Police Volvos - long term opinion?
Discussion
We recently purchased a 2023 Volvo XC90 for Mrs Ted, mainly for town driving and transporting family on journeys of generally 5-10 miles.
The deciding factors of her choice of car were a great price, 7 seats and good NCAP safety ratings.
Having driven it a lot this past week including on a 200 mile trip, comprised mainly of A&B roads plus some motorway, my personal view is that while it’s nice and comfy, it’s not a car I’d like to go fast in, with the exception of on motorways.
As my own main car is a BMW g30 5 series, I couldn’t help but think how unhappy I’d be if my 5 series was taken off me, and I instead had to use an XC90 day after day.
With this in mind, what is the police option of the Volvos, now that many forces seem to have had them over a year? I can only guess that, compared to the BMWs, it’s like driving a shopping trolley on high speed blue light runs
The deciding factors of her choice of car were a great price, 7 seats and good NCAP safety ratings.
Having driven it a lot this past week including on a 200 mile trip, comprised mainly of A&B roads plus some motorway, my personal view is that while it’s nice and comfy, it’s not a car I’d like to go fast in, with the exception of on motorways.
As my own main car is a BMW g30 5 series, I couldn’t help but think how unhappy I’d be if my 5 series was taken off me, and I instead had to use an XC90 day after day.
With this in mind, what is the police option of the Volvos, now that many forces seem to have had them over a year? I can only guess that, compared to the BMWs, it’s like driving a shopping trolley on high speed blue light runs
Ted H said:
We recently purchased a 2023 Volvo XC90 for Mrs Ted, mainly for town driving and transporting family on journeys of generally 5-10 miles.
The deciding factors of her choice of car were a great price, 7 seats and good NCAP safety ratings.
Having driven it a lot this past week including on a 200 mile trip, comprised mainly of A&B roads plus some motorway, my personal view is that while it’s nice and comfy, it’s not a car I’d like to go fast in, with the exception of on motorways.
As my own main car is a BMW g30 5 series, I couldn’t help but think how unhappy I’d be if my 5 series was taken off me, and I instead had to use an XC90 day after day.
With this in mind, what is the police option of the Volvos, now that many forces seem to have had them over a year? I can only guess that, compared to the BMWs, it’s like driving a shopping trolley on high speed blue light runs
Sums it up nicely. Although it's the V90 so not as high up, I don't like them for thst very reason. The BMWs feel smooth, calm at 140+. The deciding factors of her choice of car were a great price, 7 seats and good NCAP safety ratings.
Having driven it a lot this past week including on a 200 mile trip, comprised mainly of A&B roads plus some motorway, my personal view is that while it’s nice and comfy, it’s not a car I’d like to go fast in, with the exception of on motorways.
As my own main car is a BMW g30 5 series, I couldn’t help but think how unhappy I’d be if my 5 series was taken off me, and I instead had to use an XC90 day after day.
With this in mind, what is the police option of the Volvos, now that many forces seem to have had them over a year? I can only guess that, compared to the BMWs, it’s like driving a shopping trolley on high speed blue light runs
The Volvos I'm always expecting something to happen. 125 tends to be my limit in the Volvos.
One of my favourite topics....
The Volvos are not good traffic cars. Some of the more 'experienced' (see work shy) like them for comfort purposes but they are routinely disliked by everyone else.
12 months ago I was hoping to get myself into a low mileage used XC90 D5 at some point in the future but I'm now put off by the reliability issues and the time it takes to get parts for Volvo to fix basic problems.
Gearboxes are woeful - how did Volvo take the ZF 8 speed and mess it up so much?
Engines go through fuel at an alarming rate for the mediocre performance they offer. They lack torque and often blow up.....
Some will do 160mph on the calibrated speedo some will struggle above 130mph - this is subject to change depending on what mood the car is in
Some handle well/ OK - some handle like a drunk on roller skates (same models).
They suffer brake fade on long runs
The interiors fall apart
The 'safety' tech makes pursuits/ tpac complicated as they like to interrupt at inappropriate times.
They are a pain + costly to fix apparently
They live a hard life but they are absolutely sha-done-gged at 90k where as we have had BMW's previously with over double that being deployed on operations in good running order.
The Volvos are not good traffic cars. Some of the more 'experienced' (see work shy) like them for comfort purposes but they are routinely disliked by everyone else.
