Volvo S60...a good alternative to ze Germans!

[white_goodman]

I`ve reposted due to lack of response on the general gassing forum. Apologies if you have responded already! I`m guessing the answer is yes but would be grateful on any advise on which model to go for and how they compare and what they offer over rival offerings.

Having grown up with 240s/340s/440s/740s/940s, Volvos have never been the types of cars that interest me. However, in recent years, although I have yet to take the plunge, they appear to present a more viable option to the default German choice (Audi, BMW, Mercedes).

The 850 T5 was possibly the turning point. Quite a cool car in estate form IMHO. The XC90 looks to be an excellent (if dated) family car without the overtly flash image of other SUVS and the C30 T5 the thinking man's hot hatch possibly? The only fly in the ointment for PHers possibly is that they're not RWD.

I'm seriously considering an S60 at the moment. Would love a BMW/Mercedes/Audi but I tend to prefer the larger ones 5-Series/E-Class/A6 to the smaller ones 3-Series/C-Class/A4 even though I don't really need the extra space and even used, German cars are so expensive here (Canada).

I would still like something nicer than a Ford/Chevrolet/Dodge/VW though. Late old-shape and early new-shape S60s seem to offer pretty good value and I would be looking at a T5 or T6 with AWD. Would prefer a manual but more likely to find an auto to be honest (which would be fine). Any thoughts?

I was originally looking for a Subaru Forester Turbo or a Legacy Spec B manual. I had an Impreza WRX in England and loved it but feel like I want something a bit more grown up. Unfortunately, I haven't seen any manual Subarus at all and I don't want an auto because it would suck with that engine (the Legacy Spec B has the 2.5 turbo Impreza engine here rather than the 3.0 NA engine which we got in the UK).

The only other option is a Chrysler 300 but most of them seem to be RWD and I would prefer AWD, as I do a lot of driving on snowy, icy and gravel roads. I don't really want an SUV, as they're too heavy on fuel, don't handles as well and besides my wife already has one.

Would the Volvo be a good choice?

[kwk]

I'm a bit bias with the S60 as I own 2 of them and drove Volvos for years with the Police starting with the early 850 T5.
I think that they are an excellent car and I have owned the Germans. Be careful with the autos as they tend to be problematic. Look at the Volvo forums, there is plenty of info,

[macp]

Sorry not had an S60 but if it helps I have had two S70`s one a T5 and the other an R.Both were superb in there rock solid build quality, wonderful seats and awesome factory stereo systems.

Im not certain how the later cars compare though.

[martinrpeachey]

macp said:

Sorry not had an S60 but if it helps I have had two S70`s one a T5 and the other an R.Both were superb in there rock solid build quality, wonderful seats and awesome factory stereo systems.

Im not certain how the later cars compare though.

There's very little to compare between the P1 and P2 series cars, the engine block and turbo in some cases, that's about it really.

The P2 is softer and a little numb in comparison but there's more luxury, more safety and in some models, more power. There's also more expense when they go wrong... Quite a bit more. Saying that, they don't go wrong often (you'll only ever see the horror stories on the internet)
For example... The clutch/flywheel/slave will cost £1100+ but it lasts 130+k miles - I call that value for money.

[MrC986]

We've had the usual German suspects in our 'stable' with fast Audis, a BMW 530d tourer (Mrs C vowed never to have another BMW after that!) & also Mercs. A friend in the trade got us in to Volvos & we've had a V70 2.4T, V40 T4 & now an S60 D5 (to replace the V70) over the last 5 yrs & unless I wanted an RS4 l don't think we would leave the Volvo brand for any mainstream German car. Volvos are Supremely comfortable, safe & exceedingly reliable (even the V70 with nearly 195k was pretty good given it was nearly 13 yrs old). The S60 D5 is IMO a better car than the V70 though both suffer poor turning circles & they are less common as well l think

[Daz68]

Have just bought a very low mileage S60 T5 2005. I have to say it is fantastic and very comfy. The power and the noise is very addictive.

[martinrpeachey]

Daz68 said:

Have just bought a very low mileage S60 T5 2005. I have to say it is fantastic and very comfy. The power and the noise is very addictive.

A £300 remap will see it clear 320Bhp too

[Daz68]

martinrpeachey said:

Daz68 said:

Have just bought a very low mileage S60 T5 2005. I have to say it is fantastic and very comfy. The power and the noise is very addictive.

A £300 remap will see it clear 320Bhp too

Its booked in with Shark Performance next month. Cant wait.

[anonymous-user]

I have a 2003 (2004 MY) 2.3 T5 V70. I only realised today than in the last 2-ish years I've put 50,000 miles on it. I had an expensive problem with the brake/ESP computer early on but other than that it's just needed consumables. It's a very competent car, it's good in every area but I don't feel it's excellent in any (dynamically). Stereo is superb, as are the seats, but the ride isn't great and it's not a fun thing to punt along a bendy road. NVH is off the pace too, I feel, compared to a 5 series/S-Type Jaguar/E-Class merc.

[martinrpeachey]

dme123 said:

I have a 2003 (2004 MY) 2.3 T5 V70. I only realised today than in the last 2-ish years I've put 50,000 miles on it. I had an expensive problem with the brake/ESP computer early on but other than that it's just needed consumables. It's a very competent car, it's good in every area but I don't feel it's excellent in any (dynamically). Stereo is superb, as are the seats, but the ride isn't great and it's not a fun thing to punt along a bendy road. NVH is off the pace too, I feel, compared to a 5 series/S-Type Jaguar/E-Class merc.

A few tweaks here and there make drastic differences to the handling of these badboys. They're very numb in standard form but a few uprated bushes, springs and brakes bring it to life.
Then remap it

[unrepentant]

MrsU has a 2012 S60 T5 FWD. It's great fun to drive, plenty of power and has dealt flawlessly with the record 52" of snow that we have had in Indianapolis this year. Volvo's are very comfortable and the S60 has a quality feel and has been very reliable. Performance is great and I think it's every bit as nice a car as any of the Germans at the same money.

[anonymous-user]

martinrpeachey said:

A few tweaks here and there make drastic differences to the handling of these badboys. They're very numb in standard form but a few uprated bushes, springs and brakes bring it to life.
Then remap it

Where would be a good place to start looking into this? At 130k odd it could do with a suspension refresh, so why not an upgrade?

[ShiresV2]

dme123 said:

Where would be a good place to start looking into this? At 130k odd it could do with a suspension refresh, so why not an upgrade?

I found it hard to get on with the imprecise front end on our 90,000 mile P2 V70, which had worn out factory parts. The following sorted it nicely:

Powerflex polyurethane front bush on the front control arm
XC70 rear bush on the front control arm (beefier than standard S60/V70)
Polyurethane inserts for the front subframe bushes
New ball joints and track rod ends