Well, finally the BM has tested my patience to the limit, and it has to go.
I had a 2005 S60 from new until I changed to the 520d Touring in 2008, and have fond memories, although the ride was a little poor, even on 16" wheels.
I will be taking a V70 out this Sunday, and wondered if anyone has driven one of the new generation ones and has any comments / pointers of what I should be looking out for?
Tempted to stick with the D5 engine. 215 ponies sounds very nice, and being the 5 cyl engine, should have some character. Manual a must too.
To explain my choice; I won't risk another BM, Merc's and Audi's don't do it for me, and I like a bit of character in a car. Very supportive seats for 12 hour European trips a must, and I can't get excited about Fords, Vauxhalls, etc...(I know very few people get excited about Volvos too!)
The discounts for the Volvo, alongside a very generous spec means it is on the shortlist.
I don't need suggestions of alternatives, but would welcome any comments / feedback on the Volvo. Thanks!
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>> Merc's and Audi's don't do it for me, and I like a bit of character in a car.
>>
So you are considering a Volvo?
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Not driven the latest V70, but have just returned my V60. Very comfortable seats, nice build quality, but the r-design spec had the most awful ride quality, so make sure you test drive one over some pretty rough roads
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I forget where you were going next mikey... did the old A3 get sold? Lease again after the Volvo?
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>> I forget where you were going next mikey... did the old A3 get sold? Lease
>> again after the Volvo?
>>
The V60 went back with a view that the A3 would be a run around for a while. The wiper mechanism packed up combined with needing 4 new tyres so I popped it back on ebay with an honest description and sold it in 2 hours for £50 less than paid, so a cheap 4 month motoring.
In parallel Mrs B needed 8 seats so we got a Viano leaving the Sharan surplus. Given we have had the Sharan from new and its a little battered having lived a hard life (so not worth much) I've kept it. Not enjoying it, but it serves a purpose and is giving around 44 mpg on my comute
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>> The discounts for the Volvo, alongside a very generous spec means it is on the
>> shortlist.
>>
You're not kidding. 37% off an SE Lux Geartronic on DTD. Is that a current model? What's 'geartronic'?
I drove the D5 SE Lux auto 3 years ago when I bought the Outlander. It was nice, but silly money was my recollection, that and the prospect of poor reliability put me off. It was however exceedingly comfortable, quiet, and went well.
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Actually it was the XC70 I drove, now I think about it - I want 4WD ahead of 205bhp.
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>>You're not kidding. 37% off an SE Lux Geartronic on DTD. Is that a current model? What's 'geartronic'?
Geartronic is the auto box.
The discounts are about 27% rather than 37% I think, but are for a newly built-to-order car, and only apply for the higher spec cars, but that suits me just fine. £10k off a new car makes good inroads into the depreciation side of things, and gets me a nicer spec car for the money than I would otherwise have been able to get.
There isn't an 'R Design' V70 thank god.
I remember when I got the BM and chose SE spec rather than M Sport, all I could see with owner reviews was negative reports of the super-hard ride on the M-Sport's, Couldn't help but think they can't have read the brochure where it specifically states 'Sports Suspension', or given one a test drive. Bonkers.
A nice soft floaty ride will suit me fine. If I want a 'sporty' drive I will borrow my wife's Eos. (2.0 petrol turbo), although nterestingly that has a superb ride, despite running on 18" rims...
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>> Geartronic is the auto box.
I assumed that, but wondered if it was a CVT or something. Odd that manufacturers seem to think nobody cares about mechanicals these days. Brochures always used to have cutaway diagrams!
>>
>> The discounts are about 27% rather than 37% I think,
You're right - I didn't read carefully enough.
The XC70 I drove was definitely on the floaty side, though I imagine they ride higher than the V70.
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I wrote quite a lot here about my selection process, which included the V70 D3, just about two years ago. We were looking at autos - essential, I (reluctantly) think because the V70's poor electric parking brake makes it very hard to drive safely in manual form, and because it's short of size-13 space around the clutch pedal.
