Tell me about Polestar

[MikeBJ]

Has anyone any experience of the Polestar optimisation on the 2.0 D3 please? The thick end of £850 seems a fair whack for what looks like minimal power and torque increase, albeit with apparently no loss of fuel consumption.

Is it a real-life benefit? Impact on insurance? Downsides? Alternatives?

This for my 2011 R Design. Which I'm loving!

Thanks, Mike.

[TimS]

Is this the one that increases power from 136 to 163? I think it takes the D3 to the spec that the D4 had: 163/400NM. If so, it's hard to say if it's worth it or not: I have a D4 (163/400) 5-cyl V70, and before I bought it, had a D3 (136) overnight on loan, both geartronic.

The D3 felt very good at slower speeds, but I noticed when joining a dual-carriageway that it wasn't as quick as it felt. My D4's no rocket but it never feels 'underpowered' at legal-ish speeds. Is it worth it? hard to say, although after trying a D3, I bought the D4.

If you can find anyone locally (you're the other end of the UK from me) with a D4, then ask for a ride in theirs - it's probably close to what Polestar would give. Some dealers apparently offer discounts from time to time. It's a discontinued model now, so that might encourage a discount, perhaps.

If you get it, I'd certainly tell the insurers.

[cheshired5]

Don't you just love Google?

[tommyweaves]

Originally Posted by MikeBJ

This for my 2011 R Design.

I thought the 2011 D3 was the 163 (which became the D4 when the D3 became a 136) and that there was no Polestar for that?

[deanosabby]

I have a D3 2.0 5cyl 163bhp and can say that there is no polestar upgrade available for it. I contacted them direct to find out.
Went down another route and now have 193bhp and 460nm of torque. Custom exhaust will be getting done in the next few weeks to help the gases exit easier.

[MikeBJ]

Originally Posted by tommyweaves

I thought the 2011 D3 was the 163 (which became the D4 when the D3 became a 136) and that there was no Polestar for that?

Yes, mine is V70 / D3 / 5 cyl / 163. And yes, I've done some Googling :-) but wanted to ask the experts for current state of play and suggestions as to other routs. I guess that as noted elsewhere, that engine may be close to its max "as is". Without going into more "serious" mods that is.

A friend (ages with myself) chipped a Skoda Superb and notes it was a worthwhile exercise. I can't however recall what he used so I'll have to remember to ask him. Not that I'm unhappy with the overall performance of what is after all a big heavy car. A little extra oomph would be nice though, especially on kickdown - which does seem a little hesitant.

But maybe I should have just got a D5 - -

One of which, irritatingly, I found today. AWD - although I doubt I could have lived with the creamy leather interior! That said, it's a nice car and it turns out I know the owner. It's in Dunfermline if anyone is looking for one.

[DAN AT ADRIAN FLUX]

Hi,
If you need any help with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.

[tt82]

Hi Dan, as Polestar can be bought as a factory fitted optional extra, is it classed as a modification?

[Tatsfield]

Anyone know anywhere in the southern half of England where a really good discount can be had on a Polestar upgrade. The best I've found is £700 all in but I know that others have paid less in the past. I'm prepared to drive around 3 hours to find somewhere.

[taz777]

Originally Posted by Tatsfield

Anyone know anywhere in the southern half of England where a really good discount can be had on a Polestar upgrade. The best I've found is £700 all in but I know that others have paid less in the past. I'm prepared to drive around 3 hours to find somewhere.

I'm on the lookout too. No real discounts to be had as far as I have been able to see.

A couple of Volvo dealers suggested I keep an eye out on My Volvo offers as, in the past, there have been Polestar deals to be had. Unfortunately the My Volvo offers only change once every couple of months (I think) so it could be a long wait.