Article Comments - BMW 328i vs. Volvo C70

22 messages, Last post on Oct 26, 2007 at 2:17 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Volvo C70, Car Comparisons, Convertible

Article comments for Hardtop Convertible Comparison Test: BMW 328i vs. Volvo C70 - Malibu should be the perfect place to compare two convertibles like the 2006 Volvo C70 and 2007 BMW 328i Convertible, a little slice of the Cote d'Azur in America. Actually, it's quite terrible. (more)

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#13 of 22 Re: Which would YOU choose? [pat] by 10scoachrick Oct 18, 2007 (9:04 am)
Replying to: pat (Oct 18, 2007 5:51 am) Indeedy, the article pointed out a few features(of both cars) that I had not come across in my early studies. I will mention that our leather in the C70 has been a disappointment in terms of wear. I about two years, the drivers seat had cracked and discolored considerably. The car is rarely parked with the top down...usually the seat is covered by a person whenever it would be exposed. We have never had this problem with a half-dozen leather-seated cars. As such, I am trying to save a thousand or so dollars by opting for the synthetic seats in either the Volvo or BMW. Pretty tough to find since most of the '08 cars are fairly well equipped. I wonder if the improved visibility(especially rearward) in the BMW could be argued to offset the potential downside in a crash. Better vis=no crash vs more protection in the event of a crash. Given that DW and I have avoided major collisions for 30-40 years of driving, the odds may balance. In the meanwhile, I knew thinking about a new convertible purchase would bring rain...sure enough, it's raining today for only the third time this fall. Replies to this message: rschleicher (Oct 18, 2007 2:58 pm) kdshapiro (Oct 18, 2007 5:04 pm) jeckles (Oct 19, 2007 11:34 am) 10scoachrick (Oct 19, 2007 12:41 pm) kdshapiro (Oct 20, 2007 7:37 pm) and 2 more... 10scoachrick (Oct 18, 2007 7:06 pm) kdshapiro (Oct 19, 2007 6:05 am)
#14 of 22 Re: Which would YOU choose? [10scoachrick] by rschleicher Oct 18, 2007 (2:58 pm)
Replying to: 10scoachrick (Oct 18, 2007 9:04 am) We've had our 2007 C70 for 8 months or so, although we haven't put much miles on it. We've had zero problems so far. I had test driven the prev. model C70 during its last year of availability, and the new one definitely feels tighter, with far less cowl shake, etc. I can't comment on the issue of the leather wearing, although my impression is that the leather on the new C70 (I'm not talking about the upgraded Sovereign hides that are now available for 2008, but rather the 2007 leather, which is now the "mid-grade" interior for 2008) seems to be a "harder", and less supple/luxurious leather than the prior model C70 had. But by the same token perhaps it will wear better. My general impression on leather seats is that the harder and less luxurious/supple they are, the better they wear. (With the best case of this being the seats on my old 1991 Mercedes 420SEL, with very hard leather, but the 16 year-old seats look basically like new.) I have no doubt that the handling and steering feel of the BMW will be at least somewhat superior, being RWD, etc. Plus, the C70's steering is arguably over-boosted. That said, the C70 handles very decently, so it will depend on your own priorities. One suggestion is that when you are testing "off the line" performance, you might try turning off the DSTC (via the scroll wheel and button on a stalk on the left side of teh steering wheel - same control that is used to cycle through the trip computer display items). This turns off the "spin control" portion of DSTC, that limits engine power to avoid spinning the front wheels, but leaves the traction control and yaw control functions working. It at least seems like the car accelerates a bit faster off the line with DSTC turned off. The C70's final drive ratio is geared a bit taller than other competing models, leading to 0-60 times that are a bit slow for the engine hp and torque. But its 40-70 "passing time" numbers are very cometitive. I like the exterior and interior style of the C70 more than the BMW, in that everything seems to harmonize well. But of course this is just a matter of personal opinion and preference. With a $4500 or so price difference (compared to the 328i version) I was sold on the Volvo. Even if there was zero price difference I still might have gone with the C70 - my wife was definitely liking the C70 most of all. (Other cars that were on our short list were the Audi A4 cab and the VW Eos.)
#15 of 22 Re: Which would YOU choose? [10scoachrick] by kdshapiro Oct 18, 2007 (5:04 pm)
Replying to: 10scoachrick (Oct 18, 2007 9:04 am) I am not worried about the "supposed" offset in safety issues. In my mind there is too much variability in a car crash to say for certain the safety margin difference on comparable cars would do better or do worse in any one situation. Others see it differently, imo, the trade off collision avoidance vs collision safety. Replies to this message: jeckles (Oct 19, 2007 11:34 am) 10scoachrick (Oct 19, 2007 12:41 pm) kdshapiro (Oct 20, 2007 7:37 pm) 10scoachrick (Oct 25, 2007 6:58 pm) and 1 more...
#16 of 22 Re: Which would YOU choose? [10scoachrick] by 10scoachrick Oct 18, 2007 (7:06 pm)
