great engine, great stereo, but had to go

[krisby]

12 days ago I traded my S60 2.5t for a Merc C320 (petrol). I had been back and forth during the 6 months I owned the ovlov, I loved the engine and the stereo was awesome, it had proved reliable and was generally a good car.

However, when walking to my car I never got excited, the looks were dull and I new I had a dull journey ahead of me. I kept telling myself it was reliable so I should keep it, but then I really wanted RWD, as I found the handling wanting despite having good rubber, and often struggling to get the power down in traffic light battles.

It was the little things that got the best of me though, the turning circle was a real bain at work where the car park is tight, but the rattles and creaks really annoyed me, I mean REALLY annoyed me, I like driving with music, but there are times I enjoy a quiet drive home and having that interrupted by the creaky dash and an untraceable rattle in the passenger side B pillar just drove me to distraction.

I hadn't been looking for a Merc, never actually wanted a Merc, but when I saw a C320 with decent mileage, top spec and 17" staggered AMG alloys I thought it would be rude not to take a look, I fell in love and did a deal. They were only offering me £1500 part ex for the volvo, which I thought was a cheek on a 57000miles 2003 2.5T, and I managed to get them up to £2250 in the end (as per other posts, negotiating or walking away is worth it).

So this is a farewell, it was nice to be on such an active board, surprisingly more active than previous BMW and Ford boards I've been on, hopefully the Merc boards are as good.

[savabill]

Hope you enjoy your new ride. You'll probably be back at some point, you'll always be welcome.

[Bill_56]

Originally Posted by krisby

It was the little things that got the best of me though, the turning circle was a real bain at work where the car park is tight, but the rattles and creaks really annoyed me, I mean REALLY annoyed me, .

Unfortunately IMHO these are both fair criticisms. I am an my second S60, 7 years cumulative ownership.

I have just about 'tamed' the various rattles, with bits of foam wedged into various gaps, in fact the same things rattled on both cars so it was easier second time around. But despite over 100k miles in these cars, I still misjudge almost every reverse parking manouvre I attempt, always amazed at how the car goes massively wide of my intended line. And invariably I ask myself, WTF did I buy a second one!?

[RM955I]

Agreed.....the cabin rattles and creaks are a huge let down on a car of this supposed quality.

I always say of my V70, it is the dullest, most uninspiring car to drive but it does so many other things so well: it'll do Austria in a day with 3 adults and ski gear and not leave me feeling tied or aching; I can chuck all of our camping gear in the back and never feel it is overloaded or cramped; it'll take a shed load of firewood with ease

....but those rattles

Having said that, there must be equally practical estates out there with more charisma and a better chassis and engine (with hindsight my 170 as a mistake - it's easy to work on and reliable but woefully lacking torque with an auto box: I should have held out for an oil burner). Still, I do like the looks, understated but stylish IMHO.

I am torn between a P3 or something completely different.

[krisby]

Originally Posted by Bill_56

Unfortunately IMHO these are both fair criticisms. I am an my second S60, 7 years cumulative ownership.

I have just about 'tamed' the various rattles, with bits of foam wedged into various gaps, in fact the same things rattled on both cars so it was easier second time around. But despite over 100k miles in these cars, I still misjudge almost every reverse parking manouvre I attempt, always amazed at how the car goes massively wide of my intended line. And invariably I ask myself, WTF did I buy a second one!?

What is odd about the turning circle, IIRC it is rated at 11.2 and the Merc at 10.8, but one of those numbers must be wrong cos the Merc feels so much more agile in the car park, even parked outside my local curry restaurant (with ease) in a space I would not have attempted in the Volvo.

[I-S]

If your S60 had 17s fitted with the appropriate lock limiter, it would have been 12.2.

[krisby]

Originally Posted by I-S

If your S60 had 17s fitted with the appropriate lock limiter, it would have been 12.2.

Holy cow, that explains it then.

[Andy Northface]

Loved the engine in my S80,loved the stereo. I hated the suspension squeaks and groans and I had replaced a lot of bushes and suspension bits. The turning circle even without the limiters was terrible. I still miss it though..... Loved the growl from the engine.

[krisby]

Originally Posted by Andy Northface

Loved the engine in my S80,loved the stereo. I hated the suspension squeaks and groans and I had replaced a lot of bushes and suspension bits. The turning circle even without the limiters was terrible. I still miss it though..... Loved the growl from the engine.

Oh yeah, I loved the sound of the 5 pot (not that 3.2V6 in the Merc doesn't have a nice baritone sound), and it sung a little bit more with a Pipercross in too, and the long ratio gearbox was a treat, I was always pleased doing 3400rpm at 95mph as opposed to my previous ST220 that was doing 4000rpm at 90mph.

But my heart just wasn't quite in it, had it been RWD, I would overlook the squeaks and rattles.