We rejected it because (a) it's short of space for rear passengers and (remarkably) loads; (b) because the auto is poorly calibrated and needs to be driven in manual mode anywhere but the motorway - although it's rather nice driven that way; and (c) because the overlight steering makes it hard to place on a twisty road.
But it has bags more character than the Mercedes estate we bought instead. I really wish Volvo would make a V90 estate next time round and make it a true E-class rival. As things stand, the E is a far better estate car, even if the V70 is a nicer place to be.
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If you're looking at a Volvo, is it worth thinking about the V60 and XC60 as well? The 5-cylinder diesel engines are being phased out in favour of a 4-cylinder 2.0-litre diesel, but there are presumably some fives still around.
Volvos used to be a byword for comfort and space: they still are for comfort but it seems not so much nowadays for space. If you need the space, the Skoda Superb estate is much better value than the equally roomy Mercedes E-class estate.
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>>> really wish Volvo would make a V90 estate next time round
I read the other day that in 2015 that is exactly what they are doing, with a new XC90 and V90 although whether it will be a bigger car than the V70 is not clear.
The BM is big enough boot-wise, and the V70 is about the same. Rear leg room should not be too much of an issue as I rarely have 4 adults inside. The problem with the beemer (apart from appalling reliability) is that it is so sterile to drive and own. The S60 had character, that intangible thing that makes car ownership a bit special.
I looked at the XC60 but the discounts are not so big (20% v. 27%) and so I would end up with a lower spec car, and lower fuel consumption, and as it is a company car and we are a small company, things like that would matter to the boss. He got a Freelander diesel and on his commute gets just mid 30's, whereas in the BM I get mid 40's. As I will have the car for about 150k miles this matters. I also want a good bit of power!
I assumed the V60 would be too small, but will have a look on Sunday. Thanks for the feedback!
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I've never driven one, and so am in no place to comment, but I am surprised you found the BM 'sterile' to drive. I thought they were supposed to be the 'ultimate driving machines'? And certainly car magazines call them the driver's choice in that segment of the market, which I thought must meant they were a good/rewarding drive?
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The BM has good performance and fuel economy (2.0 diesel, 177hp, and average 45mpg), is a good load-lugger, spacious comfortable in the front (v.hard seats in the back my daughter tells me).
You can hold a hushed conversation at high speed and it's pretty refined. Build quality is OK (no more), and there are some cheap and nasty plastics in places, but I could get in it and drive to Bavaria in one hit from Calais and get out feeling Ok afterwards.
It handles really very well, but that 50/50 weight distribution is something that has a pay-off that I have never heard anyone mention before (and so maybe it's just me!). If you hit standing water at virtually any speed it aquaplanes worse than anything I have ever driven. And then in snow or on icy roads there is hardly any traction at the rear. It is running on winter rubber too.
This is a trait I have lived with for 6 years and 145k miles, and it is not nice.
The sterility is the fact it is German, efficient white goods. Like a really good fridge / washing machine, etc. Brilliant at what it does, but doesn't stir the soul.
Oh, and it feels like I have had to replace everything on it.
The Volvo I had was great, and had that certain something about it that made you love it.
The Jag XJ-S convertible I had was full of character, as was my wifes 199 Fiesta, as was my old Mondeo, our old Punto, my first three cars (Fiat 127, Citroen GSA and Mk1 Astra), and even my wife's Lada estate!
The Nissan Almera, and the BMW have nothing to stir any emotions at all......... :(
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>> If you're looking at a Volvo, is it worth thinking about the V60 and XC60
>> as well?
My V60 was tiny - if fact I hadn't realised how small it was until I lived with it for a while. The problem is the low swooping roof to give a coupe like rear, combined with a very high boot floor. I reckon a focus estate is probably bigger.
Also at 6'2" I have the seat a fair way back which left very little rear leg room. Style over substance I'm afraid which may be OK depending on how you use it
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OH has just got a 13 reg XC60.
It is OK when you are in the seat but I find the combination of high floor and swooping roof at the front make it difficult to get into (on the front passenger side, anyway).
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I've been waiting to hear how the test drive went on Sunday?
