Richard2

Wow thread resurrection. Just handed back the Volvo after 10 months and 13,000 miles so thought I would nip back to give anyone bored enough to read this my comparison of the move from the Golf to a huge heavy Volvo. What I liked about the Volvo. The comfort was fab inside with massive seats and so much padding for my aged bony backside The ride was far above anything I have had with potholes swallowed with just a distant thunk The mid range from the twin engine was very impressive for a big car easily as quick to pass stuff in as the Golf The sound system was incredible, better even than the one in my Lexus What was okay The autonomous mode just about worked but not well enough that I bothered to use it after an initial play with it other than sitting in traffic when it would helpfully just follow the queue without any intervention The gearbox was smooth but lacked the decisiveness of DSG What was not so good The side visibility was shocking. It had such massive wing mirrors that they blocked the view into side roads and turnings which meant it was not so relaxing around town It was just too big for moving around the roads of Bath What I missed the most about the Golf though was the steering. The Volvo was so lacking in any precision that as soon as you left the Motorway it felt far too vague. The road holding and grip were fine but it was so difficult to get a shift on when using fast A roads due to the lack of precision to the steering. Overall it was just fine. Would not bother with another unless they sorted out the steering and made the same sort of engine available in a smaller model. Sat at home now so no need to replace the Volvo for a while. Might have a go in the new Golf next year to see if the ride is improved, I know it is not an issue for most but I would just want a fraction more comfort. Might look perhaps at the GTI and go manual to see if it brings back more of the 80's hot hatch experience. Off to watch a bit more of Smith n sniff and Harry's garage

Wow thread resurrection. Just handed back the Volvo after 10 months and 13,000 miles so thought I would nip back to give anyone bored enough to read this my comparison of the move from the Golf to a huge heavy Volvo. What I liked about the Volvo. The comfort was fab inside with massive seats and so much padding for my aged bony backside The ride was far above anything I have had with potholes swallowed with just a distant thunk The mid range from the twin engine was very impressive for a big car easily as quick to pass stuff in as the Golf The sound system was incredible, better even than the one in my Lexus What was okay The autonomous mode just about worked but not well enough that I bothered to use it after an initial play with it other than sitting in traffic when it would helpfully just follow the queue without any intervention The gearbox was smooth but lacked the decisiveness of DSG What was not so good The side visibility was shocking. It had such massive wing mirrors that they blocked the view into side roads and turnings which meant it was not so relaxing around town It was just too big for moving around the roads of Bath What I missed the most about the Golf though was the steering. The Volvo was so lacking in any precision that as soon as you left the Motorway it felt far too vague. The road holding and grip were fine but it was so difficult to get a shift on when using fast A roads due to the lack of precision to the steering. Overall it was just fine. Would not bother with another unless they sorted out the steering and made the same sort of engine available in a smaller model. Sat at home now so no need to replace the Volvo for a while. Might have a go in the new Golf next year to see if the ride is improved, I know it is not an issue for most but I would just want a fraction more comfort. Might look perhaps at the GTI and go manual to see if it brings back more of the 80's hot hatch experience. Off to watch a bit more of Smith n sniff and Harry's garage

Strangely I am not expecting the Volvo to excel as a car to provide excitement. I like to try different things hence I tried a Golf, it was good at many things but in my opinion missed the mark as an exciting car to drive which was perhaps higher in its design brief than for other cars. Switching between cars keeps my travels more interesting, some I like more and keep around for longer whereas some move on quite quickly. I have made stranger moves. A few years ago I changed a slightly leggy Maserati for a Lexus. Loved them both just in different ways. The more blinkered amongst you should try some different things, you might find a little variety enjoyable. Off to join the Volvo forum for 12 months now so signing off. Best regards Rich

Over the last 40 years of driving I have had about 60 or so cars and I can always find a reason to change. Had a fair few VWs, lots of Fords, even had 3 Volvo V70s before which I disliked but they were company issue so had no choice. Most exciting car was probably my first TVR in the late 1980s more for the fact that you never knew how far you were going to get than for the performance. Other real highlights have been a Sierra and Escort Cosworth which an overly generous employer let me have as a perk many years ago and more recently a V10 Audi A6 which was hilarious until I added up my fuel bill for the 12 months I ran it. Don't get me wrong about the Golf it was perfectly capable and for the price a bargain, it just never thrilled in the way a more performance version of a car perhaps should. It was very quick down a twisty A road, A36 to Salisbury in particular, but it never felt exciting. In a similar vein my wife was recently lent a new 911 when her older one was being serviced and driving that was much like driving a hugely more powerful Golf. It could achieve astounding pace but it seemed to have had the excitement that driving my wifes earlier model 911 provided engineered out of it. As I mentioned I suspect i will enjoy the improved tech and comfort of the Volvo but the handling is certainly going to need a more laid back approach. It is the T8 version so should get a shift on in a straight line as when the petrol and hybrid bits are hooked up you get 400hp but nearly 2 tonnes I suspect it will need it. Only a very short lease though so whatever I think I am safe in the knowledge that I can walk away and swap it for something else in short order. Already fancy going full EV next time

Regrettably no room on the parcel shelf for my hat as I like to carry an embroidered cushion and a box of scented tissues there for the little wife who prefers to sit in the back. Being a proper advanced motorist I never drive without my hat on my head, my string backed driving gloves tightly fastened and my National Trust road map of Great Britain to hand.

