T8 suspension: air or standard?

[Deman77]

Curious what T8 owners think particularly on 20 or 21 in set ups.

I have air on D5 20in and whilst I enjoy lowered car for entry I feel the difference at speed is not that big and sports vs comfort is hardly noticeable (could fail blind test).
Where I did see a very noticeable difference was going over broken ground road joints and potholes where standard appears to be a lot more pleasant (air “communicates” a lot and crashes very easily). I would likely spec no air if I was buying a D5 now to get less drama at low speed in the badly surfaced streets.

I know T8 is a different beast with all that extra mass so it may not be as harsh on air on bad surfaces and or show more improvement at speed. What are people experiences?

[gaby]

Originally Posted by Deman77

I have air on D5 20in and whilst I enjoy lowered car for entry I feel the difference at speed is not that big and sports vs comfort is hardly noticeable (could fail blind test).

That means that you have driven the same car with and without air, so you can compare?

[4x4]

I have 2 cars with air suspension and have owned at least 6 in the past. Air suspension is great if your car has several passengers and nice to know it is going to self level and not bottom out on the speed bumps but if you're there in there on your own it feels harsher than steel springs...

Just my observations

[Deman77]

Originally Posted by gaby

That means that you have driven the same car with and without air, so you can compare?

Not same car but I drove 4-5 different new shape D5s some with and some without air.

[NewVolvo]

The difference between driving a car with air and one without, Volvo or not, is like night and day!

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by NewVolvo

The difference between driving a car with air and one without, Volvo or not, is like night and day!

Yes, but some people like the nightime and some like the daytime....

How is air better (or worse) over conventional springs?

[NewVolvo]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

Yes, but some people like the nightime and some like the daytime....

How is air better (or worse) over conventional springs?

Smooth! No jumping all over the place. In my mind, its also quiter. Total BS of course, but thats the impression I get.

I have driven a 5-series without. Mine had it = night and day.
Test drove an A6 without before going for mine with = night and day.
The S6 have it as standard although somewhat harder/better handling than the A6 with = much improved handling.
Test drove a V70 with = wow!
My 2015 Mustang doesnt have it. Crashes terribly. New 2018 model have it as option....possibly as many owners have complained.
Etc
Etc

Well worth it IMO.

[Rooster]

Getting to drive a wide variety of XC90's it interesting air and normal have been mentioned but not actual models as this seems to affect the ride alot,

We have a roadtest route we do to recalibrate the radar and camera's after software updates knocks it out and its a nice mix of road surfaces,

I wouldn't own an R-design on 22's with or without air as driven a couple and even with air they feel far to harsh and i think the xc's the wrong type of car for that,

Now an inscription on 21's and air is like night and day to the R-design

[Daveh1000]

I test drove an Inscription diesel which I found very crashy over bumps. I felt every one and it hurt my wife’s back (she has arthritis). Ended up ordering Inscription pro on 21’s. I would have preferred 20’s but ride surprisingly good on 21’s much better than the diesel we originally test drove

[yeoman]

Originally Posted by NewVolvo

Smooth! No jumping all over the place. In my mind, its also quiter. Total BS of course, but thats the impression I get.

I have driven a 5-series without. Mine hithad it = night and day.
Test drove an A6 without before going for mine with = night and day.
The S6 have it as standard although somewhat harder/better handling than the A6 with = much improved handling.
Test drove a V70 with = wow!
My 2015 Mustang doesnt have it. Crashes terribly. New 2018 model have it as option....possibly as many owners have complained.
Etc
Etc

Well worth it IMO.

I can only speak from my experience from having driven a few XC90,s with and without air suspension.

The air suspension certainly makes the ride a bit more floaty, but on smooth surfaces, you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between standard springs and air .
There is a section of tarmac on the M180 between Scunny and Grimsby that surely must be the ultimate gold standard test for judging matters like this.


On that segment of road and at certain speeds,you can readily tell the difference between the two.