[meinstei]

I am looking for an "AWD" Sedan and have narrowed my choices down to the Volvo S60 AWD vs. the BMW 325xi. We looked at many other cars (including the Audi A4 and the VW Passat 4Motion), but have narrowed our choice down to these two as our overall favorites.

Price-wise, they are nearly neck-and-neck with very similar options. There are a few differences, but I can basically get the car I want for approx. $37K (before tax).

In terms of performance, although the powertrains are a bit different, they both seem to give very good (although not rocket power) acceleration. (A step-up to the significantly more powerful engine of the BMW 330xi would put us out of our price range).

Overall, the BMW seems to ride a bit "sportier" and "firmer" whereas the Volvo is a much "smoother" and "slikier". However, they both seem to handle crisply and should be fun on either back-roads or highways.

Size-wise, the S60 has a bigger trunk and perhaps headroom, but the BMW seems to be roomier for the back-seat passengers. Also, I found the overall "view of the road" to be much better in the BMW then the Volvo (which seemed to have more blind spots due to it's thick pillars - strange for a car that prides itself in "safety" issues).

I would be interested in anyone's opinions (pros and cons) in terms of how these two cars stack-up against eachother.

Feel free to E-mail me with your thoughts.

Thanks.

Michael

[email protected]

 

[GrecianVolvo]

quote:

Originally posted by meinstei:
I am looking for an "AWD" Sedan and have narrowed my choices down to the Volvo S60 AWD vs. the BMW 325xi. We looked at many other cars (including the Audi A4 and the VW Passat 4Motion), but have narrowed our choice down to these two as our overall favorites.

Price-wise, they are nearly neck-and-neck with very similar options. There are a few differences, but I can basically get the car I want for approx. $37K (before tax).

In terms of performance, although the powertrains are a bit different, they both seem to give very good (although not rocket power) acceleration. (A step-up to the significantly more powerful engine of the BMW 330xi would put us out of our price range).

Overall, the BMW seems to ride a bit "sportier" and "firmer" whereas the Volvo is a much "smoother" and "slikier". However, they both seem to handle crisply and should be fun on either back-roads or highways.

Size-wise, the S60 has a bigger trunk and perhaps headroom, but the BMW seems to be roomier for the back-seat passengers. Also, I found the overall "view of the road" to be much better in the BMW then the Volvo (which seemed to have more blind spots due to it's thick pillars - strange for a car that prides itself in "safety" issues).

I would be interested in anyone's opinions (pros and cons) in terms of how these two cars stack-up against eachother.

Feel free to E-mail me with your thoughts.

Thanks.

Michael

[email protected]

That is a tough comparison since both cars have a lot to give. But in defense to the S60, I do believe that the Haldex AWD system is superior (under extreme conditions) to that employed by BMW. Furthermore, you would not have to pay the idiotic charge of almost $500 that BMW would charge you for folded rear seats, the S60 has significantly better head protection system and, safety-wise, has rated higher than the BMW 3-series. Last, but not least, Volvo's maintenance charge is less costly (even parts of the car should you have to replace any)...don't be fooled by the BMW maintenance-free marketing since all they cover is ONE service every 15,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first (that is what the factory recommends). And that is for 3 years. So they will only pay for 3 maintenance services, after that (or in-between) you are on your own.

Both cars drive extremely nice and although under normal circumstances the 3-series is a better handling car, the Xi models lose that edge since they sit higher. I have driven both cars and I do belive that the S60 does accelerate faster than the 325Xi.

Hope you choose the S60; it is more unique and less pretentious.

Yannis

 

[Freeworld]

The Volvo may have thicker pillars, and that does cut down on visibility, but should you find yourself in a rollover accident, the Volvo will hold up far better than the B-mer.

 

[meinstei]

I agree it is a tough decision, but we have decided on the S60 AWD over the
325xi. It is just a nicer package overall and it seems to be a better
"drive". The BMW has nice power, but you have to "work" a bit to get the
performance. Also, the BMW has the constant "growl" sound as you drive.
Maybe some people like it, but it would probably drive me nuts after a
while. My wife (this will be her car) commented immediately about how loud
the BMW was compared the Volvo. The S60, on the other hand, just seems to
have more power available without working so hard to get it. Also, the S60
is a bit bigger and (despite what BMW says) appears to have more safety
features. The BMW didn't have a center shoulder belt for the rear passenger,
which we consider a significant safety oversight.

