Close to ordering an XC60: are options worth it?

[cc41]

I'm getting close to ordering an XC60, and would appreciate some non-salesman input on whether some of the options are worth the money ....

(1) SatNav (or, to be more precise, RTI Navigation System with RDS-TMC and Europe DVD map). I already have a basic TomTom, so the questions are, how does it compare in ease of use and does the "live traffic information" work sufficiently well to justify the cost? And does the live traffic information work in Europe? And do I need to pay any sort of subscription fee - for either the live information or updated maps? And lastly, if I don't get it, do they still fit the screen anyway?

(2) The PCC/Heartbeat sensor, keyless drive?

(3) Adaptive cruise control/Blind spot information system/lane departure warning.

I like the car a lot and enjoyed the test drive. My long-term love of heated, power-adjusted, leather seats and parking assistance means that I'll probably go for the SE Lux version. But is the new-fangled gadgetry worth the cash, or is it a set of electronics that will either go wrong (and cost a fortune to replace) or that I'll find too fiddly and difficult to use?

All input welcome!

[tem]

Originally Posted by cc41

I'm getting close to ordering an XC60, and would appreciate some non-salesman input on whether some of the options are worth the money ....

(1) SatNav (or, to be more precise, RTI Navigation System with RDS-TMC and Europe DVD map). I already have a basic TomTom, so the questions are, how does it compare in ease of use and does the "live traffic information" work sufficiently well to justify the cost? And does the live traffic information work in Europe? And do I need to pay any sort of subscription fee - for either the live information or updated maps? And lastly, if I don't get it, do they still fit the screen anyway?

(2) The PCC/Heartbeat sensor, keyless drive?

(3) Adaptive cruise control/Blind spot information system/lane departure warning.

I like the car a lot and enjoyed the test drive. My long-term love of heated, power-adjusted, leather seats and parking assistance means that I'll probably go for the SE Lux version. But is the new-fangled gadgetry worth the cash, or is it a set of electronics that will either go wrong (and cost a fortune to replace) or that I'll find too fiddly and difficult to use?

All input welcome!

(1) The RTI comes with 4 DVD Discs. The DVD unit is under the boot floor. Depending where you intend to travel in Europe, it would involve removing everything to change the disc.
The RTI system, although expensive is certainly handy and instead of (3), you might like to consider the Reversing Camera. Road Traffic information throughout Europe and the UK is free, but map updates have to be paid for.

(2) If you are going for the SE Lux, the PCC/Heartbeat, keyless drive are included.

(3) Your choice. Prefer the Reversing Camera.

Hope this helps.

tem.

[XC60Owner]

Originally Posted by tem

(1) The RTI comes with 4 DVD Discs. The DVD unit is under the boot floor. Depending where you intend to travel in Europe, it would involve removing everything to change the disc.
The RTI system, although expensive is certainly handy and instead of (3), you might like to consider the Reversing Camera. Road Traffic information throughout Europe and the UK is free, but map updates have to be paid for.

(2) If you are going for the SE Lux, the PCC/Heartbeat, keyless drive are included.

(3) Your choice. Prefer the Reversing Camera.

Hope this helps.

tem.

(2) is incorrect. It is an extra option on all levels. Plus you need to get the RTI sat nav to get the reversing camera.

[AB-UK]

cc41,
I have the Sat Nav system in my XC90.
I upgraded to the latest 3-disc version two years ago - and I find it almost useless.
I have complained to Volvo and provided examples of stupid directions which the Sat Nav churns out, but Volvo simply said "our engineers have been unable to reproduce the fault".
One example - on a journey from Birmingham to Cornwall - whilst travelling down the M5 the Sat Nav directed me to go onto the M50 into Wales, and for 12 miles along the M5 it insisted I do a U-turn, even after I passed another couple of junctions. Only then did it decide to allow me to continue using the M5 to Cornwall.
Another example - For a laugh I decided to follow the Sat Nav directions from the West side of Nottingham to a location in Lincolnshire, and it took me around Nottingham city centre, getting lost, directing me up one-way streets or blocked roads - not new ones either. As I know the area I opted for the ring-road of course.
I also travel to Dorset often, and the previous single-disc version followed a route which did not use the M25 - however the newer version cannot avoid using the M25 (unless you set it to avoid all motorways) - I tried it once just to check if it knew something I didn't - and the journey took 2 hours longer than normal. Volvo's response was that I should plan the route in several stages, avoiding the M25 manually.
I pity anyone having to use the system who doesn't already have a clue as to the route anyway.

