S60R or V70R - advice, recommendations etc
Discussion
A quiet little post down in this section, away from the prying eyes of my RWD brethren! 
Anyway, my time with Alpina is at an end, and my love of Q-Cars (and ever-growing brood) is drawing me towards a V70R or S60R. Although the two are fundamentally different in what they offer space-wise, I'm a sales rep and 95% of the time it's just me in the car, so the bigger V70 and it's 7 seat potential, whilst useful, wouldn't be utilised too often.
I'll only be buying approved used as I've read some horror stories and want the warranty.
Advice and recommendations please - especially with regards to 'must-have' options such as Sat-Nav, family pack etc..
Anyway, my time with Alpina is at an end, and my love of Q-Cars (and ever-growing brood) is drawing me towards a V70R or S60R. Although the two are fundamentally different in what they offer space-wise, I'm a sales rep and 95% of the time it's just me in the car, so the bigger V70 and it's 7 seat potential, whilst useful, wouldn't be utilised too often.
I'll only be buying approved used as I've read some horror stories and want the warranty.
Advice and recommendations please - especially with regards to 'must-have' options such as Sat-Nav, family pack etc..
Make sure the car is a 2005 model year ("54" plate or later) or later, with 18" wheels, as they made some cosmetic revisions then. You should be able to get a car with Sat Nav and Volvo On-Call as most will have them fitted. The 13 speaker "Audio Max" high performance Audio upgrade (factory fitted option) is also worthwhile and if you get a V70R, ask the dealer to fit the trunk mounted subwoofer if it hasn't already got one (its mind blowing!). You're also more likely to get a V70R fitted with the Family Pack, as opposed to an S60R. Between the two cars, the V70R has a slightly better balance, but the S60R is lighter, so tends to make slightly better progress.
I was offered an S60R at a price I couldn't not refuse and have been very impressed with its performance. I regularly take the car on track days and at Silverstone last week, we were constantly being held up other more track oriented cars who presumably could not bear being overtaken by a Volvo saloon!
Pictures of several of our track outings can be viewed at http://www.fresh-orange.co.uk (Click on "Gold Track - Silverstone - 28 October 2008" for our latest outing). My car has a full exhaust upgrade and ECU remap from Kalmar Union (www.kalmar-union.com).
Seeing as you're based in Hove, Caffyns will be your local dealer. I've dealt with them before when I was looking for an R car but found them to be grossly overpriced. I got mine from MRG Volvo in Chippenham (01249 443300) and would recommend that you speak to Daniel Phillips, their sales manager if you're keen on one. You'll certainly be given the very best service and am confident that the distance between them and you will not be a problem. As an aside, do take note that there is a very capable Volvo Independent Specialist in Hove, R.J. Engineering (in a mews just off Second Avenue), and Robin who runs the place is also one of the most trusted mechanics I've known (01273 726529).
Feel free to venture on to and post questions on www.t5d5.org too, as there are some R owners who are members there and I do believe one of the forum members lives in Hove as well!
I was offered an S60R at a price I couldn't not refuse and have been very impressed with its performance. I regularly take the car on track days and at Silverstone last week, we were constantly being held up other more track oriented cars who presumably could not bear being overtaken by a Volvo saloon!
Pictures of several of our track outings can be viewed at http://www.fresh-orange.co.uk (Click on "Gold Track - Silverstone - 28 October 2008" for our latest outing). My car has a full exhaust upgrade and ECU remap from Kalmar Union (www.kalmar-union.com).
Seeing as you're based in Hove, Caffyns will be your local dealer. I've dealt with them before when I was looking for an R car but found them to be grossly overpriced. I got mine from MRG Volvo in Chippenham (01249 443300) and would recommend that you speak to Daniel Phillips, their sales manager if you're keen on one. You'll certainly be given the very best service and am confident that the distance between them and you will not be a problem. As an aside, do take note that there is a very capable Volvo Independent Specialist in Hove, R.J. Engineering (in a mews just off Second Avenue), and Robin who runs the place is also one of the most trusted mechanics I've known (01273 726529).
Feel free to venture on to and post questions on www.t5d5.org too, as there are some R owners who are members there and I do believe one of the forum members lives in Hove as well!
Top Stuff that man!
The mechanic thing is helpful, but my next door neighbour is a former Volvo master/head Tech, which is a real help.
