Volvo S60 Ride quality.

obi604

Hello All,

Seriously thinking of buying this car.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/S60/OPEN-SUN/36813832343949840/advert?channel=CARS

My question on this car is, is the ride quality very harsh ?

Im coming from a BMW 320 D M Sport and I hate the hard suspension, so just wondering if the suspension is harsh on a 2008 Volvo S60 - especially over ramps etc

In fact, one of the main reasons im sellling the beemer it is because of the hard suspension.

Anyone with any personal experience of this type of car ?

toyotaavensis

doesnt link to a car

obi604

mmmm, dunno why, car is a 2006 Volvo S60 anyways

toyotaavensis

post the name of the dealer and i can add the link.

biko

Link contains dots
carzone.ie/search/Volvo/S...t?channel=CARS try again and make sure you can see whole URL before you save the post.

But anyway, s60 are very comfortable and the suspension is good, not stiff imo.
Go and test drive it and see for yourself.

obi604

here she is :

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Volvo/S60/OPEN-SUN/36813832343949840/advert?channel=CARS

bazz26

It will be like going from sitting on a stool to sitting on a couch. The Volvo would be at the other end of the spectrum compared to a M Sport BMW. The Volvo seats are very comfortable and supportive but ultimately the only way to find out is go test drive one.

obi604

bazz26 wrote: »

It will be like going from sitting on a stool to sitting on a couch. The Volvo would be at the other end of the spectrum compared to a M Sport BMW. The Volvo seats are very comfortable and supportive but ultimately the only way to find out is go test drive one.

Thanks. Good comparison. So the seats on the Volvo are more comfortable. BUT is the suspension tight/hard on these type volvos ?
The one linked is a "sport" so may have tight/hard suspension also

bazz26

Volvos are normally comfortable cruisers, I'd imagine it would still be more comfortable than the BMW. Ultimately no matter what anyone says here you will need to drive one yourself.

thecomedian

The T5 and the R versions had harsh suspensions, I wouldn't say that one has.
Usually the seats are very comfortable especially on long journeys. Suspensions are softer than an Msport. You won't feel the bumps.

obi604

Thanks to everyone so far

coylemj

For a given car model, there can be different wheel sizes which means different profile tyres. For example, if you were looking at a Merc E200, the wheels can be 16, 17 or 18 inches and this dictates how much rubber is between you and the bumps in the road. The smaller the wheel, the higher the profile which means bigger tyre walls and a smoother ride.

That S60 has 17" wheels which would be in the middle for that class of car, don't look at anything with 18" wheels (if they're available on that model) unless you want to go back to the type of hard ride you're getting from the M-Sport. Low profile tyres look great and they're good for tight corners but you feel every bump in the road.

obi604

Anyone else ? ; )

kerten

coylemj wrote: »

For a given car model, there can be different wheel sizes which means different profile tyres. For example, if you were looking at a Merc E200, the wheels can be 16, 17 or 18 inches and this dictates how much rubber is between you and the bumps in the road. The smaller the wheel, the higher the profile which means bigger tyre walls and a smoother ride.

That S60 has 17" wheels which would be in the middle for that class of car, don't look at anything with 18" wheels (if they're available on that model) unless you want to go back to the type of hard ride you're getting from the M-Sport. Low profile tyres look great and they're good for tight corners but you feel every bump in the road.

+1

I think 16" wheels were standard for s60s. So one with 16" wheels with soft sidewall tyres(uniroyal, michelin, etc) and full leather interior would be quite comfortable place to be. Be careful about leg and head room at rear seats though as it was worse than 3 series

R.O.R

Pretty sure Sport was just a trim level. Was the entry level with SE above it.

Have driven one, but it's a few years ago and can't remember what the ride was like. Decent bit of poke, but not exactly frugal. Nice seats (although only half leather), cabin is a bit dated at this stage, but functional.

Not much goes wrong with the S60's, although some do have electrical gremlins, but anything should hopefully be sorted at this stage.

