Volvo V50 sick of Uk Eire price differences

Erren Music · 22-02-2010 05:41PM

Limerick man wrote: »

A cousin of mine has a Volvo S40 2.0D with 150,000kms and his co worker a V50 1.6D with (well had) 160,000kms.

They've both had loads of problems, the biggest being the V50 needing a new engine. (At a dealer cost of nearly 15k :eek:) And both cars are serviced of the button. He had a 06 Passat with 160,000, and besides needs lots of new tyres (due to the tyre fitter fitting the wrong tyres) he didn't have half as many problems.

Also the Cabin is very cramped, they're fairly small inside them.Plus the fact on long trips, besides having a nice head rests, they're actually fairly uncomfortable. If you were buying new I'd be looking at the likes of the Insignia, Passat Tdi, etc. Wouldn't be toon keen on the Volvo, but drive one first and seen what you think.

So weekend test drive then before I make a decision. What dealers do weekend tests here.

Saab Ed · 22-02-2010 05:41PM

Erren Music wrote: »

What?

SO the UK price is still the Euro equivalent of €27,000

the Irish one is still €29,986

What was your point?

My point is that if you haggle in Ireland then there's a lot more discount to come off the list price than you think. Anyway you seem to have made up your mind already ( as is often the case with people who come on here to motor trade bash and not heed the advice of motor trade people on here

:D ) so good luck with your purchase.

L-M · 22-02-2010 05:45PM

Erren Music wrote: »

So weekend test drive then before I make a decision. What dealers do weekend tests here.

Depends on how keen you are really, some lads might say they don't but if you build up a relationship somewhat with the dealer they might let you have it. Definitely needs to be test driven though. Drive the 2.0 too if you can, fairly quick in all gears.

EPM · 22-02-2010 05:49PM

Erren Music wrote: »

I want to support whats left of the industry in Ireland.

But if I can personally buy cars cheaper from UK, import them and pay all duties, what is stopping the buying power of major dealers doing the same thing.

I cannot understand why there is a difference. Surely the bulk buying power would reduce the price even further.

The BS you get from ringing a dealer and their nonsense about thats what we have to pay blah blah blah.

So it's list price is 2,000 euro's more.

Still not much compared to the €21,000 euro from the UK with all taxes paid.

It's VRT is the problem really. Our pre-tax prices are amongst the lowest. Did my thesis on car price dispersion...we're getting off lightly compared to some...

Had some stats that showed a variance of 50% on pre-tax prices of some models across europe

Big Nasty · 22-02-2010 05:53PM

Saab Ed wrote: »

Anyway you seem to have made up your mind already ( as is often the case with people who come on here to motor trade bash and not heed the advice of motor trade people on here :D ) so good luck with your purchase.

I was kinda thinking that the sole purpose of some threads are purely to promote NI / UK dealers!

Swingguru wrote: »

Just bought a 1.6d SE in NI. 2 years old, 20K miles in amazing condition for £11k. Bargain or what? Great car, comfortable and very economical. Bit of class about it as well. Get yourself up to SMW or Greers in NI and pick up a nearly new bargain!

R.O.R · 22-02-2010 05:57PM

Kind of reminds me of something.............................

Tabnabs · 22-02-2010 05:59PM

Limerick man wrote: »

Also the Cabin is very cramped, they're fairly small inside them.Plus the fact on long trips, besides having a nice head rests, they're actually fairly uncomfortable. If you were buying new I'd be looking at the likes of the Insignia, Passat Tdi, etc. Wouldn't be toon keen on the Volvo, but drive one first and seen what you think.

I have the S40 and at 6'3" I find it fine. In terms of being uncomfortable, with respect, horsesh*t. A more comfortable car seat I have never had. I have had severe back problems in the past but never once have I been uncomfortable in the volvo, quite the opposite. The back legroom is tight for adults, that's it.

