is the S60R really that bad?
Discussion
I have a facelift S60R. It's a very capable car in the real world. Look past the stupid Jeremy Clarkson comments etc. Yes it lacks the feel of a M3, but quicker in the real world.
I'm sure on a track it would struggle against a M3. But on the road. It's much better in my opinion. It takes off at the same rate on a soaking wet road as it would on a dry road. Tonnes of grip. Handles very well when you learn how to drive it to its full potential. Requires a certain driving style to take twisty roads properly. But when you do learn how to work it, it's very rapid at covering ground come rain or shine and will leave a M3 behind on a damp road no problem. That's talking from experience as well. I can add many other "higher" regarded cars to the list as well.
For "only" 300hp it's very quick. But it doesn't feel it when you are driving it. It's very good at masking the speed. It's only when you look down at the speedo you realise how quick it's picked up pace. Coming out of a junction 90 degree lock, you can plant your foot and it will shoot you down the road without even a tyre squeal. Very impressive.
I have had 160mph+ without it breaking a sweat. Still fairly quiet, some wind noise as to be expected. But felt very planted. Was still accelerating too.
In the snow it's brilliant as well. It will move power around to which ever wheel needs it and can send all power to one of the wheels if needed. So it didn't get bogged down once through out the winter.
The fancy four wheel drive and suspension is fragile. So you need to be prepared for big bils.
I get about 19mpg but I have a fairly heavy foot. But it's still a mixture of slow and fast passed driving. Just mainly fast passed.
Maintenance is expensive. Servicing parts etc. Such as the Brembo brakes or the fancy Monroe/Ohlins dampers are a fortune if they need replacing. You can cut some of the cost by using a specialist or doing it your self. But always use genuine parts. I prefer using my local Volvo dealer.
So in short a very quick an capable car in the real world, but also very expensive to run. Which is why there are so many dogs out there. People just can't afford or be bothered to maintain them properly.
Buy the right one and you will love it. Your wallet won't though but you sure will have a smile on your face when your on a road covered in sleet and plant your foot and still accelerates away at an alarming rate and the look on your mates face sitting in the passenger seat who owns a slightly modded ST Focus is priceless (talking from experience lol)
I think someone mentioned that a remaped T5 will put the power down just as well as a R. I will give the my right testicle to see that. The amount of standard T5's I've seen scrabbling around and smoking the front wheels under hard acceleration tells me enough. Been a passenger in a T5 and the TC light was flickering fairly often. I have yet to see the TC light come on in the R on a dry or damp road. Only time I see it is during the winter months with snowy or sleety roads.
Any thing else you want to know feel free to ask.
Many thanks
Kimmy
I'm sure on a track it would struggle against a M3. But on the road. It's much better in my opinion. It takes off at the same rate on a soaking wet road as it would on a dry road. Tonnes of grip. Handles very well when you learn how to drive it to its full potential. Requires a certain driving style to take twisty roads properly. But when you do learn how to work it, it's very rapid at covering ground come rain or shine and will leave a M3 behind on a damp road no problem. That's talking from experience as well. I can add many other "higher" regarded cars to the list as well.
For "only" 300hp it's very quick. But it doesn't feel it when you are driving it. It's very good at masking the speed. It's only when you look down at the speedo you realise how quick it's picked up pace. Coming out of a junction 90 degree lock, you can plant your foot and it will shoot you down the road without even a tyre squeal. Very impressive.
I have had 160mph+ without it breaking a sweat. Still fairly quiet, some wind noise as to be expected. But felt very planted. Was still accelerating too.
In the snow it's brilliant as well. It will move power around to which ever wheel needs it and can send all power to one of the wheels if needed. So it didn't get bogged down once through out the winter.
The fancy four wheel drive and suspension is fragile. So you need to be prepared for big bils.
I get about 19mpg but I have a fairly heavy foot. But it's still a mixture of slow and fast passed driving. Just mainly fast passed.
Maintenance is expensive. Servicing parts etc. Such as the Brembo brakes or the fancy Monroe/Ohlins dampers are a fortune if they need replacing. You can cut some of the cost by using a specialist or doing it your self. But always use genuine parts. I prefer using my local Volvo dealer.
So in short a very quick an capable car in the real world, but also very expensive to run. Which is why there are so many dogs out there. People just can't afford or be bothered to maintain them properly.