I have to say I used the Sat Nav in Europe last year though, and it seemed to be okay there.

Based on my experience I would suggest staying with your Tom Tom.

[tem]

Originally Posted by AB-UK

cc41,
I have the Sat Nav system in my XC90.
I upgraded to the latest 3-disc version two years ago - and I find it almost useless.
I have complained to Volvo and provided examples of stupid directions which the Sat Nav churns out, but Volvo simply said "our engineers have been unable to reproduce the fault".
One example - on a journey from Birmingham to Cornwall - whilst travelling down the M5 the Sat Nav directed me to go onto the M50 into Wales, and for 12 miles along the M5 it insisted I do a U-turn, even after I passed another couple of junctions. Only then did it decide to allow me to continue using the M5 to Cornwall.
Another example - For a laugh I decided to follow the Sat Nav directions from the West side of Nottingham to a location in Lincolnshire, and it took me around Nottingham city centre, getting lost, directing me up one-way streets or blocked roads - not new ones either. As I know the area I opted for the ring-road of course.
I also travel to Dorset often, and the previous single-disc version followed a route which did not use the M25 - however the newer version cannot avoid using the M25 (unless you set it to avoid all motorways) - I tried it once just to check if it knew something I didn't - and the journey took 2 hours longer than normal. Volvo's response was that I should plan the route in several stages, avoiding the M25 manually.
I pity anyone having to use the system who doesn't already have a clue as to the route anyway.

I have to say I used the Sat Nav in Europe last year though, and it seemed to be okay there.

Based on my experience I would suggest staying with your Tom Tom.

I have found the RTI system to be extremely accurate.

A couple of years ago while travelling through Germany to Ausrtia, we got stuck in a roadworks, due to a broken down lorry.

The RTI system informed me numerous times, that there was a "traffic problem", but no alternative route could be found.
I did not realy needed to be reminded, being stuck there for over 2 hours, in 35C.

tem.

[tem]

Originally Posted by XC60Owner

(2) is incorrect. It is an extra option on all levels. Plus you need to get the RTI sat nav to get the reversing camera.

My mistake - I ordered the Comm's Pack and it comes with it.

tem.

[cc41]

Thank you all for your responses.

The sum total seems to be:
- buy what you want, but don't expect to get the money back on resale (recognising that resale may be easier). Given that I tend to keep cars for 6 - 10 years, this isn't much of an issue for me
- Satnav is OK, although interestingly no-one has commented on how well the up-to-date traffic information works ... which seems to me to be the principal advantage over my TomTom. My only experience of the SatNav is that on my test drive is that it tried to take me the wrong way up a one-way street .............
- There's lots of positive comment about the reversing camera (for which the satnav is a prerequisite), which I had thought would be a gadget too far
- BLIS, ACC etc. seem to have value, and seem to work
- PCC - why?

Back to thinking, and checking my bank balance ....

[adambsmith]

When I test drove I had two SE Lux's to play with which had all the safety kit.

Have to say they annoyed the hell out of me and worried me that I may come to rely on these gadgets at a risk of safety.

BLIS - Not totally confident with it and still felt it was necessary for a quick look over my shoulder when moving out to lanes 2 and 3.

ACC - Coming into roadworks 3 to 2 lanes, the car slowed me down very quickly which I did not like - felt like I was not in control of the car.

