The Volvo S90/V90 lease thread
Discussion
Jobbo said:
I’ve been impressed with the auto box so far, perhaps due to having a petrol V90. My last 2 cars having been an Audi with the 7-sp S-Tronic (DSG) and a BMW with the 8-sp ZF. I never felt the BMW’s box felt quite like it was correctly tuned to the petrol engine; it felt better in the diesels I’d test driven. The Audi box was great on the move but from rest or to a stop it wasn’t as smooth as a torque converter.
The thing I miss in the Volvo is a quick way to stick it in sport mode, or paddles. But generally I’ve been quite happy to leave it to it’s own devices in Comfort; I did find it changes up at about 5,000rpm at full throttle so I’ll have to try the same in Dynamic to see if it does hang on until the red line.
I'm in the petrol V90 R design, so got the lowered suspension and the flappy paddles. It'll rev to 6000 RPM in dynamic mode when using the auto box - I haven't tried to see if it redlines using the paddles though. The thing I miss in the Volvo is a quick way to stick it in sport mode, or paddles. But generally I’ve been quite happy to leave it to it’s own devices in Comfort; I did find it changes up at about 5,000rpm at full throttle so I’ll have to try the same in Dynamic to see if it does hang on until the red line.
I also have a diesel BMW 40d, 6 cyl twin turbo with the 8 speed ZF and I have to say, its a brilliant gearbox. Also had it in a previous RR Sport and a 6 speed ZF in an older Jag - I'm a huge fan of the ZF boxes - best of them all IMO. The Volvo gearbox, at least matched to the petrol engine, is very good I have to say and not too far behind the ZF box from my point of view. Miles better than the DSG gearbox which some people seem to love. I just didn't enjoy the DSG as much as the ZF or this Volvo box.
With that all said, I still prefer the petrol/Volvo gearbox match compared to the BMW diesel/ZF as despite the 40D being an amazing engine, its still a bit rough at times, especially at idle. I much prefer the quieter, silkier feeling of the Volvo drive overall.
soupdragon1 said:
Sounds like you are driving in eco mode. There is no engine braking because the gearbox disengages to nuetral to save fuel, plus in general, the drivetrain, brakes, steering all behave differently in that mode. Try customising it all in the settings to see if you find some settings you like, or even just try dynamic mode?
That is in dynamic mode. My old M140 also had a coasting function, but never presented the same problem (probably less weight helped here). I appreciate you help some of the newbies to V90s on here, however I'm not one of them.
No doubt the V90's a nice place to sit, it's a lot classier than my 3 Series (aside from the seats in the BMW, which are far more supportive for my shape than those in the V90), but as a machine and drivers car the Volvo is well behind its equivalent 5 Series BMW and Mercedes peers.
Luckily the Volvo was cheap as chips and it's the wife's daily.
janesmith1950 said:
hat is in dynamic mode. My old M140 also had a coasting function, but never presented the same problem (probably less weight helped here).
I appreciate you help some of the newbies to V90s on here, however I'm not one of them.
No doubt the V90's a nice place to sit, it's a lot classier than my 3 Series (aside from the seats in the BMW, which are far more supportive for my shape than those in the V90), but as a machine and drivers car the Volvo is well behind its equivalent 5 Series BMW and Mercedes peers.
Luckily the Volvo was cheap as chips and it's the wife's daily.
No worries - wasn't sure if you just didn't know the setting or not. I appreciate you help some of the newbies to V90s on here, however I'm not one of them.
No doubt the V90's a nice place to sit, it's a lot classier than my 3 Series (aside from the seats in the BMW, which are far more supportive for my shape than those in the V90), but as a machine and drivers car the Volvo is well behind its equivalent 5 Series BMW and Mercedes peers.
Luckily the Volvo was cheap as chips and it's the wife's daily.
I have to disagree re: the 5 series. I had the new 5 series and the Volvo back to back for 2 days and there was very little in it, when considering the full package. It was back in Jan or Feb and the roads were greasy though, so didn't get to try them out back to back on dry roads. The 5 series in those conditions really lacked any steering feel when pushing into bends and the lack of feedback was quite off putting to be honest.
I'm not biased either, I've the Volvo and the BMW X6 in the driveway. Maybe I was just used to the torque vectoring on the X6 which makes it feel like grip is there to infinity, but despite being the supposed 'drivers choice', I found the 5 series to be far from it. Caveat being, road conditions were poor over the 2 days I had it. Volvo inspired a more confident road manner in comparison though, so it managed to deal with the conditions no problem. Its all down to personal feel though, and we all look for different things too.
All fair subjective comment. Worth pointing out I have a D4 Inscription V90, who's chassis/steering may be configured differently from the R.
I also had a new 530d Touring Msport for 4 or 5 days earlier this year.
