S80 oR 520i

mondeo

I sold my old E34 520i earlier this week and am looking for a new cruiser.. I'm looking at either a 99' shape Volvo S80 2L petrol or a 99' shape Bmw 520i.
Volvo seems like a big car with bigger spec but it's a 4 cylinder V the 520's straight 6 cyclinder. I'm looking for comfort, have not test driven the Volvo yet but I expect it to be a heavy slow yoke but the comfort is alot better so I am told.

What would you choose?

Big Nasty

mondeo wrote: »

I sold my old E34 520i earlier this week and am looking for a new cruiser.. I'm looking at either a 99' shape Volvo S80 2L petrol or a 99' shape Bmw 520i.
Volvo seems like a big car with bigger spec but it's a 4 cylinder V the 520's straight 6 cyclinder. I'm looking for comfort, have not test driven the Volvo yet but I expect it to be a heavy slow yoke but the comfort is alot better so I am told.

What would you choose?

I would take a new S80 over a new 5series any day. I just don't like what they've done with the Bimmers over the last few years. The old S80's were ugly though while the E39 is a fine looking car. I find the 520 under powered though, I would go with a 523 or a 2000+ 520 as they're 2.2, plus you will get the angel eye xenon's.

-Chris-

BMW

VolvoMan

-Chris- wrote: »

BMW

But did you not admit that you don't know anything about older cars?

If the Bimmer was anything other than a 520i, it would definitely get my choice. But seeing as it's not, the Volvo gets the nod from me.

The S80 is also a five cylinder and not a four, by the way.

Big Nasty

VolvoMan wrote: »

But did you not admit that you don't know anything about older cars?

If the Bimmer was anything other than a 520i it would definitely get my choice. But seeing as it's not, the Volvo gets the nod from me.

There's 'old' and then there's 'older'.

A ten year old car isn't exactly what I would term as old really.

mondeo

VolvoMan wrote: »

But did you not admit that you don't know anything about older cars?

If the Bimmer was anything other than a 520i, it would definitely get my choice. But seeing as it's not, the Volvo gets the nod from me.

The S80 is also a five cylinder and not a four, by the way.

I thought the 2.4 upwards were 5 cylinder engines. Looking forward for a few test runs in a few over the coming week.

Captain Slow IRL

Would the S60 not be more on par with the 5 series?

unkel

VolvoMan wrote: »

The S80 is also a five cylinder and not a four, by the way.

and the 520 is a six cylinder All engines in the E39 are at least 6 cylinder!

@OP - I don't think there was the 2.0l turbo in '99, the smallest petrol was a 2.4 iirc, but I'm ready to stand corrected

What do you want in a car? The S80 is bigger and more comfy. When a few years old it is much cheaper than the 520, but time is a great equaliser. Sure wasn't there another thread today with a similar age Audi A8 for a grand? I'd expect the 520 to be more reliable, but again, at that age it will be some gamble.

VolvoMan

MCMLXXV wrote: »

There's 'old' and then there's 'older'.

A ten year old car isn't exactly what I would term as old really.

I very much agree. I'm just talking of what's perceived as 'old' these days by the general public.

mondeo wrote: »

I thought the 2.4 upwards were 5 cylinder engines. Looking forward for a few test runs in a few over the coming week.

All of the first generation S80's engines were either straight 5 or 6 cylinder, with only the 2.8 T6 and the 2.9 being the latter.

Captain Slow IRL wrote: »

Would the S60 not be more on par with the 5 series?

That's a 3 Series rival.

Gary ITR

VolvoMan wrote: »

But did you not admit that you don't know anything about older cars?

If the Bimmer was anything other than a 520i, it would definitely get my choice. But seeing as it's not, the Volvo gets the nod from me.

I don't see the need for you to draw attention to this. And as I recall -Chris- never said he knew nothing about older cars, he said they weren't his bag. Big difference there. So reign in your attitude please

VolvoMan

unkel wrote: »

and the 520 is a six cylinder All engines in the E39 are at least 6 cylinder!

I wasn't saying that. What I meant was that the original S80 never came in four cylinder.

Still, the performance of a 520 is on a par with a four-cylinder anyway.

VolvoMan

Onkle wrote: »

I don't see the need for you to draw attention to this. And as I recall -Chris- never said he knew nothing about older cars, he said they weren't his bag. Big difference there. So reign in your attitude please

I just don't think it's fair that he should give a false recommendation if he's not even familiar with the car. Nothing else really.

Gary ITR

VolvoMan wrote: »

I just don't think it's fair that he should give a false recommendation if he's not even familiar with the car. Nothing else really.

Ah come on now. You know for sure Chris knows nothing about the cars in question? This ends here. If you have any more to say you can PM me

-Chris-

VolvoMan wrote: »

But did you not admit that you don't know anything about older cars?

I know about the cars I prefer. My preference was all I was offering.

unkel wrote: »

What do you want in a car?

