S80 2.5tdi owner thinking about s60/v70 d5

[skattrd]

Hi all,
I've had my s80 2.5 tdi SE auto, now for a couple of months and done nearly 12k miles in it. No complaints from me, and I am surprised how much I enjoy driving the big old thing. The main thing is that it rides very nicely, handles well for a bit of a barge and has adequate power .... mpg, of course I would like more, but I can live with mid 40's.
The thing is I don't really need a car this big although occasionally I could do with an estate, so I'm considering changing it for either a slightly smaller s60 or a more practical v70.

With this in mind I have some questions for you good people:
Do the s60 & v70 ride and handle similarly to the s80? s60 is smaller, so tauter handling? whats the ride like? I assume the v70 is quite similar to s80?
D5 vs (Audi) 2.5tdi - d5 more power, but mpg similar? I don't mind the older style engines as they're simpler to work on parts often cheaper.
Auto vs geartronic - I'm lazy and I like my auto's, but have never tried a tip type box, would it be worth going for one or is it just a gimic?

Cheers
Chris

[The Edge]

I had a 60 D5 - it was great, unfortunately I crashed it. Economy was incredible for a big car, top 40s easily.

My replacement is a V70 2.5 D with the audi engine. It's nowhere near as fast, but now that the turbo is working it's adequate. I get low to mid 40s mpg

It boils down to whether you need an estate or not. If not the 60 is a great car, though the rear legroom isn't great if you're a tall driver. The 60 is quite expensive to insure. Go D5 if possible, though on the V70 they are significantly more expensive to buy hence why i went for the older engine.

[itguy]

On the geartronic vs auto question, they're both the same auto box under the hood, difference being that the geartronic box has a different gear stick which allows you to put it any any gear of your choosing sequentially yourself, rather than having to use gear holds.

I've had both and never really used the geartronic function, I'm a lazy auto man like you, just stick it in D and off you go

[skattrd]

Cheers for the input guys, I'm all ready leaning towards the S60 as it should be slightly better on fuel than a v70 and I rarely need an estate. Plus I may even be able to justify getting an Amazon wagon for occasional estate duties

I get your point about the gertronic thing itguy - would I actually use it? I have other cars with manual boxes if I want to drive a manual.

Does anyone know if the ride/comfort of the S60 comparable to the S80? I understand its a bit smaller and will compromise legroom in the back, but do they ride/handle well?

I think it might be worth looking for a local dealer with an s60 d5 in stock to take for a test drive

[d2k]

Originally Posted by skattrd

Cheers for the input guys, I'm all ready leaning towards the S60 as it should be slightly better on fuel than a v70 and I rarely need an estate. Plus I may even be able to justify getting an Amazon wagon for occasional estate duties

I get your point about the gertronic thing itguy - would I actually use it? I have other cars with manual boxes if I want to drive a manual.

Does anyone know if the ride/comfort of the S60 comparable to the S80? I understand its a bit smaller and will compromise legroom in the back, but do they ride/handle well?

I think it might be worth looking for a local dealer with an s60 d5 in stock to take for a test drive

mate....... the S60s comfort is unparalleled to anything else ive driven, super refined engine, bucket seats to die for.... the amount of ppl ive had comment on my seats is unreal.

& my T5 handles & feels like a MUCH smaller car, its great engineering.

non volvo drivers get in & dont wanna leave!!

hardly any road noise & a cockpit which gives me a smile everytime i jump in it!!

[p.swan]

Bought a mint S80 D5 three weeks ago, 53 reg, 42k miles from new. Goes like a dream, rides like a Roller and 39 mpg on a stop start morning work run. Showing 50 mpg on a motorway run. Obscene economy for such a comfy car with tons of room for all the family and luggage. Had a V70 (2.4 petrol) a few years back, can't remember it being quite as pillowy ride as the 80, but its still miles away from the rock hard german stuff.

[p.swan]

Forgot to say, only group 13 insurance too, where as the 60 will be more like 14 or 15 as it's viewed as a sports saloon rather than an old farts Volvo like the 80. As the wife has had two cars written off this year this was a serious consideration!!!

[skattrd]

Originally Posted by p.swan

Bought a mint S80 D5 three weeks ago, 53 reg, 42k miles from new. Goes like a dream, rides like a Roller and 39 mpg on a stop start morning work run. Showing 50 mpg on a motorway run. Obscene economy for such a comfy car with tons of room for all the family and luggage. Had a V70 (2.4 petrol) a few years back, can't remember it being quite as pillowy ride as the 80, but its still miles away from the rock hard german stuff.

Thats the thing I find with the S80, it is such a lovely, relaxing, wafty car to drive. I think I need to test drive an s60 to compare the two.

Insurance, I have a somewhat non-standard policy, not a traders one, but a classic/modern multi-car policy, currently with 10 cars on it. My premium would probably go up a little with an s60, but I'll need to check