Buy the right one and you will love it. Your wallet won't though but you sure will have a smile on your face when your on a road covered in sleet and plant your foot and still accelerates away at an alarming rate and the look on your mates face sitting in the passenger seat who owns a slightly modded ST Focus is priceless (talking from experience lol)
I think someone mentioned that a remaped T5 will put the power down just as well as a R. I will give the my right testicle to see that. The amount of standard T5's I've seen scrabbling around and smoking the front wheels under hard acceleration tells me enough. Been a passenger in a T5 and the TC light was flickering fairly often. I have yet to see the TC light come on in the R on a dry or damp road. Only time I see it is during the winter months with snowy or sleety roads.
Any thing else you want to know feel free to ask.
Many thanks
Kimmy
Kimmy said:
I have a facelift S60R. It's a very capable car in the real world. Look past the stupid Jeremy Clarkson comments etc. Yes it lacks the feel of a M3, but quicker in the real world.
I'm sure on a track it would struggle against a M3. But on the road. It's much better in my opinion. It takes off at the same rate on a soaking wet road as it would on a dry road. Tonnes of grip. Handles very well when you learn how to drive it to its full potential. Requires a certain driving style to take twisty roads properly. But when you do learn how to work it, it's very rapid at covering ground come rain or shine and will leave a M3 behind on a damp road no problem. That's talking from experience as well. I can add many other "higher" regarded cars to the list as well.
For "only" 300hp it's very quick. But it doesn't feel it when you are driving it. It's very good at masking the speed. It's only when you look down at the speedo you realise how quick it's picked up pace. Coming out of a junction 90 degree lock, you can plant your foot and it will shoot you down the road without even a tyre squeal. Very impressive.
I have had 160mph+ without it breaking a sweat. Still fairly quiet, some wind noise as to be expected. But felt very planted. Was still accelerating too.
In the snow it's brilliant as well. It will move power around to which ever wheel needs it and can send all power to one of the wheels if needed. So it didn't get bogged down once through out the winter.
The fancy four wheel drive and suspension is fragile. So you need to be prepared for big bils.
I get about 19mpg but I have a fairly heavy foot. But it's still a mixture of slow and fast passed driving. Just mainly fast passed.
Maintenance is expensive. Servicing parts etc. Such as the Brembo brakes or the fancy Monroe/Ohlins dampers are a fortune if they need replacing. You can cut some of the cost by using a specialist or doing it your self. But always use genuine parts. I prefer using my local Volvo dealer.
So in short a very quick an capable car in the real world, but also very expensive to run. Which is why there are so many dogs out there. People just can't afford or be bothered to maintain them properly.
Buy the right one and you will love it. Your wallet won't though but you sure will have a smile on your face when your on a road covered in sleet and plant your foot and still accelerates away at an alarming rate and the look on your mates face sitting in the passenger seat who owns a slightly modded ST Focus is priceless (talking from experience lol)
I think someone mentioned that a remaped T5 will put the power down just as well as a R. I will give the my right testicle to see that. The amount of standard T5's I've seen scrabbling around and smoking the front wheels under hard acceleration tells me enough. Been a passenger in a T5 and the TC light was flickering fairly often. I have yet to see the TC light come on in the R on a dry or damp road. Only time I see it is during the winter months with snowy or sleety roads.
Any thing else you want to know feel free to ask.
Many thanks
Kimmy
Which M3 would that be then? A quick look on the lets torque site comparing the two shows the Volvo gets mullered on everything, 0-60, 0-100 and 60-100.I'm sure on a track it would struggle against a M3. But on the road. It's much better in my opinion. It takes off at the same rate on a soaking wet road as it would on a dry road. Tonnes of grip. Handles very well when you learn how to drive it to its full potential. Requires a certain driving style to take twisty roads properly. But when you do learn how to work it, it's very rapid at covering ground come rain or shine and will leave a M3 behind on a damp road no problem. That's talking from experience as well. I can add many other "higher" regarded cars to the list as well.
For "only" 300hp it's very quick. But it doesn't feel it when you are driving it. It's very good at masking the speed. It's only when you look down at the speedo you realise how quick it's picked up pace. Coming out of a junction 90 degree lock, you can plant your foot and it will shoot you down the road without even a tyre squeal. Very impressive.
I have had 160mph+ without it breaking a sweat. Still fairly quiet, some wind noise as to be expected. But felt very planted. Was still accelerating too.
In the snow it's brilliant as well. It will move power around to which ever wheel needs it and can send all power to one of the wheels if needed. So it didn't get bogged down once through out the winter.
The fancy four wheel drive and suspension is fragile. So you need to be prepared for big bils.
I get about 19mpg but I have a fairly heavy foot. But it's still a mixture of slow and fast passed driving. Just mainly fast passed.
