[Furb]

Hey Guys. I’m new to the thread. I recently purchased a 2013 XC90 3.2 base model and would like to convert as much as possible to the R Design appearance.

correct me if I’m wrong but the only difference in the base and R design are appearance, no ??

My planned changes are…….

1. R Design badge on grill
2. R design bumber face bar grill (black)
3. Quad Exhaust Kit (From Volvo)
4. Blue Gauge Face
5. Cratus 20inch Rims (if I can find them)
6. R Design Steering Wheel
7. Legend Aftermarket radio


That’s all I can think of right now. Is there any other changes that I’m missing ? Please let me know.

 

[DavidV]

I did the same. You'll also want the R Design seats, floor mats, and interior trim.

-- DavidV

 

[John C]

(As I understand it) the thing that makes the R-design special is the suspension. The rest is superficial...

 

[ggleavitt]

Suspension (spring, strut/shock, sway) and the speed sensitive steering module are "Sport" tuned, the rest is mostly cosmetic. Front seats have higher bolsters bottom and back, super comfortable once you settle in.

Aluminum rocker panels are the easiest visual indicator of Sport/RD when you're out on the road, make sure you grab those as well (they retail for ~ $1000 each side).

 

[Furb]

This sounds expensive lmfao…. I think I might just update my rims and dual exhaust. That’s about it. I tried to find a R design but either I can’t find one or they have to many miles. I grabbed a 2013 Ice white with 55k miles.

this is my first Volvo so maybe I won’t go to crazy. I’m definitely going to get another in the future. Maybe I’ll shoot for the r design then. I didn’t know there was a difference orlet alone what a r design was until after I purchased the vehicle.

 

[NorthwestDriver]

The “Official Part Number and How-To” thread pinned to the top of the forum has information about most of these cosmetic upgrades.

Unless you find a parts car, cosmetic upgrades on an older car are just as expensive (or more) as they would have been when new because fewer suppliers have those parts.

 

[ggleavitt]

Here's a link with some XC90 brochures, will give you an idea of the variations- https://personalizeyourvolvo.com/pdf_brochures/xc90/

 

[Manntis]

$1,000 per side? I'm glad I'm swapping them from one of my other cars per the .pdf you posted in another thread, @ggleavitt

 

[Furb]

$1,000 per side? I'm glad I'm swapping them from one of my other cars per the .pdf you posted in another thread, @ggleavitt

Yea they are pretty expensive. I see some for $777 as a pair. That’s the cheapest is see.

 

[Furb]

I did the same. You'll also want the R Design seats, floor mats, and interior trim.

-- DavidV

How am I going to find the R Design seat ?? I literally can’t find any for sale.

 

[Furb]

Suspension (spring, strut/shock, sway) and the speed sensitive steering module are "Sport" tuned, the rest is mostly cosmetic. Front seats have higher bolsters bottom and back, super comfortable once you settle in.

Aluminum rocker panels are the easiest visual indicator of Sport/RD when you're out on the road, make sure you grab those as well (they retail for ~ $1000 each side).

Is the r design suspension able to replace the non r design suspension without issue ?

 

[ggleavitt]

Suspension will swap over fine. Speed sensitive module needs to move over as well, think it lives under the driver side dash somewhere above the brake pedal. Might look something like this-

 

[Furb]

Ok good to know. I appreciate it. One last question if you don’t mind. Is there a way to know how the suspension parts I buy will be r design specific ?

 

[ggleavitt]

Retrofit "sport" trim XC90 suspension parts | SwedeSpeed - Volvo Performance Forum , can probably find something in here.

 

[Furb]

Thank you!

 

[DavidV]

How am I going to find the R Design seat ?? I literally can’t find any for sale.

I found them out of a Volvo wrecking yard in Sacramento, CA.

-- DavidV

 

[HenriXCupholder]

Hey Guys. I’m new to the thread. I recently purchased a 2013 XC90 3.2 base model and would like to convert as much as possible to the R Design appearance.

correct me if I’m wrong but the only difference in the base and R design are appearance, no ??

uh, no.
Please add V8 engine to list. IMHO, this is a true R.
I agree with your post-purchase lesson: Sell the 3.2 and just buy the real R.
In the aftermarket, Cratus is the easiest to find....and it is not that easy.
A+ Project effort

 

[ChitownV]

Ok good to know. I appreciate it. One last question if you don’t mind. Is there a way to know how the suspension parts I buy will be r design specific ?

Here are the suspension codes for the 3.2 Sport suspension I have on mine if you are looking to accompany the RD/Sport look with the sporty suspension. I would suggest trying Bilstein B4 Touring front struts first as they improve the handling and reduce nose dive, but since they are a Touring strut, not sport, they ride really well. Nobody has complained about the Bilstein B4s for the XC90 (I searched).

Here is my 3.2 Sport suspension code:

20 = Front Suspension Spring Code - 33 (Sport)
21 = Front Suspension Strut Code - AI
22 = Front Anti-Sway Bar Code - 6 (Sport, I measured and confirmed, then compared to a non-sport XC90)
23 = Rear Suspension Spring Code - 54 (Sport)
24 = Rear Suspension Shock Code - 26 (Nivomat for my 7 seater)
25 = Rear Anti-Sway Bar Code - 9 (Sport, I measured and confirmed, then compared to a non-sport XC90)
26 = Front Suspension Bump Stop Code - 5
27 = Rear Suspension Bump Stop Code - 2

 

[Furb]

I found them out of a Volvo wrecking yard in Sacramento, CA.

-- DavidV

Nice!! I’m on the East coast. We have few big ones in PA and CT. I’ll search there

 

[Furb]

Here are the suspension codes for the 3.2 Sport suspension I have on mine if you are looking to accompany the RD/Sport look with the sporty suspension. I would suggest trying Bilstein B4 Touring front struts first as they improve the handling and reduce nose dive, but since they are a Touring strut, not sport, they ride really well. Nobody has complained about the Bilstein B4s for the XC90 (I searched).

Here is my 3.2 Sport suspension code:

20 = Front Suspension Spring Code - 33 (Sport)
21 = Front Suspension Strut Code - AI
22 = Front Anti-Sway Bar Code - 6 (Sport, I measured and confirmed, then compared to a non-sport XC90)
23 = Rear Suspension Spring Code - 54 (Sport)
24 = Rear Suspension Shock Code - 26 (Nivomat for my 7 seater)
25 = Rear Anti-Sway Bar Code - 9 (Sport, I measured and confirmed, then compared to a non-sport XC90)
26 = Front Suspension Bump Stop Code - 5
27 = Rear Suspension Bump Stop Code - 2

Thank you so much. I appreciate it. How do I use the codes though 🙈. Is this a buying code that the parts will have when I purchase?