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ultimate volvoI've been car shopping lately. Having two 90's Volvos has been fun, but I've always had a penchant for technology in my cars and these old steeds are just not doing it for me anymore. Retrofitting bluetooth audio and bi-xenon headlamps into an S70 extended the enjoyability of the car a great deal for me, but the creaks and rattles are starting to drive me absolutely insane. So what does a young enthusiast shop for when there is such a great selection of vehicles out there? I love Volvos, but you only live once, so why stay with a single brand? I need help.

I can't make up my mind

I've lusted after the 3-Series ever since I was 15 years old. When I was 16, my friend's dad got a brand new BMW 325Ci with the sport package + 5MT. His dad went out of town, so we took it out and proceeded to hoon with nothing but a learner's permit and pure adrenaline fueling our poor decisions. The experience was nothing short of perfect - I got to drive stick for the first time in one of the best driver's cars you could buy for $40K in 2005, and haven't forgotten a second of it. I loved that car.

Flash forward to 2012, and I find myself in Italy driving a pair of twin-turbo BMW convertibles with my friend. I'm starting to feel like my '99 Volvo just won't cut it when I get back to the states.

Stelvio Pass, Italy in a rented 135i. Stelvio Pass, Italy

Since then, I've recently test driven a 2011 328i xDrive, and it was underwhelming to say the least. The base model seems like it was created to cater to those who seek out cheap leases, and shop based on badge, not content. Not an impressive car in the least. Unfortunately, CPO 328s with the Sport pack are hard to come by, and impossible to find private-party in my area. Regardless, I could already tell that the power wouldn't satisfy me. If it's gonna be a BMW, it's gotta be an E90 335i.

I'm pretty decent with a wrench, but it just seems that everything on a turbocharged BMW costs more, even for the DIY'er. Is it worth it for the amazing driving experience like the one I had in Italy? From what I understand, the high pressure fuel pump and twin-turbo wastegate rattle issues are easily remedied under a recall for the foreseeable future, but what about the electronics? On par with the Volvo, or perhaps worse? I want this to be a 5 year car for me, and the majority of that would be out of warranty.

Can Sweden build a 335i?

My search started a few weeks ago with the 2011+ Volvo S60 . I (claim to) know older 5-cylinder Volvos inside and out, so I'm generally comfortable with the brand and powertrain. The tried and true T5 5-cylinder is generally the same as what I'm used to on my '99, with various technological updates to get it up to today's power and efficiency standards. Plus, there's the 300HP T6 model that would undoubtedly tickle anyone's fancy. AWD is available, and doesn't seem terrible like it was on older Volvos either - I haven't heard of one failure yet. Nor do you read about turbo failures, direct injection system faults, or countless lemon stories popping up on the forums. I feel safe moving into a lowly-optioned S60, but I also feel like I'm missing out on what the Germans have to offer.

So far, my impression is that the '13 S60 T5 I drove is a more attractive purchase in most aspects than a base E90 BMW 328i. But is a T6 better than a 335i? I'll readily admit my bias towards Volvo because of their perfect seats, but I'm willing to try a BMW if I won't have to live in a van down by the river after a single service visit. I know these German machines have suspension tuning that is second-to-none, and I'd love to join the club.

Which is the better buy? 

Shop Volvo Parts at FCP Euro


About the Author: Alex FiehlAF Headshot

Alex is FCP's Blog Editor and an IT technician from Endwell, NY. He has over 8 years of experience working on a wide array of import makes, but lately is partial to Volvo . For some reason he just purchased a Volkswagen, and is excited to see what breaks first.


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Written by :
Alex Fiehl


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