Ovlov S60 / Mondeo / 320ed?
Discussion
Evening all
It looks like my next company car is going to come down to a choice of the three cars above, so I am setting up test drives of them all, but wanted to get some input from anyone that has driven them.
I am looking at the S60 D4 Manual Business Edition, Mondeo Hatch Manual 163 Business Edition and the 320d Efficient Dynamics - the first two have lots of toys, the BM has next to nothing, but would it be worth it anyway for the better driving experience? I do about 30k a year, so comfort comes into it too.
Thanks for any views....
It looks like my next company car is going to come down to a choice of the three cars above, so I am setting up test drives of them all, but wanted to get some input from anyone that has driven them.
I am looking at the S60 D4 Manual Business Edition, Mondeo Hatch Manual 163 Business Edition and the 320d Efficient Dynamics - the first two have lots of toys, the BM has next to nothing, but would it be worth it anyway for the better driving experience? I do about 30k a year, so comfort comes into it too.
Thanks for any views....
Thanks for the replies. When is the Mondeo being replaced? My VRs isn't due to go back until Jan, so I have a while, but need to get the order in this month.
V60 would be nice, but the BIK is quite a bit higher (same for the D5) and I already have an x type estate for load lugging.
I'm trying an S60 next week, looking forward to it more than I should. Must be middle age creep.
V60 would be nice, but the BIK is quite a bit higher (same for the D5) and I already have an x type estate for load lugging.
I'm trying an S60 next week, looking forward to it more than I should. Must be middle age creep.
Thanks for the replies. When is the Mondeo being replaced? My VRs isn't due to go back until Jan, so I have a while, but need to get the order in this month.
V60 would be nice, but the BIK is quite a bit higher (same for the D5) and I already have an x type estate for load lugging.
I'm trying an S60 next week, looking forward to it more than I should. Must be middle age creep.
V60 would be nice, but the BIK is quite a bit higher (same for the D5) and I already have an x type estate for load lugging.
I'm trying an S60 next week, looking forward to it more than I should. Must be middle age creep.
I tried the V60/S60 during my company car selection process. Its a fine car that does everything well but without the D5 engine, I dont think it really does anything that its premium competitors don't do equally well or better, especially now BMW have sorted out their RFT issues.
A few little bug bears - there is no rest for your left foot next to the clutch, and the boot of the S60 is quite a narrow apeture. The V60 barely qualifies as an estate too.
But the D5 engine does make it come alive somewhat - if you're concerned about BIK etc then you might find the ES model has a relatively low personal contribution to offset this. I understand they uprated the spec a little for the 2012 model but I forget the actual details.
Personally I decided I needed a hatch for family reasons so didnt try the 320d/ED but i've not heard a bad thing about them from people who have taken a test drive.
Good luck.
A few little bug bears - there is no rest for your left foot next to the clutch, and the boot of the S60 is quite a narrow apeture. The V60 barely qualifies as an estate too.
But the D5 engine does make it come alive somewhat - if you're concerned about BIK etc then you might find the ES model has a relatively low personal contribution to offset this. I understand they uprated the spec a little for the 2012 model but I forget the actual details.
Personally I decided I needed a hatch for family reasons so didnt try the 320d/ED but i've not heard a bad thing about them from people who have taken a test drive.
Good luck.
Forgot to add on my previous post - the newer S60/V60 seats didnt seem as good as the previous gen's (I had two of those) on my test drive. Not enough pivot/tilt on the seat base and I couldnt get it low enough for me. So definitely worth an extended test drive. If you book via the web you'll generally find their customer service is excellent and you'll get follow up calls to check your satisfaction levels.
Thanks for all the replies.
I had a quick drive of an S60 D3 SE today (same engine as the new D4) and quite liked it. They have offered me a 4 day test, so it would be rude to turn them down.
Interesting point about the BMW spec comparison to the Volvo, there isn't much in it really, but the nav option is so £1500 as part of a package.