Maintenance is expensive. Servicing parts etc. Such as the Brembo brakes or the fancy Monroe/Ohlins dampers are a fortune if they need replacing. You can cut some of the cost by using a specialist or doing it your self. But always use genuine parts. I prefer using my local Volvo dealer.
So in short a very quick an capable car in the real world, but also very expensive to run. Which is why there are so many dogs out there. People just can't afford or be bothered to maintain them properly.
Buy the right one and you will love it. Your wallet won't though but you sure will have a smile on your face when your on a road covered in sleet and plant your foot and still accelerates away at an alarming rate and the look on your mates face sitting in the passenger seat who owns a slightly modded ST Focus is priceless (talking from experience lol)
I think someone mentioned that a remaped T5 will put the power down just as well as a R. I will give the my right testicle to see that. The amount of standard T5's I've seen scrabbling around and smoking the front wheels under hard acceleration tells me enough. Been a passenger in a T5 and the TC light was flickering fairly often. I have yet to see the TC light come on in the R on a dry or damp road. Only time I see it is during the winter months with snowy or sleety roads.
Any thing else you want to know feel free to ask.
Many thanks
Kimmy
okie592 said:
B7 s4 for the same sort of money. Rekon a v8 would cripple me at 21?
Might be a bit more than the Volvo, but then by the sounds of it, you would need to budget for the chocolate drive train.AFAIUI, the Volvo 4WD system has never been that good, even in other models.
B7 S4 for me for that kind of money.
My only experience of one was a passenger in a standard S60R round Castle Combe. It gripped well, went well, sounded quite good, and it was odd to remember that it is quite a large saloon car. The track day was organised by MRG, who are very good, and do quite a bit of work on a certain S60R with 400(ish) bhp. Although yes, there have been incidents with the angle gear on them failing...
Ruskie said:
Which M3 would that be then? A quick look on the lets torque site comparing the two shows the Volvo gets mullered on everything, 0-60, 0-100 and 60-100.
Fortunately all roads are not dead straight, dry or racing tracks. I left a CSL M3 off a roundabout leading on to a dual carriage way in my lightly moded FT4 a few years back. He just couldn't get the power down as early as I could with 4wd. Why does everyone think M3;s are super human?crossy67 said:
Ruskie said:
Which M3 would that be then? A quick look on the lets torque site comparing the two shows the Volvo gets mullered on everything, 0-60, 0-100 and 60-100.
Fortunately all roads are not dead straight, dry or racing tracks. I left a CSL M3 off a roundabout leading on to a dual carriage way in my lightly moded FT4 a few years back. He just couldn't get the power down as early as I could with 4wd. Why does everyone think M3;s are super human?crossy67 said:
Fortunately all roads are not dead straight, dry or racing tracks. I left a CSL M3 off a roundabout leading on to a dual carriage way in my lightly moded FT4 a few years back. He just couldn't get the power down as early as I could with 4wd. Why does everyone think M3;s are super human?
So a S60R would be quicker on a dry twisty road then? Come on, the Volvo is not in the same league. Who cares about a quick 0-60 on the road who's over the age of 18?Kimmy said:
I have a facelift S60R. It's a very capable car in the real world. Look past the stupid Jeremy Clarkson comments etc. Yes it lacks the feel of a M3, but quicker in the real world.
I'm sure on a track it would struggle against a M3. But on the road. It's much better in my opinion. It takes off at the same rate on a soaking wet road as it would on a dry road. Tonnes of grip. Handles very well when you learn how to drive it to its full potential. Requires a certain driving style to take twisty roads properly. But when you do learn how to work it, it's very rapid at covering ground come rain or shine and will leave a M3 behind on a damp road no problem. That's talking from experience as well. I can add many other "higher" regarded cars to the list as well.
For "only" 300hp it's very quick. But it doesn't feel it when you are driving it. It's very good at masking the speed. It's only when you look down at the speedo you realise how quick it's picked up pace. Coming out of a junction 90 degree lock, you can plant your foot and it will shoot you down the road without even a tyre squeal. Very impressive.
I have had 160mph+ without it breaking a sweat. Still fairly quiet, some wind noise as to be expected. But felt very planted. Was still accelerating too.
In the snow it's brilliant as well. It will move power around to which ever wheel needs it and can send all power to one of the wheels if needed. So it didn't get bogged down once through out the winter.
The fancy four wheel drive and suspension is fragile. So you need to be prepared for big bils.
