S80: General Is the S80 as bad in performance as people say?

[d_aero]

I have a D3 Auto S80. Very nice car, proper big cruiser. Can happily drive all day in it without getting backache. Very reliable, well built and excellent value for money second hand.

Always looked at Audi, BMW and Mercs but usually prefer the interiors of the volvos. S80 interior in my mind is a masterpeice of simple design. The standard sound system is also great.

Economy at high 40 sat at 70 on motoroway is not to be scoffed at. You might find the other prestige cars can be more economical but it will take you years to recoup the extra cost. No guarantee that they will be as reliable from what I have read either.

Handling is ok for a luxury cruiser. The ultimate driving machines might go round corners better but with summer tyres on they don,t go very far in the snow! Have all season Nokian Entyres on mine and they have lasted really well - I mean a lot better than normal summer tyres. Don't know how but they have.

[S40 Squared]

We have a fully loaded 57 reg S80 2.4D SE Lux Geartronic and the MPG is worse than our previous 03 plate S80 D5 SE auto at 38 MPG vs 44MPG. Geartronic is the killer in MPG. Newer versions are more efficient (09 plate on). Ours is used for cruising and A-roads and has done 110k fairly trouble free. We do about 800 miles a week now and in perfect comfort.

Regarding power, you can absolutely whoop others backsides on the motorway (should you wish to), up hills and it surprises a lot of people as they don't expect it to shift. It just keeps on climbing to 70MPH and well beyond that. It is not that much heavier than a BMW 5 /Merc E and a lot more reliable (friends testify that).

The main thing is the 5 cylinder noise - amazing and meaty sound.
Buy a used one, sit back, relax and enjoy the comfort and power of a D4, D5 (163bhp to 215bhp). D3 (2.0) will be okay for every day use and drive model will be slow (it is in the S60).

[Dibble]

Had my 07, 2.4 D5 (185) automatic for just over a month now. It has just broken 50,000 miles and on a run returning just over 40mpg. 520 miles to York and back in one day. Less than my D5 S60 but it is a bigger car. I don't know what engine was in the cars previously mentioned but if I choose then this one can get off its backside.
A very comfortable, well built car and just a delight as far as I am concerned.
I have had the BMW, Audi etc and I will stick to my Volvo.
My first S80 had the 2.9 petrol engine and although heavier on fuel it could still easily break 30mpg and it too was delightful.

[formbysquirrel]

I have had the S80 with a 1.6 drive engine for 3years next month. When driven it is usually driver plus one passenger, so it is rarely driven fully loaded. I find that the car accelerates quickly and the only issue I find is that the gearbox needs more use on hills. The car is a great motorway cruiser and my combined mpg is about 52.
I think if I had another I would go for auto.
Very comfortable and stress free motoring.