And to continue the price comparison, the entry level V50 in Norway will set you back 289,900 NOK = 36,078 EUR

L-M · 22-02-2010 05:59PM

Swingguru wrote: »

Just bought a 1.6d SE in NI. 2 years old, 20K miles in amazing condition for £11k. Bargain or what? Great car, comfortable and very economical. Bit of class about it as well. Get yourself up to SMW or Greers in NI and pick up a nearly new bargain!

I seem to be only able to read that post in the voice of the lad who does Harvey Normans adds!

L-M · 22-02-2010 06:02PM

Dyflin wrote: »

I have the S40 and at 6'3" I find it fine. In terms of being uncomfortable, with respect, horsesh*t. A more comfortable car seat I have never had. I have had severe back problems in the past but never once have I been uncomfortable in the volvo, quite the opposite. The back legroom is tight for adults, that's it.

Passenger seat, sit in the front passenger seat and tell me that you have lots of leg room! You have to angle your feet to be comfortable remotely comfortable! And the seats are genuinely not comfortable in my opinion. I went for a spin to Dublin and I couldn't get comfortable, had a pain in my back on the way home then. And I'm just over 6ft.

Erren Music · 22-02-2010 06:39PM

Saab Ed wrote: »

.....yeah but off a higher list price. UK prices are just about what you'll buy the car for, another words if the car is advertised at 20 grand then you'll not buy it for much under 19,800 were as Irish list prices can be reduced by 1000's of euro. Its just the way the systems are...silly really.

Why haven't you addressed the comparison I showed you?

Why don't you just have one price for all, and cut out haggling then. Surely the RRP is a load of BS.

Saab Ed wrote: »

My point is that if you haggle in Ireland then there's a lot more discount to come off the list price than you think. Anyway you seem to have made up your mind already ( as is often the case with people who come on here to motor trade bash and not heed the advice of motor trade people on here :D ) so good luck with your purchase.

MCMLXXV wrote: »

I was kinda thinking that the sole purpose of some threads are purely to promote NI / UK dealers!

I cannot understand why there is a difference. Surely the bulk buying power would reduce the price even further.

If I can personally buy cars thousands of Euro cheaper from UK, import them and pay all duties, what is stopping the buying power of major dealers doing the same thing?

Do not imply that I am motor trade bashing, answer that simple question.

Dyflin wrote: »

I have the S40 and at 6'3" I find it fine. In terms of being uncomfortable, with respect, horsesh*t. A more comfortable car seat I have never had. I have had severe back problems in the past but never once have I been uncomfortable in the volvo, quite the opposite. The back legroom is tight for adults, that's it.

I am the same height. Back legroom is tight in most cars. I probably have people in the back once a month at the most.

VolvoMan · 22-02-2010 08:22PM

Limerick man wrote: »

A cousin of mine has a Volvo S40 2.0D with 150,000kms and his co worker a V50 1.6D with (well had) 160,000kms.

They've both had loads of problems, the biggest being the V50 needing a new engine. (At a dealer cost of nearly 15k :eek:) And both cars are serviced of the button. He had a 06 Passat with 160,000, and besides needs lots of new tyres (due to the tyre fitter fitting the wrong tyres) he didn't have half as many problems.

Also the Cabin is very cramped, they're fairly small inside them.Plus the fact on long trips, besides having a nice head rests, they're actually fairly uncomfortable. If you were buying new I'd be looking at the likes of the Insignia, Passat Tdi, etc. Wouldn't be toon keen on the Volvo, but drive one first and seen what you think.

Ah now Limerick man, I don't think they're really as bad as you say. Besides, you couldn't call and S40 or V50 unreliable and say the Passat is any better. I believed everything you said by the way until you mentioned it was uncomfortable, which is something it most definitely is not. Volvo's may be many things, but uncomfortable is one thing they never will be. The cabin is also no smaller than a 3 Series or B7 Audi A4, but it's still an adequate size. If space is an issue, I suggest the OP have a look at the bigger S80 or V70 DRIVe.