This would be a key bit for me OP, what do you drive now, what do you like?
I've preferred every BMW I've driven to every Volvo I've driven, I prefer the way they make me feel about them.
If one "speaks" to you, buy it.
If you find a mint Volvo, buy it over a raggy BMW.
If you need buckets of space, buy the Volvo.

unkel

VolvoMan wrote: »

Still, the performance of a 520 is on a par with a four-cylinder anyway.

The performance of the 2l '99 520 is slightly better than that of the 2.4l '99 S80. The BMW has a bit more power and is a bit lighter. The S80 aerodynamics don't help in the top speed department

Tax on the volvo (at nearly a grand) costs over 50% more than on the BMW BTW...

Now, don't get me wrong here. I like the S80 and I recommended it to a family member who has now had it for several years without issues. It depends very much on what you like in cars to determine which is the better purchase for the OP.

And like yourself, I don't like misinformation / false recommendation

VolvoMan

-Chris- wrote: »

This would be a key bit for me OP, what do you drive now, what do you like?
I've preferred every BMW I've driven to every Volvo I've driven, I prefer the way they make me feel about them.
If one "speaks" to you, buy it.
If you find a mint Volvo, buy it over a raggy BMW.
If you need buckets of space, buy the Volvo.

That's more like it.

unkel wrote: »

The performance of the 2l '99 520 is slightly better than that of the 2.4l '99 S80. The BMW has a bit more power and is a bit lighter. The S80 aerodynamics don't help in the top speed department

My bad, then. I forgot it was the 2.4 he was looking at and was thinking of the 2.0 LPT.

Isn't it the older engine that would be in that 520 though, with the more modern 2.2 litre not coming out until around '00?

unkel

VolvoMan wrote: »

Isn't it the older engine that would be in that 520 though, with the more modern 2.2 litre not coming out until around '00?

Yup the older 2l engine in the early E39 520. Still the trademark straight 6 though. 150BHP vs 170BHP for the newer 2.2l 520. More power is always better and more displacement is too

That said, I find it surprising that so many people tend to over-recommend (imho) the 170BHP in both the newer 520 and the older 523 (2.5). If you want poke, don't bother with these inbetweeny options and go straight for the 530 or much better, the V8s and that's not even mentioning the top model directly

mondeo

-Chris- wrote: »

I know about the cars I prefer. My preference was all I was offering.




This would be a key bit for me OP, what do you drive now, what do you like?
I've preferred every BMW I've driven to every Volvo I've driven, I prefer the way they make me feel about them.
If one "speaks" to you, buy it.
If you find a mint Volvo, buy it over a raggy BMW.
If you need buckets of space, buy the Volvo.

I was driving a 94 520i which I liked but too old a car for me now and started needing tlc that exceded the value of it so I let it go...

I like big comfortable cars with abit of luxury. The s80 I have liked for years but could not afford one back then but second hand ones are so cheap now for such a quality car. The 5 series is another favourite of mine that is very affordable now. I want to stick to a 2L car for road tax reasons. I'm wondering would a 6 cyclinder Bmw be a bugger on fuel compared to a 5 cylinder Volvo?

-Chris-

VolvoMan wrote: »

That's more like it.

What's more like it?

I have an issue with your tone in some of your replies to me over the past two days.
Your PMs are turned off, so I'm unable to privately resolve it.
I'm loathe to bring my feelings on-thread (especially with the likelihood of it derailing that thread), but I don't feel I have an option.

Turn on your PMs and discuss any issues you have with me privately or start a helpdesk thread about me and air any grievances you have about me.

Keep if off the boards.

Tragedy

There was a 140bhp and a 170bhp 2.4l S80 available back then, but tax on either would be a killer.

-Chris-

mondeo wrote: »

I was driving a 94 520i which I liked but too old a car for me now and started needing tlc that exceded the value of it so I let it go...

I like big comfortable cars with abit of luxury. The s80 I have liked for years but could not afford one back then but second hand ones are so cheap now for such a quality car. The 5 series is another favourite of mine that is very affordable now. I want to stick to a 2L car for road tax reasons. I'm wondering would a 6 cyclinder Bmw be a bugger on fuel compared to a 5 cylinder Volvo?

Have you your eyes on any particular cars in particular? What cars are you thinking of test-driving?

VolvoMan

-Chris- wrote: »

What's more like it?

You gave a reason for your choice and some constructive information with it, unlike your previous one.

I have an issue with your tone in some of your replies to me over the past two days.
Your PMs are turned off, so I'm unable to privately resolve it.
I'm loathe to bring my feelings on-thread (especially with the likelihood of it derailing that thread), but I don't feel I have an option.

Turn on your PMs and discuss any issues you have with me privately or start a helpdesk thread about me and air any grievances you have about me.

Keep if off the boards.

Wow, it's just like being in school on here!:(

mondeo

-Chris- wrote: »

Have you your eyes on any particular cars in particular? What cars are you thinking of test-driving?

Theres more then a handful of 99' - 01' s80's on carzone for 3-4k and their 2L non turbo models also with reasonable mileage 80k - 100k. Find it hard to not go and have a look. All in Dublin areas aswell.

