Need your expert advice - BMW or Mercedes or Volvo!

[vampyren]

Hi guys,

I need your advice! I'm really really puzzled here, i never ever thought i would bring in another NON german car into equation when deciding on a car. I love BMW, Audi, MB and for me there is no other car
I been using a BMW 325 for the last 6 years and i recently sold it since now i can buy a car through our company.
I started looking into hybrid cars and was almost going to buy the A3 e-Tron but since there was such a long waiting time i started looking into BMW 320D, MB C220 and yes Volvo S60 D4 (the brand new engine with 190hp).
When it comes to design outside and inside i think i grade the cars as MB>Volvo>BMW (close call between MB and Volvo). BMW was the one impressing me the LEAST, it looks nice and all but it just dont feel 2015, its the same old same old dashboard and style. Its all fine but sitting in MB and volvo it made me realize how far behind the BMW was on this front.
Still i'm not buying a car based only on the interior nor only the exterior.
I test drove all 3 cars and to me Volvo had the quietest engine (noise inside the car) and the most powerful engine in the bunch. I been reading allot on this engine and everywhere i look people praise the engine of the new S60 D4 for being really powerful as well as power efficient. Also i can pay around 900Euro for making it even more powerful through Volvo itself (its called Polestar). volvo basically updates the software and maybe some other tweeks and gives you around 30 more hp pretty sweet!

I thought you guys being the experts what do you think about choosing Volvo over BMW and MB ?
The S60 D4 is pretty new so i'm not sure anyone here own one? if you do please can you tell me your experience with it? Also i'm considering adding Four-C into it, seems pretty darn nice to change the suspension with a press of a button. Anyone using Four-C here? really curious what you think about it also?

 

[vampyren]

Anyone actually tested all 3 cars? or even tested BMW and Volvo ? what do you guys base your vote on? it is good to know

 

[mini_cooper4]

I have no experience with the Volvo.
I do have some driving time behind the wheel of the BMW and the C-Class.
If you are going for AT your best choice is the 320d Sport-Auto 8sp.
From what I hear Volvo's new engines are simply flawless and indeed pretty quiet.
The S60 as any other Volvo has a nice, high quality interior.
I'd skip any 4cyl diesel Benz. Engines are rough and it gets worse when coupled with their sluggish ATs. The C-Class is simply splendid in all other areas except maybe it doesn't feel right on a spirited drive even tho it is fast and effective. The F30 lacks behind when it comes to interior IMO but that's subjective since many people think the same about the C-Class' interior.
The iDrive is by far the superior infotainment system and is a pleasure to use btw.
Best overall package is still the F30 thanks to adaptive ride and great engine/transmission combo.
The Volvo is a close second in my book... for it's brilliant and quiet engine + great interior(even tho I've only sat in one).
The C-Class is a close third for me... because of it's engine and tranny.
Higher capacity engines suit the C-Class really, really well.

 

[vampyren]

Thanks for the reply, you are spot on regarding your points! I also feel that the MB is great when it comes to design but the engine did not really impress me.
BMW has great steering and shifting gear and exterior design but the interior is blend, except the iDrive/infotainment which was pretty nice.
I'm only driving Automatic now, i got hooked after my last BMW 325i. Just cant go back to manual gear now
The S60 (new engine) has so many great and price worthy extras. For instance in the package i have build i have the on-call package which lets me control the car through an app, Four-C (Continuously Controlled Chassis) and tons of other stuff and the price will be pretty much the same as the basic BMW 320D. I didnt get the Driver support (had to choose between that or Four-C and i decided on latter since that gives me more pleasure then all the sensors, still trying to convince myself that's the right choice hehe).
For me all 3 cars are really really great but its the little things that makes me like the S60, like being able to do Polestar, adding Navigation for small fee at a later time and the new engine.
Being a BMW lover i'm still trying to convince myself i'm doing the right choice but i do love the BMW look a bit more.
I do like to have some power when pushing on the gas (diesel on my case) so i'm also considering to go for the 325D if i go with BMW. 325D would be like D4 (after i do the Polestar upgrade).
But as you both BMW and Volvo are really really close in term of quality, gear and feeling and with Four-C the adaptive steering its even a closer call.
I think i will flip a coin soon for my decision hehe

 

[sanpt7777]

Go with the Volvo. You can say I'm biased but in not. My favorite of the bunch is the 3 series, followed by the other two. But if we are talking diesel, definitely get the Volvo. I don't know where are you buying but here they also give 2 years more warranty (5 years) over the other two.
Besides, the design is pretty good and the interior is better quality, at least better than the BMW.
And you said you liked the design, it would be a win win everywhere for you.
Good luck man!

