Lotus99
05-31-2011, 05:41 PM
For those that have been following my posts over the past 2.5 years, you'd probably have expected this, with all the issues I've had with the car. I would not underestimate if I said I've made 25 to 30 trips to the dealer over the life of this car.
I sold our Volvo XC70 last week and replaced it with a one year old 2010 BMW 535 wagon that took months of searching, as I was dead set against an SUV, if I could avoid it. The choice of AWD, high HP, high quality wagons is literally down to a few.
As expected, the ride is beautiful. I know it's quite a bit more expensive brand new compared to the Volvo, and so maybe not quite apples to apples comparison, but that's why I ended up getting a one year old model, which cost me the same as the Volvo did new, so for me, if I had to make the decision again b/w a new Volvo and this car, it's a no brainer.
The one thing that has blown me away was how two cars that have almost the same power (Volvo's 280 HP vs. 300 for the 535, both with same torque) can drive so different. The 535 is so much more responsive in terms of throttle response, steering feel and suspension. And I had Volvo's 4C adjustable suspension too.
The transmission is a dream, it keeps you in a power band, even if you're not in DS (sport) mode, instead of shifting up constantly like the Volvo's, so you're not in 6th gear when driving at 40 MPH and if you press the gas, the power is there, which it wasn't with the Volvo unless I was in manual mode and shifting myself.
I'm having fun again driving and I smile whenever I get in the car.
And to boot, the BMW's getting 10% better mileage too surprisingly even though I'm driving it more spiritedly.
I do miss some things about the Volvo though. The cargo area is a bit bigger since the back window doesn't slopes like the 535, the collision avoidance system was pretty cool and saved me probably a few times, and the integrated booster seats.
Take care y'all. I'll leave you with a pic of the new car.
LONG LIVE THE WAGON! :D
.
.
http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq266/Lotus100/BMW%20535/IMG_0189.jpg
.
.
I sold our Volvo XC70 last week and replaced it with a one year old 2010 BMW 535 wagon that took months of searching, as I was dead set against an SUV, if I could avoid it. The choice of AWD, high HP, high quality wagons is literally down to a few.
As expected, the ride is beautiful. I know it's quite a bit more expensive brand new compared to the Volvo, and so maybe not quite apples to apples comparison, but that's why I ended up getting a one year old model, which cost me the same as the Volvo did new, so for me, if I had to make the decision again b/w a new Volvo and this car, it's a no brainer.
The one thing that has blown me away was how two cars that have almost the same power (Volvo's 280 HP vs. 300 for the 535, both with same torque) can drive so different. The 535 is so much more responsive in terms of throttle response, steering feel and suspension. And I had Volvo's 4C adjustable suspension too.
The transmission is a dream, it keeps you in a power band, even if you're not in DS (sport) mode, instead of shifting up constantly like the Volvo's, so you're not in 6th gear when driving at 40 MPH and if you press the gas, the power is there, which it wasn't with the Volvo unless I was in manual mode and shifting myself.
I'm having fun again driving and I smile whenever I get in the car.
And to boot, the BMW's getting 10% better mileage too surprisingly even though I'm driving it more spiritedly.
I do miss some things about the Volvo though. The cargo area is a bit bigger since the back window doesn't slopes like the 535, the collision avoidance system was pretty cool and saved me probably a few times, and the integrated booster seats.
Take care y'all. I'll leave you with a pic of the new car.
LONG LIVE THE WAGON! :D
.
.
http://i454.photobucket.com/albums/qq266/Lotus100/BMW%20535/IMG_0189.jpg
.
.