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Had a V70 D3 manual from new since Sept 2011 and covered 40,000 miles. Comfort, comfort, comfort were the 3 main reasons for purchase - I haven't been disappointed. A couple of omissions though that seem strange on a car with grand tourer credentials. One that niggles the most is no support or space to the right of the accelerator peddle to rest your foot when on cruise control. The other is no full sized spare - can of goo and a compressor. Not much help on a Sunday afternoon in the north west of Scotland faced with an overnight drive to London when your tyre is in bits. (However, removing the boot carpet/storage tray and a bit of work with some plywood and black carpet and yes, you can fit in a full size spare - just!) Electrical parking brake takes a bit of getting used to and frankly I would gladly swop the centre armrest/console storage space for a conventional hand brake.
It isn't the biggest estate on the market but the space is very usable. Back seats fold down easily producing a flat floor - if I remember correctly the Superb has a "step" where the back seats fold. Also the load area is more squared-off than most others; the BMW 5 and A6 tourers lose so much space with the boot opening not being vertical all the way up.
Not too keen on the local Volvo dealers - they seem to reinforce the stereotypes of what a typical Volvo owner/driver might be and try to treat customers as geriatric motoring imbeciles. Front tyre wear is quite high and on 17" wheels, the tyre size isn't that common so consequently quite pricey.
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>> and on 17" wheels, the tyre size isn't that common so consequently quite pricey.
Isn't there an alternate size?
My Vec originally had 215/50/17's on, but the 225/45/17 size is more common and thus cheaper. And it's also the alternate size that's mentioned in the handbook so no insurance issues either.
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Thanks for the feedback capsgill. Sounds like it suits you well. Did you get the spare wheel from Volvo?
I took one out for a short drive with the family on Sunday, and then a 3 hour drive on Monday to make sure.
Tested a D4 (2.0 5 cylinder diesel that is now replaced by a more efficient but same HP 2.0 4 cylinder if I order one) with 181hp and a 6-speed auto box. 'Basic' Business Edition with a few added extras. Until I drove this auto, I was convinced I wanted the D5 (215hp) manual.
Plenty of power and a responsive gearbox. Ride as good if not slightly better than the BMW and cabin quality actually a step-up.
Drove nicely enough, and as I am not looking for a 'sporty' drive it suited me very well.
Standard kit for the SE Lux I want is very high (leather, bending Xenons, all the usual safety kit and a host of other goodies). Boot a good size and shape and completely flat when seats folded (was not the case with the BM). All in all very civilised, and interesting to see that when you read motoring journalists articles about the differences from one car to another, in reality the differences can be quite small and may just come down to personal preference, as they all imply that the V70 can't cut it with the likes of the German rivals (or even Skoda) whereas in reality this is a really nicely appointed car that ticks all the boxes for me.
Negatives? Rear seat-belts sit uncomfortably high on the neck of both my wife and daughter and the rear seats are a rather upright at the back (would be nice if there was a way to recline rear seats on occasion, even if that meant you lose a bit of boot space..
Would I buy one? Well, I hope to order one this week! D4 auto as it impressed me so much, although my only niggle is whether this new 4 cylinder 181hp engine with the new 8-speed auto box will be directly comparable to the 5 cylinder / 6 speed arrangement I tested. I can only assume it will be better as more modern set up. A claimed (and I get the difference) 62.8 combined mpg from an auto box? Wow. Even if it got close to 50mpg in the real world I would be impressed. The one on the longer test drive (mixed roads) gave me 46 on the trip computer.
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Will your order be with the dealership or via DTD?
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Yes, the spare was from Volvo. It was expensive but I look on it as an extra bit of insurance. And I've had three occasions to use it - two of them caused by thorns in the tyre sidewall. So probably heading towards the break-even point in terms of what I've saved in not having to buy replacement cans of (Volvo) goo.
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Thanks Capsgill. Was that the 'tempa' spare? I see it is £150 as an option in lieu of the compressor / gunk, but is this what you got, and if you got it after the car, how much did it cost?
