[3liter1]

S60 T5
Now that my 128 is back to stock and the lease ends late August, it is time to make a decision. Frankly, the 1 series stock suspensions continue to lack a degree of stability and composure around the uneven road surfaces in the NYC area. Not potholes, but undulations seem to keep the car off balance laterally. Looking for something that needs no mods. Have driven the new 328 4cyl, and it is a great car, but just not for me. Plus, if you lump in all upfront costs into a sport line, with no premium pkg and only a few goodies you get to $600/month. You need to put about 3k down to get just below $500. Audi....I test drove a very base A4 but the engine note of the 4 banger was a non starter for me and steering very soft. And Audis dont lease well compared to BMW. 480/ mo plus a few k down. On to the Volvo. Clearly not quite the same amount luxury as the BMW or Audi, but for me, the right mix. The engine is very nice, and I happen to like the interior. I doubt it is a good track (driving school) car, but I still have the S4. Handling was very engaging for everyday spirited driving. Bottom line: while certainly not the right car for most on this forum, for some of us older guys who are willing to give up the manual, it is a pretty good alternative. Oh,and they have good deals on the 2012s. Though the gap to BMW/ Audi will narrow on the 2013. Car is selling at invoice, and money factor is .000022. (0.5%)? mo pmt with ZERO down is 450.

[ken1137]

Well, at least you'll be safe if you crash or someone hits you in the tunnel

[ParkNuts]

Sounds like its going to work for you. You don't have to defend it to us! Best of luck with whatever you get. I hope the BMW did t leave a bad taste in your mouth and maybe you'll own another in the future.

[doublevanosrc]

The Volvo sounds like what you're looking for, also i heard something about they make the first 3 payments for you.

[BrokenVert]

Why give up the manual?

Volvo C30 R can be had wih a stick and the T5. <- that's my next DD anyway

Also volvos are fantastic cars my uncle has a pair of volvo wagons and they are stout cars.

Have fun with it. That's all that matters!


And not that this matters. But a few years back I had a Volvo wagon as a rental and it got 25MPG (us gallons) while doing 130 on the M5.

[KingOfJericho]

Quality (reliability) has declined massively over the last 15 years but as you're leasing, I would just enjoy the car for 3 years then say goodbye. I do like the cars.

[Section147]

Originally Posted by ParkNuts

Sounds like its going to work for you. You don't have to defend it to us! Best of luck with whatever you get.

^THAT^

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by AudiS4

S60 T5
Now that my 128 is back to stock and the lease ends late August, it is time to make a decision. Frankly, the 1 series stock suspensions continue to lack a degree of stability and composure around the uneven road surfaces in the NYC area. Not potholes, but undulations seem to keep the car off balance laterally. Looking for something that needs no mods. Have driven the new 328 4cyl, and it is a great car, but just not for me. Plus, if you lump in all upfront costs into a sport line, with no premium pkg and only a few goodies you get to $600/month. You need to put about 3k down to get just below $500. Audi....I test drove a very base A4 but the engine note of the 4 banger was a non starter for me and steering very soft. And Audis dont lease well compared to BMW. 480/ mo plus a few k down. On to the Volvo. Clearly not quite the same amount luxury as the BMW or Audi, but for me, the right mix. The engine is very nice, and I happen to like the interior. I doubt it is a good track (driving school) car, but I still have the S4. Handling was very engaging for everyday spirited driving. Bottom line: while certainly not the right car for most on this forum, for some of us older guys who are willing to give up the manual, it is a pretty good alternative. Oh,and they have good deals on the 2012s. Though the gap to BMW/ Audi will narrow on the 2013. Car is selling at invoice, and money factor is .000022. (0.5%)? mo pmt with ZERO down is 450.

Since you're leasing, spend a bit more and get the R. I like that one.

I've an F30 335i Msport on order.
MSRP $52K. Price at $500 above actual MACO invoice. With max multiple security deposits and 10K miles per year, I'm at around $540-$550 per month. Not bad at all.

[3liter1]

Somehow, the interior of the Volvo is "just right" for me. I should disclose my wife's / family car is a Volvo wagon and we have owned more Volvos over time than BMW or Audi. Money is a factor in making the decisions. For us, reliability has always been good, and repairs relatively cheap, even at the dealer. Long term, I'm very curious as to what the next 1 series, and the Audi A3 will be like. Somehow, BMW and Audi need to offer a product that gets back to basics. Offer good performance at a reasonable price point. Give something to those few remaining drivers who buy Audi/BMW for the driving, and not the bells and whistles or the persona. Audi is worse than BMW on this point. The interior is gorgeous, but the driving was pretty lame. The Volvo was much better IMO. It's always interesting getting back into your own cars after test driving. Sometimes appeal of the car you just tested can fade quickly when you get back into your own car. In this case, my 128. The Audi engine sounded like crap in my memory once I revved up the 128. I could not buy that car. The Volvo had no such effect. Really nice engine. As long as I don't go 9/10s on open roads, i think I'll be very happy. New 3 series is just too big, and the Volvo interior is (for me) nicer. Not as high quality, but pretty close and just simpler .

