- #365 of 828
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Re: AWD vs. FWD on Volvo S60
by voxboy
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Dec 03, 2006 (9:03 am)
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Replying to: circlew (Nov 27, 2006 11:20 am)
Can anyone enlighten me on this? Consumer Reports gives the Volvo S60 FWD an above-average reliability rating, while it gives the AWD model a below-average reliability rating. Logic dictates that this gap in customer satisfaction is 100% AWD-related. But is that truly the case? What sort of problems should I expect and how severe and/or frequent are the issues that arise? I need to understand if the AWD S60 is going to be a reliability headache.
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- #366 of 828
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Re: AWD vs. FWD on Volvo S60 [voxboy]
by themugster
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Dec 03, 2006 (1:20 pm)
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Replying to: voxboy (Dec 03, 2006 9:03 am)
First I'd heard of anything like this. For what it's worth, my '04 R just turned 23K and has developed no AWD-related issues whatsoever. Of course, on the R it's standard and therefore an integral part of a pretty sophisticated performance-tuned suspension system, so I suppose it's always possible that there could be problems that arise from the bolt-on nature of AWD on the "regular" S60? Under-engineered, perhaps? Will be interested to see if anyone in this group has any experience with this.
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- #367 of 828
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Re: AWD vs. FWD on Volvo S60 [voxboy]
by ateixeira
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Dec 04, 2006 (9:28 am)
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Replying to: voxboy (Dec 03, 2006 9:03 am)
In general I think you can count on a Volvo to be very durable, i.e. last a long time, but I think it might need more repairs than average along the way.
For some reason friends of mine that have had them gave them up because of little things that kept adding up, often electrical things.
-juice
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- #368 of 828
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Re: AWD vs. FWD on Volvo S60 [ateixeira]
by dhanley
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Dec 14, 2006 (9:08 pm)
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Replying to: ateixeira (Dec 04, 2006 9:28 am)
Well, i just placed an order on a 335i. I'll be euro-delivering it. Thanks for all the ideas, guys!
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- #369 of 828
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Re: AWD vs. FWD on Volvo S60 [dhanley]
by qbrozen
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Dec 15, 2006 (7:01 am)
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Replying to: dhanley (Dec 14, 2006 9:08 pm)
may i ask the details? Options? pricing? timeframe?
and, to keep it somewhat on topic, why did you decide on a RWD car?
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- #370 of 828
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Ultimate FUTURE AWD Sports Sedan
by circlew
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Dec 15, 2006 (2:23 pm)
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The 335xi could be the answer to this forum...
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- #371 of 828
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Re: AWD vs. FWD on Volvo S60 [qbrozen]
by dhanley
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Dec 15, 2006 (3:06 pm)
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Replying to: qbrozen (Dec 15, 2006 7:01 am)
Pretty basic ( for a 335i ) since most of the options i want are included ( sunroof, xenons, logic 7 sterio. ). So i just got metallic paint ( montego blue) and cold weather. I'm paying $900 over euro invoice, or $35340.
I went with RWD because i think you need snow tires in any case, and i feel that RWD+snows is perfectly adequate, as i'm not climbing icy mountians. IMO DSC keeps you safe, not AWD.
And, yes, the 335xi may qualify for this topic.
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- #372 of 828
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Re: AWD vs. FWD on Volvo S60 [dhanley]
by circlew
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Dec 16, 2006 (6:51 am)
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Replying to: dhanley (Dec 15, 2006 3:06 pm)
Shipo and other agree with you on the ultimate sports sedan setup with RWD/SP but I beg to differ. AWD on the 3 series is quite a potent handling package and the more I test the limits and learn how to manage the setup, I feel the weight difference but disagree with view that it inhibits control. I actually think the fun factor still exists in this configuration. I would like to know more about the suspension tuning differences.
I would like to ask the hosts if they can add any light to possibility of a track test of the '06-'07 AWD vs. RWD 3series.
I see some comparos with the Carrera 4 vs. 4s and others where awd actually outperforms the rwd model.
Regards,
OW
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- #373 of 828
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Re: AWD vs. FWD on Volvo S60 [circlew]
by dhanley
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Dec 16, 2006 (7:07 am)
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Replying to: circlew (Dec 16, 2006 6:51 am)
I don't doubt that the fun factor exists in the AWD 3-er setup, and also that on a tight track AWD might beat RWD because of the ability to get on full power sooner out of a turn. My choice was based on the idea that the RWD setup will be a bit sharper, lighter, and get better MPG, and i've never had a problem getting around with snows. If i had a house on a hill in snow country, i might well choose otherwise. But it's pretty flat and plowed around here.
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- #374 of 828
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Re: AWD vs. FWD on Volvo S60 [circlew]
by designman
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Dec 16, 2006 (7:48 am)
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Replying to: circlew (Dec 16, 2006 6:51 am)
I see some comparos with the Carrera 4 vs. 4s and others where awd actually outperforms the rwd model.
It’s hard to compare the Porsches with the 3-series because of the striking difference in weight balance. The 911s are tough to handle in turns as you approach the limits because of its extreme rear weight bias and the AWD mitigates this by putting weight up front. AWD will perform better in corners because of its ability to add pull through them but there is still the weight tradeoff. That extra 242 pounds in the 328i vs 328xi is a lot. The difference in the C2S vs C4S is only 121 pounds and the Porsches weigh considerably less to begin with. But remember, the thing that makes the 911 AWD so desirable to some is the “improved” weight balance and tempering of the oversteer. This is not the case with the BMWs which go from virtually neutral to front bias.
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