We are ordering ours in Metallic Black Sapphire with Graphite Leather and a
few other nice options (fog lights, etc.). We want to get the "DSTC" option
as well, but we haven't been told when this would be available for ordering.
We are willing to wait a bit, but not too long.

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for the help.

Michael

 

[GrecianVolvo]

quote:

Originally posted by meinstei:
I agree it is a tough decision, but we have decided on the S60 AWD over the
325xi. It is just a nicer package overall and it seems to be a better
"drive". The BMW has nice power, but you have to "work" a bit to get the
performance. Also, the BMW has the constant "growl" sound as you drive.
Maybe some people like it, but it would probably drive me nuts after a
while. My wife (this will be her car) commented immediately about how loud
the BMW was compared the Volvo. The S60, on the other hand, just seems to
have more power available without working so hard to get it. Also, the S60
is a bit bigger and (despite what BMW says) appears to have more safety
features. The BMW didn't have a center shoulder belt for the rear passenger,
which we consider a significant safety oversight.

We are ordering ours in Metallic Black Sapphire with Graphite Leather and a
few other nice options (fog lights, etc.). We want to get the "DSTC" option
as well, but we haven't been told when this would be available for ordering.
We are willing to wait a bit, but not too long.

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for the help.

Michael

Michael,
good for you!

BTW, DSTC has been available for ordering since almost 3 weeks ago. Which Retailer are you working with?

Yannis

 

[meinstei]

Keystone Motors in Doylestown, PA

 

[GrecianVolvo]

quote:

Originally posted by meinstei:
Keystone Motors in Doylestown, PA

Hmm...well, if you are interested, we can order you the car with DSTC. You are looking ETA at about mid- to end of March. We are in West Chester, e-mail me if you want to.

Yannis

 

[S.R.]

quote:

Originally posted by meinstei:
I agree it is a tough decision, but we have decided on the S60 AWD over the
325xi.

Michael

Michael,

I think that you made the right decision. The only 3-Series models that I really like are the 330i and 330ci. The 325ix, really doesn't live up to the 3-Series good reputation in my opinion. I even like the A4 1.8T Quattro better than the 325ix.

Black looks really great on the S60, with the right wheels. Did you decide on what wheels you are going to get?

-Drew

 

[ernest]

quote:

Originally posted by meinstei:
Keystone Motors in Doylestown, PA

wow, small world; Doylestown, eh? that's the last place i lived in PA before i moved to the Left Edge,...

congrats on the '60AWD; looks like it should be a nice car! i've been lusting after one myself. as impractical as it may seem, i think they look great in white... my old Quattro was white; there's just something about seeing snow-slime all over an AWD car that's doing what it's made to do.

cheers!
e

 

[grumpsy]

I am also looking for an AWD sedan, and I test drove both the 325xi and S60 AWD yesterday. I agree completely with meinstei's assessment of the ride/handling of each car. I listed the pros/cons for myself and both were very close, except for the following:

1) Financing incentives on S60
2) More S60s in-stock (can look at all options, colors, etc.)
3) S60 8-12 weeks to order vs. 4-6 months for BMW
4) BMW has a more pretentious reputation
5) My insurance will be $25/month less for the Volvo
6) The S60 hold 5 gallons more gas!!

Needless to say, I am going with the S60...if I can just decide on a color...

 

[S.R.]

Don't forget the considertion about the dealers you have to work with as well (Volvo vs BMW). Some dealers are much better than others, friendlier, nicer, good service, good reputation, good environment, etc.

For instance in my city, Volvo and BMW are at the same dealer (4-miles from my house) and have pretty much the same excellent service all-round. So I guess I really don't have a choice like others may have. Something to think about.

How about Platinum Green Metallic? Something I don't see too often, but I think it looks nice.

-Drew