Much preferred the driving experience in that (accepting the engine has a bit more poke) to the Volvo. Business partner has a current E220 wagon and that's a nicer drive.
Where the Volvo is good is in it's sofa soft ride. The trade off is that it handles like a big boat, and the abrupt nature of the D4 power delivery and gearbox calibration are totally at odds with the chassis. An R Design might be less of a compromise?
I also had a new 530d Touring Msport for 4 or 5 days earlier this year.
Much preferred the driving experience in that (accepting the engine has a bit more poke) to the Volvo. Business partner has a current E220 wagon and that's a nicer drive.
Where the Volvo is good is in it's sofa soft ride. The trade off is that it handles like a big boat, and the abrupt nature of the D4 power delivery and gearbox calibration are totally at odds with the chassis. An R Design might be less of a compromise?
I haven't tried an R-Design or Inscription variant of the Volvo. I would say that my V90 Cross Country doesn't ride as well as the Audi A6 Allroad which preceded it, but that had air suspension and the smallest (18") alloys. The Volvo does feel much more nimble and chuckable, doesn't roll as much and encourages you to press on more than the Audi. Not at all what I was expecting! I preferred the way the Audi drove to the BMW 535i Touring which preceded it - that was fun when you were really pressing it (though never really shrank around you) but the steering was numb and it wasn't particularly relaxing to drive when you were pootling around. I'd go for a BMW with the SE suspension and diesel engine in future.
It's interesting the different comments this car gets. I don't mind the auto gearbox, at first it was clunky but now it has either learnt how I like to drive and reacts much better, or I have learnt how it behaves and have adapted my throttle input to match. And I find the suspension reasonably firm (passengers have also commented on that too). This is on my D4 momentum.
Been advised by the dealer doing the repairs to my V90 that they’ve arranged an S90 T8 to be dropped off tomorrow for me to use while mines being fixed. Hope that engine doesn’t ruin the rest of the next 2 years in the D5!! I can’t imagine it’s going to be as economical.... but maybe a little more fun . Report to follow soon
. Report to follow soonkapiteinlangzaam said:
On a lease?
Ballsy.
Yes hence why im just looking at the moment as don't have 45k contingency if it all went bang! Probably will bottle it.Ballsy.
On the suspension front I have been surprised how well the big beast handles if I'm honest. It's firm in r design but the 4x4 of the d5 never breaks traction and seems to work well. Ride is ok and I don't wince over small pot holes as I did in the 3er with 19inch run flats.
I have used the flappy paddles but no real enjoyment added as not exactly reclining at 7k rpm.
225 said:
You can get a decent set of rubber matts for under 40 quid made to fit the v90. However looking at the volvo site they mention a tunnel mat as well which if it covers the transmission tunnel woukd be useful.
They are 105 at present but still a lot of cash
Thanks for the info. I'm glad I didn't order any, my S90 D4 R Design turned up yesterday with some nice genuine carpet mats fitted.They are 105 at present but still a lot of cash
First lease car I've ever had that came with mats!
Ceeejay said:
Been advised by the dealer doing the repairs to my V90 that they’ve arranged an S90 T8 to be dropped off tomorrow for me to use while mines being fixed. Hope that engine doesn’t ruin the rest of the next 2 years in the D5!! I can’t imagine it’s going to be as economical.... but maybe a little more fun . Report to follow soon
Suddenly really annoyed mine wasn't all scratched.... Report to follow soonilikejam said:
Suddenly really annoyed mine wasn't all scratched...
Me too lol.These guys remind me of Beavis and Butthead but they did a review of the T8 and loved the twin engine power delivery.
https://youtu.be/Pp3-ckv2YOo
Well here’s the loaner.... spec wise the differences I have found so far are full electric seats and 360 camera..
Only done a few miles after work. Had a quick play in the petrol + electric mode and it really does shift. Not in a dramatic way like my Golf used to, just in a ohh s
t how fast am
I going way. Then stuck it in hybrid mode and averaged 70mpg over 10 miles back to my digs, losing about 4 miles range out of the batteries.
Change between electric and petrol is barely noticeable. Got a long run up the M6 tomorrow so be interesting to see what it averages then.
Only done a few miles after work. Had a quick play in the petrol + electric mode and it really does shift. Not in a dramatic way like my Golf used to, just in a ohh s
t how fast amI going way. Then stuck it in hybrid mode and averaged 70mpg over 10 miles back to my digs, losing about 4 miles range out of the batteries.
Change between electric and petrol is barely noticeable. Got a long run up the M6 tomorrow so be interesting to see what it averages then.
39.1 mpg over a 180 mile run up the M6 last night. Not bad really. Brimmed the petrol before starting and it reckons it’s used just over a quarter of a tank.
It had about 5 mile range on the batteries, and I put it into charge mode on the quiet bits where I was making smooth progress and electric during stop start areas of traffic. Cruises happily at 70 in just electric mode, only firing up the engine on steep sections. Very nice drive...