I get about 19mpg but I have a fairly heavy foot. But it's still a mixture of slow and fast passed driving. Just mainly fast passed.
Maintenance is expensive. Servicing parts etc. Such as the Brembo brakes or the fancy Monroe/Ohlins dampers are a fortune if they need replacing. You can cut some of the cost by using a specialist or doing it your self. But always use genuine parts. I prefer using my local Volvo dealer.
So in short a very quick an capable car in the real world, but also very expensive to run. Which is why there are so many dogs out there. People just can't afford or be bothered to maintain them properly.
Buy the right one and you will love it. Your wallet won't though but you sure will have a smile on your face when your on a road covered in sleet and plant your foot and still accelerates away at an alarming rate and the look on your mates face sitting in the passenger seat who owns a slightly modded ST Focus is priceless (talking from experience lol)
I think someone mentioned that a remaped T5 will put the power down just as well as a R. I will give the my right testicle to see that. The amount of standard T5's I've seen scrabbling around and smoking the front wheels under hard acceleration tells me enough. Been a passenger in a T5 and the TC light was flickering fairly often. I have yet to see the TC light come on in the R on a dry or damp road. Only time I see it is during the winter months with snowy or sleety roads.
Any thing else you want to know feel free to ask.
Many thanks
Kimmy
Good info. Always fancied the v70r but the liner and haldex issues put me off. They might not be the ultimate track car but in the real world, outside of pub bores etc they're a great Q car.I'm sure on a track it would struggle against a M3. But on the road. It's much better in my opinion. It takes off at the same rate on a soaking wet road as it would on a dry road. Tonnes of grip. Handles very well when you learn how to drive it to its full potential. Requires a certain driving style to take twisty roads properly. But when you do learn how to work it, it's very rapid at covering ground come rain or shine and will leave a M3 behind on a damp road no problem. That's talking from experience as well. I can add many other "higher" regarded cars to the list as well.
For "only" 300hp it's very quick. But it doesn't feel it when you are driving it. It's very good at masking the speed. It's only when you look down at the speedo you realise how quick it's picked up pace. Coming out of a junction 90 degree lock, you can plant your foot and it will shoot you down the road without even a tyre squeal. Very impressive.
I have had 160mph+ without it breaking a sweat. Still fairly quiet, some wind noise as to be expected. But felt very planted. Was still accelerating too.
In the snow it's brilliant as well. It will move power around to which ever wheel needs it and can send all power to one of the wheels if needed. So it didn't get bogged down once through out the winter.
The fancy four wheel drive and suspension is fragile. So you need to be prepared for big bils.
I get about 19mpg but I have a fairly heavy foot. But it's still a mixture of slow and fast passed driving. Just mainly fast passed.
Maintenance is expensive. Servicing parts etc. Such as the Brembo brakes or the fancy Monroe/Ohlins dampers are a fortune if they need replacing. You can cut some of the cost by using a specialist or doing it your self. But always use genuine parts. I prefer using my local Volvo dealer.
So in short a very quick an capable car in the real world, but also very expensive to run. Which is why there are so many dogs out there. People just can't afford or be bothered to maintain them properly.
Buy the right one and you will love it. Your wallet won't though but you sure will have a smile on your face when your on a road covered in sleet and plant your foot and still accelerates away at an alarming rate and the look on your mates face sitting in the passenger seat who owns a slightly modded ST Focus is priceless (talking from experience lol)
I think someone mentioned that a remaped T5 will put the power down just as well as a R. I will give the my right testicle to see that. The amount of standard T5's I've seen scrabbling around and smoking the front wheels under hard acceleration tells me enough. Been a passenger in a T5 and the TC light was flickering fairly often. I have yet to see the TC light come on in the R on a dry or damp road. Only time I see it is during the winter months with snowy or sleety roads.
Any thing else you want to know feel free to ask.
Many thanks
Kimmy
E46 M3 was the one I was referring to.
The figures you see on paper are performed in perfect conditions.
I clearly said in the real world, I.e on a damp greasy road etc. I'm sure on a hot day with lovely sticky Tarmac sat at traffic lights yes the M3 will pull on the S60R. But how often do you standing start launches in perfect conditions? I know I don't do them very often.
However I do launch it off roundabouts, I do pull out a junction onto a busy road when it's been raining, I do plant my foot coming out of a very tight bend and I do drive it fast and hard even when it's wet, all without drama. In the winter it's still capable of taking off at a rate of knots. In all those scenarios it will pull away from a E46 M3. That's a fact. Talking from real world experience. Sorry M3 lovers. But that's the real world.
