Considering S60R as daily driver

[rikcougar]

As above guys

Toying with the idea of an S60R as a daily driver

What pitfalls am I likely to encounter, not bothered about mpg, goes with the territory and I know about the transfer box concerns

How much quicker than my C70? (stribo has both I think)

Anybody selling one?

(This does mean that I might not be able to afford a mid 80`s 3dr Fruad with a huge spoiler on the back so please try and convince me of the merits of the R)

Many thanks in anticipation

[stribo]

Hi Rik, yes we have both, and Rachel uses the R as a daily driver, I get to play at weekends. The power delivery I would say is more brutal than the C70, as boost comes in a bit later, but a lot harder, and it's defintely quicker than the C70 as you'd expect with a 60bhp advantage. It's the road holding you'll notice the most, even in the wet you can really throw it into a corner hard, and it'll just grip and go, none of the wheelspin you'll be used to with the C70. I'd definitely recommend one, it may not have the heritage, or looks of the Cossie, but in standard form, it'll run rings around it, and in greater comfort.

[M-R-P]

Just remember the running costs - £250 for one shock, Angle gear, BCU, ECU etc
VVT ECU isn't cheap either is it Stribo?

But then, when you take on a performance car, you take on everything that goes with it. S60R is a lovely car, with or without a horrible orange interior

[Wobbly Dave]

In standard form you shouldn't have much in the way of problems. 4c suspension can wear out - depends on age & is not cheap to fix.

The angle gear is prone to failure.

Turning circle as with all S60 p2s is poor.

[stribo]

Just remember the running costs - £250 for one shock, Angle gear, BCU, ECU etc
VVT ECU isn't cheap either is it Stribo?

But then, when you take on a performance car, you take on everything that goes with it. S60R is a lovely car, with or without a horrible orange interior

No, but it's cheaper than a DIM. As you say any performance car isn't going to be pennies to run, but will be a lot of fun, especially with a lovely orange interior.

BTW it didn't need the VVT ECU (which is probably all part of the main ECU) just the unit itself which adjusts the cam timing, and AFAIK all ME7 engines have VVT, so are just as at risk of a VVT fault.

[M-R-P]

Turning circle as with all S60 p2s is poor.

Turning circle in ALL P2s is poor, the R models are worse. The R front wheels don't so much turn as lean in the direction of travel.

V70 T5 - 11.6M turn
V70R - 14.3M turn.

Something close to that anyway. Just don't get lost in any tight country roads unless you're good at reversing.

[stribo]

In standard form you shouldn't have much in the way of problems. 4c suspension can wear out - depends on age & is not cheap to fix.

The angle gear is prone to failure.

Turning circle as with all S60 p2s is poor.

Yeah, how could I forget the turning circle, it's actually worse than the other S60's which in themselves are bad enough.

[rikcougar]

Not too bothered about running costs, fun is normally expensive and I did consider a Maserati for a brief moment!

Have heard about the turning circle but I guess you get used to it

There are not many about for sale at the moment and I really want one of the light blue ones (same as Santa`s don`t know the colour)

There is a nice low miles one on fleabay in Birmingham, don`t know if anybody knows it

Is tyre wear heavy and is the "Dale Winton" interior an option, I do quite like it and does it wear OK

Does the 4C suspension make much difference when switched between the various modes

(And a million other questions which I will get round to eventually with your permission)

[M-R-P]

The seats are basically the same frame Volvo have used for years. The R seats have slightly bigger bolsters. The colour doesn't seem to fade on the Dale winton ones. Usual Volvo high quality stuff really.

[Harvey]

Yes nice motors they do like a bit more TLC than most cars but keep on top of things should be ok.
I have had my one 18 months still love it to drive mpg sits at 18 mpg but it does do a lot of short trips.

[oblark]

Not too bothered about running costs, fun is normally expensive and I did consider a Maserati for a brief moment!

Have heard about the turning circle but I guess you get used to it

There are not many about for sale at the moment and I really want one of the light blue ones (same as Santa`s don`t know the colour)

There is a nice low miles one on fleabay in Birmingham, don`t know if anybody knows it

Is tyre wear heavy and is the "Dale Winton" interior an option, I do quite like it and does it wear OK

Does the 4C suspension make much difference when switched between the various modes

(And a million other questions which I will get round to eventually with your permission)

The "dale winton" interior was a £1000 factory optional extra.

[stribo]

You do notice a lot of difference between the different suspension settings, ours generally stays in comfort, but I put it in sport on the motorway, because in comfort it's so smooth you can end up going a lot faster than you think you are. Advanced isn't really suitable for our roads as it's just to jiggly, probably better on the track, certainly the choice for the 1/4 mile. Flash Green does look good, but I don't think the Atacama interior goes well with it, they clash IMO, obviously I like the Black/Atacama combo.

[Kingsford G]

If u not bothered about running costs etc. find a good one and get it mate.Don`t buy 1 with orange interior tho

[stribo]

If u not bothered about running costs etc. find a good one and get it mate.Don`t buy 1 with orange interior tho

You love our 'ginger' interior.

[T5frankie]

Not too bothered about running costs, fun is normally expensive and I did consider a Maserati for a brief moment!

