Which TT?
08-14-2007, 02:08 PM
#12
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I agree with you about Volvo being a good example of a comeback, despite...
... the fact that the company is up for sale, once again. But the fact that BMW is considering a takeover is a good sign.
I drive an S60R and, although fast and technologically sound, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who would be against modding the heck out of it (springs, sways, etc.) to make it into the handler it's supposed to be.
The C30 is indeed a nice Volvo, although, to tell you the truth, I don't think the American market is ready for it. I predict it'll flop over here.
Feel free to continue this Volvo talk here or over at SwedeSpeed.com (really nice people) if you want. I'm going to visit the other TT-related responses now and offer my feedback if there's any more to be offered.
I drive an S60R and, although fast and technologically sound, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who would be against modding the heck out of it (springs, sways, etc.) to make it into the handler it's supposed to be.
The C30 is indeed a nice Volvo, although, to tell you the truth, I don't think the American market is ready for it. I predict it'll flop over here.
Feel free to continue this Volvo talk here or over at SwedeSpeed.com (really nice people) if you want. I'm going to visit the other TT-related responses now and offer my feedback if there's any more to be offered.
08-14-2007, 02:21 PM
#16
Answers from the 2.0T + Mag Ride owner.
1. recent dyno testing is showing that the 2.0T is putting out more like 220HP vs the publicized 200HP. The 2.0 is also 330 lbs lighter than the 3.2 S-Tronic. Those two combine to make the 2.0 (to me) seem much quicker than the 3.2. Could be the rapid torque on-set of the turbo, but the 2.0 seems more "spunky" than the 3.2. It's even more "spunky" with the addition of chip-tuning! The 3.2 also feels a little more nose heavy to me, with more understeer. Just about 100% of the euro reviews and many of the american reviews said that they preferred the 2.0T over the 3.2. Even though the 3.2 sounds better (probably the sound pipe), it's just not enough to justify it. Needing AWD is probably a more significant factor in why people opted for it.
2 AWD - I had a 03 TT Quattro and replaced it with the FWD 2.0T. Here in California, I just couldn't justify the hugh premium for the AWD and 3.2. I don't notice any torque steer unless you're WOT from every stop.
3. Mag Ride - Highly debated. For $1100, I think it's a best performance mod you can opt for. The standard mode is very compliant yet you still maintain great handling. Switch into sport and it's truly amazing. The car exhibits less body movement (pitch and roll) than the standard (non-MR) suspension. MR Is not a static valving change like other systems (Volvo's comes to mind). It's a truly active system taking in data from several sensors (level control, yaw rate, lateral accel, steering angle, engine torque, requested torque, brake pressure, etc.) and then adjust the shocks as necessary. It's totally worth it. I've got the S-Line TT with the 19" wheels, and it rides much better (with MR) than the TT w/ 18" and standard suspension I also tested.
2 AWD - I had a 03 TT Quattro and replaced it with the FWD 2.0T. Here in California, I just couldn't justify the hugh premium for the AWD and 3.2. I don't notice any torque steer unless you're WOT from every stop.
3. Mag Ride - Highly debated. For $1100, I think it's a best performance mod you can opt for. The standard mode is very compliant yet you still maintain great handling. Switch into sport and it's truly amazing. The car exhibits less body movement (pitch and roll) than the standard (non-MR) suspension. MR Is not a static valving change like other systems (Volvo's comes to mind). It's a truly active system taking in data from several sensors (level control, yaw rate, lateral accel, steering angle, engine torque, requested torque, brake pressure, etc.) and then adjust the shocks as necessary. It's totally worth it. I've got the S-Line TT with the 19" wheels, and it rides much better (with MR) than the TT w/ 18" and standard suspension I also tested.
08-14-2007, 02:27 PM
#18
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Most likely won't happen. You will get R-design soon but that might be it. R cars flopped here.
<a href="http://www.swedespeed.com/news/publish/Volvo_News/article_1090.html">R-design</a>
08-14-2007, 02:40 PM
#19
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I guess i just need to drive 3.2 with and w/o Mag Ride
Thanks for the info and keep it coming. I will have a second test drive, but a 10-minute test drive doesn't compare to daily experience. E.g. my M3 SMG didn't feel that bad during the test drive. I wish I could rent a TT for one day like the GTI.