 

[mini_cooper4]

Thanks for the reply, you are spot on regarding your points! I also feel that the MB is great when it comes to design but the engine did not really impress me.
BMW has great steering and shifting gear and exterior design but the interior is blend, except the iDrive/infotainment which was pretty nice.
I'm only driving Automatic now, i got hooked after my last BMW 325i. Just cant go back to manual gear now
The S60 (new engine) has so many great and price worthy extras. For instance in the package i have build i have the on-call package which lets me control the car through an app, Four-C (Continuously Controlled Chassis) and tons of other stuff and the price will be pretty much the same as the basic BMW 320D. I didnt get the Driver support (had to choose between that or Four-C and i decided on latter since that gives me more pleasure then all the sensors, still trying to convince myself that's the right choice hehe).
For me all 3 cars are really really great but its the little things that makes me like the S60, like being able to do Polestar, adding Navigation for small fee at a later time and the new engine.
Being a BMW lover i'm still trying to convince myself i'm doing the right choice but i do love the BMW look a bit more.
I do like to have some power when pushing on the gas (diesel on my case) so i'm also considering to go for the 325D if i go with BMW. 325D would be like D4 (after i do the Polestar upgrade).
But as you both BMW and Volvo are really really close in term of quality, gear and feeling and with Four-C the adaptive steering its even a closer call.
I think i will flip a coin soon for my decision hehe

S60 with Four-C and Polestar upgrade should be close to perfection coupled with a great interior and IMO quite appealing design. If you don't care too much for perfect 50/50 weight distribution and RWD... then I'd say it slightly betters the Bimmer. It's a tough call to be honest.

 

[vampyren]

Go with the Volvo. You can say I'm biased but in not. My favorite of the bunch is the 3 series, followed by the other two. But if we are talking diesel, definitely get the Volvo. I don't know where are you buying but here they also give 2 years more warranty (5 years) over the other two.
Besides, the design is pretty good and the interior is better quality, at least better than the BMW.
And you said you liked the design, it would be a win win everywhere for you.
Good luck man!

I'm from Sweden (land of Volvo hehe) so I will buy it locally, the new diesel engines are not even out yet but reviews seem to agree that it produce great power vs consumption.
Actually today I went to all dealers (Volvo/BMW/MB) for one last test drive and yes both me and my brother agreed that the overall impression Volvo Wins. It's a really close call but the comfort and the interior design is just better on Volvo we thought. Again all these cars are awesome but since I can't buy all 3 I wil get ty Volvo. Really hard choice, wanted badly to like the BMW more but after today's test drive I'm pretty sure even if deep deep down I'm for not getting a BMW. Maybe next time hehe
I let you guys know in 6 month or so how it feels , hopefully I still enjoy the beast hehe

 

[vampyren]

S60 with Four-C and Polestar upgrade should be close to perfection coupled with a great interior and IMO quite appealing design. If you don't care too much for perfect 50/50 weight distribution and RWD... then I'd say it slightly betters the Bimmer. It's a tough call to be honest.

Good to hear that ☺, sadly no dealer has the four-c so I have not tried it, but from the videos it seems pretty sweet. Will update once I get the car, should be around June or July sadly.

 

[sanpt7777]

S60 with Four-C and Polestar upgrade should be close to perfection coupled with a great interior and IMO quite appealing design. If you don't care too much for perfect 50/50 weight distribution and RWD... then I'd say it slightly betters the Bimmer. It's a tough call to be honest.

Yeah pretty much it comes to FWD vs RWD.

But he is right about something, the BMW looks so 2012...
Me personally, I love the F30s design, and I know it will age nicely. But he doesn't like it and it will look old sooner than the Volvo

 

[mini_cooper4]

Yeah pretty much it comes to FWD vs RWD.

But he is right about something, the BMW looks so 2012...
Me personally, I love the F30s design, and I know it will age nicely. But he doesn't like it and it will look old sooner than the Volvo

Yes, I'd rather the F30 looked more 1998 but that again is up to personal taste.

