New XC90 Options Laminated Windows or others
 

Hi
I am currently speccing up options for a new XC90 Inscription. I have decided not to pick the upgraded seats but was wondering about the laminated glass.

Has anyone else tried this and does it make much difference.

Are there any other options people wish they had or hadn't ordered, I appreciate some of therse are personal taste

Thanks in advance

Cannot comment on the XC90, but my S90 has laminated windows (was on the car - I didn't spec them)

the previous S90 I had for a couple of weeks didn't have them, and neither did the couple of demo ones I had.

To be honest, I cannot tell the difference, at least on the S90.

the "blurb" says "The glass is reinforced, which provides better protection against break-ins and improved sound insulation in the passenger compartment".

Luckily not had to test their "protection against break-ins", so cannot comment. Maybe they do offer better sound insulation than non-laminated, but I really can't tell.

Maybe they do on the XC90, I know some people have posted about road noise with certain wheel sizes.

The one option I'm really glad I spec'd is the auxiliary fuel-fired heater as it makes a big difference throughout the winter months. Switching it on via the app or using the in-built timers means you get into a warm and comfortable car and pre-heating the diesel engine makes it quieter. Also, even if you forget to pre-heat you can set it to automatically come on with the engine so that it heats up more quickly.

It's an expensive option particularly now that Engine Remote Start is available but with a diesel you have to run the engine for quite a long time at tick-over to generate any useful heat so your neighbours (and the environment) might not thank you.

The sound made by the aux heater is barely noticeable and doesn't attract attention. My concern with ERS is that if you used it in a car park, say, it might attract the attention of some miscreants who see an occupied car with the engine running and think they can just break in and drive off. This isn't possible but they may not know that so break in anyway.

No perceptible noise improvement from laminated windows in xc90. Definitely get the aux heater.

It is an offence to even step out of a car leaving the engine running wherever, own drive, road, car park etc. It will also completely invalidate your car insurance.

I have had cars with and without laminated glass and never noticed any worthwhile noise reduction howler it’s another safety feature and worth it for that alone.

I'm not sure this applies to cars with remote start. For ERS to work the car has to be locked and even if someone breaks into the car it cannot be driven as all the drive electronics including the gearbox remain locked. Volvo isn't the only manufacturer offering remote start so I doubt if they've all implemented a system that breaks the law. Perhaps it'll have to be tested in court.

. I would not like to be the one to have to test it.

Rule 123. You MUST NOT leave a parked vehicle unattended with the engine running or leave a vehicle engine running unnecessarily while that vehicle is stationary on a public road.

Lexman's lawyer will say that the he did not "LEAVE" the engine running, he switched it off when he left the car. Is there a rule explicitly banning ERS because this does not?

We have laminated glass on both the wifes XC60and my Audi. Makes a HUGE difference in the noise levels inside. If you have the B&W sounds its even better! Highly recommended.