XC60 Purchase

[mercuryrev]

Hi All,

XC60 (almost) newbie here....

Decided we'd like a XC60 and have a choice of two at a local dealer down here in France. One is AWD 6spd auto D4 spec'd up to the eyeballs but has 60k miles on it, the other is a 8spd auto D4 Ocean Race with 30k but without so many toys.

I'm not so fussed about the AWD and from what I've read the 8 speed is a much nicer box. I'm more concerned about the safety aids the Ocean Race doesn't have over the AWD.

Other than a reversing camera which I hear can be retrofitted, the Ocean Race is missing blind spot, adaptive cruise and lane departure warning over the AWD.

So the question is, if you have these fitted, how much do you find yourself using them? Or in practice do you find things like ACC a bit of a faff?

Thanks in advance

Jon

[Brankster]

Originally Posted by mercuryrev

Hi All,

XC60 (almost) newbie here....

Decided we'd like a XC60 and have a choice of two at a local dealer down here in France. One is AWD 6spd auto D4 spec'd up to the eyeballs but has 60k miles on it, the other is a 8spd auto D4 Ocean Race with 30k but without so many toys.

I'm not so fussed about the AWD and from what I've read the 8 speed is a much nicer box. I'm more concerned about the safety aids the Ocean Race doesn't have over the AWD.

Other than a reversing camera which I hear can be retrofitted, the Ocean Race is missing blind spot, adaptive cruise and lane departure warning over the AWD.

So the question is, if you have these fitted, how much do you find yourself using them? Or in practice do you find things like ACC a bit of a faff?

Thanks in advance

Jon

I have driven for over 25 years and never had an accident so the blind spot and lane departure warning are extras I would never need. I would like the adaptive cruise only when I'm towing my caravan. Retrofitting a reversing camera looks like hard work unless your very handy and trust yourself to take a few parts of the car off without damaging them. There is a video on retrofitting the camera on youtube i'm sure others have posted on here.

[mercuryrev]

Originally Posted by Brankster

I have driven for over 25 years and never had an accident so the blind spot and lane departure warning are extras I would never need. I would like the adaptive cruise only when I'm towing my caravan. Retrofitting a reversing camera looks like hard work unless your very handy and trust yourself to take a few parts of the car off without damaging them. There is a video on retrofitting the camera on youtube i'm sure others have posted on here.

Thanks for the reply

We ride motorcycles and so the lifesaver over the shoulder is a good habit thankfully. On the test drive the blind spot light came on when we were on a roundabout, after I had seen the car it was indicating. Yes very good for the times you don't look, but by that time it's probably too late.

I didn't use the ACC on the test drive, but I assume that it matches your speed to the car in front should you come up behind a slower car? For me the point of cruise control is to stay at a constant speed, so why would I want to drop my speed to that of a slower car? Perhaps I'm wrong though?

I saw part of the video last night and from the bits I saw, I'd be happy to do it. I'm just not sure it's that vital to have, I drive a T5 van with sensors and haven't hit anything when reversing, so again not sure it's a necessity.

But I suppose none of the gadgets are essential.... Just interested in other's opinions.

[dhr90]

While I haven’t really needed BLIS much driving round, it is useful as a supplement I find. I believe that it also includes cross traffic detection when reversing out of a space, I’ve found that very useful to warn of approaching cars and people if a van has parked next to me.

With ACC it can slow you right down and speed you up all without any input from your feet. If you’re in stop start traffic, or just very busy roads and no one can drive at a constant speed then it helps. It’s about taking the stress out of driving. I use it all the time on dual carriageways and it really does help. Tried it once on a B road, never again!! Also of great use in an average speed camera zone as you’ll know you won’t go above the limit and thus can keep your eyes on the road much more and less glancing at the speedo, useful in contra flows and narrowed lanes in roadworks.

[Richard M Knight]

I have just bought a V60 with Acc and Blis and I wouldn't now buy a car without them.

[kdst5]

I have the a V70 with the drivers support pack which includes the ACC and as others have said in the right conditions it's very useful.

I also have the rear camera and that does allow you to get very close to an object, much more so than I find with just the sensors. I believe you can retrofit the Volvo camera but I believe it needs a software update, I think someone on here quote something like £700 - £1,000 to have it all done including hardware, fitting and software etc. It was something like £700 option on the V70 when new.

I have not driven a car with the 8spd but the 6spd box is fine, its not a sports car after all.