For Forks Sake

obi604 wrote: »

Anyone else ? ; )

My S60 has 16" alloys on it and full leather interior. Compared to a M-Sport it's like driving an armchair. Bit wafty in the corners, but a really nice place to eat up motorway miles.

agfasfos

I'm on my second S60, absolutely love the cars, extremely comfortable & safe, not great room in the back but that's the only thing I can say against them, the most comfortable seats in any car, just sit back & enjoy the ride.

obi604

agfasfos wrote: »

I'm on my second S60, absolutely love the cars, extremely comfortable & safe, not great room in the back but that's the only thing I can say against them, the most comfortable seats in any car, just sit back & enjoy the ride.

Thanks lads. Great replies. Good to know your on your 2nd S60.

Is the back seat really that cramped. It looks a fair aul lump of a car so the back seats couldn't be that small - or are they ?

obi604

R.O.R wrote: »

Pretty sure Sport was just a trim level. Was the entry level with SE above it.

Have driven one, but it's a few years ago and can't remember what the ride was like. Decent bit of poke, but not exactly frugal. Nice seats (although only half leather), cabin is a bit dated at this stage, but functional.

Not much goes wrong with the S60's, although some do have electrical gremlins, but anything should hopefully be sorted at this stage.

Well if the ride wasbone crushingly harsh, I'm sure you would have remembered ; )

For Forks Sake

obi604 wrote: »

Thanks lads. Great replies. Good to know your on your 2nd S60.

Is the back seat really that cramped. It looks a fair aul lump of a car so the back seats couldn't be that small - or are they ?

The roofline coupled with a fairly narrow door opening means they can feel a bit cramped.

obi604

For Forks Sake wrote: »

The roofline coupled with a fairly narrow door opening means they can feel a bit cramped.

Thank
Is the boot a decent size ?

afatbollix

I found the S60 I had a bit too soft. It just felt not up to it on the more twisty and bumpy bit of roads. Was great on the motorways.

For Forks Sake

obi604 wrote: »

Thank
Is the boot a decent size ?

Not too bad, wide opening, fairly decent shape. Around 400l I think. Takes golf clubs or childs buggy no bother.

obi604

For Forks Sake wrote: »

Not too bad, wide opening, fairly decent shape. Around 400l I think. Takes golf clubs or childs buggy no bother.

Sound.
Normally, do the back seats fold down and do they have ISO fix........or are these optional extras ?

For Forks Sake

obi604 wrote: »

Sound.
Normally, do the back seats fold down and do they have ISO fix........or are these optional extras ?

Ones in mine fold down, the release catch is in the boot...stupid Swedes (Saabs are the same). Isofix, I'm not sure.

obi604

R.O.R wrote: »

Pretty sure Sport was just a trim level. Was the entry level with SE above it.

Have driven one, but it's a few years ago and can't remember what the ride was like. Decent bit of poke, but not exactly frugal. Nice seats (although only half leather), cabin is a bit dated at this stage, but functional.

Not much goes wrong with the S60's, although some do have electrical gremlins, but anything should hopefully be sorted at this stage.

Mmm, just checked the trim level a bit more and it says this :

Description 2.0 T SE A/T SPORT


Does this mean that its SE and sport or SE with sport trim or something ?

For Forks Sake

obi604 wrote: »

Mmm, just checked the trim level a bit more and it says this :

Description 2.0 T SE A/T SPORT


Does this mean that its SE and sport or SE with sport trim or something ?

SE with nicer wheels and maybe one or two other bits. See this link for what different trim levels got. http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volvo/s60-2000/?section=data

coylemj

obi604 wrote: »

Thank
Is the boot a decent size ?

It's not as big as it looks. I was told this by someone who owned one though I actually had one (S60 2.0 petrol) myself at the same time. My friend pointed out that although it looked like a big boot, it couldn't take two set of golf clubs. He said you had to put the bag in diagonally which meant only one bag would fit.

kerten

forgot to add large turning radius as a negative for this car if it matters to you.

Have you considered putting smaller wheels into 320d if change is just for comfort. I had a e46 3 series se on 18" wheels and it was torture comfort wise but it was wheels not the suspension.