12 months ago I was hoping to get myself into a low mileage used XC90 D5 at some point in the future but I'm now put off by the reliability issues and the time it takes to get parts for Volvo to fix basic problems.
Gearboxes are woeful - how did Volvo take the ZF 8 speed and mess it up so much?
Engines go through fuel at an alarming rate for the mediocre performance they offer. They lack torque and often blow up.....
Some will do 160mph on the calibrated speedo some will struggle above 130mph - this is subject to change depending on what mood the car is in
Some handle well/ OK - some handle like a drunk on roller skates (same models).
They suffer brake fade on long runs
The interiors fall apart
The 'safety' tech makes pursuits/ tpac complicated as they like to interrupt at inappropriate times.
They are a pain + costly to fix apparently
They live a hard life but they are absolutely sha-done-gged at 90k where as we have had BMW's previously with over double that being deployed on operations in good running order.
P0PC0RN said:
One of my favourite topics....
The Volvos are not good traffic cars. Some of the more 'experienced' (see work shy) like them for comfort purposes but they are routinely disliked by everyone else.
12 months ago I was hoping to get myself into a low mileage used XC90 D5 at some point in the future but I'm now put off by the reliability issues and the time it takes to get parts for Volvo to fix basic problems.
Gearboxes are woeful - how did Volvo take the ZF 8 speed and mess it up so much?
Engines go through fuel at an alarming rate for the mediocre performance they offer. They lack torque and often blow up.....
Some will do 160mph on the calibrated speedo some will struggle above 130mph - this is subject to change depending on what mood the car is in
Some handle well/ OK - some handle like a drunk on roller skates (same models).
They suffer brake fade on long runs
The interiors fall apart
The 'safety' tech makes pursuits/ tpac complicated as they like to interrupt at inappropriate times.
They are a pain + costly to fix apparently
They live a hard life but they are absolutely sha-done-gged at 90k where as we have had BMW's previously with over double that being deployed on operations in good running order.
I don't think Volvo use the ZF 8HP, but the Aisin 'box. If it is the same as in the Minis then it is a hateful thing. But this might explain the confusion as to why it is not smooth.The Volvos are not good traffic cars. Some of the more 'experienced' (see work shy) like them for comfort purposes but they are routinely disliked by everyone else.
12 months ago I was hoping to get myself into a low mileage used XC90 D5 at some point in the future but I'm now put off by the reliability issues and the time it takes to get parts for Volvo to fix basic problems.
Gearboxes are woeful - how did Volvo take the ZF 8 speed and mess it up so much?
Engines go through fuel at an alarming rate for the mediocre performance they offer. They lack torque and often blow up.....
Some will do 160mph on the calibrated speedo some will struggle above 130mph - this is subject to change depending on what mood the car is in
Some handle well/ OK - some handle like a drunk on roller skates (same models).
They suffer brake fade on long runs
The interiors fall apart
The 'safety' tech makes pursuits/ tpac complicated as they like to interrupt at inappropriate times.
They are a pain + costly to fix apparently
They live a hard life but they are absolutely sha-done-gged at 90k where as we have had BMW's previously with over double that being deployed on operations in good running order.
As an interesting point to note, Kent police are using Touaregs now...
Ninja59 said:
I don't think Volvo use the ZF 8HP, but the Aisin 'box. If it is the same as in the Minis then it is a hateful thing. But this might explain the confusion as to why it is not smooth.
As an interesting point to note, Kent police are using Touaregs now...
You learn something new everyday!As an interesting point to note, Kent police are using Touaregs now...
Even so - they are hateful things and shouldn't be in anything that is being sold as a 'performance' model
Bendo said:
Southerner said:
Which I gather Volvo have just announed will no longer available very shortly?
That's a commercial decision from Volvo UK. The estates and saloons are still being built and will still be available here in authorities versions.I had an 850 T-5 wagon followed by a V70 T-5 back in the day when the police seemed to be using a lot of them.
I was in a petrol station filling up one day when a NY traffic cop pulled up next to me in his and asked me if I liked it. I said I did but I didn't like the fact that it chewed through a front set of Pirelli's every 8k miles. He said they had switched their fleet to Conti's which I then did and the they lasted twice as long.
