I've got a rental S60 T6, any questions?

"MM54" (mm54mk2) 03/11/2020 at 18:41 • Filed to: RENTAL

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(Photo courtesy of The Internet)

Unusual for my work-trip rentals to be worth bringing up here, but this is Oppo so a Volvo makes sense.

Initial impressions: Feels very well put together. Has adequate power. Steering is numb but not overly light; it’s fairly quick. Brakes are good but load up weird (they’re not grabby but after some percentage of pedal travel suddenly they’re ON).

You’ve got about a day to ask me any burning questions you may have about this car that I can reasonably answer in the same time frame.

Edit: Here’s some Things worthy of noting:

There’s a button that makes the rear headrests go limp and flop forward, which does make it easier to see out the back I guess. There is not a button to undo this that I’ve found

It resets to “normal” driving mode when you turn it off, even if you leave it in “dynamic” (which makes it shift later is about it, as far as I can tell)

There is a button on the inside of the trunk lid which makes it lock the doors when you shut the trunk

Instead of pushing a button to start it, you turn a little knob about 1/8 turn clockwise (it’s in the center console). I am disappointed that to turn it off, you turn it the same way (I want to turn it the other way!)

I t does not want to launch

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > MM54 03/11/2020 at 18:51

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“Any questions?”

Yes.

How are you?

Jesus Arias > MM54 03/11/2020 at 18:57

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How’s the weather?

For Sweden > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/11/2020 at 18:57

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Fantastic; he’s in a Volvo!

Sovande > MM54 03/11/2020 at 19:02

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Is it comfortable? How is visibility? 

Chariotoflove > MM54 03/11/2020 at 19:29

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Does it feel luxurious or merely “premium” (compared to a Buick for example)?

Is it quiet? Is there a difference at city vs. highway speeds?

How are the electronics? Are they easy to use, pair your phone, etc.?

Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck... with your Volvo?

Boxer_4 > MM54 03/11/2020 at 19:32

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I remember development sample of this engine   was in one of the cars available for a ride-along at the Eaton proving grounds at SAE one year. I seem to recall that I had the last lap in it of the day because it started leaking coolant.

I remember it also had a lovely supercharger whine. Talking with one of the development engineers, I believe they said they would be attempting to eliminate that lovely noise... much to my disappointment.  

So, is yours leaking coolant, and were they successful in eliminating the supercharger whine?

AdverseMartyr > For Sweden 03/11/2020 at 19:55

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I thought that just meant he was safe. I didn’t realize it automatically made him euphoric. Is it something they put in the air freshner?

MM54 > Boxer_4 03/11/2020 at 20:03

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That’s the same event that I think I got whiplash from a CTS-V wagon with the 6-speed. I do remember something springing a leak, though not that it was one of these engines. That was in what, 2013, 2014?

It is not, to my knowledge, leaking coolant (though I’ve not checked). They were mostly successful, but when you really romp on it from low speed there’s a hint of whine for a moment as things spin up.

MM54 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 03/11/2020 at 20:07

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Thank you for asking! I’m well. Work stuff is easing up as the project I’m on nears completion (of my part at least), the Ch evelle is back to gether, etc. It’s nice to be able to slow down and try to relax a bit, but I do have to pack up the whole garage pretty soon to make way for the new floor so it will be a while before I really can relax in full.

How are you?

MM54 > Jesus Arias 03/11/2020 at 20:07

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A whole lot nicer than it was at home. I’ve gone from 40 and cloudy to 60 and cloudy so I can’t complain. It’s supposed to be in the 70s but rainy tomorrow; probably won’t get those temperatures back home for another month or two!

MM54 > Sovande 03/11/2020 at 20:10

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It’s quite comfortable so far. The seats are good, I’ve only been in it for about half an hour (plus a few minutes to/from dinner) but in that time they seem to be the right blend of soft and supportive. I don’t expect to find out how they are in longer sittings, though.

Visibility is... okay. I’ve been in many, many cars that are much worse but seeing out of this one isn’t what I’d call good. The blind spots aren’t too bad, but there isn’t much to see out the rear window; the camera does its best to make up for it. The A-pillars are also massive (because safety, I’d imagine) which has made me have to move my head to look around them at intersections.

MM54 > Chariotoflove 03/11/2020 at 20:17

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I’ve not spent much time in proper current “luxury” cars (I assume like an S-class, 7-series, lexus LS, etc) to have a baseline of what a modern luxury car is like. That said, it’s definitely at least premium+ , the things you touch are nice material, stuff feels solid (the caps on the 12v outlets are satisfying), the leather is pretty supple. Only a little bit of gloss black plastic in the middle, and the bottom of the door cards are just beige plastic but it isn’t bad. It’s at least on par with (if not better than , to me) my friend’s few year old ATS.

It’s very quiet from a road noise perspective. Surprisingly the engine is the main noise you hear, which I like. Doesn’t seem to care what speed you’re at, it’s just quiet; even the suspension doesn’t make much noise going through some nasty potholes.

Electronics are intuitive from w hat I’ve messed with. It has a button which makes the rear headrests flop down, which I guess is a thing. It does not have a button to make them go back up. I’ve not paired up my phone (not into that, especially on a rental). The radio works well, with a large volume knob that is nice and clicky without being overly coarse of an adjustment.

I’d probably fight the 100 duck-sized horses since I’d imagine I could just run them over... if all the safety tech lets me. It likes to beep and boop at things nearby.

Chariotoflove > MM54 03/11/2020 at 20:23

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Probably not smart to pair with a rental, yeah.

So, this sounds like luxury to me.  And I really like the look.

Victorinoo > MM54 03/11/2020 at 20:45

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Does it feel hindered by its transverse engine layout?

MM54 > Chariotoflove 03/11/2020 at 21:17

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It is a very sharp looking car

MM54 > Victorinoo 03/11/2020 at 21:21

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Not really? It’s a rental I’ve mainly been driving in highway traffic and light-to-light; on a track may be a different story.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > MM54 03/11/2020 at 21:24

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I am —

[consults list of stock answers]

“Bloated?!” Yes. Bloated.

Boxer_4 > MM54 03/12/2020 at 19:35

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That was 2014 I believe. It wasn’t a big leak ( someone probably didn’t tighten a hose clamp all the way ), but it was enough that it was parked for the rest of the day.

I’m glad they slightly failed - how are you allowed to have a supercharger without whine?

MM54 > Boxer_4 03/12/2020 at 20:37

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I’ve decided I like the engine and overall drivetrain, but man the DBW needs something. I don’t know if it’s laggy or, more likely, intentionally calibrated as such but the first 20% of the pedal travel does nothing . Needs that linearized and a 6-speed and I’d be interested.