The S40 and V50 have been on the market for six years and are still selling strongly, so they can't be all that bad. I can't say that I've seen that many new Passat's in comparison to them anyway, which is probably down to the new Superb being a far better car in every way among other things.

Erren Music wrote: »

So weekend test drive then before I make a decision. What dealers do weekend tests here.

Pretty much all of them I think. It depends on availability of the model you want to test drive of course.

Pkiernan · 22-02-2010 09:08PM

keithclancy wrote: »

31.995 Euros here in the Netherlands for the Base 1.6D Start/Stop...

Don't know how you make out Ireland is a Ripoff.

Maybe your should compare Euro to Euro rather than the Fluctuating Euro to Sterling.

Edit:
Pricelist here:
http://www.volvocars.com/nl/all-cars/volvo-v50/Documents/index.html

You have to pay extra in Holland as punishment for clogging the Autobahns here in Germany in the summer!!!

It's new EU legislation apparently.

GiftGrub100 · 22-02-2010 09:18PM

If you are going to buy a V50 then I would advise you to look at the SE model, which amongst other items gives you full leather, 17'' Alloys and cruise control which add quite a lot to the enjoyment factor of the car. Was looking in a dealer today for a car for my cousin and a brand new V50 1.6D SE with start stop for 29,500 on a straight deal including bluetooth and tank of diesel and free road tax,Not a bad deal in my opinion and they will collect the car in two days.

Tabnabs · 22-02-2010 09:22PM

Limerick man wrote: »

Passenger seat, sit in the front passenger seat and tell me that you have lots of leg room! You have to angle your feet to be comfortable remotely comfortable! And the seats are genuinely not comfortable in my opinion. I went for a spin to Dublin and I couldn't get comfortable, had a pain in my back on the way home then. And I'm just over 6ft.

I've owned the car for over three years, a bit more than a spin to Dublin, never once had a problem. Honestly your experience is not borne out by anyone I've had in the car.

-Chris- · 22-02-2010 09:32PM

Erren Music wrote: »

Why don't you just have one price for all, and cut out haggling then. Surely the RRP is a load of BS.

People expect haggling, doing away with it would cause more hassle than it solves. I don't think anyone's mentally prepared for a world where they pay sticker price for a car.

Also, when you bring in trade-ins, outstanding finance, supply of new finance etc. the sum gets more complicated than your menu pricing solution would suggest.

Erren Music wrote: »

I cannot understand why there is a difference. Surely the bulk buying power would reduce the price even further.

If I can personally buy cars thousands of Euro cheaper from UK, import them and pay all duties, what is stopping the buying power of major dealers doing the same thing?

The main reason that main dealers won't do this is because they stand to lose their franchises (after investing massive amounts of money in premises, branding etc.) if they get caught parallel importing.

As a dealer you could make the decision to risk your franchise, or to hand it back, in order to deal in UK imported cars and make some hay while the exchange rates are in their favour; but if the exchange rates recover, if the UK market/pricing changes or if either government changes anything fundamental like Vat or VRT you'll be fairly exposed.

It's a much safer bet to compete against the other Irish Volvo dealers on a fairly even footing than to lay it all on the line and endanger a franchise you've held for 20 years for the sake of making quick bucks.

Also, do bear in mind that when you ring up a dealer and ask "why don't you import from the UK, why won't Volvo price-equalise between ROI and the UK?" you're talking to a retail salesperson. You're at the wrong end of the pecking order to be asking these questions, and the guys you're talking to will consider the conversation a waste of time for the same reason.

bazz26 · 22-02-2010 10:01PM

I've an S40 for almost 12 months now, it's one of the most comfortable cars I've ever owned and the spec is unreal for the money. I also have no problem with front leg room though I am only 5ft 7". Definately recommend the 2.0d over the 1.6d though. The 1.6d takes forever to get going.

