2016 Volvo V60 Cross Country D4 AWD Inscription Polestar

[Benji]

These pictures don't really do the steepness of this hill much justice, but this little wannabe SUV actually managed going up and down it quite well with only one wind deflector knocked off the bottom of the car and the odd scratch on the front suspension. Everyone had to climb out the car for the drive up the hill tho! People in double cabs were opting out of doing this hill - but shows with a bit of bravery, logical thinking and careful driving, a car will go surprising far off the beaten track. Wouldn't have made it if this wasn't four wheel drive though

 

[MR_Y]

These pictures don't really do the steepness of this hill much justice, but this little wannabe SUV actually managed going up and down it quite well with only one wind deflector knocked off the bottom of the car and the odd scratch on the front suspension. Everyone had to climb out the car for the drive up the hill tho! People in double cabs were opting out of doing this hill - but shows with a bit of bravery, logical thinking and careful driving, a car will go surprising far off the beaten track. Wouldn't have made it if this wasn't four wheel drive though

Well, that is Japanese ingenuity for you (this Renault has Nissan mechanicals and platform)!

 

[Cally77]

Sorry to post on your thread Mr_Y but I couldn't attach image on my thread. I'm looking for a company/someone who can do as per image on a Volvo, preferably in PTA. Thanks guys

 

[MR_Y]

Sorry to post on your thread Mr_Y but I couldn't attach image on my thread. I'm looking for a company/someone who can do as per image on a Volvo, preferably in PTA. Thanks guys

No worries.
Sorry, don't know anyone who has this.

 

[Cally77]

No worries.
Sorry, don't know anyone who has this.

Ok, thanks bud.

 

[///M Individual]

@MR_Y was it you I spotted on the South Coast today? Black V60 with a roof box.

 

[MR_Y]

@MR_Y was it you I spotted on the South Coast today? Black V60 with a roof box.

I am in KZN south for this week, but no roof box. If you see a yellow prancing moose badge on the back, that is my car.

 

[MR_Y]

Update @ 72,000km

Went down to the coast last week and returned to JHB yesterday.
Driving down, I had a run against a Jaguar E-Pace 2.0D (the 132kw one) and an A4 B9 2.0T (the 140kw one). The V60CC performed well and smoked the little Jag and easily kept up with the lighter bodied Audi.
On the KZN south coast, the V60CC kept up with an old 3.0D Fortuner on some really wet and slippery slopes (not axle twisters, just very slippery) on the farm.
Coming up the N3, we encountered terrible weather - stormy, strong winds, heavy rain - the perfect conditions for the V60CC. Rock solid stability, even when travelling on the rutted tar sections, where roadworks are still incomplete.
I feel that the Goodyear Eagle F1 SUV tyre is a great tyre for this vehicle. My Pirelli Scorpios were not as planted in the wet - especially on tar.
The Goodyear tyre wear is also quite good after 23,000km. The Pirellis had bits of rubber missing on the edges, as the mileage increased.

Sad to say, but I am currently enjoying (or, rather having more opportunity to enjoy) my Volvo more than my Porsche.

Fuel consumption is currently at 9.0 l per 100km. My 320d was averaging sub 7.0, even with hard driving.
The modern Drive E Volvo engines (2.0, 4-cylinder) are more frugal, but lack the character and strong mid-range pull of the old school 2.4 5-cylinder motors.

My car goes out of maintenance plan in October. I have a visit scheduled before then to milk the plan for any items that need attention and fall within claim spec.

 

[MR_Y]

I took the car in for one last check a week ago at Tom Campher Volvo.
These items were attended to, all under m/plan:
- Rear brake pads replaced
- radar/sensor (on windscreen) mounting fastened
- Car battery to be replaced (car booked in later this week, as they did not have stock)
- Gearbox mount (car booked in later this week, as they did not have stock)
- Remote battery replaced
- Rear window switch replaced (they said that the light inside had gone out)

Worth noting that I did not realise that the above needed attention. Apparently, their multi-point safety check is pretty comprehensive.

 

[MR_Y]

There were a few Fanatics who contacted me to ask about the P3 chassis models and one who bought a V60 CC (@jaco_kruger).

This video is pretty insightful.

Since it is for US market, there are no diesel models mentioned, but the rest of the info still applies.

Great to hear that the P3 chassis, while shared with the old Ford Mondeo, was overengineered by Volvo.