One or Two 98',99' 520i's in the same dealerships with higher mileage for similar money.

-Chris-

All other things being equal, I'd take an 01 S80 over a 99 5-Series. It's just me but I'm happier buying cars under 10 years old unless there's a particular reason for it.

Drive them all, at that age they can either be well kept minters or horribly abused dogs.

mondeo

-Chris- wrote: »

All other things being equal, I'd take an 01 S80 over a 99 5-Series. It's just me but I'm happier buying cars under 10 years old unless there's a particular reason for it.

Drive them all, at that age they can either be well kept minters or horribly abused dogs.

I'm sort of thinking the same, if they drive aswell as I am hoping and not too lacking in the punch department I'd take the s80 aswell

JHMEG

6 cylinders means the engine vibrates less. Is that a reason to buy a car? No.

The S80 probably has more toys than the 520i. The 520i would be a nicer drive tho. Depends on what you want really.

mondeo

I went ahead and bought a Nice 00' petrol Volvo S80 2.0L today. I am very happy with it. Ye I test drove the 520i's but the volvo was much more comfortable, bigger and better specced. It has much more presense in my opinion and it's a massive big thing compared to the 5 series. Comfort wise it is right up there with a 7 series... For value for money it was the s80 all the way. E-2,700 with 89k on clock with a good history is somthing you cannot go wrong with. I am delighted with it

Thanks for the views..

bazz26

Well wear, sounds like a good buy at a good price.

JHMEG

Good price, well wear.

unkel

Well wear!

DaMonk

ya well wear. Good choice on the volvo. I bought a 2001 s60 with 74k for 3k about 5 months ago and absolutely love it. The S80 I'd say is very comfortable and nice to drive, and they aren't as common as BMW's!

VolvoMan

mondeo wrote: »

I went ahead and bought a Nice 00' petrol Volvo S80 2.0L today. I am very happy with it. Ye I test drove the 520i's but the volvo was much more comfortable, bigger and better specced. It has much more presense in my opinion and it's a massive big thing compared to the 5 series. Comfort wise it is right up there with a 7 series... For value for money it was the s80 all the way. E-2,700 with 89k on clock with a good history is somthing you cannot go wrong with. I am delighted with it

Thanks for the views..

Well done, sounds like you did very well indeed! The Volvo S80 is a great car and I think you will be very happy with it.

mondeo

DaMonk wrote: »

ya well wear. Good choice on the volvo. I bought a 2001 s60 with 74k for 3k about 5 months ago and absolutely love it. The S80 I'd say is very comfortable and nice to drive, and they aren't as common as BMW's!

Their not that common at all, I only ever see a handful of them in a week.
Their certainly comfy, it's a differant world compared to my old 94' 520i.
Very quiet drive, almost drives by itself. Acceleration is not bad for such a big car either. Ye it's front wheel drive but I dont mind about that, an AWD version would eat fuel:pac:
Does not feel like an almost 10 yr old car at all, it's so modern looking you would mistake it for a 2 yr old car.

Marlow

unkel wrote: »

All engines in the E39 are at least 6 cylinder!

Not quite .. the 520d is a 4 cylinder, but that's the only E39 you'd find with 4 cylindre.

Anyhow, good choice on the S80 even though I'd always would have gone for the E39 ... just not a 520i ... min 523 or 525

/M

unkel

Marlow wrote: »

Not quite .. the 520d is a 4 cylinder, but that's the only E39 you'd find with 4 cylindre.

Aye, they added the 520d in about '00? The first 5 years of the E39 were 4-pot free though

Marlow

unkel wrote: »

Aye, they added the 520d in about '00? The first 5 years of the E39 were 4-pot free though

Yep. And that is as f*cked up, as that you actually could get the last of the M5 E39's with paddle-shift automatic, I've been told ... Yikes !!

/M

unkel

I take it Herr Marlow likes his 3 pedals on the floor?

Marlow

unkel wrote: »

I take it Herr Marlow likes his 3 pedals on the floor?

Yep ... have a M5 E39 ... Have had a few automatics, but I prefer manual.

/M

VolvoMan

unkel wrote: »

Aye, they added the 520d in about '00? The first 5 years of the E39 were 4-pot free though

That was never sold in right-hand-drive though, was it?

Mr Benevolent

Marlow wrote: »

Yep. And that is as f*cked up, as that you actually could get the last of the M5 E39's with paddle-shift automatic, I've been told ... Yikes !!

Oh man, if I could find one of those...

Volvos seem to be fantastic value for money, you can get a seriously impressive car for very little compared to BMW or Mercedes. *Writes 'Volvo' on his must-buy list*

Marlow

VolvoMan wrote: »

That was never sold in right-hand-drive though, was it?

Lets say, if they exist in RHD, they are not on the used car market. So you could be right there.

Confab wrote: »

Oh man, if I could find one of those...

As I wrote, hear/say. Could also be retro-fit by a tuner. I didn't fancy that idea at all.

/M