S60 D5's...are the really that good?

[matt21]

Ok so I have read the previous threads about these. Seems the ones to go for are manual Euro III (facelift if poss) to get the good MPG.

Even so I struggle to believe these things can truely (not computer) average up to 50mpg. The manuals have a book MPG of 43mpg, autos 37mpg.

A few questions.

- Is MPG on the Euro III really that good? For reference I get 45mpg out of a 1.9TDI 54 plate Passat estate manual.
- What are the autos like? Best avoided?
- How reliable are these?

I can coming from a 530iA SE LPG with lots of toys and a very nice place to waft about it. Would the S60 feel a step down? Other car is Passat mentioned about. I assume its the level about that?

I have been German all my life so any hints and tip on switching Scandanavian would be much appreciated!

[patmahe]

Can't speak for the D5 specifically but the S60 is far and away the most comfortable car I've driven, and my experience would include an E39 5 series and Lexus LS400 for reference.

Hope this info helps

[T5R+]

One of the best kept secrets is out

[bozmandb9]

I would say no. My only experience is of being driven to Sweden and back in one. It was fine, but not great. Economy wasn't great, around 33mpg (it was an auto, and was being driven 'enthusiastically). Otherwise, it just left me cold.

I purchased an S60 afterwards, and it was a disaster for me, so maybe I'm just biased, but I'd go for a BM instead.

[bassanclan]

I have an s80 Euro 3 d5

If I have 1 person in the car and sit on cruise at 77 mph I can get 50mpg (about 52 on the computer). Generally I get 44mpg although I must admit not to really driving it hard.



The s60 has poor rear legroom.

[robsco]

Excellent engine, very comfortable, fantastic seats, classy interiors... I really rate them. They even make a very pleasant, woofly 5-pot warble.

[T5R+]

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

[matt21]

off to the classifieds!

[va1o]

bassanclan said:

The s60 has poor rear legroom.

This is probably its weakest point, there is less room in the back than a 3-series, so it won't have as much as the OPs Passat or 5-series.

[kieranjholland]

Simple answer - yes

Great cars, under-estimated hence low price!

Comfortable
Great sound system
Strong engine
50+ mpg
good pulling power
Low running costs (find a good indie garage on VOC forums)

edit - surprised y2blade hasn't commented yet

[Crombers]

Comfortable, great seats, great stereo but not in the same league as an E39 from a driver enjoyment perspective.

I had the 2.4lpt many moons ago. An ex demonstrator which was blown away by the 100k+ mile 528 which replaced it.

[Moley RUFC]

kieranjholland said:

Simple answer - yes

Great cars, under-estimated hence low price!

Comfortable
Great sound system
Strong engine
50+ mpg
good pulling power
Low running costs (find a good indie garage on VOC forums)

edit - surprised y2blade hasn't commented yet

Playstation network must be back up

[kieranjholland]

Crombers said:

Comfortable, great seats, great stereo but not in the same league as an E39 from a driver enjoyment perspective.

I had the 2.4lpt many moons ago. An ex demonstrator which was blown away by the 100k+ mile 528 which replaced it.

I was actually looking at BMWs recently - I drove a few E60 5 series (530d's) and some E39s and cannot disagree with you. Although they are clearly great 'drivers' cars I was so glad to be back in my D5 - for the driving I do (90% motorway miles) I couldn't imagine racking up the miles in a nicer car.

It comes down to personal preference

[kieranjholland]

Moley RUFC said:

Playstation network must be back up

[DJC]

matt21 said:

- Is MPG on the Euro III really that good? For reference I get 45mpg out of a 1.9TDI 54 plate Passat estate manual.

On average, I got 42-46mpg from my manual 2002 Euro3 S60 D5. On a run @ 70mph it'd do 50-55mpg, at 60mph it'd do 60-65mpg. It was entirely possible to go beyond this but it took some effort, a lot of planning and to be honest it wouldn't be realistic in every day life.

matt21 said:

- What are the autos like? Best avoided?

Yes, they do fail and are quite pricey. The general advice from the VOC forums was to go manual or put some money aside "just in case". The Geartronic in these isn't that good either, quite laggy gear changes.

matt21 said:

- How reliable are these?

I did about 30-35k in mine and had no issues whatsoever. The general feeling is that they are pretty reliable, consumables aside.

matt21 said:

I can coming from a 530iA SE LPG with lots of toys and a very nice place to waft about it. Would the S60 feel a step down? Other car is Passat mentioned about. I assume its the level about that?

I preferred the S60 interior to the 5 series of the same vintage I looked at. I think you'd find the seats better, the dash more ergonomic and the stereo almost certainly better. Saying you have a Volvo doesn't sound as good as saying you have a Beemer, if that is a priority (it certainly wasn't for me.)

Having driven a Passat TDi of 05 vintage, I much much preferred the S60.