Replying to: 10scoachrick (Oct 18, 2007 9:04 am) Well, today, a couple of things happened...the offending cracked leather driver's seat in our C70 was refinished and looks like new. Also, we let the chance to change/order a C70 for December delivery slip by. Of course, we can still special order to our specs either the Volvo or BMW. Just a matter of time but, even though I've purchased a couple dozen vehicles in my life, pulling the trigger is more fun when the dream car sits right in front of you. Funny how the brain operates...$10-15k premium to drive a drop top vs a sedan. As my DW says, "Life's too short NOT to drive a convertible". Actually, we are considering a move to a much warmer climate...fewer daytime runs with the top down but many more mild evenings. It's strange in this price arena, also. At forty grand, you get a VERY nice vehicle with plenty of safety and comfort features. THEN, a few years later, you are looking at a new ride and the incremental increase in 'stuff' is nothing like stepping up from your Miata to the C70 or from your Tribute to a Lexus RX. If you don't get caught up in the latest techno goodies, you basically are trading up a bit but mostly are trading used for new...not plain for fancy. THEN, you start thinking-"I've got a perfectly decent vehicle now...do I really need to drop another $30k to get something new?" Wasn't so long ago that thirty grand would have covered TWO cars for us! On the other hand, the Volvo and BMW are both new models with a hard top, increased safety features, full warranties, new-car smell... Replies to this message: kdshapiro (Oct 19, 2007 6:05 am)
#17 of 22 Re: Which would YOU choose? [10scoachrick] by kdshapiro Oct 19, 2007 (6:05 am)
Replying to: 10scoachrick (Oct 18, 2007 7:06 pm) Not a position I would want to be in. :shades
#18 of 22 Re: Which would YOU choose? [kdshapiro] by jeckles Oct 19, 2007 (11:34 am)
Replying to: kdshapiro (Oct 18, 2007 5:04 pm) In my mind there is too much variability in a car crash to say for certain the safety margin difference on comparable cars would do better or do worse in any one situation. I didn't make my decision based on crash tests either, but it was shocking BMW missed the mark so dramatically on the new convertible. We had a BMW convertible before and it was ranked pretty well for crashworthiness. Of course we never needed it... but those crash test guys know how to minimize variability to the point where the data is pretty usable for comparing similar size/weight vehicles. The choice is personal, but I was sold once I realized I could get a free trip to Europe with the purchase of the Volvo, drive the it for a while (or not) and then ship it home: All for less than I could buy the same car off the lot!! Volvo has the best overseas delivery program around and treats its customers very well. It is one of the few times in your life where something seems to good to be true but is the real mccoy! It is the only way I would buy a new Volvo! The trip alone was worth >$2,000 and the memories were priceless. BMW has a similar program, with a few less bells and whistles and included perks. Replies to this message: 10scoachrick (Oct 19, 2007 12:41 pm) kdshapiro (Oct 20, 2007 7:37 pm) 10scoachrick (Oct 25, 2007 6:58 pm) rschleicher (Oct 26, 2007 2:17 pm)
#19 of 22 Re: Which would YOU choose? [jeckles] by 10scoachrick Oct 19, 2007 (12:41 pm)
Replying to: jeckles (Oct 19, 2007 11:34 am) We considered the OSD program about 20 months ago when we were looking at the XC90(ended up with RX330). At that time, there were deals to be had on the Volvo stateside so the $ would have been a wash but the trip sure would have been fun. As it was, DW and niece went to Paris and I stayed home. The price savings on the C70 could make another trip worthwhile, especially if we are going to wait anyway. Still thinking... Sure would be nice driving today-75 degrees, mostly sunny...oh, wait, we already HAVE a convertible! Off I go!
#20 of 22 Re: Which would YOU choose? [jeckles] by kdshapiro Oct 20, 2007 (7:37 pm)
Replying to: jeckles (Oct 19, 2007 11:34 am) "but those crash test guys know how to minimize variability to the point where the data is pretty usable for comparing similar size/weight vehicles. " But what the one variable that can't be predicted is how the crash will occur. As with you I've relied on collision avoidance than collision protection the years I've been driving. So I agree the crash ratings play a role, but I don't focus on them. Replies to this message: 10scoachrick (Oct 25, 2007 6:58 pm) rschleicher (Oct 26, 2007 2:17 pm)
#21 of 22 Re: Which would YOU choose? [kdshapiro] by 10scoachrick Oct 25, 2007 (6:58 pm)
Replying to: kdshapiro (Oct 20, 2007 7:37 pm) Well, the crash test results were one reason we decided to pull the trigger...Celestial blue with a few goodies I really didn't want to pay for...Xenon, leather, super audio,,,all things I could do without. We decided not to order the C70 and wait until Christmas(same situation with the 328i) so we had to choose among white(disappointed in the stark white compared to our Polar white), black(beautiful but we can't wash our cars here in north GA during our drought), silver(pretty car but not our favorite) and the winning Celestial with Calcite. Our familiarity with FWD, higher safety/crash ratings, and lower price all were factors in our decision. This makes 4 Volvos in a row with one Lexus thrown in for good measure. So far we love it...of course, it has been wet/cool since we made our decision...looks to be a beautiful weekend for topless driving! Replies to this message: rschleicher (Oct 26, 2007 2:17 pm)
#22 of 22 Re: Which would YOU choose? [10scoachrick] by rschleicher Oct 26, 2007 (2:17 pm)
Replying to: 10scoachrick (Oct 25, 2007 6:58 pm) 10scoachrick, Congrats on your purchase! As someone who has a Black/Calcite Cream C70, I can attest to the fact that it needs more frequent cleaning. Dust seems to develop fastest on the top of the rear bumper area. I take a "car duster" to it to keep it looking good. I sympathize with your water restrictions in Georgia. We're hoping for a reasonably wet winter in northern CA, or else we will probably have our own restrictions next summer.