- Joined
- Dec 28, 2007
- Messages
- 8,228
- Car
- Volvo V90 D5 AWD
Having driven the new car for a while I feel I can answer some of the questions asked of me about it, albeit keeping it brief.
My previous car was a pre facelift 2004 IL6 S211 E320 CDI Avantgarde with 204bhp and the 5 speed gearbox. I loved it with a passion for every day of the 3 1/2 years I owned it.
The new model is based upon a post facelift 2008 S211 E320 CDI Sport, so there are some significant differences in the spec, which I will deal with first.
Engine
Undoubtedly the V6 engine is smoother than the IL6 across all driving conditions (town, fast A road and motorway). However, as with the IL6, there's more vibration through the seat and steering wheel at idle than the equivalent petrol. I remind myself it's a diesel and just live with it.
Gearbox
Though some members have said the 5 speed is better than the 7 speed box I have to disagree so far. Changes are silky smooth and there's always a gear available whenever you need to downshift. With the 5 speed you could sometimes fall inbetween ratios and end up with a less than smooth take up.
Performance
Ah well, it's not really a fair comparison because of the Brabus chip giving 272bhp vs 204bhp of the IL6.
However, the combination of the (almost) 600Nm torque and the smoothness of the gearbox make for an intoxicating brew - hours of point and squirt fun.
You can imagine what it does on the motorway slip road.
Steering
One of the facelift upgrades was to quicken the steering by 10% and it certainly takes less input for the same turn - it makes for a more sporty drive through the twisties. The steering wheel is thicker and more sporty and the paddles add to the fun.
Seats
The sport seats have additional side bolsters and they are very supportive. My last seats were uncomfortable over a long distance and despite many adjustments I never got it right. I've not been far enough to tell how these will be yet, but initial impressions are good
The seat heat function is fab on these cold days.
Suspension
The car has 3 position air suspension, one comfort and two sport settings.
The comfort setting isn't the silky cushion of air ride you might expect, but don't forget, it's running 18" wheels and 35/40 profile tyres so in fact, it's very compliant. At speed it lowers itself to the sport setting - very trick.
The stationary rise function is good for showing off but will probably never get used.
AMG body kit
People are complimentary about how the car looks. When outside the house it sits on a slightly elevated position sideways to the road and it sure looks mean. How long the Brabus badges will last before they disappear is anyone's guess.
Options
Too many to bore you with, but the keyless go is excellent and more useful than I thought.
The auto tailgate is already proving worth it's weight.
Again, despite some bad press here, the linguatronic is easy to use, accurate, and amazes everyone who sees their address appear before them. The "individualisation" process (the initial set up to familiarise the car to my voice pattern) did make me look a bit of a prat as I sat there talking to it!
I've not set the distronic yet so can't report.
Being black it's hard to keep clean and with it's black windows and Brabus badges I'm sure I'm gonna get regular "tugs" from the boys in blue - ho hum.
Rewind a week or two - would I do it again - you bet
My previous car was a pre facelift 2004 IL6 S211 E320 CDI Avantgarde with 204bhp and the 5 speed gearbox. I loved it with a passion for every day of the 3 1/2 years I owned it.
The new model is based upon a post facelift 2008 S211 E320 CDI Sport, so there are some significant differences in the spec, which I will deal with first.
Engine
Undoubtedly the V6 engine is smoother than the IL6 across all driving conditions (town, fast A road and motorway). However, as with the IL6, there's more vibration through the seat and steering wheel at idle than the equivalent petrol. I remind myself it's a diesel and just live with it.
Gearbox
Though some members have said the 5 speed is better than the 7 speed box I have to disagree so far. Changes are silky smooth and there's always a gear available whenever you need to downshift. With the 5 speed you could sometimes fall inbetween ratios and end up with a less than smooth take up.
Performance
Ah well, it's not really a fair comparison because of the Brabus chip giving 272bhp vs 204bhp of the IL6.
However, the combination of the (almost) 600Nm torque and the smoothness of the gearbox make for an intoxicating brew - hours of point and squirt fun.
You can imagine what it does on the motorway slip road.
Steering
One of the facelift upgrades was to quicken the steering by 10% and it certainly takes less input for the same turn - it makes for a more sporty drive through the twisties. The steering wheel is thicker and more sporty and the paddles add to the fun.
Seats
The sport seats have additional side bolsters and they are very supportive. My last seats were uncomfortable over a long distance and despite many adjustments I never got it right. I've not been far enough to tell how these will be yet, but initial impressions are good
The seat heat function is fab on these cold days.
Suspension
The car has 3 position air suspension, one comfort and two sport settings.
The comfort setting isn't the silky cushion of air ride you might expect, but don't forget, it's running 18" wheels and 35/40 profile tyres so in fact, it's very compliant. At speed it lowers itself to the sport setting - very trick.
The stationary rise function is good for showing off but will probably never get used.
AMG body kit
People are complimentary about how the car looks. When outside the house it sits on a slightly elevated position sideways to the road and it sure looks mean. How long the Brabus badges will last before they disappear is anyone's guess.
Options
Too many to bore you with, but the keyless go is excellent and more useful than I thought.
The auto tailgate is already proving worth it's weight.
Again, despite some bad press here, the linguatronic is easy to use, accurate, and amazes everyone who sees their address appear before them. The "individualisation" process (the initial set up to familiarise the car to my voice pattern) did make me look a bit of a prat as I sat there talking to it!
I've not set the distronic yet so can't report.
Being black it's hard to keep clean and with it's black windows and Brabus badges I'm sure I'm gonna get regular "tugs" from the boys in blue - ho hum.
Rewind a week or two - would I do it again - you bet