 

[MR_Y]

Cheat mode unlocked...


After playing around with the car settings recently, I saw that ESC Off actually unlocks a further variation of Sport mode. Besides the obvious reduction (though not total elimination) of stability control, there is a definite rear power bias when booting the throttle in bends - with the gearbox also set to its Sport mode.

Some tail happy fun can be had for slightly longer before the electronics intervene to cut power.

Next up is to see whether this mode results in faster sprint times, with some wheelspin being allowed...

 

[MR_Y]

So my 6 year/120,000km service is due in 3 months time. My car is only on 80,000km currently, so will hit time and not mileage.

When I went through the service book, I see that the cambelt and auxiliary belt and tensioners need to only be replaced at 160,000km or 8 years. That sounds a bit too long to me - especially, for our real world SA driving conditions.

I am thinking whether I should premptively do this maintenance this year.

I think VW recommends cambelt replacement at 120,000km or 6 years, if not mistaken, for their TDI cars.

BMW diesels have timing chains, so not really an issue.

 

[TurboLlew]

So my 6 year/120,000km service is due in 3 months time. My car is only on 80,000km currently, so will hit time and not mileage.

When I went through the service book, I see that the cambelt and auxiliary belt and tensioners need to only be replaced at 160,000km or 8 years. That sounds a bit too long to me - especially, for our real world SA driving conditions.

I am thinking whether I should premptively do this maintenance this year.

I think VW recommends cambelt replacement at 120,000km or 6 years, if not mistaken, for their TDI cars.

BMW diesels have timing chains, so not really an issue.

Personally that interval sounds too long. Perhaps the belt is made of kevlar (even then, with Subaru for instance when I switched to a kevlar belt the manufacturer still advised the same time interval) I don't think there is any other manufacturer with a cambelt service interval that long.

I did my Alfa's this year (despite the car having less than 10000km). It just isn't worth taking a chance with rubber in our conditions IMHO. In the case of the Alfa, I was also fairly sure there was a big gap between the build date and registration date of the car as well (nature of cars like this I guess) which factored in to my anxiety around it.

Cars with chains are generally more reliable and have less maintenance but not totally immune to some maintenance being necessary - tensioners or guides can cause issues down the line and cost just as much as a car with a cambelt when it eventually goes (and in the cases of for instance N20 motors even sooner than you would need to spend money on a cambelt driven car). You also need to factor in the other components that you change as part of what is perceived as an expensive service (fresh waterpump, tensioners, sometimes pulleys, accessory belts etc for that same labour charge). These might never be changed unless they fail on chain driven cars (and when they fail, that isn't cheap either and causes other issues in the process of failing).

 

[MR_Y]

Update on cambelt and auxiliary belt query

I chatted to an independent Volvo technician. He says that for these P3 chassis cars, especially the 5 cylinder diesels, the belts being replaced at the manufacturer recommended mileage/age is perfectly fine - even in heavy driving conditions. He has seen cars in his workshop that have run higher mileages with the same belt (obviously, not ideal).

However, he was not happy with the 20,000km service/oil change intervals that Volvo made a requirement for 2015+ diesel cars. Previously, Volvo stipulated an oil change every 10,000km and full service very 20,000km. He says that I should do the interim 10,000km oil change. I guess this aligns to the same logic for older diesel BMWs too.

Anyway, the car is up for service soon. I will update thereafter.

 

[CK4LIFE]

Update on cambelt and auxiliary belt query

I chatted to an independent Volvo technician. He says that for these P3 chassis cars, especially the 5 cylinder diesels, the belts being replaced at the manufacturer recommended mileage/age is perfectly fine - even in heavy driving conditions. He has seen cars in his workshop that have run higher mileages with the same belt (obviously, not ideal).

However, he was not happy with the 20,000km service/oil change intervals that Volvo made a requirement for 2015+ diesel cars. Previously, Volvo stipulated an oil change every 10,000km and full service very 20,000km. He says that I should do the interim 10,000km oil change. I guess this aligns to the same logic for older diesel BMWs too.

Anyway, the car is up for service soon. I will update thereafter.

My 2015 xc60 is due for full service in 2 months, was supposed to take it for oil service last month but might as well wait a month or 2 to do both. Hope it's the right decision.

