No Joke: M3 vs Volvo S60/V60 Polestar

[Kief]

Let me be the first to say, I do not think the Volvo 2015.5 S60/V60 Polestar competes with the M3 and I own an M4.

However, I also have on order #49 out of 80 (only 120 coming to the US: 80 V60, 20 S60)--a Black Sapphire V60 Polestar for my wife (we are trading in her X5d). I have never owned a Volvo and as you can tell from my signature I'm a BMW fanboy. I recently joined a Volvo Forum (Swedespeed) and it's pretty funny reading how some folks think this Volvo can compete with the M, RS, AMG crowd! Even Volvo admits the Polestar is not in the same league. But the V60 Polestar is a true European "sport wagon," and unfortunately the only one we can get here, since we can't get the other uber wagons here in the States (335xi, RS4).

Anyway, while over in IKEA, I mean the SwedeSpeed Forum (they are actually a good group of guys), someone posted this interesting article comparing the M3, RS4, and V60 Polestar. Unfortunately, it is written in Swedish and is pay to view. Anyone here speak Swedish and happen to have a script to AutoMotorSport.se? I'm curious of the findings.

http://www.automotorsport.se/artikla...basta-begkopen

[Boss330]

That test is probably available at my local news stand here in Norway. I will look for it tomorrow and buy the magazine if they have it. Will scan the test and translate the major parts of it (Norwegian and Swedish is kind of like English and US English, so no problem to understand it ).

[Kief]

Originally Posted by Boss330

That test is probably available at my local news stand here in Norway. I will look for it tomorrow and buy the magazine if they have it. Will scan the test and translate the major parts of it (Norwegian and Swedish is kind of like English and US English, so no problem to understand it ).

Thanks Boss, I really appreciate it!
I look forward to reading why some journalists and fanboys want to keep comparing this car to an M/RS. Don't get me wrong, I'm really excited to get one, but my expectations are more realistic.

[Insureit1]

I have owned three Volvo's and have found them to be very nice cars. I had a C30 R Design which was a fun little car, and then a 2010 V70 R Design wagon. I currently own a 2014 XC60 R Design. It is a very nice SUV and very European. It is 350HP and it is a surprisingly quick. Does not have the rush of torque the M3 has and I have no idea how the V60 Polestar will compare. I find the fit and finish to be very good. Overall a very nice SUV. I will give you one caution. Volvo's depreciate like a stone thrown into water. Even if you get a great deal be prepared for massive 1st and 2nd yr depreciation. If you are going to keep for a while no problem but if you move out of cars quickly I would lease. I got a loaded XC60 in January of 2014 with $6k off MSRP and best offer for trade in I received (from three different places) when purchasing the M3 was $20k less than my purchase price. Almost 40% depreciation from MSRP. Contrast that to a 2013 Porsche Boxster S that I ended up trading after 13 months which depreciated about 15% over that one year period. I still like the Volvo and plan on keeping it for my kids to drive. And I agree 100% if BMW brought an M3 wagon to the US I would buy it in a second. I considered a MB E63 wagon but at $105k passed.

[WVUDrJay]

I drove a 2005 s60 r for 9 years. 300 hp and AWD. It was fun, pretty fast, went in the snow. I loved it, it was reliable as well. Sad see it go. I traded it in for a jeep wrangler which will be my snowmobile when my M4 arrives!

[brava09]

It's far from M3 from performance point of view.

On polestar official web site, they claim 0-124 mph in 17.7 seconds, this is more like 335i/ Audi S4 performance rather than M/RS performance.

http://www.nextpolestar.com/#/specifications

[Kief]

Originally Posted by Insureit1

I have owned three Volvo's and have found them to be very nice cars. I had a C30 R Design which was a fun little car, and then a 2010 V70 R Design wagon. I currently own a 2014 XC60 R Design. It is a very nice SUV and very European. It is 350HP and it is a surprisingly quick. Does not have the rush of torque the M3 has and I have no idea how the V60 Polestar will compare. I find the fit and finish to be very good. Overall a very nice SUV. I will give you one caution. Volvo's depreciate like a stone thrown into water. Even if you get a great deal be prepared for massive 1st and 2nd yr depreciation. If you are going to keep for a while no problem but if you move out of cars quickly I would lease. I got a loaded XC60 in January of 2014 with $6k off MSRP and best offer for trade in I received (from three different places) when purchasing the M3 was $20k less than my purchase price. Almost 40% depreciation from MSRP. Contrast that to a 2013 Porsche Boxster S that I ended up trading after 13 months which depreciated about 15% over that one year period. I still like the Volvo and plan on keeping it for my kids to drive. And I agree 100% if BMW brought an M3 wagon to the US I would buy it in a second. I considered a MB E63 wagon but at $105k passed.

Thanks for your insight.
Yeah, I've read about Volvo's depreciation. We are buying (leasing is unavailable--not that I would lease if it was available anyway) and there is no negotiating with only 52 dealers in the entire country permitted to sell the Polestar and 120 cars coming here. However, I'm cautiously optimistic with it being a "limited/special" model (although there are whispers of some type of MY '16 Polestar???), that values may hold a bit better--but I'm prepared for the worse. The one advantage regarding price is that I was offered $2k more on our X5 trade in compared to CarMax, Porsche, Audi, BMW dealers. So I interpret that $2k as $1000 off the Polestar and $1000 more on my trade in--that helps me sleep at night! Hell, I didn't pay sticker on my M4, and I'm sure as hell not going to on a Volvo (or maybe I did )

[Kief]

Originally Posted by brava09

It's far from M3 from performance point of view.

