2014 XC60 Official Answer.... finally

[Dossantos]

Originally Posted by marktredgold

Thats looks superb in white, and those 20" wheels look great too.

How's the ride with those fitted?

Thank you. The ride is absolutely great. It's the first large car I've had and expected rolling around corners and a possible uncomfortable ride - but quite the opposite. Yes, you feel the large bumps and a cats eye on the motorway, but thats expected for 20" wheels. In my opinion, they make the car. I'm in the process of doing my own Autoglym 'Lifeshine'. Bloody weather is messing up my plans though.

[Eksseesixtee]

Well wear on the car.

My new car (XC60 D4 AWD SE) is sitting, prepped and waiting for collection. Colour White but on Standard 17" SEGIN wheels. (I must wait another week for lease on existing car to expire)

I'm looking forward to it, big time.

[Mytholmroyd60]

Lovely, lovely.

[Dossantos]

Originally Posted by Eksseesixtee

Well wear on the car.

My new car (XC60 D4 AWD SE) is sitting, prepped and waiting for collection. Colour White but on Standard 17" SEGIN wheels. (I must wait another week for lease on existing car to expire)

I'm looking forward to it, big time.

Not sure what you drove before but the high riding position is great! Knowing you've got that 'power' in the gears to pull past almost engine is immense. The engine is great as well - sounds awesome in full flight.

[spaceman2844]

Originally Posted by Dossantos

Thank you. The ride is absolutely great. It's the first large car I've had and expected rolling around corners and a possible uncomfortable ride - but quite the opposite. Yes, you feel the large bumps and a cats eye on the motorway, but thats expected for 20" wheels. In my opinion, they make the car. I'm in the process of doing my own Autoglym 'Lifeshine'. Bloody weather is messing up my plans though.

Car looks great. Where did you get the Lifeshine kit?

[Dossantos]

Originally Posted by spaceman2844

Car looks great. Where did you get the Lifeshine kit?

I haven't bought the kit, but the products that Autoglym Lifeshine would use:

Exterior: Shampoo & Conditioner, Super Resin Polish, Extra Gloss Protection.
Interior: Leather seats - Leather Care Balm, Car Glass Polish.
(I have the clothes and applicators all ready)

I'm also purchasing the wheel care products. When my car is in for its 3 month check, I'll be asking the technicians to remove my wheels first. I'll then be driving off with them (in my Wife's car) and detailing them.

[Ninja59]

Pointless using leather balm as the the leather in a modern car won't absorb the balm or "conditioner" owing to modern dye's on leather being protected by a clearcoat. If anything the balm will attract more levels of dirt.

You merely need to clean and seal (note not condition) to ensure that it remains easy to clean. For example cleaning with dr leather, drying and then sealing with Gtechniq L1 or the LTT range. Furthermore, if you read Volvo's own advise in the manual it will back this up as does the fact that Volvo's own leather cleaner and protection is exactly that mere protection no conditioner based products.

Why can you not detail them at home taking them off yourself?

I must say the information in the car care part of the manual has improved in this area earlier cars were pretty poor in that respect. As taken from the XC's MY14.5 manual:

Volvo's leather upholstery is treated to preserve
its original appearance.
Leather upholstery ages and acquires a beautiful
patina over time. The leather is refined
and processed so that it retains its natural
characteristics. It is given a protective coating,
but regular cleaning is required in order
to maintain both characteristics and appearance.
Volvo offers a comprehensive product
for the cleaning and treatment of leather
upholstery which, when used in accordance
with the instructions, preserves the leather's
protective coating. After a period of use the
natural appearance of the leather will nevertheless
emerge, depending more or less on
the surface texture of the leather. This is a
natural maturing of the leather and shows
that it is a natural product.
To achieve best results Volvo recommends
cleaning and the application of protective
cream once to four times per year (or more if
necessary). The Volvo Leather Care kit is
available from your Volvo dealer.

[Dossantos]

I'm going to protect my seats with this
product after reading your previous post on this matter actually.

I have family who have and haven't done the same - both have seat kicking kids like mine. Guess which family wish they'd used the product.

The technician will take my wheels off, so I don't have to. That's why I don't need to do it myself.

[bigbadbob]

Dossantos your car looks great! I'm still waiting for mine says ready in 6 weeks. My car is a R Design Lux in white, I've gone for the new engine so I hope its as good as they say it is.

[bigbadbob]

I see you are going to wait to seal your wheels I would do it straight away so no brake dust or salt gets into the surface . I brought a set of wheels 7 years ago they are also diamond cut, I treated them with ACF-50 it comes in an aerosol can. Air forces and plane companies use it on their planes to stop corrosion. I apply it every year, spray some on a tissue and wipe it all over the wheel. Water runs off it, the salt washes off and no brake dust attaches, its great. You can also use it on black plastic to get out the grime and bring back the lustre. Ive tried waxes and the seem to attract the dirt. As for your seats I use Meguires Gold on my BMW, Ive had no problem with this product.