Basically I need to decide on the Mag Ride (see the next paragraph about pricing). I do not like M3's harsh ride at all. Its suspension (and the SMG as well) is tuned for the track; maybe certain autobahns, but not 405 freeway. Sometimes the sound of hitting bad pavement is so horrifying it makes me wanna stop to inspect if anything came lose under the car.
Some review called the stock suspension "just right". The GTI was fine, so I assume the TT's suspension is a little better. I test-drove MkI and it's a huge improvement. The thing is I'm not taking my cars to any sort of tracks or twisties. I have bikes for that. I do enjoy effortlessly passing other Bimmers on curvy multi-lane freeway interchanges, especially watching them stomp the brake pedal in panic. Though sometimes I also do it in my wife's Touareg with 500lbs mounted on the back: 400lb sportbike + 100lb carrier.
I do understand that 3.2 AWD is better than 2.0 FWD, but the question is how much better. Day and night you say? Mag Ride is (not surprisingly) crucial for the car pricing. I'd only consider 2.0 w/o it. Otherwise (with Mag Ride) 2.0 TTC is only $4K cheaper than 3.2 TTC with the same options: primarily because of the Premium Package already included. That's according to Edmunds, and real-world numbers can be different.
What I do need is:
1. 18" wheels w/ high performance tires. Worth it? Or go aftermarket?
2. Sirius. Is it already built-in into the base 3.2 audio or part of the $1K package.
Nav is nice to have on the bare bones 2.0, but I can do fine w/o it in a nicely built 3.2.
Basically I need to decide on the Mag Ride (see the next paragraph about pricing). I do not like M3's harsh ride at all. Its suspension (and the SMG as well) is tuned for the track; maybe certain autobahns, but not 405 freeway. Sometimes the sound of hitting bad pavement is so horrifying it makes me wanna stop to inspect if anything came lose under the car.
Some review called the stock suspension "just right". The GTI was fine, so I assume the TT's suspension is a little better. I test-drove MkI and it's a huge improvement. The thing is I'm not taking my cars to any sort of tracks or twisties. I have bikes for that. I do enjoy effortlessly passing other Bimmers on curvy multi-lane freeway interchanges, especially watching them stomp the brake pedal in panic. Though sometimes I also do it in my wife's Touareg with 500lbs mounted on the back: 400lb sportbike + 100lb carrier.
I do understand that 3.2 AWD is better than 2.0 FWD, but the question is how much better. Day and night you say? Mag Ride is (not surprisingly) crucial for the car pricing. I'd only consider 2.0 w/o it. Otherwise (with Mag Ride) 2.0 TTC is only $4K cheaper than 3.2 TTC with the same options: primarily because of the Premium Package already included. That's according to Edmunds, and real-world numbers can be different.
What I do need is:
1. 18" wheels w/ high performance tires. Worth it? Or go aftermarket?
2. Sirius. Is it already built-in into the base 3.2 audio or part of the $1K package.
Nav is nice to have on the bare bones 2.0, but I can do fine w/o it in a nicely built 3.2.
08-14-2007, 02:58 PM
#20
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Who cares if the American market is ready for C30
I am ready for C30 and that's what matters. It's a miracle Volvo imports its entire model line to the US, because Germans don't. I wish MB imported A-class here. I'm also keeping my fingers crossed for the upcoming A1, though it's probably going to remain on the European side of the Pond.
I personally don't give a damn about American tastes. Let the general population buy "revolutionary" two-mode Tahoe hybrids or something similar that fits their distorted selfish perception of "personal space".
It's a miracle Volvo imports its entire model line to the US, because Germans don't. I wish MB imported A-class here. I'm also keeping my fingers crossed for the upcoming A1, though it's probably going to remain on the European side of the Pond.I personally don't give a damn about American tastes. Let the general population buy "revolutionary" two-mode Tahoe hybrids or something similar that fits their distorted selfish perception of "personal space".