[row]

I am upgrading from my S80 T6 to the V70 R. Couple of questions:

i would like to have the dealer put the 18 inch rims on rather than the 17's. any issues with that, ie braking, does the larger size put more stress on the brake system.

how have you found the car to be in the relaibility dept. any major issues to be concerned with?

I do a lot of highway driving, fairly long trips, how is the comfort. the T6 seats are superb, R seats seem a little soft.

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[jdog]

Re: V70 R owners need your advice (row)

Are you getting a new V70R? If so, the upgrade comes at the low price of $995. As for the seats, many people here claim them to be the most comfortable seats they've ever sat in, and I must agree. http://********************/smile/emthup.gif

 

[R Salesman]

Re: V70 R owners need your advice (row)

Congrats!

The explanation I received re: 18" wheels is that the tires that come on the 18's don't support the load rating required for the V70 when it's at full load capacity. So . . . if you're going to load it down, be careful. If you're not, don't worry about it. Otherwise, fitment and performance is no different than on the S60 R.

Reliability seems to be pretty good. Some people experience more problems than others (but so do Toyota owners).

I haven't found a better seat, in any car, period. http://********************/smile/emthup.gif

 

[Needsdecaf]

Re: V70 R owners need your advice (jdog)

Quote, originally posted by jdog »

Are you getting a new V70R? If so, the upgrade comes at the low price of $995. As for the seats, many people here claim them to be the most comfortable seats they've ever sat in, and I must agree. http://********************/smile/emthup.gif

This is only an option on S60's, not V70's.

Do a search, there seems to be an issue with the 18's equipped with the PZero Rossos. Lots of pinching and resulting sidewall bubbles. Also bent rims on potholes.

If you do want the 18's, I would get the standard 17's and have the dealer swap out for some all season tires right from the showroom. Then buy 18's (Peg's are nice, but now you have options) and mount summer tires on 'em.

 

[row]

Re: V70 R owners need your advice (jdog)

thanks, looking at the 06. I also heard 06 may be the last year of the V70 R, true?

 

[Wayne T5]

Re: V70 R owners need your advice (row)

We have read that the R will be back for a final curtain call in '07- I would imagine both sedans and wagons will be offered.

 

[R_Rated]

the 18's are a 995 option abut you can get the 17's and buy a set of 18's for 230/ea!

 

[R Salesman]

Re: (R_Rated)

Quote, originally posted by R_Rated »

the 18's are a 995 option abut you can get the 17's and buy a set of 18's for 230/ea!

18's aren't a factory option on the V70 R. Only on the S60 R.

 

[awdnut]

Re: V70 R owners need your advice (row)

I have 05V70R with 18" Pegs with Michelin PS2

My three main gripes with my car are:

1. Unsettled rear suspension (rear wiggles) when hitting bumps (mostly because of the 4C suspension). The whole 4C suspension is just not confidence inspiring. Too much unnecessary movements. Although you get used to this unsettled feeling after driving the car fo rawhile. I always preferred the more controlled feel of my other German cars.

2. Car is a dog (loss of power) in summer warmer temperatures, especially when you turn on the AC.

3. Awful turning radius. In some tighter parking spot, can't go into parking spot in one move. Do not try to attempt U-turn in tighter intersection. Rubbing of front tires on inner wheel well (when turning) that can be reduced by changing the steering stops but will also increase turning radius. I also have tire rubbing marks on the inner rearwheel well (both sides).

The car has character though, it is my day to day car

 

[R_Rated]

FMIC does wanders for loss of power. It's always made a difference but especially right now when it is >80 degrees out!

 

[TexasV60P]

Re: V70 R owners need your advice (row)

Subwoofer for stereo performance. It makes a huge difference.

 

[kenschel]

Re: V70 R owners need your advice (R Salesman)

Quote, originally posted by R Salesman »

Reliability seems to be pretty good. Some people experience more problems than others (but so do Toyota owners).

Not being a Volvo salesman, I have a different view...

my car has been undriveable "only" once, so maybe I'm one the ones that has had fewer problems, but let's not get carried away and in the same breath compare the R to Toyotas. These cars are fussy, lots of little annoying (but usually functionally unimportant) things that the dealer has to address on service appointments.

Dont' get me wrong , I don't think the car is a POS either, but certainly don't buy this thing because you think it will be as hassle free as an average Toyota. Presumably already owning a Volvo, row (original poster) understand this. Besides, there many other reasons to buy the R!

 

[rogersampson]

Re: V70 R owners need your advice (row)

Quote, originally posted by row »

I am upgrading from my S80 T6 to the V70 R. Couple of questions: i would like to have the dealer put the 18 inch rims on rather than the 17's. any issues with that, ie braking, does the larger size put more stress on the brake system. how have you found the car to be in the relaibility dept. any major issues to be concerned with? I do a lot of highway driving, fairly long trips, how is the comfort. the T6 seats are superb, R seats seem a little soft. Thanks in advance for the help!

I do a good deal of touring 3K to 4K road trips in my 2005 V70 R and would strongly recommend against getting 18s. First they are not an option on a V70R, in the US, and the dealer will consider this a mod. So when something remotely related that has a known failure, such as wheel bearings, it will suddenly be your fault because you have non-stock wheels. Secondly, as mentioned, it is difficult to find proper LOAD RATED and SPEED RATED tires for the 17s, and near impossilbe for the 18s. The 18s are more prone to road damage and you will have issues with pot holes with either tire but the 18s are worse. Also since you are using the car for touring, I assume you will have luggage and or cargo. The load rating is important here, and also the tires will be more comfortable.

