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Volvo S60

3074 messages,  Last post on May 14, 2013 at 8:17 PM

You are in the Volvo S60 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Volvo S60, Volvo S60 R, Sedan

Messages Page 268 of 308

#2670 of 3074 Volvo Smell vs Toyota by fred3

May 08, 2006 (5:55 pm)

I'm looking to buy a car for my wife. She has a major allergic problem to new car smells. (I have a 2-year old Toyota Avalon that still has enough smell to bother her.) Volvo has made a big deal that their recent cars have eliminated many of the chemicals that are toxic in new cars.
 
Question 1: Would anyone like to comment on the degree of new-car-smell in the S60? Anyone who'd like to compare the S60 smell to that of a Toyota Avalon or Toyota Camry?
 
Question 2: Another alternative is to buy a used S60 -- say a 2004 model. Anyone have one, and could comment on the smell in that?
 
Thanks

#2671 of 3074 Re: Thanks to you all (and some heavy research [confused7] by lev_berkovich

May 08, 2006 (11:23 pm)

Replying to: confused7 (May 08, 2006 5:12 pm)
Classic Cars is a pure mechanical shop. I buy tires on Internet and install them at American Tire Depot in Van Nuys (corner of Oxnard and Hazeltine)- really nice family-owned shop. They might help you out.

#2672 of 3074 Re: Thanks to you all (and some heavy research [confused7] by lev_berkovich

May 09, 2006 (8:14 am)

Replying to: confused7 (May 08, 2006 5:12 pm)
Sorry, forget to mention one thing - you have to replace the rims, not just tires, going from 17 back to 16".
 
It could be really expensive. I think you would have to live with the somewhat harsh ride, having better looks and somewhat better handling in exchange.

#2673 of 3074 Re: Volvo Smell vs Toyota [fred3] by confused7

May 09, 2006 (11:47 am)

Replying to: fred3 (May 08, 2006 5:55 pm)
Just bought a 2006 S60 T5. It had been put on the road Dec 1, 2005 and was a service loaner at the dealership since then, running up about 7500 miles.
 
It still smells like leather, if that is what bothers your wife.
 
BTW I just test drove the 2007 Camry - I'm 5'10" and the front seat is incredibly short for me - passed on it. Didn't note the smell.

#2674 of 3074 Re: Thanks to you all (and some heavy research [lev_berkovich] by confused7

May 09, 2006 (11:55 am)

Replying to: lev_berkovich (May 09, 2006 8:14 am)
I am sure replacing four tires and rims would be a fortune. It's amazing that Volvo worked so hard on the ergonomics and safety and created a car that clocks every bump with such diligence.
 
For the record, my tires are Pirelli P235/45 R17 Four Seasons DOT XB CU 236 2505 E3 (just wrote everything down that was on the tire)... This translates into good handling but harsh ride.
 
If Volvomax is reading this, would he/she care to comment as well? Thank you.

#2675 of 3074 Re: Thanks to you all (and some heavy research [confused7] by volvomax

May 09, 2006 (2:06 pm)

Replying to: confused7 (May 09, 2006 11:55 am)
Well, first of all you bought a sport sedan.
The S60 T5 was designed for high speed driving and better than average reflexes.
Good handling in an emergency is paramount for good vehicle safety.
A cushy riding car won't be able to make an emergency lane change or turn with the same degree of confidence that a car with a more aggressive setup could.
You may never use the capabilities af an S60 T5 or BMW or Audi, but there is a reason why European cars ride differently from their American or Japanese counterparts.
As for the wheel issue. You may be able to swap the wheels and tires with your selling dealer for a set of 16" wheels and tires. Especially if you don't have any miles on your set. Probably won't get an even exchange, but it would be better than having to go to the parts dept and pay $300 a wheel plus tires. However, even if you do this, you may not notice much of a change.
Here is why. First of all the S60 T5 spring and shock setup would be unchanged. Suspension has more to do with road feel than just the tires do.
Also, you wouldn't gain much size in the tire. The S60 T5 has a tire size of 235/45/R17. That is a tire that is 235 mm wide and 105.75mm tall. The 16" wheel on the S60 2.5T is 215/55/R16, or 215mm wide and 118.25mm tall. You would gain 12.5mm in tire height. not much. While the side wall would gain some flexibility the basic suspension setup would be unchanged. Also, you would be losing 20mm of contact patch. Which when you are trying to put 257hp through the front wheels can come in very handy.

#2677 of 3074 Re: Thanks to you all (and some heavy research [confused7] by xmf314

May 09, 2006 (9:33 pm)

Replying to: confused7 (May 08, 2006 5:12 pm)
Per Lev, I'll make the drive to Calabasas, unless someone tells me Santa Monica Volvo service is also very good... Anyone?
 
I have used Volvo of Santa Monica to service my 2001 S60 for the past five years. Their service has always been good.

#2678 of 3074 Re: Thanks to you all (and some heavy research [volvomax] by confused7

May 10, 2006 (12:58 pm)

Replying to: volvomax (May 09, 2006 2:06 pm)
Thank you, Volvomax, for the explanation about the tires. I'll get used to the bumpiness, I'm sure. It's a great car. Also, thank you xmf314... glad to hear SM's service is good.

#2679 of 3074 Re: Thanks to you all (and some heavy research [confused7] by volvomax

May 10, 2006 (4:09 pm)

Replying to: confused7 (May 10, 2006 12:58 pm)
I'm sure you will get used to the difference. They really are great road cars.

Messages Page 268 of 308

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