 

[MR_Y]

Update for those interested in outside of maintenance plan costs for a Volvo:

My quote for my upcoming 6 year/120,000km service is R13,500, with the dealer.
Since it covers the routine 20,000km/1year, 40,000km/2year and 60,000km/3year service items, it includes all of the following - applicable to diesel cars made from 2015 onwards:

20,000km/1 year items:
• Oil and oil filter change (Oil grade: A3/B3/B4; Viscosity 5W-30; full synthetic engine oil)
- Replace diesel fuel filter
• Replace cabin air filter
• Check exhaust
• Check coolant level
• Check battery acid level and pole pieces
• Check power steering oil level
• Check brake fluid level
• Check brake pads and discs (incl brake and fuel lines)
• Check parking brake
• Gearbox/rear axle, check for leaks, level and condition
- Check AWD propeller shaft, pilot bearing universal joints
• Check front/rear suspension and steering system
• Check transmission operation
• Lighting check
• Check wipers and washers
• Check wheels and tyres for damage, wear and tyre pressure (recommended rotation as per tyre Manufacturer)
- Check collision mitigation systems (sensors)
- Check, lubricate and adjust boot, bonnet, doors.
• Seat belt check

In addition, 40,000km/2 year items:
• Brake fluid flush and replace
• Replace air filter

In addition, 60,000km/3 year items:
- Auto transmission fluid flush and replace (only applicable to Aisin gearbox cars, which mine has. The Powershift boxes are 80,000km/4 years)
- Check Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) (which will need to be replaced anyway - see below 120,000km item)
- Check Side Drive Shaft

In addition, 120,000km/6 year item:
- Replace DPF

The following is also included in the service quote - referred to as "Volvo Service 2.0":
 Free vehicle software updates (these are usually a few hundred Rand a pop)
 Free 12months Roadside Assistance (this is through Tracker Roadside Assist on their premium level offering - worth R200pm x 12 = R2,400. I already have that subscription with Tracker for the same service, BUT this Volvo deal has unlimited towing mileage (not limited to 40km) to the nearest Volvo dealership for breakdowns/accidents.)
 Free Health Check (seems a bit pointless, since that is be included in the basic service anyway)

Will revert on how the service goes (it will be my first service out of maintenance plan on this car).

 

[CK4LIFE]

Update for those interested in outside of maintenance plan costs for a Volvo:

My quote for my upcoming 6 year/120,000km service is R13,500, with the dealer.
Since it covers the routine 20,000km/1year, 40,000km/2year and 60,000km/3year service items, it includes all of the following - applicable to diesel cars made from 2015 onwards:

20,000km/1 year items:
• Oil and oil filter change (Oil grade: A3/B3/B4; Viscosity 5W-30; full synthetic engine oil)
- Replace diesel fuel filter
• Replace cabin air filter
• Check exhaust
• Check coolant level
• Check battery acid level and pole pieces
• Check power steering oil level
• Check brake fluid level
• Check brake pads and discs (incl brake and fuel lines)
• Check parking brake
• Gearbox/rear axle, check for leaks, level and condition
- Check AWD propeller shaft, pilot bearing universal joints
• Check front/rear suspension and steering system
• Check transmission operation
• Lighting check
• Check wipers and washers
• Check wheels and tyres for damage, wear and tyre pressure (recommended rotation as per tyre Manufacturer)
- Check collision mitigation systems (sensors)
- Check, lubricate and adjust boot, bonnet, doors.
• Seat belt check

In addition, 40,000km/2 year items:
• Brake fluid flush and replace
• Replace air filter

In addition, 60,000km/3 year items:
- Auto transmission fluid flush and replace (only applicable to Aisin gearbox cars, which mine has. The Powershift boxes are 80,000km/4 years)
- Check Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) (which will need to be replaced anyway - see below 120,000km item)
- Check Side Drive Shaft

In addition, 120,000km/6 year item:
- Replace DPF

The following is also included in the service quote - referred to as "Volvo Service 2.0":
 Free vehicle software updates (these are usually a few hundred Rand a pop)
 Free 12months Roadside Assistance (this is through Tracker Roadside Assist on their premium level offering - worth R200pm x 12 = R2,400. A bit pointless for me though, given that I already have that subscription with Tracker for the same service)
 Free Health Check (seems a bit pointless, since that is be included in the basic service anyway)

Will revert on how the service goes (it will be my first service out of maintenance plans

Update for those interested in outside of maintenance plan costs for a Volvo:

My quote for my upcoming 6 year/120,000km service is R13,500, with the dealer.
Since it covers the routine 20,000km/1year, 40,000km/2year and 60,000km/3year service items, it includes all of the following - applicable to diesel cars made from 2015 onwards:

20,000km/1 year items:
• Oil and oil filter change (Oil grade: A3/B3/B4; Viscosity 5W-30; full synthetic engine oil)
- Replace diesel fuel filter
• Replace cabin air filter
• Check exhaust
• Check coolant level
• Check battery acid level and pole pieces
• Check power steering oil level
• Check brake fluid level
• Check brake pads and discs (incl brake and fuel lines)
• Check parking brake
• Gearbox/rear axle, check for leaks, level and condition
- Check AWD propeller shaft, pilot bearing universal joints
• Check front/rear suspension and steering system
• Check transmission operation
• Lighting check
• Check wipers and washers
• Check wheels and tyres for damage, wear and tyre pressure (recommended rotation as per tyre Manufacturer)
- Check collision mitigation systems (sensors)
- Check, lubricate and adjust boot, bonnet, doors.
• Seat belt check

In addition, 40,000km/2 year items:
• Brake fluid flush and replace
• Replace air filter

In addition, 60,000km/3 year items:
- Auto transmission fluid flush and replace (only applicable to Aisin gearbox cars, which mine has. The Powershift boxes are 80,000km/4 years)
- Check Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) (which will need to be replaced anyway - see below 120,000km item)
- Check Side Drive Shaft

In addition, 120,000km/6 year item:
- Replace DPF

The following is also included in the service quote - referred to as "Volvo Service 2.0":
 Free vehicle software updates (these are usually a few hundred Rand a pop)
 Free 12months Roadside Assistance (this is through Tracker Roadside Assist on their premium level offering - worth R200pm x 12 = R2,400. A bit pointless for me though, given that I already have that subscription with Tracker for the same service)
 Free Health Check (seems a bit pointless, since that is be included in the basic service anyway)

Will revert on how the service goes (it will be my first service out of maintenance plan on this car).

Sounds about right. I've just been quoted +-R14k on my 2015 XC60 at Volvo Hatfield. Volvo silverlakes quoted R7 300 though(huge difference). Although I was told Volvo only recommends Castrol Edge Professional 0W20. I'm currently on 115 500km so it probably be a 120k service.

 

[MR_Y]

Sounds about right. I've just been quoted +-R14k on my 2015 XC60 at Volvo Hatfield. Volvo silverlakes quoted R7 300 though(huge difference). Although I was told Volvo only recommends Castrol Edge Professional 0W20. I'm currently on 115 500km so it probably be a 120k service.

Wow! - how come Silverlakes is so much cheaper? Is it a special offer?
I have a bottle of Castrol Edge Professional 5w40 to top up. For our hot climate, this is fine.
0W20 seems too low for SA - may be better for Europe?

 

[CK4LIFE]

Wow! - how come Silverlakes is so much cheaper? Is it a special offer?
I have a bottle of Castrol Edge Professional 5w40 to top up. For our hot climate, this is fine.
0W20 seems too low for SA - may be better for Europe?

Wasn't aware of the difference between 2 oils..
Not sure why dealerships differ on price..guy couldn't even tell me if its a minor or major service. Just said system says it's that much..not a special though

 

[MR_Y]

Update

Car has cracked over 90,000km.
No issues.

The V60 CC is a great car and still drives well. It just lacks the rear legroom and boot space of an SUV for growing kids and all the school kit that comes with that. The lack of space is what's pushing me to look for an SUV. Only looking to pull the trigger next year though, unless a real good deal comes through sooner.

As mentioned elsewhere, the new XC60 models are very disappointing to drive. The D5, even though it has 173kw, does not feel like it has that much power. The gear box is just too slow witted. The in new XC60 T8 would be first prize, with its M3 beating acceleration times, but it is priced way above my budget.

Audi Q5 has a DSG and while it is decently quick, I am not a fan of that box due to its reliability issues.

Merc GLC lacks ground clearance (less than 190mm), so is more a Sandton cross over than an SUV.

A 2018 X3 20d fits my requirements. Just finding a non-M sport one at a decent price, condition and mileage is difficult.

The new car will be used by the wife to do the school, and after school activities', run and be used for long distance inter provincial drives. The X3 20d is the best car in the premium mid size SUV segment. Not willing to go the Chinese, Japanese or Korean route, yet