In answer to Paul, I would prefer to deal with the local dealer, but he was very disappointed when I set him the target figure from the other company... Looks like we will get there although he is not exactly over the moon about it.....
DTD are very good and I have used them before to buy a company car for a work colleague, so I have no qualms there. The local dealer did the test drives, answered a few questions and gave us a demonstrator for a few hours, and it would be a shame not to have given him a chance to make a bid.
Looks like there is quite a long lead time, which he has put on demand for this new super-efficient D4 engine which is used seemingly across their range. Initially he was saying June / July time, but we shall see what the reality is.
I remember you were looking a for a new car, and I might have posted on your thread. Have you made a decision yet?
The V70 has a few plus points for me and a few negatives. I do about 25k miles and want comfort after a long drive with a dodgy back above many other things. I had a 2005 S60 from new to 90,000 miles which was nearly perfect, but I need an estate to get rid of lots of stuff from a big garden, plus for holidays.
The BMW worked best tax-wise (for me and the company fuel-wise), and a new one would now too I guess, but if I had bought another one and had just one problem with it I would have despaired. Mine was (and is) a real 'friday afternoon' car, with lots and lots of issues since new. Therefore BMW were not in the running.
As mentioned above, other German stuff is not for me, and mainstream cars also don't float my boat (this is not a snobbish thing, the Skoda Superb was on my shortlist, but the list price versus the discounts possible make a Volvo significantly cheaper for what I wanted).
The Volvo also gives off a different image to German cars to those that do care about these things (and there are some people that do).
I think the newer designs coming from Volvo look fab, but the V60 is too small for me, and much as I really, really wanted an XC60 AWD, no matter what mpg it claims, the reality would have been a lot worse. My boss has a Freelander diesel 4x4 and averages mid-30's and that would not make sense for the company for the mileage I do v. the few occasions when 4x4 is needed, and the 2 wheel drive version seemed a bit silly. Also the discounts available are nowhere near as generous, so I would have ended up with a much lover spec car.
The XC70 is available with huge discounts, but again the mpg issue raises it's head. With the weight including the 4x4 system, and the aerodynamics you would never get high 40's / low 50's from that, so regrettably that was ruled out. The XC90 will be replaced soon and you can get a new one for about £27k (list over £40k) but auto only and 30mpg claimed. Ouch.
So, the least stylish V70 it is, but get a look at the SE Lux spec. and then look at the prices that are achievable for it. Also the new engine with an auto box claims over 60mpg combined (slightly better with a manual, but the auto I tried was so good I will give it a go), although I expect to get 45-50mpg. For winter I will probably invest in some snow socks or winter tyres again.
The negative with the V70 are style (well, it's OK I guess), and it will probably be replaced next year, but then it's replacement won't have this sort of discount. In fact run-out models of cars are often fully loaded with more kit to shift cars and the more bells and whistles I get the better! (I say that glibly, before they start failing....:))
Interesting to see Clarkson lose control of a 1 series BM in the wet on TV the other night. Exactly what you feel my car doing when you hit standing water of almost any depth in my BM, albeit at slightly slower speeds! I will be sending my BM to a new home either via a car buying website or a private sale.
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Yes, you did reply to my thread - unfortunately circumstances have not allowed much time for car shopping yet, although I did test drive a Honda CRV on Monday and that will go on the short list.
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Not it wasn't the Tempa. I bought a full size wheel, the same design as those on the car. Above I alluded to the issue I once had with a tyre problem in north-west Scotland on a Sunday with a long drive ahead. I'm not prepared to accept the limitations (on speed and distance) that go with a space saver so bought the full sized wheel and tyre. Unfortunately I didn't think the process through before placing the order for the car. I guess that if I'd ordered the full sized spare at the time of ordering the car, I could probably have negotiated a discount on the wheel. As it was I paid full whack - sorry, can't remember the price.
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Thanks for that. I realised after I had posted that it was a full size you had, and I am impressed you got it to fit. I might get a 'tempa' spare after I get the car, and that way I should be covered for most eventualities, although not as well covered as you.
