First Volvo on a lease deal..opinions?

[Mike 700]

I had an XC60 R Design D5 Geartronic with Sport mode , duo colour soft leather heated seats, built in rear child seats and locks etc, plus a few other essentials like reversing sensors etc., for just over 3 years.

One of the best cars I've ever had , quite comfortable, but it does have a harder ride than the other XC60's. Not as comfortable as my current V60, but I miss it - so much that I have provisionally ordered a new XC60, D4 FWD, SeLux Nav 8 speed geartronic in Magic Blue with beige & black leather, and winter pack - the SeLux is more comfortable than the R Design.

Unless you need AWD, then go for FWD - uses so much less fuel.

[Considered1]

Test both the R-design model and the SE Lux - Coming from a BMW you may find the SE suspension rather wallowy so try them all and pick what is best for you, or you can get the 4c option to vary the suspension on an SE put pricey at £1,000

If youve had sports hugging seats you need to try every variant as the seats change in all of them.

if you want a lot of options then you could consider PCP rather than contract hire as with leasing you will pay for the options for someone else to keep. When I looked at it you couldnt buy a Volvo contract hire vehicle afterwards so I went PCP with lots of options I can keep or sell on.

Study the brochure and options lists, use the online configurator to see the difference in list price for each build and make sure you ask for big discount.
SE
R-Design
SE Lux - as above but better spec (power tailgate, rear sensors)
R-Design Lux - as SE Lux in R-Design trim,
Think the wheels choices are also different on SE and R-Design - SE starts with 17" / R-Design 18" but you can upgrade most thing.

[Mike 700]

Originally Posted by Harvey1512

Rich - Mine is a lease and on a keen budget. I looked at the spec for the SE and realised it had everything I really needed, apart from parking beeps at the front. Everything else was fluff, nice fluff but fluff. People will swear by bendy lights, electric seats, upgraded sound systems etc but if the budget is on the edge then those are things you can do without. Certainly, if you have never had them then you can live in ignorance quite happily.

I would recommend 'beeps' at the front also, it's so much easier, and I use electric seats for making getting in & out easier I.e. I set the wheel low, and rather than struggle to get my legs between the wheel & the seat I drop the seat down a level for entry & exit, and up a level once in - easy & quick with memory settings.

I would also recommend them if there is more than one driver, because wheel , mirrors and seat settings are memorised.

[Rossi-fan]

Can someone please explain to me what a 'Drivers Car' is? I get lost in all this car nerdy boy racer banter.

[Harvey1512]

It means you feel every bump in the road.

[850Chris]

Originally Posted by Rossi-fan

Can someone please explain to me what a 'Drivers Car' is? I get lost in all this car nerdy boy racer banter.

Something that is engaging to drive and you take a bond to by the way in which the steering feel, chassis balance, engine noise etc.. all combine to stir something deep within your soul. You either get it or you don't hence why there are 'petrol heads' (such as myself) and those that just see a car as a mode of transport or status symbol. Also, it's an outright misconception that a drivers car crashes and bangs down the road. One of the finest handling and most engaging cars I ever owned was a BMW 528. Totally secure, balanced and agile but with a ride that was smooth as silk. Most 'crashiness' is due to this latest trend to specify stupidly large wheels. 17" is more than enough.

[Willisthm]

Thanks folks.
Still unsure about what to lease. The Nav, Geartronic RDesign is my preferred choice. I am now hooked on the automatic as my current 330d is an 8 speed auto and I love it. Am a lazy driver!

The RDesign has better styling and looks than the SE Lux despite the better toys in the Lux.

The Beemer am driving is a beast and one of the best drivers cars I have ever driven. Previously had Type Rs, Golf Gti, Leon FR...all very fast and sporty. The BMW is a different drive and a complete animal in sport+. Am driving it like a normal car though and not really putting it through its paces the way a 3litre diesel should be. It's become a bit boring and I miss the SUV. I used to drive the Qashqai and the Hyundai ix35 and I want to go back to the bigger vehicle, plus my lease is up in November so it's going then regardless.

Some great lease deals at the minute as well. Decisions,decisions!!

[DSK]

I can't comment on the XC range but, I would say, do look at the S60 and or V40 both come with R design and I was quite impressed by the quality seats and a modern non tacky feel around the drivers console.

[Willisthm]

Thanks, but it's the XC60 for me.

Looked at brochures and a R Design is my preferred choice. Just need as decent spec.

[XcOM]

Originally Posted by volvorocks

The R Design has always been the bottom end, equivalent to an ES of old,with a few sporting bits added such as wheels/dash/body fixtures - and around the spec of a current SE. R Design Lux is the higher end, more or less equivalent to SE LUX.

Regards

Ahh I must be thinking of the earlier R series of car's rather than the R-Design, my bad