I'm not bashing the M brand at all. I love M cars. My brother has had some great ones, like the 3.8 E34 M5, E36 3.2 Evo M3, E39 M5.
I'm just stating that in the REAL WORLD it's a very quick car.
I do get poor MPG but I drive it hard. I don't really use it during the week. So generally when I do drive it, it's because I just want to take it out for a drive, so it will be driven hard.
The AWD is made of chocolate on the earlier cars. The later ones had a stronger coller in the angle gear. So if you have the pre facelift and the angle gear goes, you could put in a unit from a later one. But that doesn't mean you don't get the angle gear failing on a later car. It still happens.
On a day like today here in Oxfordshire where the roads are damp is what I'm referring to. The roads seem to be wet more than dry in this country. And it's in conditions like this the S60R is a very capable car compared to the RWD or FWD equivalent.
The amount of computing power that car has is kind of ridiculous. Which is why is so expensive to maintain or when it goes wrong. Almost everything is controlled my some sort of software, sensor or computer.
Anyone that's thinking of purchasing one and who are based in Oxfordshire or surrounding areas, I will happily meet up with you and take you out for a drive. You can get a feel of what the car is like then.
Many Thanks
Kimmy
The figures you see on paper are performed in perfect conditions.
I clearly said in the real world, I.e on a damp greasy road etc. I'm sure on a hot day with lovely sticky Tarmac sat at traffic lights yes the M3 will pull on the S60R. But how often do you standing start launches in perfect conditions? I know I don't do them very often.
However I do launch it off roundabouts, I do pull out a junction onto a busy road when it's been raining, I do plant my foot coming out of a very tight bend and I do drive it fast and hard even when it's wet, all without drama. In the winter it's still capable of taking off at a rate of knots. In all those scenarios it will pull away from a E46 M3. That's a fact. Talking from real world experience. Sorry M3 lovers. But that's the real world.
I'm not bashing the M brand at all. I love M cars. My brother has had some great ones, like the 3.8 E34 M5, E36 3.2 Evo M3, E39 M5.
I'm just stating that in the REAL WORLD it's a very quick car.
I do get poor MPG but I drive it hard. I don't really use it during the week. So generally when I do drive it, it's because I just want to take it out for a drive, so it will be driven hard.
The AWD is made of chocolate on the earlier cars. The later ones had a stronger coller in the angle gear. So if you have the pre facelift and the angle gear goes, you could put in a unit from a later one. But that doesn't mean you don't get the angle gear failing on a later car. It still happens.
On a day like today here in Oxfordshire where the roads are damp is what I'm referring to. The roads seem to be wet more than dry in this country. And it's in conditions like this the S60R is a very capable car compared to the RWD or FWD equivalent.
The amount of computing power that car has is kind of ridiculous. Which is why is so expensive to maintain or when it goes wrong. Almost everything is controlled my some sort of software, sensor or computer.
Anyone that's thinking of purchasing one and who are based in Oxfordshire or surrounding areas, I will happily meet up with you and take you out for a drive. You can get a feel of what the car is like then.
Many Thanks
Kimmy
These videos are worth a watch for you guys thinking of getting one.
They will apply to the V70R as well obviously, as its just the body that's different. Everything else is the same between the S60R and V70R.
Really gives you an idea of how much computing power the car has.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zjl6y331Hc
Tiff Needell demonstrating the fabulous suspension set up. You really get an idea of the difference between the suspension settings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idR66_TXopk
Traction demonstration at a press meeting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qq8rkM0g_A
Test Driver commercial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxKu8RHDyes
Volvo promotional video, this is very interesting and tells you about all the technology going on in the car. This one is a must watch if you are seriously considering getting one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S1yghDcF9Y
Another Volvo promotional video, this ones puts a standard S60R against its race car brother on a wet track.
Many Thanks
Kimmy
They will apply to the V70R as well obviously, as its just the body that's different. Everything else is the same between the S60R and V70R.
Really gives you an idea of how much computing power the car has.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zjl6y331Hc
Tiff Needell demonstrating the fabulous suspension set up. You really get an idea of the difference between the suspension settings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idR66_TXopk
Traction demonstration at a press meeting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qq8rkM0g_A
Test Driver commercial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxKu8RHDyes
Volvo promotional video, this is very interesting and tells you about all the technology going on in the car. This one is a must watch if you are seriously considering getting one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5S1yghDcF9Y
Another Volvo promotional video, this ones puts a standard S60R against its race car brother on a wet track.
Many Thanks
Kimmy
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