AGV70R Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 Just did my first mod - removed the "V70". I am going back & forth on whether to get rid of the "AWD" and leaving just the "R".Now to my observation:I love the car so far. VERY impressed - far exceeded my expectations. I cant believe how much it was discounted. I am so grateful to everybody in US/Canada who hate wagons It is very surreal when pushed hard into a corner! it feels like it pivots on a point.On a scale 1 - 10 I think the V70R is a 9.995. If this cars looks, engine and suspensions weren't so awesome this would have been a 7.5 car.... but I love the power, the acceleration the adjustability of the suspension when I go from smooth to potholed roads. Then there's the fact the car looks so sweet too. I'm not going to repeat what everybody before me have already said. But I can say they were really being modest!That being said, here's my list of tiny niggles:1] The 4C chassis button are way too far away when you need them right away in a rush. It would be nice to have them by the shifter right by the sport "S" button or (dare I dream) on the steering wheel?!?!2] Speaking of steering wheels... At first I loved the look of the new steering wheel. But after one or two incidents when I had to use the horn suddenly by using my thumbs I kept accidentaly turning the radio presets or turning on my crusie control. It seems illoigcal that the surface that the buttons are on can't activate the horn without activating the buttons. One solution would be to have horn buttons behind the thumb pads on the wheel. Then you could coniue to grip the wheels all you want and then barely move you index finger to activate the horn. For now I have to train myself to use the center part of the steering wheel - which reduces response times.3] The seats are great for my back typical Volvo ... but they're are not as comfortable in the thigh region as the ones in my XC70. I think it has to do with the way they did the sport seats by basically just adding more material to each compartment on the thigh bolsters. Im 5'9 and 150lbs and ride about 150 miles a week so theres no chance of my butt being too big. They should have sculpted out the seats a bit more. In case your wondering - I am used to sport seats - TT for 3 years and a whole day I spent on a track in a Lotus Elise without any problems.4] Now brace yourself for my biggest complaint about my sweet V70R.... The dash It totally sucks - Im sorry but I know lots of people think its a great dash but I would kill to swap it out for the one in my XC70.The gauges should be back lit. They have JUST reflective light shining on them! ! In certain light conditions its hard to distinguish the speed markings. The speed marking, which should be back lit red or something, get washed out with the chrome rings. Why wouldn't you offer come more contrast than white and silver for night time.To see how to do a gauge Volvo should take a look at the IWC Pilot or Aquatimer for how legible clear dials should be done... or take a look at Bell&Ross for a few ideas.Now for some questions:I'm getting about 250 - 300 miles to a tank of gas. Does this seem really low? Of course I havent had a chance to use the crusie and havent been trying to hard to drive easy. ThanksWell thats about it. Tomorrow I start to enjoy the car full out. But like I said these are minor compliants but I wanted to give both the good and the bad.Would love to hear everybody comments. Thanks.-Georgep.s is it possible to swap in the dash of a xc70 in to the R? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
defgh1 Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 1) I agree it would be nice if they were closer, but why are you finding you need to change them so often?2) With time you will get used to the steering wheel switch locations. The center of the steering is the most common location for the horn and easily found by another less frequent driver. My Stealth has the horn button by your thumb and nobody who drives the car can find the horn.3) The seats will actually fell better over time. I know when I first got mine I had some problems with the thigh bolsters, but do not have a problem with them now. If it bothers you then take the car to a good auto upholsterer shop and have them remove about 1" from the left side seat bolster foam. Some other owners have done that and were happy with the results and unless you knew what to look for it was not noticeable.4) I think the gauge cluster is awesome and would not change a thing except to add a boost gauge. I do not have the reflection problem and at night they are . Sure you can put the XC70 gauge cluster in your R, but IMO you would be nuts to incur the expense on doing a swap which would substantially reduce the value of the car. Get the windows tinted to help the reflection problem.Mileage will improve with additional miles and once you switch to full synthetic. The R tends to get poorer MPG in very hot weather especially with many premium fuels now using 10% ethanol.Doug H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob1568908302 Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 Excellent 5 star write-up.. .thanks for sharing your thoughts with us all, and it's great to see someone take the time to share positive experiences!Lotus Elise on a track .... drool!Hmm, me thinks this is the first time someone *dislikes* the R dash and particularly the gauges, although I understand your concern about them not being well backlit... IMHO one of the most beautiful dashes (by a long shot) is un the Ferrari F430. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGV70R Posted July 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 1) I agree it would be nice if they were closer, but why are you finding you need to change them so often?I ussually leave it in sport mode but evry once in a while run into horrible roads OR when i need to "move" around traffic I like to be in "advanced" mode for the extra sweet handling2) With time you will get used to the steering wheel switch locations. The center of the steering is the most common location for the horn and easily found by another less frequent driver. My Stealth has the horn button by your thumb and nobody who drives the car can find the horn.yup ... not a big deal...3) The seats will actually fell better over time. I know when I first got mine I had some problems with the thigh bolsters, but do not have a problem with them now. If it bothers you then take the car to a good auto upholsterer shop and have them remove about 1" from the left side seat bolster foam. Some other owners have done that and were happy with the results and unless you knew what to look for it was not noticeable.Im hoping overe time to things will happen. the material will get custom fit to my but and I will get used to it. 4) I think the gauge cluster is awesome and would not change a thing except to add a boost gauge. I do not have the reflection problem and at night they are . Sure you can put the XC70 gauge cluster in your R, but IMO you would be nuts to incur the expense on doing a swap which would substantially reduce the value of the car. Yeah I'm not going to spend big money on it... but I'm a big design/usability nut and it really drives me up the wall at night. Right now I turn down the lights. .... I mean reflective lights is low budget. ...I keep dreaming about how awesone it woudl be if the speed markings were lit up red using fiber optics Mileage will improve with additional miles and once you switch to full synthetic. The R tends to get poorer MPG in very hot weather especially with many premium fuels now using 10% ethanol.As long as 250 - 300 miles isnt TOOOO low Im fine. Just checking. Thanks.Its not a big deal given how much fun this car is. The V70R is huge clear exepction to the rule you cant have a fast comfortable car that also handles great and gives you ok mileage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pm2000541568908310 Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 As long as 250 - 300 miles isnt TOOOO low Im fine. Just checking. Thanks.Its not a big deal given how much fun this car is. The V70R is huge clear exepction to the rule you cant have a fast comfortable car that also handles great and gives you ok mileage. I am getting about 330 miles per tank, with the A/C going almost all the time. That is including a couple dozen passes down the 1/8 mile a week.-mk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGV70R Posted July 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 Excellent 5 star write-up.. .thanks for sharing your thoughts with us all, and it's great to see someone take the time to share positive experiences!Well given all the valuable info I got form this web site it only seemd the least i coudl do to return the favour.I am still STUNNED at all the magazine reviews I read about the V70R. I still cant believe that these cars are so massively discounted at any time of the year. A freind of mine who used to sell Audi and Porsches said the car is so underated its crazy. He told me that it could out power and handle most cars that you run into on average on any road unless you spend 20K more.... and then it wont be by much. Plus theres the whole winter time usability when those cars will be in a garage somewhere.The other reason I've always loved wagons is they have better aerodynamics and genrerate less lift and due to the wagon are better balanced. My wife knew when I turn 40 I wanted a Porsche but after driving my V70R home in break in mode for just 50 miles I told her I didnt want to waste our money! .... after 1500 miles I havent changed my mind.Lotus Elise on a track .... drool!Yeah the cool part was forcing an elise to over and understeer while a Lotus car instructor from Britan is screaming at you, "Faster, faster, more wheel, more wheel" Hmm, me thinks this is the first time someone *dislikes* the R dash and particularly the gauges, although I understand your concern about them not being well backlit... IMHO one of the most beautiful dashes (by a long shot) is un the Ferrari F430.Yeah Im pretty spoiled - as a kid my first car I saved up for was a rusted old 1978 SAAB 99 EMS - but they had the best gauages ever - truly taken out of a jet fighter.IMHO Dials should convey info at a glance without having to look at them too long. The difference between 40 and 45mps is hard to tell sicne the 40 mph marker is larger than the 35 or 45mph markers. BUT this length difference is hard to pick up when the markers are not set against a dark color. They should have used some type of yellow since they are opposite or complementary colors like red and green.Keep in mind I have a MY04 XC70 since 03 so I'm used to this dial and I still find myself looking a little too long. I want to be able to see the speedo needle using my peripheral vision only all while keeping my eyes on the road.