[fullboost]

I love the sound of their 5 cylinder turbo motors when they're opened up a bit. Sounds nothing like an inline 4 or 6. It just has it's own distinct tone.

[Cemoto]

Wow,

I'm sorry, but I really don't see how this could be anywhere near as FUN to drive like the 135 is.

It's almost like ditching Demi Moore and going to bed w/ Hillary Clinton.

Why not get a Camry? They look more exciting.

Can't understand why you would want to not drive a 135 ??

IMHO grow some 'nads and get a car.

I have owned (own) Audi, Jaguar, Porsche, MG, Triumph, american muscle cars, over 75 motorcycles. The 135 is a real hoot to drive. Powerful, agile, and fun to drive. It's a keeper.

Maybe not the best car for a daily driver, but a solid part of the stable.

Maybe some smelling salts are in order . . .

.

.

[Matt Joe Blues]

Volvo are nice cars. My family have owned more than a couple of them and they are a very smooth ride, but also pretty powerful. Go for it if that's what you are looking for! And you seem to be pretty sure...

[ZIPNBYE]

We quite like our fleet...which now also sports a 2006 Volvo V70R, which is to say, a proper R model from Volvo, no auto!

[shodanusmc]

Originally Posted by Cemoto

Wow,

I'm sorry, but I really don't see how this could be anywhere near as FUN to drive like the 135 is.

It's almost like ditching Demi Moore and going to bed w/ Hillary Clinton.

Why not get a Camry? They look more exciting.

Can't understand why you would want to not drive a 135 ??

IMHO grow some 'nads and get a car.

I have owned (own) Audi, Jaguar, Porsche, MG, Triumph, american muscle cars, over 75 motorcycles. The 135 is a real hoot to drive. Powerful, agile, and fun to drive. It's a keeper.

Maybe not the best car for a daily driver, but a solid part of the stable.

Maybe some smelling salts are in order . . .

.

.

After 13 months in a combat zone, even Hillary would look good to you!

[evolution80]

i had several volvo models

my current winter car is my old s60R MT - now at 235.000km / 146.000miles - had it from new - but now the engine leaks coolant and i am shopping for a replacement engine - seems to be a common problem with high mileage turbo engines from volvo - several other people reported the same problem with the R-engine

i dont know - i dont really like the design of the new models but i think you dont give up any comfort/luxury compared to a 3series or even a 5series - besides the dynaudio system is the best car stereo ever!!!

[KingOfJericho]

I had a 1999 C70 5MT coupe with the Dynaudio system and I completely agree that it is the best stock stereo ever. I was shocked when I picked up the car (in 2003).

[3liter1]

Originally Posted by Cemoto

Wow,

I'm sorry, but I really don't see how this could be anywhere near as FUN to drive like the 135 is.

It's almost like ditching Demi Moore and going to bed w/ Hillary Clinton.

Why not get a Camry? They look more exciting.

Can't understand why you would want to not drive a 135 ??

IMHO grow some 'nads and get a car.

I have owned (own) Audi, Jaguar, Porsche, MG, Triumph, american muscle cars, over 75 motorcycles. The 135 is a real hoot to drive. Powerful, agile, and fun to drive. It's a keeper.

Maybe not the best car for a daily driver, but a solid part of the stable.

Maybe some smelling salts are in order . . .

.

.

Well, I pulled the trigger on the Volvo .

Lots to like about the 135, but even the new ones I've driven have still exhibited the annoying "bounce":The side to side and up/down motion when the road surface is uneven. I think the narrow stance and short wheelbase combined with the relatively tall profile may be part of the issue. And the expensive to replace subframe bushings too ? My S4 is rock solid stable compared to the 1 series. Though it does pound and return hard knocks over potholes, it is not thrown momentarily off balance as the stock 1 series sport suspension. The coilovers I had solved that instability, but at a relatively high price over rough roads. If I need a fun car, I may get a used Z3 or other small vert with a stick. Or maybe i get a track car I can drive to the track (e.g. evo). Finally, I'm coming from a less agressive street driving profile than you as I get past my 40's.

[Ammonia]

My dad swears by Volvo. He still has his 1999 Volvo V70, still going strong as it nears 200k miles. It looks pristine too, he cares for it religiously.... Its also lowered and on some spiffy rims, so it still looks awesome!

[3liter1]

WOW. we got taken off the main board. Who sets the policies here? I love BMW, but they lost an enthusiast, for now, because of price and product.

[giants84]

Not sure what you expected from an entry level BMW.

[3liter1]

Originally Posted by giants84

Not sure what you expected from an entry level BMW.

Frankly, the entry level BMW was better than the POS boats (M cars excluded) that BMW is now producing for those who would be better off in a Caddy or Mercedes.

[giants84]

Nothing great about caddy except the CTS-V which is just a 4 door corvette and nothing else. The only good benz cars are over 100k+. Not sure what you mean by boats, even BMW SUVS are very quick and handle good. I never drove the 1 series but you just cant expect much from an entry level car, the C class from benz is yawn also.