My 2005 V70R has left me on the side of the road waiting for a flat bed twice. A third time I was so annoyed I just drove the car in spite of a screaming driveshaft hitting the exhaust system, otherwise there would have been a third. The first two were fuel pump failures. There are not too many stranded failure reports, other than other fuel pumps, however there are other items such as fuel sensors that have left people in a limp mode. There are several other failure points on the car, however they will just involve a trip to the dealer as opposed to a tow truck experience. Most of them are low tech failures.

In no way can you even mention Toyota or Honda reliability in the same breath with Volvo, especially in regard to drivability failures. That does not make it bad, but you will get to know your service department, so try to find a good one. Also if you are looking for a six speed manual, station wagon, there are very few manufacturers to choose from.

The seats are the best in the industry, hands down. It has been that way with Volvo for as long as I can remember. They are heated (an option) but you can not get ventilated seats.

I should say that on long highway trips I can get 23 to 24 MPG consistently, even with some short bursts of spirited driving. Living in Texas it normally has 93 octane in it, however that is not always available along the road.

In regard to rims stressing braking, there is no issue there. The Brembo brakes are excellent, some have had squeal problems however.

 

[JRL]

Re: V70 R owners need your advice (rogersampson)

I have 18's on my V70R for 2 years now with Michelin PS ALL Seasons.
Never bent a rim yet and the only bubble I had was my fault when I decided to take a short cut in an unlit parking lot in the middle of a dark winter night and clobbered a planter curb big time.
I do not load it up with people but if you do all the time, stick with 17s, but if it's only occasionally you can make do with 18s. With the right tire (the right load and always keep your pressures up) it's just fine.
Properly set up with the right tune up (mods

) and the right suspension (again, modded)

these wagons can be a LOT OF FUN and very satisfying to drive every day http://********************/smile/emthup.gif http://********************/smile/emthup.gif

 

[MAC1LSR]

Re: V70 R owners need your advice (row)

Quote, originally posted by row »

I am upgrading from my S80 T6 to the V70 R. Couple of questions: i would like to have the dealer put the 18 inch rims on rather than the 17's. any issues with that, ie braking, does the larger size put more stress on the brake system. how have you found the car to be in the relaibility dept. any major issues to be concerned with? I do a lot of highway driving, fairly long trips, how is the comfort. the T6 seats are superb, R seats seem a little soft. Thanks in advance for the help!

I would advise against the 18 inch wheels. As others have said, you will be more likely to have bent rims and cut sidewalls with the 18s rather than the stock 17s. And the 17s already wear a 45 series tire. You really want to go to a lower profile than that? You can, but your car will be less enjoyable as a daily driver if you have to dodge potholes and sharp-edged bumps in the road all the time.

For lots of highway use, I find the seats comfortable, with a long bottom cushion. If you are long-legged, you will appreciate that. If you have short stumpy legs like me, the bottom cushion may press into the back of your calves a little. When I bought the car, I got a backache during the 15 minute drive home from the dealer. Experimenting with the lumbar knob over the next few weeks solved that problem.

Straightline stability on the highway is pretty good, and is not affected by crosswinds too much, but bumps in the road can upset stability, especially bumps in long sweeping curves. My V70R doesn't like any bumps in corners. I think some pickup trucks might handle bumps better.

My leaking angle gear was replaced at ~4,500 miles. No Charge. No more leaks.

 

[msawyer]

Re: V70 R owners need your advice (row)

I have had both an S80 T6 and a V70R. Both are good cars, but I prefer the V70R. My wife and I both prefer the seats in the R and it is much more fun to drive and ride in than even our modded S80. The R has spent considerable time in the shop, but has never left us stranded. Good luck, and go for the R.

 

[TexasV60P]

Re: V70 R owners need your advice (msawyer)

If possible, substitute or upgrade from the Rossos to something else. My V70R is a totally different car since I went with Goodyear F1s.

 

[r_driver04]

Re: V70 R owners need your advice (row)

No major issues with mine @ 37K. My HVAC system can a little noisy at times. Serv. dept. said it was normal when the system was switching the vent levels and what not. We'll see. So far it's been a very reliable car.

 

[stevectsai]

Re: V70 R owners need your advice (R Salesman)

Quote, originally posted by R Salesman »

Congrats! Reliability seems to be pretty good. Some people experience more problems than others (but so do Toyota owners). I haven't found a better seat, in any car, period. http://********************/smile/emthup.gif

I'm sorry but I have to disagree. Toyota is one of the most reliable cars out there, granted all cars have problems, but Volvo has more problems, and R has more than 2.4t and T5 models.

My car has been in the shop 3 times in less than 1 year of ownership.
axle ping and angel gear issues are big problems, small problems such as check engine light, hard to shift, and buggy electronics at times. compounding the fact that you can not live without an extended warranty.

I don't hate my car, but it would take some time to get used to and you better be damn well informed of all problems or else you will freak out.

 

[StaggRLee]

Re: (R_Rated)

Quote, originally posted by R_Rated »

the 18's are a 995 option abut you can get the 17's and buy a set of 18's for 230/ea!

When you choose the S60R 18" rim option for $995 you get tires too!

At $230/rim you still have to buy tires. Show me a good 18" tire in our size for $100!

The bonus upside is that for the same price of the 17" trade-in/upgrade on delivery, you end up with an extra set of rims - but you still have to buy tires for them..

But for the extra ~$600-800 for tires and $920 for rims, you get two sets. The 17"s are a much better choice for snows and you can run with a better sized spare year round. It is the better option.