Hi Guys, first post here.


I'm sorry if this has already been asked here several times on this forum already but..

I currently drive an 04 E46 325i and have been loving it throughout the 2 years of my ownership (yes I bought it used).
But my management has been constantly complaining about how expensive my roadtax is since it's 2.5, and how much of a gas hog my car is.

Then, I saw a Volvo S80 2.0 up for sale and it looked absolutely amazing, gave it a test drive, loved how comfy the ride is and how it made me drive like a more sensible person, since the E46 just constantly wants to be driven fast.

So now I'm hoping to get some feedback from Volvo owners out there on several things about the car :


1. How bad is the fuel consumption? The car is only 2.0 and the car is almost 1.7 Tonnes, I won't be expecting Altis level of fuel economy, but just wanted an idea on how it really is.
2. What are the things that are most likely to go wrong on this car?
3. Service pricing / parts replacement at Indy Volvo workshops?
4. How reliable are these cars?

And just in general, what are the things that I need to look out for whenever I'm looking at one of these cars?

I hope to hear from you all soon.

my neighbour used to have 1. Big time regret! Costs a bomb to repair.
The car is very unreliable and breaks down without any warning. He was stuck at the LDP highway during lunch time when the car suddenly died without any warning.

You open your eyes big big and see: how many S80 are still on the roads? Most of already sold to junkyards. Nobody wants this car.

It weighs like a pickup truck.
In diesel pickups idling is cheap + with low end torque ~1800rpm.

The 1700kg + petrol engine will not save much petrol if at all especially in stop start traffic/standstill jam compared to current 2.5L.

If petrol cost is ballooning like crazy a diesel sedan like 320D might be a better idea.

Roadtax wise 400-odd bucks difference, and usually for used cars between 2.4 and 2.0 (camry) always prefer the 2.4 for better features and better FC due to it having adequate power rather than underpowered feel of 2.0 which lead to heavier right foot and no savings in fuel as a consequence.
2.5 is 880 (green diesel)
2.4 is 742 (camry 2.4)
2.0 is 379 (camry 2.0)



This post has been edited by ceo684: Feb 16 2021, 07:22 PM

Your management is hinting on Honda / Toyota

I'd suggest Peugeot 408thp Just as much power as your Bimmer but only $90 road tax. Handling beats 325 hands down, silky smooth gb!

There are very good Pug workshops in Klang Valley. The car can be maintained at top notch level. Spares are not expensive and plenty. I've noticed spare part price decreasing due to greater volume now.

Best of all, can pick up even a 2015 model at very good price!

2.4 impossible to have good fc over 2.0, its not logical. If want to compare, need to compare same throttle input. definitely 2.0 need to rev more la since it is less power, but it does not means its use more fuel.

now compare camry 2.4 vs camry 3.5, if use ur logic, 3.5 will become more jimat since only use less throttle input.

btw each engine got lowest and highest fc reading. u need to compare lowest vs lowest and highest vs highest not lowest 2.4 vs highest 2.0

I saw some of the reviews online and it seems like the gearbox and electrical issues are the main thing plaguing this car...
How expensive was his repair I wonder? Will be even higher than my E46?

So if I try to drive slower and, well, discipline my right foot for a bit, will that help? 'Cause honestly one of the reason that I wanted to switch out my E46 is because of the roadtax.
RM874.00 is a little bit too high...

I was told to stay the absolute hell away from Pugs because of the ECU and electrical issues.. :thonk:

never ever buy Pug!

E46 is not cheap to maintain either...but the Volvo is even worse. trust me man. Stay away from Volvo.

Haha you're a very funny guy. Anybody ever told you that? Never come across any reviewer comparing Peugeot 408 to BMW 3 series handling, and beating it. I am not even sure it can beat Proton. Comfortable? Yes.

Yes. Because spare parts for Volvo costs more. Not as many stockist as well.


But it is a nice car to drive. Smooth inline 6 engine that revs, rear wheel drive platform. I guess if its road tax and fuel consumption issue you're limited to the 2L engine capacity. You want something just as nice to drive it'll have to be turbocharged. S80 is too heavy. Fuel consumption is going to suffer.

had a s80 2001 for 2 yrs plus.

loved d seat very much.

FC - heavy foot 12L/100 - KL-CHeras 20+KM

+ pts:
- steady / good braking / comfy
- cheap
- "feel" safe
- best seat ever
- nice control on handling
- Pretty nice 'soft' turbo

- pts:
- power steering issue (use right oil + must be gentle)
- Turbo must jaga, turbo hoses + radiator change
- Suspension (car is heavy)
- Plastic cracking here n there
- Ignition coil /spark plugs must monitor/change
- battery/Alternator, coz its old
- paint job fading
- must switch to manual climate control

cant' remember d rest.

EDIT: It was a T5, sometimes engine/heat sensor kacau, rm 150-380.

reliability is ok, but spare parts are more expensive than my peugeot.

peugeot 206 (2002, CBU) is more reliable.

This post has been edited by MISMan: Feb 18 2021, 04:29 PM

Would you recommend this car to anyone who is interested on it?

You had S80 for 2 years, do you normally change car every 2 years or... ?

if only a person can understand and accept the consequences of owning this car.

sold to my friend who loved this car like mad, but hates the repair maintenance, scarcity of parts, and need time to get it fixed.

If you are dare, u can try.

failing which, it is best to get other brand.

i bought it 'used' coz it was a car of the year 2001. pretty good features and value for money.

but i also have a spare car (tolerance of car breakdown) and i'm mechanically ok to replace simple parts.

if u fit into these profile, u can consider.