I take it you're local to me then?
Caffyns Eastbourne have a nicely specced V70R Geartronic, but it is expensive compared with the other approved used ones - the one in Slough looks nice.
The only S60R currently available are some distance away, which is a pain.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Volvo-V70-Estate-300bhp-R-AW...
Is nice, but over the money given what's in the approved space?
The mechanic thing is helpful, but my next door neighbour is a former Volvo master/head Tech, which is a real help.
I take it you're local to me then?
Caffyns Eastbourne have a nicely specced V70R Geartronic, but it is expensive compared with the other approved used ones - the one in Slough looks nice.
The only S60R currently available are some distance away, which is a pain.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Volvo-V70-Estate-300bhp-R-AW...
Is nice, but over the money given what's in the approved space?
Edited by Dunk76 on Sunday 2nd November 16:21
Edited by Dunk76 on Sunday 2nd November 16:28
Edited by Dunk76 on Sunday 2nd November 19:54
Dunk76 said:
Top Stuff that man!
The mechanic thing is helpful, but my next door neighbour is a former Volvo master/head Tech, which is a real help.
I take it you're local to me then?
Caffyns Eastbourne have a nicely specced V70R Geartronic, but it is expensive compared with the other approved used ones - the one in Slough looks nice.
The only S60R currently available are some distance away, which is a pain.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Volvo-V70-Estate-300bhp-R-AWD-XENONS-SPOILER-LG05_W0QQitemZ200267776769QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item200267776769&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2
Is nice, but over the money given what's in the approved space?
Nope, am not local to you but I did live in Hove (just off Cromwell Road) for 2 years back in the mid-90s when I was at College; it is during my stay there that I met Robin and he's so good, I even used to drive all the way down to him, when I was at Uni in Leeds!!The mechanic thing is helpful, but my next door neighbour is a former Volvo master/head Tech, which is a real help.
I take it you're local to me then?
Caffyns Eastbourne have a nicely specced V70R Geartronic, but it is expensive compared with the other approved used ones - the one in Slough looks nice.
The only S60R currently available are some distance away, which is a pain.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Volvo-V70-Estate-300bhp-R-AWD-XENONS-SPOILER-LG05_W0QQitemZ200267776769QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item200267776769&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2
Is nice, but over the money given what's in the approved space?
If you don't need a geartronic car, I would personally stay away from one. A manual R really is leaps and bounds ahead in terms of driveability, not that the geartronic is rubbish, its just less of a "sporty" drive. If you are going down the used car route, please take my advice and speak to Daniel at MRG (just tell him you've been referred on by the mad doctor on the forums and he'll know exactly who you're referring to!
). There are some mind-boggling price reductions at the moment, which I can't post publicly about, so although it may take a short while to find the ideal R car for you, I really cannot state just how good MRG are in terms of the service they provide; as previously mentioned, just have a look on the Volvo Owners Club and T5D5 forums for feedback on the superb service they provide. They're not only a dealer with exceptional aftersales service but also have technicians who have had the expertise in building a Volvo engine which has produced 420bhp (not many dealers can claim that!), so you really can't go wrong. The other thing you will find is most V70R cars are geartronic, whilst most S60R cars are manual. I think you ideally need to decide what the main use is for the car and then take if from there. If you're ever hovering around the Bath / Bristol area and would like to get a feel of what an R car is like, you're very welcome to contact me and we can go for a spin in mine!
ps. Have just had a look at the V70R you posted the link to and its way too much money in the current climate, and does not even have the communications pack, which is essential in these cars from a resale point of view - you really need to speak to MRG!
Edited by T4RRR on Sunday 2nd November 16:55
Dunk76 said:
To coin a phrase; nice one son.
Geartronic is preferred - I'm coming out of Switchtronic don't forget, and I really can't be bothered with all this clutch pressing business.
Am I correct in my assumption that Factory Warranty is essential?
OK, fair enough but it only reinforces the point that you need a post 05 car - the geartronic switched from a 5 speed torque limited box, to a 6-speed one which produces the same torque as the manual - essential for overall driveability.Geartronic is preferred - I'm coming out of Switchtronic don't forget, and I really can't be bothered with all this clutch pressing business.
Am I correct in my assumption that Factory Warranty is essential?
