BMW or Volvo?

R

RussSchultz

Professional Malcontent
Veteran
I'm looking at:

The Volvo V70R:
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/vol...l?tid=edmunds.n.prices.subnavheader..2.Volvo*

The BMW 325i Compact Sport Wagon
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/bmw...tml?tid=edmunds.n.prices.subnavheader..2.BMW*

Or the BMW 330i Compact Sport Sedan
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/bmw...tml?tid=edmunds.n.prices.subnavheader..2.BMW*

I like the Volvo's size and engine, but their attention to detail bothers me a little bit. I've also heard some horror stories about quality (anecdotal, of course), but the idea of paying ~$40k for a car that rattles and spends a lot of time in the shop would bother the living shit out of me.

The BMW has better styling, but the car is just a bit too small for what you pay for. The wagon is slightly underpowered(it doesn't come with a larger engine).



Comments, or only "poor baby, what a delimna :devilish: "?
 
What your choosing between is a little bit strange. Volvo V70R are quite a big car, while those 2 BMWs are small, and I mean small, cars.

So I say, poor baby, what a delimna :devilish:
 
Well, I am biased here. But driving BMW is definitely a lot more fun, but if you're looking for a family car, feel free to take the volvo ;)
 
First off - nice delimna :)

Second - Go for the BMW 330i. No question, the BMW is the better car. Of course this is based on my personal experence, as I drive a 1998 328. Have 135,000 miles on it and it still going strong. Nice car. Nice power. Solid, not a rattle at all. Wife had a Volvo, an SR70 (1998). Thing was a tank. She though she'd like it, but in the end she hated it. Had lots of electrical problems. When she got a new car, we first looked at the new Volvos. They have come a long way, and I have to admit their better than they were. But then she drove the BMW 325 xi (she wanted 4 wheel drive wagon) and the choise was simple. B'mers all the way!
 
V3 said:
What your choosing between is a little bit strange. Volvo V70R are quite a big car, while those 2 BMWs are small, and I mean small, cars.
Click to expand...

Well, we have dogs, so we need somewhere to put them. I agree, the 3 series are small cars, and I'd love a 530 wagon, but 1) I can't afford it, and 2) They don't make it even if I could.

So, on the practical side, the V70R wagon makes the most sense--and is a nice performer. I'm just concerned it'll have trouble in the maintenance department.

The BMWs are better on the reliability department, but don't quite meet our percieved needs (A place to put the dogs and their kennel when we travel so they won't destroy the interior with their claws)
Sigh.

edit: p.s. we tried the passats, and I felt they were too expensive for wimpy power. I didn't try the W8, but then we're back in that cost class. I also tried the Audi allroad, but they're freaking expensive also.
 
RussSchultz said:
edit: p.s. we tried the passats, and I felt they were too expensive for wimpy power. I didn't try the W8, but then we're back in that cost class. I also tried the Audi allroad, but they're freaking expensive also.
Click to expand...
:oops: You did push down on the gas pedal right??? I test drove many cars in that class, and found the passat to not only be 1st class car, but had the power to back it up. I guess its a taste thing.

later,
epic
 
about the passat you did drive, was it a 1.8t or a vr6? they look about the same on paper when looking at the max specs but the vr6 has a much wider powerband. also, vw is very conservitive on the numbers they publish so don't be fooled by the specs and if you havn't do testdrive a vr6. heck if you have, test drive it again and push down on the pedal like epic suggested. ;)
 
How about the Subaru Forester XT.
25xt_prem_off.gif

On the plus side it is blistering fast (for a wagon), reliable as a stove and roomy enough for the dogs. On the down side it does not have the panache of the BMW. Stay away from Volvo’s, for some reason they automatically steer themselves to the passing lane and refuse to go above the limit. ;)
 
kyleb said:
about the passat you did drive, was it a 1.8t or a vr6? they look about the same on paper when looking at the max specs but the vr6 has a much wider powerband. also, vw is very conservitive on the numbers they publish so don't be fooled by the specs and if you havn't do testdrive a vr6. heck if you have, test drive it again and push down on the pedal like epic suggested. ;)
Click to expand...
It was a v6 (not a VR6), and it had some severe lag when stomping the pedal. It was, though, an automatic (didn't have a standard on the lot).

I may try again, just to make sure, but I wasn't impressed with the car.
 
I'd also agree with nelg re: Forester. I believe those always get high marks.

Have you done some looking around on edmunds.com?
 
RussSchultz said:
V3 said:
What your choosing between is a little bit strange. Volvo V70R are quite a big car, while those 2 BMWs are small, and I mean small, cars.
Click to expand...

Well, we have dogs, so we need somewhere to put them. I agree, the 3 series are small cars, and I'd love a 530 wagon, but 1) I can't afford it, and 2) They don't make it even if I could.
Click to expand...

You could go with an X3 (a little bigger) or if you can afford it X5.

http://www.edmunds.com/new/2004/bmw/x3/index.html?tid=edmunds.n.mmindex.popular.num3.1.bmw*
 
RussSchultz said:
It was a v6 (not a VR6), and it had some severe lag when stomping the pedal. It was, though, an automatic (didn't have a standard on the lot).

I may try again, just to make sure, but I wasn't impressed with the car.
Click to expand...

ahh thats right, i forgot they stoped useing vr6s in the passats and when i saw 2.8l i just assumed it was the same engine as i have in my gti. as for the pedal lag, its not as bad on a manual but it is still there. you can get rid of it with a reprogramed chip but not to many want to do that with a car right off the lot.
 
I have the new volvo suv. Its much much better then my fathers bmw suv . It has better features , controlls better and has more power and cost me about 9 grand less .

So i would go with the volvo .
 
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