Lee's V60 Polestar

[LeeT5]

..And so, we begin again.

Having sold my V70R (after 11 years of cherished ownership to a forum member) I am now the lucky owner of an even rarer breed...

Late 2014 V60 3.0 Polestar in Onyx Black metallic (code 717).

SPECS

3.0L Transverse 6 cylinder Twin-scroll turbo (Petrol)
6 spd Geartronic with paddle shift
350BHP @ 5250rpm
500Nm @ 3000-4750rpm
0-60mph 4.8 sec (ESC 'off' + Launch control)
155mph limited
Boost pressure Max - 32psi.

History of car

Build #170
Registered August 2014
One lady owner from new
Exceptionally low mileage @ 18,887 (7/4/2021)
FVSH

Modifications...So far...

Installed Brodit phone mount and charging dock
Maxton design gloss black front splitter
Carbon Fibre number plate brackets
Personal plate (Not shown in first picture)
K+N Air panel filter insert
PU engine top mount insert
'POLESTAR' door downlighters
LED rear indicators
LED reverse bulbs
XC60 genuine LED rear number plate modules

Modifications to follow...

3" IPD DP with 150 cel Catalyst (In boot)
IPD billet aluminium top engine mount with 2 blue PU bushes (In boot)
4x Michelin Pilot Super Sport VOL Acoustics tyres (In garage)
Titanium brake caliper bleed nipples (in boot)
Genuine mud flaps (slimline ones)
Genuine Volvo front camera













Everything has ground to a halt at the moment as I managed to break my wrist in a mountain bike crash. So give me 6 weeks and I'll be back into the swing of things. In the meantime, I plan on have Volvo fit the DP soon.
Wheel refurb is planned for late spring/early summer as there is minor kerb rash from previous owner. I will be having them painted Carrs Anthracite (which is darker than Volvo Anthracite) and hopefully a good match for the dark grey plastic mouldings in the front bumper and rear diffuser.

So, watch this space as there's plenty to come.

[LeeT5]

Replaced stock black 'Stop/Start' button with red one.


Genuine floor mat


Brodit phone holder and charging dock




Maxton front splitter fitted

(Apologies for the sideways shots, I can't edit them, unfortunately)

[sye73]

Very smart

[Timo.]

About bloody time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So jealous. My dream car.

I will have one!! Some day, when they are a bit cheaper.

What a beast.

[kmb]

Excellent choice, hope you're enjoying it (when the wrist is in better shape).

[jellison]

For a Volvo - that is very "Sexual" (if you watch Monky London ).

fyi Nm to ft/lbs is 368.8. Strangely exactly the same as mine. I'm lagging behind a tad on power, but will get both moved up a notch soon.

[Morgan Harris]

It looks clean, I like the chrome parts/accessories on this black car.

[Timo.]

These seem like rocking horse poop at the moment... Its been months since I've seen any for sale on Autotrader/Ebay/Gumtree.....

People must be holding on to them tight.... Not surprised...

Hope they come down in price some time soon so I can realistically think of owning one rather than just dreaming

[LeeT5]

These seem like rocking horse poop at the moment... Its been months since I've seen any for sale on Autotrader/Ebay/Gumtree.....

People must be holding on to them tight.... Not surprised...

Hope they come down in price some time soon so I can realistically think of owning one rather than just dreaming

Someone I know is selling a black 3.0 Polestar if your interested? Think he wants circa 20k. Maybe open to offers, mileage is approx 90k.

PM me, if you are seriously interested and I can put you in touch with him. Car is a 2015 IIRC.

[Timo.]

Lee, real world mpg on your car?? Looking hard at these... Got a 60 daily commute (quiet motorway) to consider... Ideally needs to do 30 mpg. Gonna walk for everything else ��

[LeeT5]

Lee, real world mpg on your car?? Looking hard at these... Got a 60 daily commute (quiet motorway) to consider... Ideally needs to do 30 mpg. Gonna walk for everything else ��

Hiya matey!