Wish I’d specced 360 camera on mine... that’s a good gadget
It had about 5 mile range on the batteries, and I put it into charge mode on the quiet bits where I was making smooth progress and electric during stop start areas of traffic. Cruises happily at 70 in just electric mode, only firing up the engine on steep sections. Very nice drive...
Wish I’d specced 360 camera on mine... that’s a good gadget
soupdragon1 said:
Well I found out where that 'thinness' I described was coming from. Very large dip at 250hz area. I've managed to correct it, buy only sort of got half way there to fixing it. I'm suspecting it's a poorly implemented crossover between the lower midrange bass driver (low part of the front doors) and the upper mid range driver which is higher up the front door.
This higher up section contains the small midrange driver and the tweeter.
Here is my 1st correction calibration and the pre and post graphs
I did this solely using the equaliser but I might get it better using the tone controls and then equalizing again.
At this point, I think the tweeter and small midrange driver in the upper door area are doing a good job, with the lower bass driver being the week point.
You can see by the graphs that the overall frequency response is approximately 50hz (using the +/- 3db standard) which is more than satisfactory. Pity we can't add an optional sub to get it down into the 30hz region. I believe my18.5 let's you upgrade audio with a sub without having to go to the £3k b&w system.
Back to the lower midrange bass speakers. 4 of these in total, one on each door. There is plenty of cubic litres/volume to play with, but it could do with a better drive unit housed in there. I might look into doing this as I'm quite happy otherwise. Amp seems good and so does the tweeter and higher mid range driver.
Couple of test tracks worth using, from high res movie tracks. These are highly specced masters in the most sophisticated studios, mastered for high end cinemas and home audio systems. Compressed on Spotify to 320kbps but you can still hear the quality.
Moana album. How far I'll go track. Starts of using the upper mid range drivers and tweeters and at extreme quality, you can experience the inky black, noise free presentation and very very nice vocals. Once the song gets going, you can pick up the lower driver coming into play, which spoils the party a little. You're welcome is another good track to test. Also try True Colors from the trolls movie.
And finally try Roads by Portishead. This can make very expensive systems fall apart and you can also hear the poor quality recording, full of noise. This is a very tough test for the low midrange and you can then understand why those drive units are struggling.
Overall, still happy despite all the criticism above. My x6 has an £800 bmw audio upgrade and this standard Volvo system is way better, so much more clarity.
I got my bursting blue v90This higher up section contains the small midrange driver and the tweeter.
Here is my 1st correction calibration and the pre and post graphs
I did this solely using the equaliser but I might get it better using the tone controls and then equalizing again.
At this point, I think the tweeter and small midrange driver in the upper door area are doing a good job, with the lower bass driver being the week point.
You can see by the graphs that the overall frequency response is approximately 50hz (using the +/- 3db standard) which is more than satisfactory. Pity we can't add an optional sub to get it down into the 30hz region. I believe my18.5 let's you upgrade audio with a sub without having to go to the £3k b&w system.
Back to the lower midrange bass speakers. 4 of these in total, one on each door. There is plenty of cubic litres/volume to play with, but it could do with a better drive unit housed in there. I might look into doing this as I'm quite happy otherwise. Amp seems good and so does the tweeter and higher mid range driver.
Couple of test tracks worth using, from high res movie tracks. These are highly specced masters in the most sophisticated studios, mastered for high end cinemas and home audio systems. Compressed on Spotify to 320kbps but you can still hear the quality.
Moana album. How far I'll go track. Starts of using the upper mid range drivers and tweeters and at extreme quality, you can experience the inky black, noise free presentation and very very nice vocals. Once the song gets going, you can pick up the lower driver coming into play, which spoils the party a little. You're welcome is another good track to test. Also try True Colors from the trolls movie.
And finally try Roads by Portishead. This can make very expensive systems fall apart and you can also hear the poor quality recording, full of noise. This is a very tough test for the low midrange and you can then understand why those drive units are struggling.
Overall, still happy despite all the criticism above. My x6 has an £800 bmw audio upgrade and this standard Volvo system is way better, so much more clarity.
This week and loving it, standard stereo is very good but once I changed settings to soupdragons setting it sounds awesome for a standard set up, highly recommended everyone tries these and saves them in eq settings, thank you soupdragon
Thanks both, glad you are enjoying it. For best results, use 'extreme' setting on Spotify - as a rule of thumb, it's approx 3 times the resolution of dab radio so quite a difference.
MY19 cars get the subwoofer option, that would be a great option to tick rather than having to go the full 3 grand b&w system. Bass is still ok on the standard system, roughly equivalent to a set of Stand mount speakers. I think I may have mentioned that my bmw has the £800 mid level audio upgrade. This Volvo standard system is comfortably better than my bmw upgraded system so overall, got to be happy with the Volvo freebie system.
