[volvorocks]

Originally Posted by robg

Volvorocks,
When you list so many complaints in a forum where the majority of people are passionate about their vehicles you need to expect some flack, so i wouldn't bother getting offended at people replies.

However, i am not especially chuffed with my xc60 either and am looking around at the new A6 or a 5 series instead even though the xc is only a year old.

My view on your list in capitals below, generally i agree with you:

Looks nice and draws admiring looks and comments YES
Relaxing when cruising at a steady 70mph on cruise YES BUT NOISIER THAN I WANTED
Comfy seats OK BUT MY PREVIOUS V50 WAS BETTER
The gruff 5 pot engine is quite a nice sound YES
Big exterior wing mirrors YES
Feels safe. YES
Rarity and somewhat exclusive on road (there may be a very good reason for this) YES

Flaws/Cons
Hard to park and judge size NO
Keyless start operates only on clutch CANT COMMENT
Keyless stop does not apply handbrake (when you have parked and are egressing the vehicle) CANT COMMENT
12v socket missing in front stack if speccing smoker pack CANT COMMENT
“Premium” stereo has dropouts and not that loud nor clear nor worth the extra price. Older Dynaudio much better. YES, ALSO AM DISAPPOINTED WITH PREMIUM SOUND, PREVIOUS V50 MUCH BETTER
Wallowy handling - X3 actually better with ride comfort and handling with its optional suspension pack(mmm this will open a can of worms!!!) YES
Feels very large on the road although quite small when parked next to X5 Rangie or Santa Fe YES
Rangie easier to place on road despite being larger CANT COMMENT
Using Ipod or USB to play music - sensus gets confused and lists previous track name CANT COMMENT
Cruise not intuitive and has to be switched on every time vehicle started I AM HAPPY WITH VOLVO CRUISE, MUCH BETTER THAN MY ALFA.
Rain sense wipers not intuitive - if rain sensors are on (and in most cars that have this feature sometimes they go to fast when not raining or to slow when raining - if you flick the wiper stalk to do a sweep or flick to stop this it switches off the “rain sense” function - you then have to reset the rain sense function MINE DOES NOT DO THIS BUT AGREE THE RAIN SENSORS ARE RUBBISH
Global closing of windows and sunroof needs keyfob to operate which defeats the object of it being keyless - (windows cannot be closed using the button on the door - but hey you can on a Citroen!!) HMM HOW ELSE WOULD YOU DO IT WITHOUT A KEYFOB YOU CANT HAVE EVERYTHING
Ride is hard and crashy when going over bumps or over “road coming to end lines” YES, DISAPPOINTING
You can hear cars as though window is open even with “double laminate glazing” and wind noise YES, LAMINATE WAS A WASTE OF MY MONEY TOO
Trip mileometer primative - similar to a 1990 Ford Fiesta NOT BROKE DONT FIX?
No fuel gallons used on trip computer WOULD BE NICE BUT DONT CARE.
Trip computer needs to be pressed and then scrolled through with separate wheel. Not intuitive. NOT ON MINE.
Not that economical D5 manual with fast and slow driving mix of urban and motorway 32mpg YES D5 ECONOMY DISAPPOINTING AT MOTORWAY SPEED, FINE ROUND TOWN
Seat belt cuts into throat so very dangerous not to mention uncomfortable. No adjuster. VOLVO SEATBALETS HAVE A SLOT WHICH AUTO ADJUSTS, MIN ARE FINE.
Lack of storage options - why not have an in floor cubby and under seat cubby? GOOD IDEA.
Large bottle of water (1 litre) will not fit in door bin BUT 1/2 OR 3/4 LITRE BOTTLE ROLLS AROUND, IT SHOULD HAVE A SPRING CLAMP IR SOMETHING
Small bottle of water if placed in cup holders falls over and fouls gear stick if full - so water bottle best be “half full” YES
Lack of cubby storage in boot - why not have cubbies in side of boot IHAVE ELASTIC MESH IT IS FINE BUT EXPENSIVE.
Play stereo and (understandably) everything stored in door bins (only storage that is available really) vibrates YES OF COURSE; TURN IT DOWN THEN
Feels unwieldy in town driving situations I AM HAPPY IN TOWN
Why not have an F1 style integrated fuel cap not a screw one. Dirty smelly fuel tainted hands similar to 1990 Ford Fiesta NOT MANY OTHER CARS HAVE THIS BUT IT WOULD BE NICE
Slippy leather steering wheel I AM HAPPY WITH THE WHEEL
Cannot use last few inches of space in boot as power tailgate will not close as it needs this extra space - which is understandable although manual closing boot lids do not suffer with this problem YES, I HATE THE POWER TAILGATE
When open door after ignition off cannot close open window with electric window switches (no 30 second power allowance) THINK AHEAD THEN, YOU WILL SOON LEARN.
Open door with ignition on - BONG BONG chime - so cannot play stereo say when parked up and relaxing on camp chairs looking at scenic views as you get BONG BONG chime THIS MUST BE A QUIRK OF KEYLESS.
Cannot drive with belt off eg on private farmland or when reversing - BONG BONG chime THATS LIFE WITH A VOLVO I'M AFRAID
Different BONG BONG chimes -just to let you know that you are actually in a car say with the door open...yes I know...I opened the door...lol..so I know thank you..yes I turned the ignition on ...so i know...thank you again....as Jeremy Clarkson might say......well I dont know what he might say as he is un predictable ...lol..LOL LOL
Have to move head to left and backwards when moving sun visor to side window as head is hit with sun visor THAT IS THE SAME IN EVERY CAR I HAVE EVER DRIVEN
Electric hand brake in the most ridiculous place - stretch to operate -why not place closer to driver YES
Unload car so door open with interior lights on - which go off after about a minute which means you have to shut the door and open it again to activate interior lights to see what you are doing - annoying late night early morning for neighbours with open door close door open door bang scenario YES
Open power tailgate and car rear lights illuminate (to warn boot lid is open supposedly) - which draws attention to your contents in the boot - yet there is no interior boot light so you yourself cannot see what is in boot! MINE HAS A BOOT INTERIOR LIGHT, RED LIGHTS DRAW ATENTION TO THE FACT SOMETHING IS GOING ON AND MAKES YOU LESS LIKELY TO BE HIT BY A CAR, MAKES SENSE TO ME.
When closing doors - they do not close with that re-assuring “thud” of a premium car.(2 do 2 don’t) I THINK THIS IS LIFE WITH NEW LIGHT WEIGHT DOORS IN ALL CARS.
12v sockets fell “loose”N/A
12v power socket in boot always live - so remember to unplug your microwave or portable fridge freezer - although can see the point in so far as if you want a quick shower with a portable shower you do not have to have the ignition on - although why not have a little switch in the boot - “on” (power permanently on) and “off” power only on when ignition on.IF IT TURNED OF PEOPLE WOULD COMPLAIN THE FRIDGE DOESNT STAY COLD, LEARN, ADAPT.
Vehicle not as potent nor accelerative when 5 people in (ok they were quite hefty!!) and unfair to compare to Jag XJR which is unruffled with extra weight. This Volvo vehicle knows it is carrying weight and complains! YES
Wash windows whilst driving with windows open and if headlamp wash comes on expect shower in drivers seat! AS PER OTHER POSTS, LEARN, ADAPT, ALL CARS DO THIS IT IS BASIC AERO DYNAMICS
Chrome strip on bonnet feels flimsy - be careful when opening bonnet! YES
The dreaded DPF (common problem with all vehicles so fitted) - 12mpg on motorway when “regenning“ with accompanying power loss…!!! - sort of scientifically worked it out that the car is running with around 100bhp max!!N/A