I was in the Antiques business at the time and once saw 150 on the speedo on a deserted section of the A69 with a Georgian chest of drawers in the back. That was in the V70 which was less dramatic than the 850 but more stable. Seemed like an ideal police vehicle.
I was in a petrol station filling up one day when a NY traffic cop pulled up next to me in his and asked me if I liked it. I said I did but I didn't like the fact that it chewed through a front set of Pirelli's every 8k miles. He said they had switched their fleet to Conti's which I then did and the they lasted twice as long.
I was in the Antiques business at the time and once saw 150 on the speedo on a deserted section of the A69 with a Georgian chest of drawers in the back. That was in the V70 which was less dramatic than the 850 but more stable. Seemed like an ideal police vehicle.
Coincidentally I’ve often thought the XC90 must be a terrible car for any pursuit work. We’ve got an ‘18plate XC90 D5 and as mentioned earlier the gearbox is woeful.
Admittedly the Polestar remap made a reasonable difference to its gear change response, which made me wonder if the Authority spec vehicles perhaps have this?
A decent enough car for ploughing motorways, but not at speed.
Then again maybe it really needs to be driven in manual mode to work reasonably.
Admittedly the Polestar remap made a reasonable difference to its gear change response, which made me wonder if the Authority spec vehicles perhaps have this?
A decent enough car for ploughing motorways, but not at speed.
Then again maybe it really needs to be driven in manual mode to work reasonably.
And in answer to the original question, I’d not keep one long term. Electrically our has been pretty poor. The parts were expensive and the fault finding labour time consuming.
Power pulse pipe split, which is common.
By 45k the front lower arms were needing replaced.
I need to get the timing and aux belts changed soon. It seems the aux belt can self destruct and end up snagging the timing belt causing lots of cylinder head damage. Surprising common.
Power pulse pipe split, which is common.
By 45k the front lower arms were needing replaced.
I need to get the timing and aux belts changed soon. It seems the aux belt can self destruct and end up snagging the timing belt causing lots of cylinder head damage. Surprising common.
Did a driving course in a V90 and a 5 series estate (and currently regularly drive an S60 at work). The Volvos are stunning cars to drive. Nimble, responsive, dynamic. The V90 was 4WD and while the 5 series was quick and rock solid, the Volvo just had more life to it and handled beautifully. The S60 is similar; I drive several cars at work but the S60 is my favourite by some distance. Lovely cars. I also have access to an older Volvo (can't remember plate, roughly 2016) which is unpleasant.
Edited by whimsical ninja on Thursday 17th August 06:28
whimsical ninja said:
Did a driving course in a V90 and a 5 series estate (and currently regularly drive an S60 at work). The Volvos are stunning cars to drive. Nimble, responsive, dynamic. The V90 was 4WD and while the 5 series was quick and rock solid, the Volvo just had more life to it and handled beautifully. The S60 is similar; I drive several cars at work but the S60 is my favourite by some distance. Lovely cars. I also have access to an older Volvo (can't remember plate, roughly 2016) which is unpleasant.
What do you do for a living?Edited by whimsical ninja on Thursday 17th August 06:28
whimsical ninja said:
Did a driving course in a V90 and a 5 series estate (and currently regularly drive an S60 at work). The Volvos are stunning cars to drive. Nimble, responsive, dynamic. The V90 was 4WD and while the 5 series was quick and rock solid, the Volvo just had more life to it and handled beautifully. The S60 is similar; I drive several cars at work but the S60 is my favourite by some distance. Lovely cars. I also have access to an older Volvo (can't remember plate, roughly 2016) which is unpleasant.
Oddly enough, those that I know that drive the Volvos daily as Police cars don’t have a good word to say about them Edited by whimsical ninja on Thursday 17th August 06:28
A good friend who is a Traffic Inspector has an new XC90 as a family car and thinks it’s great for that
His opinion of them as Police cars however is completely different, he’s says they are horrid on blue light runs and the “safety systems” that cannot be turned off are constantly trying to kill him!
Bogsye said:
By 45k the front lower arms were needing replaced.
I've had that at 18K on one VW and 30K on two others VW Group cars in our family. All doing nothing more then gentle main road commuting.I saw a fully marked Skoda Kodiaq being driven "forcefully" under the bells in Liverpool the other day and I can't imagine the suspension will last more than about 5 mins.
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