650Ginge

kerten wrote: »

forgot to add large turning radius as a negative for this car if it matters to you.

Have you considered putting smaller wheels into 320d if change is just for comfort. I had a e46 3 series se on 18" wheels and it was torture comfort wise but it was wheels not the suspension.

I drove one my brother had for sale a while ago a D5. It was on Northern plates and maybe it silly money to VRT.

Anyway it was a really nice car comfy and brisk. But the turning circle was awful I very nearly put it through his garage wall. You would get used to it I guess.

For Forks Sake

650Ginge wrote: »

Anyway it was a really nice car comfy and brisk. But the turning circle was awful I very nearly put it through his garage wall. You would get used to it I guess.

I have. Parking sensors help. Also the other car in the house at the moment in a Citroen C5 which had the turning circle of an articulated lorry so the S60 doesn't seem so bad in comparison.

obi604

kerten wrote: »

forgot to add large turning radius as a negative for this car if it matters to you.

Have you considered putting smaller wheels into 320d if change is just for comfort. I had a e46 3 series se on 18" wheels and it was torture comfort wise but it was wheels not the suspension.

Interesting. Why is the turning circle so big ?

Ah I've enough of the 3 series now.

kerten

obi604 wrote: »

Interesting. Why is the turning circle so big ?

Ah I've enough of the 3 series now.

I think it was related to positioning of 5 cylinder engine and fwd setup causing bad turning radius with size of the car.

obi604

kerten wrote: »

I think it was related to positioning of 5 cylinder engine and fwd setup causing bad turning radius with size of the car.

Thanks again

So bar this, do you think they are a half decent car ?

kerten

obi604 wrote: »

Thanks again

So bar this, do you think they are a half decent car ?

I didn't own one but researched s60s a lot for common issues and driven couple of examples during search for a new car.

I think it is a reliable/comfortable/refined cruiser if this is what you want.

ABS units in them gives hassle affecting pre-2002 models

Facelift(post 2004) models became more ford(cheaper parts etc) than volvo was the criticism in general.

Engine is a solid unit as far as I read and heard.

Only criticisms I have read/experienced were turning radius, lack of room at back and lack of agility at back roads.

I ended up in a lexus is250 at the end which is also a reliable/comfortable/refined cruiser without issues above.

I recommend one if you don't mind tax as they are quite cheap now.

the.red.baron

For Forks Sake wrote: »

Not too bad, wide opening, fairly decent shape. Around 400l I think. Takes golf clubs or childs buggy no bother.

The boot is a bit rubbish to be honest, for the size of the car, it wont' take golf clubs sideways, I have to take out the driver. The curved lip on the entrance cuts down the max size of anything you can put in, compared to a 3 series or a c class anyway or 5 series.

If you want a good boot get the v70.

The seats fold down, not sure on the isofix.

The ride is nowhere near as soft as people are making out, again compared to cars in the same category. It fairly crashes over speed bumps.

The handling is good enough for me anyway, not 100% what kind of driving people are doing that would push the chassis out of it's comfort zone.

The cabin is a nice place to be. The fuel consumptions is max 32mpg.

The gear box isn't the best I've used, could be a wear issue as it's 2002. It's not a major issue though.

But sure why ask this, take it for a test drive.

R.O.R

obi604 wrote: »

Mmm, just checked the trim level a bit more and it says this :

Description 2.0 T SE A/T SPORT


Does this mean that its SE and sport or SE with sport trim or something ?

For Forks Sake wrote: »

SE with nicer wheels and maybe one or two other bits. See this link for what different trim levels got. http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volvo/s60-2000/?section=data

Honestjohn is for UK vehicles, where they have different (and usually inferior, on Volvo's) specifications.

Oldest price list I have for the S60 is from April 2008 (MY09) which has Sport & SE specification on the S60, with Sport being €2,100 less.

Sport got the half leather (full on the SE) and some body trim (spoiler / side skirts I think) and may be missing cruise control and other small bits and pieces.

