To change or not to change...that is the question?

[Harveys]

Hi all,

Been thinking about this post for a while...but couldn't access the site until my recent post re the key fob battery change...

We have a wee dilemma, with our 2008 5 Sport Diesel. It's been a great car and still looks the business (in my eyes anyway) compared to most of the other MPVs out there and especially the later 5's. It's been reasonably reliable - bar the usual hassles with tyres (chewed them), shockers (eats them) & sliding doors (we're always my biggest worry TBH). Oh & a quite frankly appalling local dealer...

So, given we have been reasonably 'lucky' with the car to date, with most issues fixed under the warranty (we extended to 5 years)...apart from one nagging issue that the dealer failed to fix with the OSR door...I am wondering if we should hold onto it a bit longer (it's only done 31k miles) or whether to trade in for something newer.

+'s for keeping are - less outlay for now, known history, can now use non franchised local garage. Depreciation is slowing...

-'s for keeping are - potential for costly repairs (especially on those doors!), we (or at least i) fancy a change.

What are folks experiences with the 5 after about five or so years?

 

[Silentnoise713]

Sounds like you have a good car (at least you know well and not a Pandora's box) and financially responsible, I say keep it.
If you were not happy with the car, that's a different motivator.

If you have the excess funds, you would have made the new car purchase without hesitation.

 

[MR6]

I've had my 09 since she was new & the only problem we've ever had for the dealer is a bad sway bar end link. other than that she's been rock solid! oil changes, tires, spark plugs, brake pads - the usual wear and tear stuff - i do on my own. take it from a guy who came from owning several (SEVERAL) needy VWs... the difference in reliability is night and day. I'm in the middle of a suspension and brake refresh that should continue the trend for years to come. I'm keeping my 5 until the wheels fall off. 55k and counting!

plus, what else is out there really? I don't know what choices u have across the pond, but in the US I have yet to see an minivan that I want more than my 5. sure I would love to see Ford cmax mpg's but that lil s*** is ugly and doesn't have near the storage of our sexy 5. until something truly compelling comes along, the 5 really is the total package. from interior space to the snappy driving dynamics. I say stay put

 

[Harveys]

Sounds like you have a good car (at least you know well and not a Pandora's box) and financially responsible, I say keep it.
If you were not happy with the car, that's a different motivator.

If you have the excess funds, you would have made the new car purchase without hesitation.

Thanks, I guess you are spot on...on all fronts. I don't drive it every day (it my wife's, I have 4wd XC90), but when I do I am always pretty impressed TBH.

Would like to save some more pennies before we change a car, as a house purchase this year really drained the funds.

 

[Harveys]

I've had my 09 since she was new & the only problem we've ever had for the dealer is a bad sway bar end link. other than that she's been rock solid! oil changes, tires, spark plugs, brake pads - the usual wear and tear stuff - i do on my own. take it from a guy who came from owning several (SEVERAL) needy VWs... the difference in reliability is night and day. I'm in the middle of a suspension and brake refresh that should continue the trend for years to come. I'm keeping my 5 until the wheels fall off. 55k and counting!

plus, what else is out there really? I don't know what choices u have across the pond, but in the US I have yet to see an minivan that I want more than my 5. sure I would love to see Ford cmax mpg's but that lil s*** is ugly and doesn't have near the storage of our sexy 5. until something truly compelling comes along, the 5 really is the total package. from interior space to the snappy driving dynamics. I say stay put

As with Silentnoise713, I think you are spot on MR6, I don't believe we have much other options on the UK market that caN hold a candle to our model year of 5. It's got the looks and grunt (143bhp) that I crave, and reasonable reliability. For my wife it was the sliding doors that attracted her, and still do, so not many options - Bmax, Grand Cmax, Alhambra/Sharan, Voyager? Etc.

 

[Bodgerx]

Hi all,

Been thinking about this post for a while...but couldn't access the site until my recent post re the key fob battery change...

We have a wee dilemma, with our 2008 5 Sport Diesel. It's been a great car and still looks the business (in my eyes anyway) compared to most of the other MPVs out there and especially the later 5's. It's been reasonably reliable - bar the usual hassles with tyres (chewed them), shockers (eats them) & sliding doors (we're always my biggest worry TBH). Oh & a quite frankly appalling local dealer...

So, given we have been reasonably 'lucky' with the car to date, with most issues fixed under the warranty (we extended to 5 years)...apart from one nagging issue that the dealer failed to fix with the OSR door...I am wondering if we should hold onto it a bit longer (it's only done 31k miles) or whether to trade in for something newer.

+'s for keeping are - less outlay for now, known history, can now use non franchised local garage. Depreciation is slowing...

-'s for keeping are - potential for costly repairs (especially on those doors!), we (or at least i) fancy a change.

What are folks experiences with the 5 after about five or so years?

I have had my 2nd gen 5 for less than a year, so can't comment on ownership over that time.

But, one thing I would say after looking around some older high mileage 5's is that the interiors don't seem to wear well on the first gen 5. Seems to look very tired eventually.

Personally, after looking at a lot of cars of this type, in Sport form, the newer gen 2 5 is probably the best looking car of its type on the market. So if you were looking at a replacement, I would definitely give it a seconds look. The general refinement is a decent step up from the gen 1 car as well.

 

[DougNuts]

33k miles? Keep it until you can build your funds back up from the house purchase.

 

[Vasy]

I'd say keep it. But whats with the doors?
is it the power option that you guys have in europe that is mulfunctioning?
one would think that issues with that could be taken care under warranty.