 

[mini_cooper4]

Good to hear that ☺, sadly no dealer has the four-c so I have not tried it, but from the videos it seems pretty sweet. Will update once I get the car, should be around June or July sadly.

I think it's a safe bet to go for it without a test drive. Reviews have been all positive!
So, it's the Volvo then?

 

[sanpt7777]

I'm from Sweden (land of Volvo hehe) so I will buy it locally, the new diesel engines are not even out yet but reviews seem to agree that it produce great power vs consumption.
Actually today I went to all dealers (Volvo/BMW/MB) for one last test drive and yes both me and my brother agreed that the overall impression Volvo Wins. It's a really close call but the comfort and the interior design is just better on Volvo we thought. Again all these cars are awesome but since I can't buy all 3 I wil get ty Volvo. Really hard choice, wanted badly to like the BMW more but after today's test drive I'm pretty sure even if deep deep down I'm for not getting a BMW. Maybe next time hehe
I let you guys know in 6 month or so how it feels , hopefully I still enjoy the beast hehe

I didn't saw your reply.
If you are from Sweden, much better haha. You get euro delivery but without the discount

Probably they are standard equipment, but if they offer you Sport seats, just get them, whatever the cost. Thank me later

Tell us how it went, and welcome to the Volvo owners club in advance xD

 

[vampyren]

I think it's a safe bet to go for it without a test drive. Reviews have been all positive!
So, it's the Volvo then?

Yupp just deciding on color, the car dealer dont have any car with the new 2016 colors in except the power blue which i thought i would get but after seeing the car in real i thought it was not all to great. I had a blue BMW which i loved but this was far from the BMW blue so now i'm considering either black or white or....choices choices hehe
The thing is the metallic is like 1000$ extra and with black and white you get get regular color for 0$ so not sure if metallic is worth the extra cost, maybe take regular color and add the extra front thing so that the car looks nicer

 

[martinbo]

I bought an F30 320d AT Luxury Line.

I use it for business and I am certain that it is the best car in its class. If I were you I'd wait for the facelift with its new generation N47 2.0 diesel engine.

In all likelihood that will be my next car.

 

[Zonda]

Martin said a good thing^^

As you're saying it's a pretty close call between the Volvo and Bimmer. The dealbreaker for me would be the gearbox. My experience with Volvo automatics hasn't been satisfying. Perhaps they're better now?

 

[mini_cooper4]

Yupp just deciding on color, the car dealer dont have any car with the new 2016 colors in except the power blue which i thought i would get but after seeing the car in real i thought it was not all to great. I had a blue BMW which i loved but this was far from the BMW blue so now i'm considering either black or white or....choices choices hehe
The thing is the metallic is like 1000$ extra and with black and white you get get regular color for 0$ so not sure if metallic is worth the extra cost, maybe take regular color and add the extra front thing so that the car looks nicer

Black R-Design is what I'd go for
Looks faPbulous!

 

[sanpt7777]

Black S60!

 

[vampyren]

I didn't saw your reply.
If you are from Sweden, much better haha. You get euro delivery but without the discount

Probably they are standard equipment, but if they offer you Sport seats, just get them, whatever the cost. Thank me later

Tell us how it went, and welcome to the Volvo owners club in advance xD

Since i'm getting the car through the company leasing i get Business edition +
Summum (lots of stuff in it like xenon, keyless etc)

On top of that i have already added:

• Four-C Aktivt Chassi
• Parking assisten Front/back (with camera on back)
• Rex 17"
• The gear thing on the steering wheel
• Volvo on call package (gives me the app and lets me lock the car, set a timer for making the car warm at designated time and more)
• AND the sport seats and its leather.

So all and all it will have decent package

 

[vampyren]

Martin said a good thing^^

As you're saying it's a pretty close call between the Volvo and Bimmer. The dealbreaker for me would be the gearbox. My experience with Volvo automatics hasn't been satisfying. Perhaps they're better now?

I'm very picky when it comes to gearbox and i was also concern, specially since i'm coming from a BMW myself but i was pleased that the S60 performed really well (or atleast during my short drive). What made a huge impact on me was the sits on the volvo which were so much more comfortable and also the dashboard. Its pretty cool that you can set different themes and get a totally different experience

 

[vampyren]

Black R-Design is what I'd go for
Looks faPbulous!

I think i'm going with Black but not R-design, pretty much for just a few design shizzle, i rather take the Metallic black + four-C for the same money i would pay for R-Design.