Mind sharing your E46 325i's fuel consumption? I'm getting 14.5L/100km on average. Best I've gotten is 13.2L/100km in smooth traffic.

You dont have to believe me. I have owned E46 & 408t and these are my reviews. Of course alot of comments come from non owners! if you think 408t cant beat Proton, then nothing else to say!

I get around 13.7L/100km on average, so I guess it sounds about right?
Absolute bliss to drive but drinks fuel like its water.

First time I hear Peugeot handling > BMW 3 series. That E46 must have been a poorly maintained potato. Or a lemon. Or maybe you’re right and everyone else is wrong, all the auto journalists, Lexus, which used BMW as the benchmark. Who knows? 🤷🏻‍♂️

https://www.topgear.com/car-news/review/dri...4-e46-1998-2005

https://www.bmwblog.com/2020/02/23/test-dri...20-years-later/

I’ve driven the 308 through some pretty extreme corners, back to back against a Suprima S. 308 waddles around the corner with cushion. It doesn’t float, but it’s not exactly direct. I don’t know what’s your definition of good handling. If it’s magic carpet then maybe it’s the Peugeot. 408 is just a long wheelbase chassis of the 308. I didn’t bother driving the 408.

Idk about this volvo s80
But my uncle has a volvo 700 series twin turbo
It broke down frequently and cost a bomb to maintain
Luckily it was all covered by the bank he worked at

better mercedes w210. still got a lot of spare parts.

Owned a Volvo before. Seriously, it’s VOLVO FOR LIFE! Meaning you’ll need to keep that car for life coz there’s NO RESALE VALUE + MAINTENANCE is perhaps on par or worst than Peugeot.

Personally IMO, between the W210, and Volvo S80, I would go for S80.
Not to say I anti Merc, but W210 have that "Uncle car" outdated look, although many praise for its Big Small bug eye headlamp. Personal preference.
If Merc still, I would prefer the W211, still have the modern look till today.

Talk about spare parts, I really believe Volvo have their share of spare parts abundance. Just need to find the right Volvo spare part dealer.

From a former E46 driver, just stick with the car. That Volvo is not gonna give you any much better FC that you ll be able to see any tangible savings.

As for the roadtax, the savings of RM400-ish divided over 12 months is also not a lot. All this trouble and to get yourself in “unfamiliar territory”.

If you really want to help the company, just get a Corolla.

Since everyone is saying almost the same thing about the Volvo, guess I'd chime in as well.

It's not that I own a Volvo but my uncle (now deceased) had one before. He bought it in the early 1970s when he got married. The car remained parked outside his bungalow until 2010 or maybe later. He has kept the Volvo for almost 40 years and I didn't ask him why. The car looked so old and forlon when it's over 30 years old, almost like a junk with spots of rust forming everywhere. I'm not sure why he didn't sell the car, didn't ask. But I guess you people have guessed it right why some people just stick to Volvo instead of selling it.

Volvo for Life is a good tagline.

Is the car in working condition? Or just left to rot there? RIP to your uncle. Sorry for your loss.

Thanks. It has been about 2 years since his passing, it's OK. The Volvo is still in working condition, it only looks like a junk with its outward appearance. His son who is a doctor used to drive a BMW 3 series but reverted to his Toyota Prius due to severe under-utilisation of the car.

First of all, thank you everyone for your inputs and advice.

And after some intense discussion, we have decided to keep the E46, as much as I think the Volvo or other cars will make me drive more sensibly, I still can't help but love how well the E46 handles, sounds and drives.

We have succeeded in helping you avoid all the trauma and agony of owning and maintaining a volvo. You can thank us now.

just keep your e46 and be happy with it. you have not really driven your e46. trust me,volvo is not good when its old. but if you gonna jump to this you gonna regret it more.

it will float when it corners. and power is so so since engine is so old. spareparts. this the killer. mercedes has the most option. regardless of the age of the car. bimmer second. when it comes to volvo., you only have ori or potong or import your own potong.

since its rare, so it be expensive.

but if u still wanna try volvo, get s60, s80 is just too expensive. s60 at least it drives better.

i have a s40, so i know....

This post has been edited by sonyman: Feb 25 2021, 06:29 AM

Selling cheap ? Is it a classic ?

U can choose to listen to what people say or you can do your research. I had a 850 converted to 850r which is using a 2.5l turbo engine. Reliability I would say is acceptable so as long you replace wear and tear ( trust me you will have to replace quite Abit if owner never upkeep previously)

Got my 96 850 for steal....kena racun by mech to convert to 850r with interior dash for a total of 7k with famous 850r red color spray job.

I had it from 2005 to 2009 and was my daily driver. Only 1 time it stranded me with a dead battery. Overall It was a pleasure to own and the final whp I had was about 320hp ( too much power I feel in hindsight)

One thing to note....fuel consumption is not so good. 50 bucks at that time got me maybe 140km to 160km...with current pricing ..expect less


But this car is built like a tank. When u get into it....you will feel the swedish touch

My dad had one when it was new and the issues with it was endless.

I wouldn't recommend any Volvos that were built during the Ford era as every single one of them are problematic and expensive to fix when it goes wrong.

The only large premium cars worth buying are German ones. It isn't for no reason even in Sweden if you hail a taxi it is more likely to be a Mercedes E class than a Volvo S80.

pendek kata: NEVER buy Volvo. Unless you want to suffer maintaining it ..then by all means...buy it!