Suggested changes to my order?

[Wildoskar]

Originally Posted by Frosty56

Great suggestions, thanks. I think the parking sensors are worthwhile. I am getting BLIS, but I am not sure if it is really worth $700.00.

My family names their cars (why, I don't know, but we have always done so). The Outback is "Otis" the Impreza is "Jonathan" the Mercedes is "Marvin" and my XC60 will be "Frosty" - Ice white in color and from Sweden, thus my board name.

Frosty will have the parking sensors; leather; sun roof; BLIS; heated seats front and rear; rain sensor; rear hatch cover (?), tinted rear windows; headlight washers (This seems a bit frivolous for North Carolina); heated wind shield washer fluid; and I think that is about it.

It has the base stereo. I am pretty tone deaf and not musically inclined, so I don't think the optional sound system is worth it to me. The other things I am on the fence over are the lane system and the front crash avoidance system. They come in a package which is about $1,850.00--Do you think they are worth the money? I suppose avoiding even one collision would justify the price.

Frosty56

In the UK, the driver suppor options you describe (Crash avoidance, lane departure etc) normally come as part of a complete package called "Driver Support" although they can be ordered seperatley; this contains.

BLIS
Adaptice Cruise
Lane Departure
Distance alert with auto brake
Driver alert.

I have them on a 2011 year XC60 (only had it a few days) but initial comments are below.

BLIS - Seems to work well and is a usefull pre manouver check before pulling out (clealry does nto repalce looking over your shoulder befoe the final manover).

Adaptive Cruise - I think this is superb although on intially using it I found it a little odd (I belive tjhos will make long distyance motorway driving far more relaxed)

Lane deaprture - Verdit still out on this, it defintiley works but when driving on a fast country road (sometimes clipping the white line) it could become anoying, saying that on a morway I can see the value and its a simple button press to disable anyway.

Distance Alert with auto brake - This seems to work well although luckily I have not experience the auto brake as yet, only the distance alert. This basicaly projects a red light onto the windscreen when in the cars opinion you are driving too close to the car in front (based on speed etc). I belive that I leave a reasonable gap (went through my adabvnced driving course about 17 years ago) but the car somtimes thinks I am too close. I havent fiddled with setting yet but you can adjust the sensitivity in a number of stages so I may need to tweak this a little.

Driver alert - Not fully sure how this works apart from monitoring staeady driving between lines on the road but I have noticed twice that the car has dropped my level of alertness down from 5 to 4, on one ocasion it dropped to 3. I need to invesitage this one furher on a longer journey (not even managed to put 300 miles on the clock yet)

Do I think they are worth it is a difficult question: I particulary wanted the adaptive cruise and decided that the full package was not vastly more expensive so went for that.

For ref: I also have the sun roof (moon roof) and think its superb, I have always had sunroof's before and would realy miss it if it was not there. When open you get a real feeling of being outside due to the size and the extra light, even when closed, gives the car a very light and airy feel. Automatic blind can be closed if its too bright and this then provides a nice defused light into the car.

Hope this helps

[Frosty56]

It appears that the packages are a bit different here. I think I'd be most interested in the distance alert with auto brake feature. I am going to see if I can buy it as a "stand alone" option.

BLIS is an option my wife really wants. She thinks her Subaru Outback has a significant blind spot and she does not want me to have to deal with it on the XC60 if there is technology which will minimize the problem. But, I agree, a quick look over the shoulder typically solves the blind spot issue. In the U.S. BLIS includes the power folding mirrors, which helps justify the $700.00 price as I think the power folding mirrors should be a nice, useful, feature.

[XC60KEV]

Hi Frosty, the power mirrors are great. Its amazing how often they come in useful and as the xc60 is a big car I tend to feel that I'm minimising the risk of something else clipping them as it goes by.

[r-designbob]

Originally Posted by kj5cott

Hi Frosty, the power mirrors are great. Its amazing how often they come in useful and as the xc60 is a big car I tend to feel that I'm minimising the risk of something else clipping them as it goes by.

sure thing

[Frosty56]

The power tail gate comes with the convenience package. I don't know how functional a power tail gate really is, but I found it pretty entertaining at the Volvo dealership.

One advantage I do believe the power tail gate provides is the proper amount of force with which to close the tail gate. No more closing it too softly and it does not latch, no more slamming it so hard the car shakes. In fact, we have the rear view camera in my wife's Outback, and I am always concerned when I slam the tail gate shut that I might damage the camera. No such concerns with the Volvo power system.

[Vecais]

The options packaging for the Australian market is different again. The base model includes some of the options you mention. I will comment about some of the features:

Power tailgate: I find it a bit slow and cumbersome, but handy when you approach the car with an armful of shopping bags. It seems to have a mind of its own at times.

Folding mirrors: I like this and you can tell if you have locked the car. In conjunction, I like the auto closing of windows when you lock up using the remote button. In hot weather you can open all the windows before getting in.

Bluetooth: Excellent.

Power driver's seat: Brilliant, particularly the memory setting for each driver.

We could have purchased ALL the options bundles for an extra AUD $9,000 extra all-in deal but decided that most of it was a waste to us.

We have had cars with a sunroof before. Possible leaks if the drain gets blocked and in Oz we have too much sunlight as it is, because of the hole in the ozone layer. Most people cover up or reach for the sunblock.

We have no need for the electronic drive assist. I pay attention when driving. The side mirrors are good to see all that you need and I would find the warning beeps and buzzes annoying.

But each to their own preference.

[Chopper3]

...make sure you get both front and rear parking sensors - I learnt at my cost

[Frosty56]

I could not get the distance alert with auto brake as a stand alone option, so now I am standing pat with the car as is.

In addition to what I previously noted, it will have the parking sensors front and back - which sounds like a good thing. It will also have the power tail gate, the IAQS interior air quality system about which I know nothing; silver roof rails, the laminated panoramic roof, homelink, power folding headrests, compass; grocery bag holder and a rear 12v port, which I guess is for lap tops or camping gear????


Frosty56

[Vecais]

Originally Posted by Frosty56

... a rear 12v port, which I guess is for lap tops or camping gear????

Yes, for a portable refrigerated cool box to keep your beer cold. Handy for those long trips to and from work.

[mauricef]

Originally Posted by kj5cott

I agree with WIMorrison. I only have them at the rear and when car is in for QAI am having them fitted. Its been too close for comfort on too many occasions!

I have the rear sensor can the front sensor be fitted and whats the cost ?.
2011 XC60 D3 FWD Terra Bronze not Brown.