The red LEDs atop the dash warning of being too close to the car in front - very distracting.

Lane departure thingy - kept going off on a country road when I correctly took the straightest route through bends/s-bends. I know you can turn it off but it's just another distraction.

The novelty of them all wore off very quickly and they were then switched off for good.

PCC is handy if only for the keyless drive element. If it works as my wife's Mini's does then it's great. Walk up to the car, no need to get keys out, open car and drive off. Very easy and great if you're carrying stuff.

[tem]

Originally Posted by cc41

Thank you all for your responses.

- Satnav is OK, although interestingly no-one has commented on how well the up-to-date traffic information works

Back to thinking, and checking my bank balance ....

Traffic Information?

This is normally very good, BUT, you have to think ahead.

It is common for me to have a route 500 miles long in the UK and up to 800 miles in Europe, planned into the Sat Nav.

If you get an RTI message telling you that there is a problem, some 10/15 mile ahead, it is easy for you to decide to take the suggested detour, but if the RTI message refers to a problem some 80/100 miles away, you need to think about what is happening.

For example:- "Queuing Traffic at Hamburg". The time is 08.00 and you are 100 miles away, by the time you get there, the morning rush hour should be over.

An "RTA" at a similar distance, where you are informed that the road is closed, is slightly different. What I do, is continue on for some 50/60 miles, then pull over, switch off the ignition for about 30 seconds and then restart. If the road is still closed, you will recieve another RTI message.
You can also scroll ahead and see if the problem has cleared. (not advised at 80+ mph)

The above experiance, is with previous Merc and Volvo XC90's, (up to MY2007) Sat Nav Systems.

The XC60 system (fitted to some other Volvo's, as well), the 4 DVD system, looks to be much better.

If you ignore an RTI message (do not select the detour), a red icon is displayed in the left of screen and will stay there until the problem is resolved, or you choose to take the detour.

This morning I had to go to Inverness, 117 miles. With some 90 miles still to go, I recieved an RTI message informing me of queuing traffic and suggesting a detour, of 11 miles, to avoid it.
From experiance, I knew that this was the morning rush hour.
Ignored the suggested detour, the red icon was displayed. About 40 minutes later, the icon disappeared and I had a clear run into Inverness.

One final point to remember. The information you recieve. can have a human input and you have to rely on them to update information and this can be delayed.
As more and more road side monitors are installed, then the RTI information, should get better.
I cannot speak for other Sat Nav RTI Systems, but the Volvo System has a remote control and this give your passenger something to do, while you keep your eye on the road ahead.

I hope this gives you some idea how the RTI System work, but I am sure others, will add their two pence worth.

Finally:-

So far, I have never gone up a one way street, the wrong way, driven into a river, or become jammed between two cottages, in Cornwall.

I have been taken off, a through highway, to go around a roundabout and re-join the highway again.
I have seen railway tracks on the wrong side of the road and in the early days of Sat Nav, found that the road was over a lake in the South of France.

tem.

[XC60Owner]

Originally Posted by cc41

Thank you all for your responses.

The sum total seems to be:
- buy what you want, but don't expect to get the money back on resale (recognising that resale may be easier). Given that I tend to keep cars for 6 - 10 years, this isn't much of an issue for me
- Satnav is OK, although interestingly no-one has commented on how well the up-to-date traffic information works ... which seems to me to be the principal advantage over my TomTom. My only experience of the SatNav is that on my test drive is that it tried to take me the wrong way up a one-way street .............
- There's lots of positive comment about the reversing camera (for which the satnav is a prerequisite), which I had thought would be a gadget too far
- BLIS, ACC etc. seem to have value, and seem to work
- PCC - why?

Back to thinking, and checking my bank balance ....

BTW Latest Tom Tom has free RTI (via radio waves) - £214 for one with EU maps. http://www.amazon.co.uk/TomTom-730T-...1840725&sr=8-6
Works fine for me. You can pay for an extra subscription to get TomTom RTI.