Have heard about the turning circle but I guess you get used to it

There are not many about for sale at the moment and I really want one of the light blue ones (same as Santa`s don`t know the colour)

There is a nice low miles one on fleabay in Birmingham, don`t know if anybody knows it

Is tyre wear heavy and is the "Dale Winton" interior an option, I do quite like it and does it wear OK

Does the 4C suspension make much difference when switched between the various modes

(And a million other questions which I will get round to eventually with your permission)

the colour of the light blue you like is flash green lol

[Kingsford G]

You love our 'ginger' interior.

I do.

[Santa]

There are not many about for sale at the moment and I really want one of the light blue ones (same as Santa`s don`t know the colour)

There is a nice low miles one on fleabay in Birmingham, don`t know if anybody knows it

Is tyre wear heavy and is the "Dale Winton" interior an option, I do quite like it and does it wear OK

Does the 4C suspension make much difference when switched between the various modes

(And a million other questions which I will get round to eventually with your permission)

Hi Rick,

Mines Flash Green
I don't know the car but I do know the place. I went there years ago to see a Black S60R and even though the pictures showed a mint car and the description stated the same the car had scrapes on all 4 corners of the bumpers, every alloy was a complete mess. I just walked away and bought the one I have now a week later. (Note I think the garage had a different name back then).

S60R's are pretty good with tyres to be honest. You want the dark blue interior, its the best one lol.

There is a major difference between the modes, feel free to try mine if you wish.

[LeeT5]

Not too bothered about running costs, fun is normally expensive and I did consider a Maserati for a brief moment!

Have heard about the turning circle but I guess you get used to it

There are not many about for sale at the moment and I really want one of the light blue ones (same as Santa`s don`t know the colour)

There is a nice low miles one on fleabay in Birmingham, don`t know if anybody knows it

Is tyre wear heavy and is the "Dale Winton" interior an option, I do quite like it and does it wear OK

Does the 4C suspension make much difference when switched between the various modes

(And a million other questions which I will get round to eventually with your permission)

Hi

As a daily runner S60R/V70R are fine. Stribo's average 18mpg seems incredibly low considering my average is 22mpg and before anyone says "i drive like a fanny with my grandma in the back", i can assure you i don't. As anyone with an R can confirm its physically impossible to not put your foot down most of the time....a bit like trying not to chew a fruit pastile!!

When you first get one i would insist that for the first year you just accept that you will have an open cheque book because if you don't then you'll never get on top of the maintenance whether the cars immaculate or not. unless its lived in a showroom there will be things that need tending to and they might be expensive. Once your on top then its very easy and relatively cheap to stay there.

Don't be tight on maintenance, genuine where possible and always, always carry out basic servicing when its due inc rear diffs and angle gear oils.

£1000 will see the suspension in mint condition, Proper 4 wheel alignment and good make tires will increase mpg. A couple of trips to the dealer will make sure your car has all the latest software inc SUM calibration and ver.3 software (massively improves the ride of the shocks).

Headlamp alignment must be done every year because they gradually creep down due to vibration and bumpy roads.

Atacama interior, as said, was a £1000 option so if you can find one, seriously consider it. The leather is slightly more taut and not as soft as the Gobi and Nordkapp. Be careful of the drivers seat bolster as it wears very easy. Be careful wearing jeans as the rivets mark the leather very easily. If your going to be doing 15k or more a year then i would consider a good seat cover, otherwise a few years down the line it will have a huge impact on reasale value and new seats covers are £562 each + vat.
clean and nourish the leather every year to maintain its luster.

At 100k you'll be changing the clutch if its been driven nicely and that will be £1400 - £1700 all in.
At 120k your PCV will need replacing £160.
Shocks have come down in price but remember, they must be replaced as a pair!! £500 minimum + top mounts £50ea x 2 + support plates at £56 ea x 2. So that £700 for each axle or £1400 for all 4 corners (not including another SUM calibration and wheel alignment)
At 100k, if it hasn't done so already, expect the Angle gear (transfer box) to let go anytime soon.....£700.
Exhausts last forever as they are SS as oe, however most ppl change so i recommend custom build as its cheaper than BSR/MTE/Ferrita/etc and IMHO much better, £450.

Common faults are MAFs and Fuel pressure sensors, £300 and £50 respectively.

Electrically P2 R models are sound.
Mechanically their strong. They hardly ever breakdown. Ask yourself this.....when did you last see a P2 on the back of a truck?

Try and get one with RTi (makes add on's for future upgrades slightly easier)
Climate control is super cold and very powerful, so make sure it works before you buy, else it will hurt your wallet alot.
Sound system is bloody fantastic.
Finding one with a sunroof is a bonus as most don't have one but all do have Electronic climate control as standard.

Performance wise they are absolutely amazing in the wet. They are additively fast and guarantee to put a smile on your face. They are awesome in the snow too (plenty of videos on you tube to prove my point)
Remap is a must as it will improve your mpg as well as the performance.

Ive pretty much covered all the major points.
The only other thing i would say is when you find one, try and get an R owner off the forum to come with you to view the car as they will know all the important things to look out for.

[rikcougar]

Many thanks for your wise words and advice guys

I am lucky that I will be in a position to not worry about what it costs to run

What are they like when remapped, I get the distinct impression that they are quite savage as standard and do the engines last as long as the stereotypical Volvo unit?

Cossie will go up in value dramatically but cannot be used daily, will the R have lemming like depreciation

After that just leaves one question - R or cossie?

Answers on a postcard please...................

[graemewelch]

big fin cossie for me everytime. just love old fords.