335i vs Volvo S60 T6 R-Design

In my never ending conquest for a new vehicle....besides the 335i RWD, I've also been considering a Volvo S60 T6 R-Design. Any thoughts or experience regarding that car from anyone on here. With 325hp and 354 torques, I'd probably get virtually the same acceleration performance as the 335i for about 5 grand less....and I'd have AWD standard along with more options. I know Audi and even Infiniti have come up in comparisons on this board....any thoughts on the Volvo?

I like the S60 a lot, might get one for my wife as it's a good replacement for her modified AWD Saab.

But it's less of a drivers car than the 3, its engineered more as a FWD car which is reflected in where he weight of it sits.

It's very simple, drive one for yourself. Reading online opinions only tells you so much. Test driving cars is free

My coworker had one that's a few years old. It's ok, but I was never a fan of Volvos. It's nice, it's comfortable, it's not underpowered.....but it just doesn't feel like a driver's car.

Thanks for the input. As a matter of fact, I'm scheduled to drive one tomorrow....but wanted to get some forum input as well.

I love the S60 R design. But from reviews it's not a driver's car like the F30, it's auto only, and from reviews, not that much fun.

The Polestar S60 on the other hand gets rave reviews as a driver's car, and it even has a manual. I wish they would mass produce that car.

Originally Posted by Chris90

I love the S60 R design. But from reviews it's not a driver's car like the F30, it's auto only, and from reviews, not that much fun.

The Polestar S60 on the other hand gets rave reviews as a driver's car, and it even has a manual. I wish they would mass produce that car.

If they could do that car for $55k, a bit less than an S4 and an M3 and with a manual, I would be all for it.

Originally Posted by Jamesonsviggen

If they could do that car for $55k, a bit less than an S4 and an M3 and with a manual, I would be all for it.

Well, I hear it's $500,000 so that'd be a stretch.

But they could take the R design and install a manual, stiffer suspension, and do some of the tricks that give it more driving feel, that wouldn't cost much. The R design already has enough power.

Honestly...beauty is in the eye of the beholder....but, I'm having a hard time getting over the look of the Volvo. Sometimes I look at it and its gorgeous. Other times, I don't like the look at all (trunk seems to be "chopped off" too abruptly and it sits up a little too high).

volvo hasnt done performance well in the past. they make nice and comfortable cars, but they've not done so well on the driving dynamics.

I had an S60R back in the day... never again....

S60 is a heavy car.... weight about 1800KG .... about 200KG heavier than BM

and S60 likes to drink too

Originally Posted by Chris90

Well, I hear it's $500,000 so that'd be a stretch.

But they could take the R design and install a manual, stiffer suspension, and do some of the tricks that give it more driving feel, that wouldn't cost much. The R design already has enough power.

Well I know, it's a one off-hence the price.

I am talking about if they ramped up full production. If the R is say $44-48k, I would pay an extra $10k for all of that hardware.

The S60 was in the #1 slot for my new car choice until I drove my F30 (328i Sport). I loved the interior and the overall quality feel. 300hp + AWD and the fact that it takes regular 87 octane gas were also high points. Overall, the feel of the car was good, but it would never handle as well as a Bimmer. I really liked the front end, but things go south once you get the C-pillar back. I too think the rear end looks like it got chopped off before they were finished producing the car....and that stance looks like it should be on a 70's Dodge Duster with tubs and wheelie-bars. The R-Design does mitigate some of those design flaws with it's aero package, but it needs a set of lowering springs bad. Overall nice car, but once I drove the F30, I knew I was home.

^Great input....sounds like we think alike. Driving an S60 R-Design tomorrow, then a new 335i back to back. Should shed some light for me...

Originally Posted by The Nerd

Honestly...beauty is in the eye of the beholder....but, I'm having a hard time getting over the look of the Volvo. Sometimes I look at it and its gorgeous. Other times, I don't like the look at all (trunk seems to be "chopped off" too abruptly and it sits up a little too high).

That's cause it does look good from some angles and awkward from others. But it looks pretty good in R-design form.

the s60 is 5 series sized isnt it?

i doubt its as good to drive, but i do like that its a lot more unique (or well it would be where i live)

Originally Posted by hans007

the s60 is 5 series sized isnt it?

i doubt its as good to drive, but i do like that its a lot more unique (or well it would be where i live)

I am thinking it splits the 3 and 5 in size, but closer to the 3.

It is the exact same length (182.2 in) as an F30 3 series...and weighs 200-400 lbs more.

Originally Posted by The Nerd

It is the exact same length (182.2 in) as an F30 3 series...and weighs 200-400 lbs more.

You would need to compare a 335x to the t6 because they are both 6 cylinder awd cars. The 335 is about 3700, the s60 t6 is 3800-3900 off the top of my head. So 100-200lbs difference.

Yeah....the xDrive version is only 200lbs lighter than the Volvo (3900lbs). Same size dimensions as an F30.

Originally Posted by The Nerd

Yeah....the xDrive version is only 200lbs lighter than the Volvo (3900lbs). Same size dimensions as an F30.

Might be less as optioned similarly I bet the 335 is OVER 3700lbs.

On the same day I got the 328i and from the same dealer, my son got a S60 without the R. We love the car, the seats are the most comfortable you can find in any car costing twice as much. The car has plenty of power and it handles very well. However, we all agree that the 328i handles and feels better to your hands and steering, perhaps because of the 50-5o distribution and the lighter weight.

Once you drive both, you'll be able to come to a satisfactory choice.

You will not find better or more comfortable seats in a car under $100k

My wife has a XC60 T6. It is a great compact SUV so I expected more from the smaller and lighter S60 with the same engine. She brought one home as a loaner and I was not very impressed. It did not feel as powerful as a 328 although I know it's a little faster. It handled well enough but I just didn't feel that connected with the road. I also felt a little more cramped. The S60 T6 R-design was on my list of cars to replace my 2008 335i convertible but I ended up ordering a 2013 335i M Sport X drive. Remember that with a X drive, you have to get the DHP to have a sport suspension regardless of line.

Originally Posted by The Nerd

It is the exact same length (182.2 in) as an F30 3 series...and weighs 200-400 lbs more.

about 200KG more as S60 is based on a ford mondeo platform.... cheap steel platform design

hence the weight

Plus Volvo is now 100% owned by Chinese

Originally Posted by SilverX3

about 200KG more as S60 is based on a ford mondeo platform.... cheap steel platform design

hence the weight

Plus Volvo is now 100% owned by Chinese

Mondeo starts at 3100 lbs.