transformed as ’a looker’ too. Brilliant mid-range acceleration, this will cruise all day and return mid 40s consumption at a steady (illegal) 85 on the motorway. Off the lights it’ll leave much more fancied German machines for dead and all from a wonderfully warble-y 5 cylinder engine. Sure it mightn’t handle through the bends quite as well as some of the Germans but it’ll leave them for dead on the straights and having had Audi Avants (A6s and A4s) in the past you won’t need to spend a fortune on osteopath bills to sort out your jarred bones either! I reckon these are the bargain of all bargains.......
Submitted: 15/08/2008 09:26:04
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