Erren Music · 22-02-2010 11:36PM

-Chris- wrote: »

People expect haggling, doing away with it would cause more hassle than it solves. I don't think anyone's mentally prepared for a world where they pay sticker price for a car.

Also, when you bring in trade-ins, outstanding finance, supply of new finance etc. the sum gets more complicated than your menu pricing solution would suggest.

I understand what you are saying, but I prefer the UK method or no more than a certain amount.

My Aunt bought a new car this year, we both went in to dealers to price new cars, my deal was much better and thats not fair.

-Chris- wrote: »

The main reason that main dealers won't do this is because they stand to lose their franchises (after investing massive amounts of money in premises, branding etc.) if they get caught parallel importing.

This is a very fair point and one I had not considered.

-Chris- wrote: »

As a dealer you could make the decision to risk your franchise, or to hand it back, in order to deal in UK imported cars and make some hay while the exchange rates are in their favour; but if the exchange rates recover, if the UK market/pricing changes or if either government changes anything fundamental like Vat or VRT you'll be fairly exposed.

Citroen are branching out on their own after losing Gallic. I am hoping they get some decent prices in soon. Wifes car is getting to that 8 year old age of timing belt, major service, tyres and NCT soon.

Dyflin wrote: »

I've owned the car for over three years, a bit more than a spin to Dublin, never once had a problem. Honestly your experience is not borne out by anyone I've had in the car.

Good to know.

So are they the S40 in estate.

bazz26 · 23-02-2010 12:20AM

Erren Music wrote: »

So are they the S40 in estate.

Basically yes, aside from a slightly different front grill and fog lights.

L-M · 23-02-2010 01:20AM

VolvoMan wrote: »

Ah now Limerick man, I don't think they're really as bad as you say. Besides, you couldn't call and S40 or V50 unreliable and say the Passat is any better. I believed everything you said by the way until you mentioned it was uncomfortable, which is something it most definitely is not. Volvo's may be many things, but uncomfortable is one thing they never will be. The cabin is also no smaller than a 3 Series or B7 Audi A4, but it's still an adequate size.

I've sat in the older S40 and they are mighty comfortable, I just didn't find the new one comfortable at all. I didn't say the Passat was any better to an extent, but over the same mileage with my cousin he found it had a lot less problems. I've nothing against the S40, there are just alot of cars in it's class I would choose in a heartbeat over it. I was out with the cousin there and I asked him if he hadn't it as a company car would he buy one with his own money. The answer I got was "No, because of the high running costs. Loads of little problems. A brakes module went it in and it cost €1500 to replace."

Dyflin wrote: »

I've owned the car for over three years, a bit more than a spin to Dublin, never once had a problem. Honestly your experience is not borne out by anyone I've had in the car.

Opinions are like ars... You know the saying :P

Tragedy · 23-02-2010 01:50AM

-Chris- wrote: »

People expect haggling, doing away with it would cause more hassle than it solves. I don't think anyone's mentally prepared for a world where they pay sticker price for a car.

Irish people are crap at haggling and as a nation we just don't do it, and I seriously doubt many people questioned sticker prices for cars during the boom(or that if they did, sellers were willing to deal back then).

mcshape · 23-02-2010 10:09AM

I have been driving an s40 1.6d for 3.5 years from new, have 108k on the clock, this car has been a disaster from day 1! Its been in the garage an average of 4 weeks per year, constant dpf problems, timing belt pre tensioner shattered at 60000k, all I can say is the spec is good and its very comfortable in the driver seat, everything else is sh1t, small boot, no room in the back for adults, and the 1.6d is a disaster, my bro bought a v50 from new 1.8f and he had a disaster from new as well, roll on my new car I tell ya, ill never go volvo again, btw, I have been towed home over 5 times

mcshape · 23-02-2010 10:11AM

And bear in mind, when u buy an s40 1.6d, you are buying a ford focus chassis with a peugeot engine...