On polestar official web site, they claim 0-124 mph in 17.7 seconds, this is more like 335i/ Audi S4 performance rather than M/RS performance.

http://www.nextpolestar.com/#/specifications

+1
I'm expecting our V60 Polestar to be comparable to my previous 335is (but in a wagon form obviously). Sort of like a "goldilocks" of sorts. The 335is was positioned right in the middle--above a standard 335i and below the venerable M3.

I wish more European manufacturers would bring over their sport wagons. I definitely would cross shop an S4 Avant or 335xi wagon with this V60 Polestar, but Volvo is the only game in town here. And I certainly agree these Polestars are better matched with an S4/335

[Boss330]

The magazine isn't at the news stand until tomorrow it seems. Will get it then,

[solstice]

I see non polestar v60s everywhere here in Sweden ( no surprise . The airport even have a nice metallic white one on display. It's a handsome wagon. Volvo does have some racing heritage and people capable of putting together good cars. They do however not have the resources to build an M3 competitor today. I'm sure it will be an awesome combination of fun and practicality though!

[Kief]

Originally Posted by Boss330

The magazine isn't at the news stand until tomorrow it seems. Will get it then,

Thanks Boss. I'm looking forward to it.

Originally Posted by solstice

Volvo does have some racing heritage and people capable of putting together good cars. They do however not have the resources to build an M3 competitor today. I'm sure it will be an awesome combination of fun and practicality though!

Yeah, I've been learning more about Volvo and their history. Quite interesting actually. Fun and practicality (and a bit of exclusivity) is exactly what we/my wife want. Only wish I could have talked her into that blue (Rebel Blue) color, but she insisted on black or no deal (they only come here in blue or black)! Will make quite the sleeper/Q-car

[JMN]

Looks like you can buy the article online as well.

[Boss330]

Ok, I managed to source the article. Will provide translation later today

[Kief]

Originally Posted by Boss330

Ok, I managed to source the article. Will provide translation later today

You rock Boss!
BTW, congrats on that last post being #3000!

[tallshortguy]

0-62 in 4.8s? Unless I'm not reading that right, I'm wondering how they managed such a slow time given the slowest tested I've seen was 4.4 I think.

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by tallshortguy

0-62 in 4.8s? Unless I'm not reading that right, I'm wondering how they managed such a slow time given the slowest tested I've seen was 4.4 I think.

They have a note (#3) explaining that acceleration tests on the M3 was done without Launch Control, as the car still was under break in procedures.

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by Kief

You rock Boss!
BTW, congrats on that last post being #3000!

Thanks

I didn't realize that was my post #3000!!! But at least it was a good post to mark the ocassion with

[brava09]

So the RS4 won the comparison?

[tallshortguy]

Originally Posted by Boss330

They have a note (#3) explaining that acceleration tests on the M3 was done without Launch Control, as the car still was under break in procedures.

I see, thanks for the info.

Hmm, apparently the M3 is the least comfortable.

[AustinYellowMakesMeHard]

Originally Posted by brava09

So the RS4 won the comparison?

I'm guessing audi won the road stage while the m4 won the track stage?

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by brava09

So the RS4 won the comparison?

Originally Posted by AustinYellowMakesMeHard

I'm guessing audi won the road stage while the m4 won the track stage?

Sorry about not having been able to do the translation today...

The RS4 wins the "overall" score since it's more comfortable and has less road noise.

The M4 trumps the two others (look at the point score ) in the "Special round - Sports car" category. They write that the M3 almost feels like it's from a different class than the two others...

[Boss330]

I will focus on the comments on the Polestar in the article. What they say about the M3 and RS4 falls in line with previous reviews. Possibly complaining more about road noise in the M3 than I have read elsewhere?

-They like the sound of the Polestar, both inside and from the exhaust (Swedish made Ferrita exhaust)

-The taylor made suspension with Öhlins dampers is a bit stiff and feels even more harsh than in the M3

-The seats are comfortable and good rear seat space

-Comfort winner is Audi, Volvo and BMW last

-It feels stronger than it’s stated 350hp and the transmission has been upgraded with higher oil pressure for shifts. It reminds of a DCT transmission (not quite, but good) as it shifts hard. This also leads to a more nervous behaviour during parking manoeuvring.

-Shift paddles a bit to close to the steering wheel

-The steering is very quick (perhaps a bit to quick), but this feels fun.

-It isn’t as settled as it’s rivals when driving fast. It feels like a “standard car that’s been souped up” according to some of the test drivers.

-The Polestar comes last on the track. It understeers and feels to soft in the front.

-The driveline also lags behind on the track, the trans lacks that same sharpness and the engine runs out of breath on top.

-The brake pedal softens under track driving, but stopping power remains.

-Volvo says that track driving never was a priority with this car, and that is felt in this company.