Well, what can I say?
Having owned the car since 16th Jan 21 and only done circa 1700 miles, most of this mileage has NOT been on the motorway. Some of it has but only for a few miles.
Looking back through my driving journal on the Volvo app for the car and can tell you that I have achieved some good numbers. For example, On 19th July I drove 82 miles in total, 41 to destination and 41 back. 90% of that journey was motorway and the figures speak for themselves....

19/07/2021

ME6 > RH17 = 38.2 miles, 1hr 7 mins, 29.5mpg
RH17> ME6 = 44.7 miles, 56 mins, 31.9mpg (The return journey was slightly longer but was more motorway and less 'A' road).

19/06/2021

ME8> TN12 = 26.4 miles, 44 mins, 31.2mpg

Typically I've found if you spend your time on mostly 'A' roads, villages, occasional dual carriageways, town driving etc, then you can expect 20 - 30mpg. That includes spirited driving and the usual following a line of traffic on an 'A' road type driving @ 30-50mph.
Once you get on a motorway, then 30mpg is easily achievable when using the cruise control at 70 mph.
However, if you can limit your cruising speed to between 60-65 mph, then I reckon 32-36mph is achievable, especially on longer journeys.

So your 60 mile journey at 65-70mph could easily achieve 30-34mpg on average.

This comes with a warning though...

99% of my driving I would consider normal....going with the flow, no harsh acceleration or braking (always trying to keep brake dust on the wheels to a minimum ) I do like to hear the sound of the exhaust off the line from lights etc (it's infectious!) that's not to say I boot it all the time, I don't.
If you have a heavy right foot (I don't) then you'll never, ever achieve 30+ mpg.....infact I guarantee you'll be closer to 20mpg! If you drive on motorway at 80mph in cruise then, again, you'll be more likely to do 25mpg.
With this car I've found you can easily achieve 19-22mpg driving without care, heavy accelerations from lights etc and generally trying to get everywhere quickly. You have to drive VERY carefully and all the time to get 30+ mpg but it IS easily achievable.

My latest stats on the Volvo app show I did 4.9 miles in 14 mins with an average of 27.4mpg. That was driving to B&Q.
However, my journey back must have been more frugal as I only managed 17.2mpg. The route is half dual carriageway and 'A' road, so I obviously put my foot down going home.

I hope this gives you a good idea of stats and figures that you can achieve.

One thing I will say is, compared to my R, the Polestar 3.0 is more economical...but only just! The R always averaged 21-22mpg, unless I did a long motorway run, then I'd easily achieve 35-36mpg @ 65-70mph.
I'm very confident that doing long motorway journeys in my Polestar will get me 32-36mpg @ 65mph with Adaptive cruise control on. 70mph will be 32-33mpg and 65mpg will be 33-36mpg. A flat 60mph will get you 35-36mpg all day long!
With the R, the worst I ever saw was 19 mpg.

Hope this helps

[Timo.]

Thank you for the very detailed response

I think it would be rude not to go for a look/test drive consider ing it is not far away from me.

[Timo.]

Not a Hijack.... Lee,

Tried to convince myself I could afford the proper polestar version but who was I kidding....

However, I refused to be beaten and bought this today....

Another step up the ladder...

[TomTomAce]

Hi Lee, your post helped me with purchasing my 2016 3.0 V60 Polestar so many thanks for that. I've had it a week now and love it! I just have a question if I may, I feel you will hit me with some knowledge. Theres a creaking, clicking sound at low speeds felt in steering that can also be felt in the pedals. I know roughly with my limited mechanical knowledge that it maybe something to do with the CV joints but wandered if it may be something more serious?
Appreciate any help you can provide ☺️
Tom

[uqj83l]

It could be something as simple as a ball joint especially if it’s felt in the pedals when braking.

[LeeT5]

Not a Hijack.... Lee,

Tried to convince myself I could afford the proper polestar version but who was I kidding....

However, I refused to be beaten and bought this today....

Another step up the ladder...

Sorry for late reply, very nice car matey!
Does it have active valves in the exhaust? Would love to hear yours compared to mine. Although a twin exhaust, I'm guessing the pipe setup is different on a Polestar, becasue of the exhaust valves - otherwise, they make no difference. Mine are now permenantly 'open' but I can close them with a press of a button at any time.

