R-design in V90 and XC60

[mrshinobi]

Hello

New to this forum, and thinking seriously about buying a used V90 or XC60 (both decent family cars, I think - also love the look, and less ubiquitous than the BMWs etc around).

My preference was the XC60, but then I noticed that the V90 was considerably cheaper. However, I then also noticed that there seem to be a lot more used V90 R-Design models for sale, at lower prices than the Momentum options.

I was surprised by this, because I thought the R-design was meant to be more expensive. I then recalled that reviews of the V90 (and XC60) both recommended to have the air suspension option in the R-design variant because the ride was really stiff.

My question is: is the market flooded with unhappy R-Design owners, that didn't select the air suspension option (can't really find any for sale with that option)? Is the R-Design an uncomfortable ride in peoples' experience? Would the same apply to the XC60?

Thanks for any advice. Bit hesitant about spending too much on a diesel/petrol car right now - they seem to have a shelf life, and are becoming more heavily taxed. You can pick up a low-mileage 2018 R-Design V90 for about £20K - which is a good £5-6K cheaper than the XC60. But, if you can find a Momentum, it is typically more expensive...

Thanks in advance for any thoughts/comments/advice!

[Wabby]

I’ve come to a V90 R-Design from a Mercedes c250d coupe with Airmatic and I can assure you that for 90% of your driving the R-Design is fine.

Im very, very pleased with the suspension and was also worried. I’d wait until the lockdown is over and drive one for yourself as your roads/driving may differ from mine.

Maybe the buying price is a reflection of the massive yearly road tax on the r-design that maybe the momentums miss out on from new pricing? Could help keep second hand prices up?

[Hunter303]

R-Design XC60 owner without air suspension here and I’ve got no issues with the ride quality / comfort - seems more than acceptable to me. That said, I didn’t get the chance to test one with the AS but as I say more than happy with current setup.

[techwatcher]

I think that ride quality is subjective; one person's 'awful' can be another's 'OK' and yet another person's 'fine'.

FWIW I have just replaced an XC60 which had conventional suspension with a new one with air suspension and, for me, the air suspension is better but it the difference is not night and day.

I would strongly recommend that you test drive any car you are considering purchasing.

[MCV60]

No issues with the standard suspension on my V90 Rdesign, if anything a bit too soft. But that's subjective. Was a lot worse on the previous generation V60 Rdesig in comparison

[mrshinobi]

Thanks for the input. Perhaps, as Wabby says, it's the step up in annual tax vs the Momentum range that is suppressing the price. Hadn't realised that it's such a steep step up for cars (originally) sold for over £40k...

[Boatie]

As a V90 R Design owner who previously had a V90 Momentum (albeit a 2017 my) both non air, I would say that the R Design ride is somewhat firmer. Not helped by 20" low profile tyres. However, I wouldn't call it a deal breaker especially if the R Design is higher specced. The seats are firmer and took me a while to get used to. I had a loan XC60 (on air) a few months ago and I just didn't like it. I felt I was sitting on it not in it. I felt the same when I drove my nephews XC90. Both reminded me why I dumped my Nissan X Trail some years ago. I too found the increase in road tax a bit of a culture shock. £465 against 30 quid. Whatever you end up with enjoy it.

[xsaab]

See my car list at the end of this post.
The premature change to the B5 from the D4 was not a rational move - however it was a neccessary change. The suspension on the D4 was incredibly rocky and really shook people around and on some twisty roads induced travel sickness on twisty highways.

For me the D4 was an expensive mistake.

[wheelnut]

Done 32k in the last year or so in my V90 D4 R design with the standard wheels and suspension and it is fine.
I was also concerned about the firm suspension and test drove one first for that very reason. I needn’t have worried.
It is a bit soft towing the caravan but the rest of the time it is great.

[Kenp8257]

I think wheel is a significant factor in terms of comfort.

I have a S90 R-Design, MY17 without air, but 18" tyres.

Car is very comfy and smooth - subjective I accept.

I was after 20" rims (I think larger tyres look better) but many on this forum report thst 20" ruins the ride quality...

Apparently 19" is the max you should go without ruining the ride.

However, that said apparently 20" (and above) with air suspension is super comfy......

Just putting it out there......