I don't think they had isofix as standard.

obi604

the.red.baron wrote: »

The boot is a bit rubbish to be honest, for the size of the car, it wont' take golf clubs sideways, I have to take out the driver. The curved lip on the entrance cuts down the max size of anything you can put in, compared to a 3 series or a c class anyway or 5 series.

If you want a good boot get the v70.

The seats fold down, not sure on the isofix.

The ride is nowhere near as soft as people are making out, again compared to cars in the same category. It fairly crashes over speed bumps.

The handling is good enough for me anyway, not 100% what kind of driving people are doing that would push the chassis out of it's comfort zone.

The cabin is a nice place to be. The fuel consumptions is max 32mpg.

The gear box isn't the best I've used, could be a wear issue as it's 2002. It's not a major issue though.

But sure why ask this, take it for a test drive.

Thanks for your input. Sounds like the boot is not great so.

But then other people think the suspension is smooth so some mixed responses : )
My driving will be gentle enough, nothing mad.

A test drive will soon tell me this, but just doing a bit of research before I take the test drive.

unkel

obi604 wrote: »

Interesting. Why is the turning circle so big ?

FWD cars typically have a much bigger turning circle than similar size RWD cars

Moneymaker

My mother has had two S60s, a 2006 and 2011, both 2.5 diesels.

Both were hugely comfortable, lovely places to sit. Great car for motorways, wouldn't handle as sharply as a BMW or Merc or even a Mondeo but that doesn't matter unless you're driving B-roads every day.

Very relaxing car to drive though. About the rear space, while it is smaller then you'd expect, i'm 6'1 and I fit in the back just fine. Boot space is adequate, i'd expect better but there's more then enough room for suitcases/shopping.

If you want a very comfortable, easy to drive, reliable car thats also a nice place to sit(both cars had beautiful interiors) then the S60 is your car. Whether I was a passenger or occasional driver, I really liked it.

The 2006 car had 250kms on it and the 2011 car has 180kms on it and both are pretty much perfect.

obi604

Moneymaker wrote: »

My mother has had two S60s, a 2006 and 2011, both 2.5 diesels.

Both were hugely comfortable, lovely places to sit. Great car for motorways, wouldn't handle as sharply as a BMW or Merc or even a Mondeo but that doesn't matter unless you're driving B-roads every day.

Very relaxing car to drive though. About the rear space, while it is smaller then you'd expect, i'm 6'1 and I fit in the back just fine. Boot space is adequate, i'd expect better but there's more then enough room for suitcases/shopping.

If you want a very comfortable, easy to drive, reliable car thats also a nice place to sit(both cars had beautiful interiors) then the S60 is your car. Whether I was a passenger or occasional driver, I really liked it.

Thanks very much, Your mother must like her bit of power -- both 2.5 Diesels

Some good input there.

Do you know offhand if they had isofix as standard ?

Moneymaker

obi604 wrote: »

Thanks very much, Your mother must like her bit of power -- both 2.5 Diesels

Some good input there.

Do you know offhand if they had isofix as standard ?

Yeah for such a big tank of a car it didn't half shift :pac:

Afaik isofix didn't come on older models but a newer models will come with it as standard. Also a Volvo dealer can retrofit it if you buy an older one.

obi604

Moneymaker wrote: »

Yeah for such a big tank of a car it didn't half shift :pac:

Afaik isofix didn't come on older models but a newer models will come with it as standard. Also a Volvo dealer can retrofit it if you buy an older one.

Thanks, when you say newer models, do you mean the ones from 2010 onwards ?


Christ , am only imagining how much a volvo dealership would charge to retrofit these

Moneymaker

obi604 wrote: »

Thanks, when you say newer models, do you mean the ones from 2010 onwards ?


Christ , am only imagining how much a volvo dealership would charge to retrofit these

2006 I believe.

And according to Volvo owner forums, it only costs about £30-£40 to fit.

obi604

Moneymaker wrote: »

2006 I believe.

And according to Volvo owner forums, it only costs about £30-£40 to fit.

oh right, ok. thanks.

thats not too bad, was thinking 100's