All cost options /technology / goodies not as good as what other car manufacturers offer as standard or cheaper as cost options and that which Volvo charge top dollar for

£38k…???……worth £22k max

If the car was a kid at school the teachers report may state - “Vera is a very clever girl and has ability and so much potential so could do so much better if she concentrated and applied her talents to the job in hand”

Sumary - “Style over substance”

Comments as always very welcome peeps.

Regards

[/QUOTE]

Hi Robg

Thank you for your response to the thread.

Yes I agree with your statement below.Very true

"When you list so many complaints in a forum where the majority of people are passionate about their vehicles you need to expect some flack, so i wouldn't bother getting offended at people replies"

I was just thinking this minute just the same as you that people can become passionate about their vehicle and thus become defensive when negative opinions are expressed about the same model of vehicle - and I was more annoyed that someone one could or would actually write what he or she did in such an insulting and sarcastic manner they did as all I was hoping to achieve by writing my original piece was to seek others opinions , feelings , thoughts, whether in agreement or disagreement about the car........not the person who wrote it...lol..!!

Yes you make some valid and humerous points as Stu did ( when he said the storage didnt disappear between my test drive and build!!) and the fact BONG BONG was infuriating when listening to the stereo with the door open (car parked up of course!!) - it never occurred to me to just press the stereo "on" button instead of the ignition!!! - must admit to being a bit non thinking on that one - so glad he pointed it out as it may never have occured to me...lol.Thats what this forum is all about I suppose! - and yes one has to adapt.It must be admitted that whilst not unhappy with the vehicle , and it is appreciated you have to get used to things being different perhaps there certainly was a bit of oversight when in the showroom!!

Like the keyless starting facility , indeed a laguna has the facility to globally close windows whilst pushing the door button as does Mercedes S Class Ford vehicles and I think (although will stand corrected on this) BMW models.

Yes agree with the reasoniing for rear lights to be on from a safety point of view as Volvo states in the booklet (which is a good idea)although none the less still dislike being lit up like an Xmas tree for all and sundry to know that the boot is open via mega bright rear lights and they may go and take a closer look - or maybe something else!!!

The sun visor by the way only hits my head in the XC...irrespective of seat adjustment!

Probably also a bit daft to open the car window when driving and then wash the screen accompanied with powerful headlamp washer spray - perhaps the dog shouldnt have had a piece of steak for tea if you get my jist (gist)..lol

Anyway cheers for your reply

Regards