Well, the order for the car is signed and will be emailed this afternoon. D4 Geartronic SE Lux in ice white, with winter pack (heated screen and seats), Premium hi-fi (5 x 130w amp and 12 speakers - always wanted a really high spec sound system!) and front parking sensors to go with all the other goodies that come with that spec.
All for £650 less than I paid for a basic spec 520d Touring manual 6 years ago, which I think is a pretty good deal.
Foolishly perhaps; I have just been reading some reviews of the new engine / 8-speed gearbox combination.
Argh!
None of them are exactly glowing, but they sound better than the ones for the 5-cy;linder car and 6-speed 'box, and that drove fine as far as I was concerned, so guess the reviews were subjective and comparing to other auto boxes the reviewers have driven, which I won't have experience of so fingers crossed all will be OK.
Surely an eight speed box will be an improvement on the 3-speed in the XJ-S and (years ago) in the Renault Fuego my step-dad had! :)
It is stressful this new car buying lark!
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Try parking a V70 before you buy. They have about the same maneuverability as a container ship. Especially if you've got used to the ease of shuffling a RWD into tight spaces.
And you'll need to take up pipe smoking.
And buy a selection of cardigans.
;-)
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>> Try parking a V70 before you buy. They have about the same maneuverability as a
>> container ship. Especially if you've got used to the ease of shuffling a RWD into
>> tight spaces.
Interesting point - Mrs B's Viano is RWD and I'm surprised for its size and bulk how manoeuvrable it is - more so than the Sharan which was not bad.
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Sfd do yourself a favour and keep on looking. Volvo Y20/P3 is not what you know. They are steel underneath where the car you knew was aluminium.
Your S60 P2 car did not rattle or creek these new platforms do.
Basically they are crap...Even the sound systems are poor when you sit in them for a while.
Either buy a P2 and rebuild it or buy something else. The D4 might be the dogs doodahs for emissions but the rest of the car will do your head in after three or four months.
The V70 is the next on the list for replacement after the XC90. It would have to be Fiesta cheap to make it worth the trouble.
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That turning circle seems a great shame when one of the USPs of the old RWD Volvos was the ability to turn on a sixpence - impressive for such a long car.
FWD has something to do with it, but it can be done: my Octavia is pretty good in this area, despite having wide tyres, and a lot better then SWMBO's Mini Roadster. I seem to remember my A4 Avant having a much better 'lock' than I'd expected it to.
The Focus ST is another bad one - probably because the whole set-up was designed for the thinner tyres of the standard Focus repmobile.
It's the sort of thing that one can forget to check on a test drive, and live to regret.
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Try parking a V70 before you buy.
Don't forget that SFD had an S60 before, so the two- (or three-) stage reverse park will be familiar to him. I've always thought it was a side-effect of the transverse-five layout: reduces the width available for the wheels to turn into. Enough to put me off the car? Never. Small price to pay for that five-cylinder sound; ask Pat!
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And you get to wear cardigans...
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You seem to know more than me about these 'cardigans', Humph. Is it like a more casual version of the frock coat with one threadbare shoulder I imagine you in? And where can I get one?
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I must say I wouldn't regret buying a car with a big turning circle if I liked it otherwise. The odd 3-pointer is a small price to pay for an agreeable jalopy.
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Well the turning circle of the S60 was supposed to be bad, but I didn't have any issues, and when I took the V70 out it was fine. I always reverse-park and it was a doddle in a crowded dealer forecourt.
There were no rattles and creaks in the car I tested, and I would not expect them to be worse than the BM.
Hopefully the car won't be "crap". and whilst many journos think there are better cars available at the same money (list price), they don't do it for me. I did pretty exhaustive research, and gmacs comments (whilst probably based on experience) don't chime for me at this stage. If proven true, I will happily eat humble pie.
The sound system I have chosen seems to be pretty beefy and with Dolby pro logic II surround sound and Dolby digital 5.0 cinema edition I should be just about OK.
I have also always wanted to smoke a pipe, and like a nice cardie :)
Coming back into fashion I think!