MY19 cars get the subwoofer option, that would be a great option to tick rather than having to go the full 3 grand b&w system. Bass is still ok on the standard system, roughly equivalent to a set of Stand mount speakers. I think I may have mentioned that my bmw has the £800 mid level audio upgrade. This Volvo standard system is comfortably better than my bmw upgraded system so overall, got to be happy with the Volvo freebie system.
Delivered - T4 Momentum with winter pack in Osmium grey. I can confirm that the 2018 T4 comes with 18" turbine alloys as standard.
Initial observations, plenty quick enough, sounds better than a diesel, getting high 30' on general driving. Standard stereo great, used self driving on M4 and it was great as was traffic jam assist in Bath.
Problems: Sat Nav thinks I'm miles from where I really am (Bicester when in Marlborough), nearly caused a problem yesterday after following friend to river (no idea where I was) then punching HOME on sat nav, we were going somewhere but not back home, luckily I spotted problem as we jumped into a field on map! Anyone got ideas or is it a dealer trip (Swindon)
Iphone data, seems to need me to untick/tick use data on Sensus to activate each time I drive.
All good other than that!
Initial observations, plenty quick enough, sounds better than a diesel, getting high 30' on general driving. Standard stereo great, used self driving on M4 and it was great as was traffic jam assist in Bath.
Problems: Sat Nav thinks I'm miles from where I really am (Bicester when in Marlborough), nearly caused a problem yesterday after following friend to river (no idea where I was) then punching HOME on sat nav, we were going somewhere but not back home, luckily I spotted problem as we jumped into a field on map! Anyone got ideas or is it a dealer trip (Swindon)
Iphone data, seems to need me to untick/tick use data on Sensus to activate each time I drive.
All good other than that!
hoganscrogan said:
Iphone data, seems to need me to untick/tick use data on Sensus to activate each time I drive.
Mine seems OK most of the time, then sometimes won't use the iPhone data. To resolve it and get back to auto-connecting, hard rebooting the iPhone solves it. But I'm sure I've seen a more detailed solution further up this thread.High-30s mpg is good. I'm getting no more than 25mpg out of my T6. I did see 27mpg briefly on Saturday but it went back to 25 as soon as the road cleared.
Cheers, the iphone data fix earlier in the thread has been tried, doesn't seem 'sticky' (have a similar problem with Golf data connection but less critical on that as I use carplay). Have coded both keys to his and hers profiles too.
Got 41mpg on 1st steady 70mph m'way run yesterday - 47mpg Golf Gti (2018 manual).
Seem to be around 34/36mpg for commute, only 190bhp in T4. I now manage to get 40/42mpg out fo the Gti on the same commute. The Golf MPG got better in the last 3 months or so and now on 6k miles so maybe Volvo needs loosening up. Also, I had a BMW i3 so good at hyper-mileing!
The sat nav error also means I get weather reports for elsewhere, not Sweden at least. I'll see how it looks tonight on data/maps front, only put 150 miles on V90 so far.
Must say I prefer the Gti's digital setup, VW screens and carplay just work very well, wife was moaning about the Sensus after her first drive, spotify etc. would not work (data prob) and then the mental satnav Sunday did not go down well.
She also managed to 'lock' handbrake on when 3 point turning, got very annoyed with the spec'er of her new motor! Turns out no seatbelt on makes the Volvo lock handbrake on when shifting to reverse after moving forward, only seatbelt will release. Golf doesn't do this and looks like I might struggle to get keys of the wife!
I do like the V90 but must say VW do a damn thorough job of engineering their motors.
Got 41mpg on 1st steady 70mph m'way run yesterday - 47mpg Golf Gti (2018 manual).
Seem to be around 34/36mpg for commute, only 190bhp in T4. I now manage to get 40/42mpg out fo the Gti on the same commute. The Golf MPG got better in the last 3 months or so and now on 6k miles so maybe Volvo needs loosening up. Also, I had a BMW i3 so good at hyper-mileing!
The sat nav error also means I get weather reports for elsewhere, not Sweden at least. I'll see how it looks tonight on data/maps front, only put 150 miles on V90 so far.
Must say I prefer the Gti's digital setup, VW screens and carplay just work very well, wife was moaning about the Sensus after her first drive, spotify etc. would not work (data prob) and then the mental satnav Sunday did not go down well.
She also managed to 'lock' handbrake on when 3 point turning, got very annoyed with the spec'er of her new motor! Turns out no seatbelt on makes the Volvo lock handbrake on when shifting to reverse after moving forward, only seatbelt will release. Golf doesn't do this and looks like I might struggle to get keys of the wife!
I do like the V90 but must say VW do a damn thorough job of engineering their motors.
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