V60 D5

[JohnRS4]

Interested in V60 D5. Personally prefer manual but most seem to be autos so is a manual not a good idea for resale. Anybody any experience of this model? Like the look of the R Design but wondered if this has an impact on the ride quality.

[Burba]

Recently bought a V60 D5 R Design from a dealer - 23k on the clock, 18months old.

Its a little stiff, but I had an E250 on loan for 2 months prior, so that was a little softer in comparison amd a Mas QP before that.

I would say get out and drive one if poss - I bought after driving my first one. Try in eco and then shift auto box to sport - holds turbo longer with larger spool from what I can tell.

I have had it 3 months, done over 3k and it averages 30.9 (computer readout), with 2x daily 15 miles jouneys in stop-start traffic, with average speed of 17mph.

[ianrb]

Bought a V60 R Design about 4 months ago. The ride is a little on the firm side, but it's not uncomfortable, or even irritating. But that's just my opinion. There seems to be plenty of them in dealers at the moment, well there was 4 months ago, so getting a test drive should be easy enough. I didn't see an automatics for sale, but I was looking for a manual anyway, so may have just overlooked them.
If budget allows I would suggest a post 2011 car as they have slightly more power and lower emissions (and so lower RFL costs).

[JohnRS4]

Thanks for feedback. My main issue was the huge difference between the manual and auto on the D5 models. Just don't understand why the auto is so much worse fuel/CO2 wise. All I can assume is that is is an old, inefficient box!!


Fuel Consumption
Manual Urban: 50.4 mpg
Auto Urban: 33.2 mpg

Manual Extra Urban: 70.6 mpg
Auto Extra Urban: 57.6 mpg

Manual Combined: 61.4 mpg
Auto Combined: 45.6 mpg

Manual Emissions CO2: 120 g/km
Auto Emissions CO2: 162 g/km

[Basil Hume]

I took delivery of a manual V60 D5 (215) SE Lux Nav 3 weeks ago. This is my first work lease car and I've previously owned performance-orientated private cars.

In manual form, the D5 is the lowest Co2-emitting lump I could find in terms of power-to-pollution ratio; 120g in the V60 and 119g in the S60. That's seriously low given that it has 215bhp / 310-330lb.ft on tap and results in a low tax bill - I think it's c. £40 BIK tax per month on a £36k list price.

My parents always had high spec Volvos as my brothers and I were growing up and are currently in a 2011 V70, so I've long been familiar with the brand and generally "get" Volvos. That said, I was initially looking for an automatic and the Co2 differential between manual and auto Volvos is massive on the larger diesels (something like 40g and £1,000 p/a BIK tax as a result). It took me some time to find that the manual Volvos are much better on emissions and to talk myself into a manual. Volvo seem to have short lead times and mine was delivered to my doorstep within 7 weeks of ordering it.

I went for the SE Lux Nav spec (the highest possible) in order to keep the number of options low. I'm a bit fed-up of the S-Line / M-Sport / R-Design trims that would just remind me that I used to have *real* performance cars rather than something that just looks like one! I also wanted the desperately cool (to my eyes) Beechwood leather interior option, which you can't get on R-Design specs. Finally, I added Dolby audio and family packs to my choice of Caspian Blue metallic paint.

I ended-up ordering the V60 without even sitting in one, so it was really interesting when it finally arrived. I've only spent 300 miles in it so far, but that's already included the family Christmas trip (2 kids etc). It's a good-looking car from the outside, but considering it's a D5 it's definitely a Q-car in SE Lux trim.

Inside, the Beechwood leather and general ambience makes it absolutely top class and definitely of the same quality (and more distinctive) than the Audi, BMW and Merc alternatives I tried. It really feels a lot more special and relaxing than anything else I've come across in this segment.

I've already noted lots of extra spec and useful things like electric rear headrests, built-in rear cargo safety net (partitions the boot space and passenger compartment), rear armrest with drink holders, multi-layer boot floor etc. You pay loads more for this obscure but useful stuff with ze Germans.

To drive - it's much more comfortable but a little ponderous around roundabouts and slow corners compared to my outgoing Audi S3. High speed stability is good though and its handling is way better than I remember my parents' older Volvos being - but please don't confuse it (or any of the non-S/RS/M/AMG models) for something sporting in its own right... it's just not meant to be like that. It does feel like a really good balance of various priorities, but with comfort at its core.

I instantly noticed the D5 lump's tall gearing, but also the utter charm of its 5-cylinder warble and highly respectable shove. I guess it's not bedded-in yet, but I'd feel comfortable placing the straight-line performance at the level of a Mk5-6 Golf GTi with its trump card being the 30-70 game. You wouldn't buy it to go chasing hot hatches, but a lot would end up with a bloody nose if the conditions suited the Volvo.

Edited by Basil Hume on Sunday 30th December 07:08

[JohnRS4]

Thanks for the great rightup Basil!