Volvo S60 2.3 T5 SE 4d Geartronic (2000/X) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
-
Economy
Value
Purchased the car second hand at four years old. Heavy depreciation. Very thirsty weekly meetings at local filling station. However, best used with super-unleaded fuel more BHP & cracking engine response. Sluggish on normal cheap unleaded.
Costs
As above. Servicing is eye watering and burns big holes in your wallet . Genuine factory parts only sourced via dealer, which is very expensive. Not worth using patent parts when it comes to a high performance vehicle as the T5.
-
On the road
Driving
Superb and an effortless drive on motorways. Chassis loses the plot on more demanding roads. Town driving is torture due to harsh suspension. Wallows in country lanes. Hates sharp bends as it is nose heavy due large engine.
Performance
Stunning straight line acceleration. Poor steering feel, non-communicative steering and chassis set-up. Horrid turning cycle. Auto box easily confused frustrating when you need the right cog at the right time!
-
Living with it
Reliability
Poor: Erratic start-up from cold slack steering wheel column broken engine mount air-con re-gassed twice leaky radiator faulty brake servo. All items fully rectified at dealer at great cost.
Image
Challenging to a great number of non-car aware public. An acquired taste: love it or you don't. No if's and but's. Nice front and profile but hideous rear-end, apart from the T5 badge itself.
Comfort
Sublime comfort. Matches and even beats the wily Germans. Excellent ergonomics. Small boot compared with rivals, however. A Harsh ride in urban areas lets it down considerably.
-
Security and Service
Security
Not tested. Not concerned either, as the vehicle is comprehensively insured! Anyway, your local joy rider is totally unaware of the T5's existence!
Service
Polite but very, very expensive. Best to maintain one's sense of humour in the face of financial adversity!
-
Problems and Ownership
Problems
Engine
Engine mount and radiator replaced.
Other
Volvo has missed the plot with the S60. So close yet too far to be the best all round package that this car truly deserves to be.
Ownership
Did you buy the car new?
Used
Would you buy the same model again?
No
Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?
No