A manufacturer warranty will definitely help (Volvo warranties are unsurpassed), but again it depends on the initial outlay on the car; I got mine for a steal and the common failing components have been replaced, and its still cost me a fraction of what some are currently advertised for!
Hey Duncan get back to the alpina section where you belong!!!(ive got a different monicker on there so you cant catch me.)ill give you a clue, i guessed you were a sales rep (before i spotted this) and i use my real name.
Funny your post on alpina gave me an idea.ive got a bmw i drive a lot of miles also ,had enough of the ride on run flats.
Mercedes reviews seem to state harsh ride over backroads.I want a REAL comfy ride and your post made me think is volvo the way forward ,ill find out over the following weeks.good luck
Funny your post on alpina gave me an idea.ive got a bmw i drive a lot of miles also ,had enough of the ride on run flats.
Mercedes reviews seem to state harsh ride over backroads.I want a REAL comfy ride and your post made me think is volvo the way forward ,ill find out over the following weeks.good luck
Edited by carlovers on Wednesday 5th November 23:25
Enjoy it!
The 5 speed geartronic isn't as bad as some people make out, especially once the car has done a few thousand mile and loosened up.
Volvo were one of the few manufacturers to understand from the outset that if you are in manual mode you do not want the gearbox to make decisions for you, such as changing down on a whim or changing up at the red line.
Make sure that you have some space if you fully deactivate the dstc though - It's possible to get some fairly dramatic lift off oversteer (if you're a bit agressive) and the V70 is a big car.
I don't think that there is a more comfortable seat on the market than an 'R' seat.
The 5 speed geartronic isn't as bad as some people make out, especially once the car has done a few thousand mile and loosened up.
Volvo were one of the few manufacturers to understand from the outset that if you are in manual mode you do not want the gearbox to make decisions for you, such as changing down on a whim or changing up at the red line.
Make sure that you have some space if you fully deactivate the dstc though - It's possible to get some fairly dramatic lift off oversteer (if you're a bit agressive) and the V70 is a big car.
I don't think that there is a more comfortable seat on the market than an 'R' seat.
Dunk76 said:
Well, I've ignored everyone's advice, as usual, and got myself an unwarrantied 2003 V70R Geartronic.
46K miles, FFSH, RTI/Nav/Phone, Xenons, Sunroof, Family Pack, 18" Alloys,
In the words of the late great Leslie Crowther.
The price is (was) right!
Lucky B 46K miles, FFSH, RTI/Nav/Phone, Xenons, Sunroof, Family Pack, 18" Alloys,
In the words of the late great Leslie Crowther.
The price is (was) right!
Have fun, get pictures up!
Dunk76 said:
Well, I've ignored everyone's advice, as usual, and got myself an unwarrantied 2003 V70R Geartronic.
46K miles, FFSH, RTI/Nav/Phone, Xenons, Sunroof, Family Pack, 18" Alloys,
In the words of the late great Leslie Crowther.
The price is (was) right!
Congrats on your purchase! As already mentioned, get some pics up for us to see! 46K miles, FFSH, RTI/Nav/Phone, Xenons, Sunroof, Family Pack, 18" Alloys,
In the words of the late great Leslie Crowther.
The price is (was) right!
JimexPL said:
Enjoy it!
The 5 speed geartronic isn't as bad as some people make out, especially once the car has done a few thousand mile and loosened up.
Volvo were one of the few manufacturers to understand from the outset that if you are in manual mode you do not want the gearbox to make decisions for you, such as changing down on a whim or changing up at the red line.
Make sure that you have some space if you fully deactivate the dstc though - It's possible to get some fairly dramatic lift off oversteer (if you're a bit agressive) and the V70 is a big car.
I don't think that there is a more comfortable seat on the market than an 'R' seat.
I only found out about the lack of an overiding change up the other week. There is something a little unerving and funny about bouncing your car off the rev limiter...especially in a diesel!The 5 speed geartronic isn't as bad as some people make out, especially once the car has done a few thousand mile and loosened up.
Volvo were one of the few manufacturers to understand from the outset that if you are in manual mode you do not want the gearbox to make decisions for you, such as changing down on a whim or changing up at the red line.
Make sure that you have some space if you fully deactivate the dstc though - It's possible to get some fairly dramatic lift off oversteer (if you're a bit agressive) and the V70 is a big car.
I don't think that there is a more comfortable seat on the market than an 'R' seat.
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