The replacement V70 (to be called the V90 I believe) is too far off for me, and the discounts likely then would be too small to get such a high-spec car into my price range.
I am content.
Only a 4 cylinder though ... Boo-hoo!
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>>Hopefully the car won't be "crap".
I would do more than hope for £30k+
The cars I am comparing are back to back S60 P2 and P3 models. The P2 was 9 years old and had covered 96k miles the P3 is now three years old and has covered 26k miles. The 9 year old car had fewer rattles and creaks than the newer car.
The newer car door cards mark where the old car did not. Poorer quality plastics and rattles in the door/B-pillar which I have not got to the bottom of as yet. A colleague with a similar aged S60 has the same issues. He has asked his dealership to sort these out without success so far.
My newer car has a "Premium" sound system where the bass is in the rear passenger footwell, the older car had speakers on the rear parcel shelf where the bass had definition.
The newer car has a plastic dipstick for use by the workshop only. You, as an owner/driver, are not supposed to use it.
The P3 car you cannot clean the windscreen properly without having to use the service park position for replacement of the wiper blades. What happened to just being able to pull the arms off the screen?
The paint can best be described as a minimalist finish. I know times are tough but my car has chips down to the bare metal on the roof !!! In 28 years of motoring I have never, ever seen that before.
I've had the car for 4 months and I can genuinely say I wish I had gone for the 16k mile P2 '08 car I saw. The newer car may look fresher but it really is a triumph of style over substance.
If you want to use an independent workshop, they have to call a Volvo hotline now for any codes your car needs for new parts. This will cost the Indie and you. I have an email from Volvo confirming this.
Last edited by: gmac on Sun 16 Mar 14 at 17:49
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Missed the edit:
I really like the design of the car but I am hugely disappointed in the execution of the latest model.
I have had FIATs which cost pennies in comparison which have not rattled and creaked in the same way.
Car manufacturers have had over 100 years practice to get it right.
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Hi Gmac,
I appreciate the detail in your comment. After all, I did want feedback! :)
The fit and finish on the V70 I went out in seemed really good, and the plastics a definite step up from those in my E61 BM, but I note your comments.
I guess you have a new shape S60. Does this share much with the V70?
My understanding was that the V70 shared most things with the S80 and of course both of these are cars that in their current form date back to 2007.
The dealer has advised I will be getting a 2015 spec car and the sound system has been uprated to a Harmon Kardon system.
The impression I had is that they probably make the hifi's for Volvo anyway, but they are promoting the name now and it will have different hi-tech stuff within it.
Having been massively disappointed with my BM, at the moment I just can't wait to step into something / anything else.
Also those Volvo seats take some beating....
I will be getting the off-black leather that Will mentioned, but not the TV system which I think was a very expensive option.
To be honest the current brochure for the V70 is shared with the S80 and is only a very few pages, as opposed to the one from 2012 that is nearly 90 pages just for the V70 version.
It used to be the case that you would buy a car and then suddenly see thousands of the same model on the road that you had never taken note of before. I don't think I will have the same experience...,. When driving in the last week I have not seen one modern V70!
Logically if you are going for a company car circa £30k then the 520d Touring / A6 Avant / E-Class will suit most people so well, and the rather out-dated V70 looks less attractive, but when you take into account the other factors that make life in a car the most attractive - to me any way - (tons of kit and enough space), combined with a price after discount well under the £30k level it is a no-brainer.
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>> The fit and finish on the V70 I went out in seemed really good, and
>> the plastics a definite step up from those in my E61 BM, but I note
>> your comments.
>>
I've never been that impressed by the plastics in BMW but then that's maybe just me.
>> I guess you have a new shape S60. Does this share much with the V70?
>>
Platform is the Y20/P3 first used by S80 and V70 and later by the 60 models. Some of the dashboard is the same, the chrono dials which reflect badly in the S60 screen. I don't know about the new screen which is used for the dials.
>> The dealer has advised I will be getting a 2015 spec car and the sound
>> system has been uprated to a Harmon Kardon system.