The replacement is another bargain lease deal albeit a bit more money. This time around it's going to be a Volvo so quite a different experience. I suspect I will enjoy the increased comfort and more advanced tech but gripe about poor fuel economy and unwieldy handling. I did enjoy the 4wd grippyness of the Golf which was great when wanting to pull out so have gone 4wd again with the Volvo.

Two years have now ended with my leased 2017 R Estate and it was inspected and collected this morning so I thought I might briefly summarise my experience. Over the two years I did 17,000 miles and averaged about 38mpg in total with longer trips around 42/43. Never bothered to use super unleaded as it seemed quite happy on regular supermarket fuel. The Bridgestone tyres it came with lasted amazingly well and were measured at 4mm all round at handover. They were a bit noisy though.The BCA collection chap was on time, polite and found no faults he wanted to charge for. Two of the alloy wheels were showing widespread corrosion under the lacquer but obviously this is a VW issue not my doing. Also I thought the paint quality was a little poor and was showing areas where the salty winter miles had taken its toll. If it had been mine I would have been quite disturbed by these issues on a 2 year old car.Overall happy with the two years especially for the £7000 it cost ( including servicing ) which was lovely cheap motoring. However, would not choose one again as the ride quality was a bit too brittle for me even in comfort mode and the seats were too flat and uncomfortable over longer distances. Plus, whilst it could get a move on when wound up it was a bit joyless and detached so I found it rather dull.

Got a White FL estate and I had not noticed the bubbly strip until I read this. Now it is all I can see.

Been using the Sat Nav on the Active Display for a couple of weeks on most of my journeys as I rarely go to the same place twice and I could get lost in a square room. I set it to wide display as it is easier to read with the smaller dials but sometimes when I stop the car for a break it changes back to bigger dials and smaller map. Does not always so there must be something I am doing. Anyone else noticed this. It is hardly a bother to set it back but I am just wondering why. The shiny interior certainly picks up finger marks I agree, especially in mine as I often pack a couple of bananas for the journey.

Tried prodding all the buttons with no success so I back to ask the experts. When the stop start kicks in the aircon stops as well. Is there a way to keep the aircon running whilst waiting in traffic other than turning off the stop start. I drive into Bristol a lot in rush hour which is 12 miles but takes 1 hour 10 mins so in this weather I am getting sweaty. After a week of ownership starting to take corners with a little more gusto which is fun. Coming from a Volvo V70 the handling is night and day. Interesting to compare it to my wife's 911. The Golf feels so different with the weight at the front. It dives into a bend and grips really hard with you able to feel the front tyres gripping whereas the 911 is so neutral with the back end so rooted to the road. As a hot hatch owner from the 80's I remember the first GTI and owned a XR2, XR3, R5 GT Turbo, 205 GTI etc and the Golf really reminds me of those the way it just grips and grips from the front with the back end happy to just tag along. Need to get the engine run in before I try to keep up with my wife though, it feels nicely accelerative but Porsche seem to breed very strong horses for their BHP.

Hi, Mine is the twin of yours including the crusty bugs on the front. Got mine Thursday last week. After a diesel Volvo V70 it is quite a change. In particular it is like jumping 20 years forward with Nav, Active Display etc. Really liking the white even if the wife tells me it looks like a giant fridge freezer.

Based on my experience you will be driving that in 2 weeks. I have had mine 10 days now and the tracker still shows as in transit.

Back to ask the experts another question. Sorry I am all take take take... The drivers seat in the handbook shows two levers under the front of the seat. One on the left to move the seat forwards and backwards and also one on the right to alter the tilt of the seat base. My estate does not have the one on the right, what am I missing here. Glad this forum is not like Pistonheads I never dare post anything on there it seems to be populated by some very aggressive people. I have the the active display all set up how I want it now thanks to Stefan so thanks again. Rich

You are a star. Thanks Rich

Estate version delivered this morning by trailer from Stratford VW to me in Bath. Had not seen an estate in the flesh before today. Overall it looks much better than in photos. The slightly more stylised front end than a standard golf does look good. Only driven a mile round the block so far but it feels 30 years ahead of the Volvo V70 it replaces. The solidity is impressive as the Volvo was starting to feel a little baggy. Still shows as in transit on the tracker. Really impressed with VW Stratford they were very efficient and even chucked half a tank of fuel in it without being asked. Pleased I went basic and chose White I think it really suits the car. Usually I have second thoughts on my car colour as they are being lowered off the delivery trailer. Rich