XC and R-design just expensive bodykits?

[Yellowbelly]

"So with the Volvos you are just paying for some added, some might say vulgar styling options over the Focus" says Don Norchi

What a sad person Don must be - spending his life rubbishing Volvo. Move on Don, get a life - nobody who can afford the current Volvos is listening.

Having had a V40 D3 R design for a month I can report that point to point on country roads it is a great car to drive and even better than the standard spec V40 I had before. My only complaint is that the sports leather seats which are very comfortable and supportive aren't available in a light colour but that's just a matter of taste.

[Marc01]

I have driven a D2 and T5 rdesign, and to be honest really liked the firmer suspension of the D2 with the standard sports suspension, I still found it compliant over ruts.

I am looking at a D4 rdesign MY15, I have been struggling to find anything above a D2 with the sports pack added for a test drive, so my question is this does specifying the sports pack make the standard dynamic chassis to hard for British roads?

Feedback has been very mixed that I have read, looking at NewVolvo's posts he refers to it as bone breaking hard, perhaps a case of personal opinion?

Anyone else have feed back?

Also it does appear from my research that the standard rdesign dynamic chassis is the same as say a V40 SE lux?

[NewVolvo]

Originally Posted by Marc01

I have driven a D2 and T5 rdesign, and to be honest really liked the firmer suspension of the D2 with the standard sports suspension, I still found it compliant over ruts.

I am looking at a D4 rdesign MY15, I have been struggling to find anything above a D2 with the sports pack added for a test drive, so my question is this does specifying the sports pack make the standard dynamic chassis to hard for British roads?

Feedback has been very mixed that I have read, looking at NewVolvo's posts he refers to it as bone breaking hard, perhaps a case of personal opinion?

Anyone else have feed back?

Also it does appear from my research that the standard rdesign dynamic chassis is the same as say a V40 SE lux?

It's more of a personal taste as the wife loves the hard ride (pardon the pun!)

I find her V40 R-Design setup to be harder than the "sport setting" on my A6 (and previous 535D) air suspension and both of them are hard.

In the end, you need to try one on British roads to get a feel of what suits you best!

[Yellowbelly]

I wouldn't fit 18" wheels on a car that will be driven on UK roads - the std 17" wheels on the R-design look great anyway.

[Marc01]

Originally Posted by Yellowbelly

I wouldn't fit 18" wheels on a car that will be driven on UK roads - the std 17" wheels on the R-design look great anyway.

Well I was told anything above a D2 with sports suspension is much firmer.

In the end I just kept the dynamic chassis and avoided the sports pack.

[RoyMacDonald]

I've driven both the V40 and the Cross Country and found them both comfortable with the Cross Country feeling slightly more comfortable and the V40 handling slightly better.

However today I was a passenger in the V40 and there is no contest, the Cross Country is far more comfortable for passengers. On country roads the edge of the road is more bumpy than the centre, hence not noticing such a big difference while being the driver.

I haven't tried the R-design but I wouldn't want anything harder than the V40.

[Marc01]

Originally Posted by RoyMacDonald;

I haven't tried the R-design but I wouldn't want anything harder than the V40.

Unless you specify the sports suspension, or go for a D2 rdesign the set-up is the same dynamic chassis as others V40's which I find firm enough, so did not bother with the uprated suspension which only lowers the car 10mm and makes the ride over firm for the majority of the a roads I drive on.

[don kalmar union]

As the current V40 shares its chassis with the Focus there are plenty of high quality aftermarket options for those owners wanting to improve the ride and handling, specifically lowered and uprated spring sets, dampers and anti roll bars.... not forgetting various suspension bushings.

Don.