>>
>> The impression I had is that they probably make the hifi's for Volvo anyway, but
>> they are promoting the name now and it will have different hi-tech stuff within it.
>>
>> Having been massively disappointed with my BM, at the moment I just can't wait to
>> step into something / anything else.
>>
>> Also those Volvo seats take some beating....
>>
Agree with you about the seats. The ones in my R-design are more heavily bolstered than in my previous car while being smaller in overall dimension or the interior of the car is bigger (can't make my mind up and have not got the tape measure out). Still comfortable for many miles/hours at a time though.
Good luck! with your choice, I hope it gives you many years/miles of good service. It may look like I am picking faults (which I am when comparing back to back), you did ask for feedback.
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Thanks gmac. You are right! what you replied is very helpful.
Would have preferred to hear nothing but praise of course! :)
I could pull the BM apart of the litany of issues I have had with it and it sounds like you have had the same pain with your Volvo.
When you get a 'Friday afternoon' car (and I don't believe that exists in the same way as it used to, but you know what I mean), it can drive you demented.
When I was justifying to my boss a change of car for me (we have historically run our cars 'til they are truly uneconomic to repair - his V70 finally went at 185k+ miles and his 850 before that even further) the list of things that were an issue with the BM in the last 6 years went on and on (and on!).
I know all the service team at BMW Tunbridge Wells by 1st name it seems, and even they struggle to understand why mine was so poor....(they were all very nice through!)
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Edinburgh Woollen Mill I believe. They have special reserved spaces for customers with Volvos I gather. Sort of gold card kind of thing. Special deals on travelling rugs etc....
;-)
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No problems here with the turning circle, certainly not after having a Mondeo (give me 40 acres springs to mind).
Reversing into our drive is not easy due to a misplaced telegraph pole but lining up the rear door handle within an inch of the pole means the V70 goes in first time where the Mondeo always needed a shunt.
We both still love the V70, the sound it makes, performance, fuel consumption, seats which move to my position when I unlock it with my key, I could go on and on BUT...
Yesterday Bertha was serviced and has been used for Ian to go to work today and will be until November.
I should now be using the Fiesta until November according to plan. What plan? I never agreed to that? I know I didn't, and no way am I driving that!
I shall spend today hatching a plan and using man maths.
Pat
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Rode in a V70 taxi at a Nordic airport the other day. First time in a while and it struck me how much nicer the leather (black) was than the rhino hide in the LEC. Didn't go far in it but it was a pleasant trip.
Most unusual feature was a dash-fitted (factory, not aftermarket) live TV screen. It shut off pictures (but maintained sound) when the car was moving, but resumed as soon as it came to a halt, even at traffic lights. Nordic morning TV presenters can be quite attention grabbing, do it's easy to see this causing low-speed mishaps in commuting traffic. Clever, but not a feature I'd want in my car.
Elsewhere on the same trip, I saw a motorway police car - a BMW 5. My driver (in a Volkswagen) remarked that it was the first he'd seen that wasn't a Volvo, and wondered how it would fare in the snow (of which there hasn't been much there either). Perhaps it was one of the X-drive AWD 5s, which still seem to be available in the Nordic market.
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>> Most unusual feature was a dash-fitted (factory, not aftermarket) live TV screen. It shut off
>> pictures (but maintained sound) when the car was moving, but resumed as soon as it
>> came to a halt, even at traffic lights. Nordic morning TV presenters can be quite
>> attention grabbing, do it's easy to see this causing low-speed mishaps in commuting traffic. Clever,
>> but not a feature I'd want in my car.
>>
Didn't the V70's you tested when buying your LEC have this? My S60 has this, flippin' useless, I'd rather have the Land Rover setup where the passenger can watch a DVD and you as the driver have access to SatNav and whatever else takes your fancy from the 'driver aids'. Nothing but a glorified radio the setup in the Volvo.
Last edited by: gmac on Sun 16 Mar 14 at 18:07
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Don't think so, but those were 2011 cars and this one seemed brand new - D4 engine and all.
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Volvo V70 - Looking at a V70....Driven a new one recently? - Duncan