The D5 would be great, but it adds a lot over three years and I imagine the lease cost will be a lot higher. The ES model has been dropped and they don't do the Business Edition with the D5.... The comparison tool on the Volvo website is great, you can e-mail yourself a really detailed comparison: http://www.volvocars.com/uk/explore/pages/compare-...
I have had some customer contact with Ford, but they really are hopeless. Need to arrange a BMW test drive too.
I had a quick drive of an S60 D3 SE today (same engine as the new D4) and quite liked it. They have offered me a 4 day test, so it would be rude to turn them down.
Interesting point about the BMW spec comparison to the Volvo, there isn't much in it really, but the nav option is so £1500 as part of a package.
The D5 would be great, but it adds a lot over three years and I imagine the lease cost will be a lot higher. The ES model has been dropped and they don't do the Business Edition with the D5.... The comparison tool on the Volvo website is great, you can e-mail yourself a really detailed comparison: http://www.volvocars.com/uk/explore/pages/compare-...
I have had some customer contact with Ford, but they really are hopeless. Need to arrange a BMW test drive too.
The V60 is still 119g/km so should be same BIK as the S60 pretty much.
I'd rule out the Mondeo, 2.0is over 120g and the 1.6 is too slow in a Focus so will be dire in a Mondeo.
The 320d ED is a nice car, but the Volvo has better seats, much better stereo and nav, while the BMW is cheaper on tax and more fun to drive so it depends on priorities really. I'd have the Volvo, but a V60 not an S60 as it looks better, and is far more practical.
I'd rule out the Mondeo, 2.0is over 120g and the 1.6 is too slow in a Focus so will be dire in a Mondeo.
The 320d ED is a nice car, but the Volvo has better seats, much better stereo and nav, while the BMW is cheaper on tax and more fun to drive so it depends on priorities really. I'd have the Volvo, but a V60 not an S60 as it looks better, and is far more practical.
The list price on the V60 is more than the S and I actually prefer the saloon, not sure that the boot is any less useful. When I need a big boot my X type estate is plenty big enough.... And has a proper engine too.
Good point about the stereo, it sounds shallow but it makes a big difference when you're driving for 6 hours a day, and the seats are a big plus for the Volvo too. I think my mind is made up, but I should still drive the BM, for research if nothing else.
Last 3 series I drove was an M3 and I was slightly underwhelmed by even that. It was on a track though, I doubt a Volvo would be better!
Good point about the stereo, it sounds shallow but it makes a big difference when you're driving for 6 hours a day, and the seats are a big plus for the Volvo too. I think my mind is made up, but I should still drive the BM, for research if nothing else.
Last 3 series I drove was an M3 and I was slightly underwhelmed by even that. It was on a track though, I doubt a Volvo would be better!
I've just finished with a V60 D5 rental in which I covered a few hundred miles. Last month I had an F11 520d for about 1,000 miles. The BMW was FAR more economical - averaging over 44 mpg over the entire duration (mainly fast m/way, but also lots of stop/start city driving). The Volvo over the same kind of driving averaged mid 30's. I'd imgine the 320 would kick the Volvo's arse on mpg - I also found the BMW engine much smoother and quieter.
That said, the Volvo was a fine car and contrary to what people are saying above, a fine handler. The steering had no weight or feel but it handled well and was fun to punt along a not too challenging A road. Where the Volvo excelled was on the motorway. Fabulous seats, great stereo, Bluetooth music streaming, decent sat nav.
The only issue with the Volvo that would really bug me is the 1985 Atari graphics on the digital readout in the centre of the speedo and rev counter - REALLY cheap and nasty.
That said, the Volvo was a fine car and contrary to what people are saying above, a fine handler. The steering had no weight or feel but it handled well and was fun to punt along a not too challenging A road. Where the Volvo excelled was on the motorway. Fabulous seats, great stereo, Bluetooth music streaming, decent sat nav.
The only issue with the Volvo that would really bug me is the 1985 Atari graphics on the digital readout in the centre of the speedo and rev counter - REALLY cheap and nasty.
Edited by Dapster on Thursday 4th October 00:05
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