R.O.R · 23-02-2010 10:34AM

mcshape wrote: »

And bear in mind, when u buy an s40 1.6d, you are buying a ford focus chassis with a peugeot engine...

You say that like it's a bad thing.

PSA have always made cracking Diesel engines and the Focus is generally acknowledged as the best chassis in it's class.

AFOB · 23-02-2010 10:45AM

I had a 1.8ltr petrol S40 Company car for 3 years, and loved it but wanted more boot space, so last year got a 2.0ltr Diesel V50 which is excellent.

Both very comfy and no probs on either, but would defo recommend the V50 over the S40 as the space comes in very handy when needed.

keithclancy · 23-02-2010 11:38AM

Pkiernan wrote: »

You have to pay extra in Holland as punishment for clogging the Autobahns here in Germany in the summer!!!

It's new EU legislation apparently.

Pah .. no way .. other way around, the amount of DU, WU, DO, reg's you'll parked on the A12 in the summer on their way to Scheveningen is unreal !!

Customs are out in force around the coast catching naughty Dutch people driving German reg cars

I'm picking up a V50 this weekend, 2005 2.0D Momentum with sport kit.
I think i may have gotten a speeding ticket while taking it for a test drive !

Also... Road tax is 346 / quarter, but tbh I'll save that easily with Petrol at 1.48 a litre and Diesel at around 110ish.

Now have to investigate getting an Aux in for my MP3 Player in it, found a guy in Germany whos managed to solder in an Aux port on his V50.

cadaliac · 23-02-2010 12:33PM

mcshape wrote: »

I have been driving an s40 1.6d for 3.5 years from new, have 108k on the clock, this car has been a disaster from day 1! Its been in the garage an average of 4 weeks per year, constant dpf problems, timing belt pre tensioner shattered at 60000k, all I can say is the spec is good and its very comfortable in the driver seat, everything else is sh1t, small boot, no room in the back for adults, and the 1.6d is a disaster, my bro bought a v50 from new 1.8f and he had a disaster from new as well, roll on my new car I tell ya, ill never go volvo again, btw, I have been towed home over 5 times

Work colleague has a V50 (05) and had an issue with the DMF. (not dpf). over €700 for the part alone. Company car so he didn't have to pay but the dealer price to fix was over €1200. It is the 2.0d wagon.

mcshape · 23-02-2010 01:59PM

cadaliac wrote: »

Work colleague has a V50 (05) and had an issue with the DMF. (not dpf). over €700 for the part alone. Company car so he didn't have to pay but the dealer price to fix was over €1200. It is the 2.0d wagon.

Most of my issues have been with the diesel particulate filter (dpf)

Erren Music · 23-02-2010 02:12PM

I have heard horror stories for older volvos blowing gearboxes because tyre thread was uneven.

I think I will head off to volvo today and take one of these home for the week. I will go with a V50 SE for the spec and forget about the BMW 5 series touring.

Does anyone know if Volvo will be doing the £100stg 3 year servicing here?

mcshape · 23-02-2010 06:46PM

R.O.R wrote: »

You say that like it's a bad thing.

PSA have always made cracking Diesel engines and the Focus is generally acknowledged as the best chassis in it's class.

Yep i know but the focus chassis in the volvo makes it that bit smaller, and its meant to be a mondeo equivelant, And yep ive heard great things about the PSA diesel but i have had nothing but bad experiences with this one!

bazz26 · 23-02-2010 08:57PM

mcshape wrote: »

Yep i know but the focus chassis in the volvo makes it that bit smaller, and its meant to be a mondeo equivelant, And yep ive heard great things about the PSA diesel but i have had nothing but bad experiences with this one!

The S40 was never designed to be a Mondeo sized car, the S60 did that and even used the Mondeo chassis. And I'm on my second car with a HDi engine and both have been trouble free up to this point.

Volvo V50 sick of Uk Eire price differences

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