[LeeT5]

Hi Lee, your post helped me with purchasing my 2016 3.0 V60 Polestar so many thanks for that. I've had it a week now and love it! I just have a question if I may, I feel you will hit me with some knowledge. Theres a creaking, clicking sound at low speeds felt in steering that can also be felt in the pedals. I know roughly with my limited mechanical knowledge that it maybe something to do with the CV joints but wandered if it may be something more serious?
Appreciate any help you can provide ☺️
Tom

Hi Tom.

First things first....check the wheel bolts are all torqued to 140Nm.
Assuming yours isn't low mileage?? What is the mileage?
Volvo CV joints rarely fail. Look for evidence of a split gaiter - if there is none, then the first place I'd look would be the ARB links. They can cause creaking, cracking, knocking noises through the suspension and is also felt through the pedal under braking. ARB links are a common failure on Volvo's.

Alternatively, Jack the car up on one side until the front wheel comes off the ground. Then gripping the tyre at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions, rock the wheel. If you feel movement or a subtle 'clonking', then this would indicate a worn bearing.
Doing the same thing but this time gripping the tyre at 3 and 9 o'clock positions will check for play in the steering linkage.

If you find nothing on either side, then your gonna have to take it to a garage that has 'shaker plates' on a ramp. They will be able to isolate the problem and diagnose the fault.

Kind regards,
Lee.

[Timo.]

Sorry for late reply, very nice car matey!
Does it have active valves in the exhaust? Would love to hear yours compared to mine. Although a twin exhaust, I'm guessing the pipe setup is different on a Polestar, becasue of the exhaust valves - otherwise, they make no difference. Mine are now permenantly 'open' but I can close them with a press of a button at any time.

No active valves... It's fairly subdued. Likes a bit of whoosing as you ease off the throttle. I have the DO88 aluminium intake from the air filter to the turbo now which has made a difference in noise, again, still fairly sensible but you can hear her breathing more.

27k miles on mine now. Still keeps me amused. Doesn't get used much.

Still fancy an stainless exhaust in the future.... Only thing is JETEX. Blew quite a few pennies on 4 new tyres recently after a small fight with a local crater/pothole. They shoiuld last me plenty of years given the low mileage it does. Maybe an exhaust next year....

T.

[LeeT5]

Makesure you rotate the tyres every 6 months, else the shoulders will wear on the front. Otherwise, dispite your low mileage, you'll get a lot less mileage than you think.
What size tyres does the T6 AWD have? Is it the same as a Polestar? - 245/35R20.

Ref the exhaust.....your engine is the B6304T4, and the Polestar 3.0 T6 is B6304T5.

You're not restricted to JETEX mate.........https://www.ipdusa.com/products/1208...Volvo-30676642

I have the IPD DP mated to my stock Stainless Polestar exhaust. I highly recommend!!

[Timo.]

Makesure you rotate the tyres every 6 months, else the shoulders will wear on the front. Otherwise, dispite your low mileage, you'll get a lot less mileage than you think.
What size tyres does the T6 AWD have? Is it the same as a Polestar? - 245/35R20.

Ref the exhaust.....your engine is the B6304T4, and the Polestar 3.0 T6 is B6304T5.

You're not restricted to JETEX mate.........https://www.ipdusa.com/products/1208...Volvo-30676642

I have the IPD DP mated to my stock Stainless Polestar exhaust. I highly recommend!!

Mine has 235/40 R18.

I say JETEX, as that seems to be the only thing available in the UK without importing. Not the worst price and seems to be the same brand as "SIMONS" from the states which seems popular for the T6 over there.

My previous tyres seemed to have worn much more on the back end that the front. They were due to be replaced but the fronts were probably a good 5mm until I destroyed one in a pothole.

I did some research and bought Continental Contact sport 7 which had come top in several reviews. They are very sticky!! So you are probable right, might not last as long. I'm only doing about 2.5 in that car a year so we shall see.

Still fancy a proper Polestar version in the future (3.0 litre not the 2.0). Although I've timed mine 0-60mph on a GPS app on the phone at 4.9 seconds. Not tried it since changing the intake/new tyres yet. But a sub 5 second time is not to be sniffed at.

T.