-George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tzantushka1568908311 Posted July 30, 2006 Report Share Posted July 30, 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoman Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 George,You are torturing me with your excellent piece - my 2007 V70R is supposed to arrive in about 3 weeks - I think I will pester the sales person for an update.Without ever have driven the car, I agree with you on the position of the 4C chassis switch. I can see myself wanting to change the chassis settings as my mood and the road inspires me. I am really looking forward to this feature as my old SHO has punished me enough with its one harsh setting (after mods). I am sure I will leave it in the middle setting most of the time, but change is good, and fast change can be better as long as you are in control.I look forward to comparing notes with your assessment. I did run into (not literally) someone with a 2006 V70R - he must have picked it up shortly before I started looking seriously, but fortunately it is not the color I wanted (Magic Blue with the Gobi interior) and it has the automatic. It was my first chance to see the car in the flesh and it looked great. What color is your car? stick or auto?I had a nice chat with the guy - he sounds like a real car guy - he has owned other Volvos as well as an Audi and a Benz. He has had the car for 3 or 4 months and he is very happy. His only concerns seem to be the standard ones: turning circle and headlights at night. He is concerned that at 130km/h (about 80mph) he is over driving the illumination. I directed him to this site for advice on lights, etc. He found the ride a little harsh at times, but overall he is very pleased with the car. His son bought the V50 at the same time. I almost forgot to mention - he really likes the power and he loves the brakes!I can hardly wait to report on my 2007 Sonic Blue baby - must fight the urge to count the sleeps... it never brought Christmas any closer (back when it never came soon enough).JohnC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGV70R Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 George,You are torturing me with your excellent piece - my 2007 V70R is supposed to arrive in about 3 weeks - I think I will pester the sales person for an update.Sorry about that BUT believe me it will be worth the wait... there's a web site where you can track your car on its way to you. God Luck.What color is your car? stick or auto?Pretty standard colors - Ti Grey, Nordkap interior and auto (that was the only concession my wife needed - who wasn't to keen on having two wagons).He has had the car for 3 or 4 months and he is very happy. His only concerns seem to be the standard ones: turning circleYeah what IS the deal with the turning radius on the wagon? ? I think the shuttle can do tighter turns The xc70 has a wheelbase of 108.8 inches vs the V70R which has a wheelbase of 108.5 inches. So can some one please explain why I have to think about pulling the R into a simple parking stall? Is this because of the wide tires? Does this porbelm happen on the S60Rs?I can hardly wait to report on my 2007 Sonic Blue baby - must fight the urge to count the sleeps... it never brought Christmas any closer (back when it never came soon enough).JohnCAt least there's no national holiday to slow down the process at the Port or while in transport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob1568908302 Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Sorry about that BUT believe me it will be worth the wait... there's a web site where you can track your car on its way to you. God Luck.God Luck.... now there's a nice Freudian slip hehehe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoman Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 George,I thought I remembered someone referring to a website to track the car, but I asked my sales rep if there was any way to do so, he said no. Which seems strange considering you can Fedex a pack of gum and track it along the way.I would have to think that tracking is a Volvo thing and not a Canada or US thing, so can you direct me to the website? I assume I will need the VIN, which I should be able to get from my sales guy.The V70R owner I spoke to did say that he had gotten used to the turning radius, but that it was an issue at first. Did you get the clip removed from the underside? I certainly don't want to wipe out part of the exhaust with a pothole or chunk of ice in the winter.Thanks and enjoy!JohnC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob1568908302 Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 I thought I remembered someone referring to a website to track the carIndeed... we have a powerful search engine here on V70R.com A quick search for OSD tracking brought up this thread with lots of delivery tracking info:http://www.v70r.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1569Cheers,Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGV70R Posted July 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 I would have to think that tracking is a Volvo thing and not a Canada or US thing, so can you direct me to the website? I assume I will need the VIN, which I should be able to get from my sales guy.I used this link: http://www.2wglobal.com/www/wep/index.jspand then use the VIN of your car. Good luck John. -George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoman Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Doug,Forgive my sloth - I shouldn't rely on the Doug and Rob search function . I will get my VIN and do some searching.Say - you aren't both McKenzies are you?JohnC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob1568908302 Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 Say - you aren't both McKenzies are you?LOLLLLL.... Well, Doug is from the US northeast (check the membermap) so he isn't Canadian BUT, he may like beer as much as I do... (and I am Canadian!)R Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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