I just completed my first road trip with my new 2006 S60. I have the sports package and it seems like the handling was a little loose. To much play in on the wheel to really feel in control. This is my first experience with the speed control steering. It came with 17in Pirelli tire which ride very rough and have a lot of road noise.

Is it the tires? Should I try something else? I've owned six Volvos and this new one handles the worst of any I have owned.

I thought the Sports Package was an upgrade, now I wish I didn't have it.

Thanks,

WAH

:cat: Hi there WAH. :00000732: to Volvo forums.

:liebe011: for joining us.

Hopefully some of the experts shall answer your questions soon.

Cheers :right:

Thanks so much. I hope someone can help me out.

WAH

Hmm... well I personally hate the speed sensitive steering (especially when parking). Are you having trouble with body roll? You could always upgrade sway bars. If you have a fat budget you could upgrade your suspension. As far as road noise I don't know how the pirelli's perform. You could find some reviews on tire rack and see if others are having the same issue with road noise.

I agree with you about the handling though... I have the sport package as well on my 2004 and it feels like I'm driving a towncar...perfect for grandmas. I'm sure your road trip was comfy however. It doesn't even compare with the handling on my sport A4.

Strange that the sport package comes with 17, and not 18" wheels.

Diff tires could help. Check Tirerack.com for some good advice on tires.

My wife has a 2006 S60 2.5T w/Sport package. I think the tires are the culprit. They sound coarse and rough. Sadly we're a long way from replacement time with only 700 miles driven. Fortunatley she hasn't noticed.
Jim

Jim,

Thanks for letting me know. I've got about 1200 miles on mine now. They have kind of a whine sound at low speed now. The sound you hear in big truck on the road sometime.

I've leased this car so I might get something different and put these back on when I turn it in since Volvo loves these tires so much. I don't and can't waith go get them off. The ride really ruff and you feel every bump in the road.

Keep me posted on your progress with these.

WAH

Let me know what tires you get and what improvement there is. I saw that the Khumo's at the Tire Rack got great ratings for comfort, wear and quiet.
gentlemanjim737@bellsouth.net

I have Kumho Ecsta SPT tires and they handle well and are very quiet. I have been happy, but this particular model is s summer tire, not all season. We had a big winter this year and I only had a problem once in some heavy, wet snow. My neighbor put the same tire in the all season model on his BMW and noticed a much more quiet ride. I'd say these are a good tire for the price.

The Pierrellis are terrible. The develop side bulges very easily. I have had 3 replaced in about 35,000 KM on my 2004 S60 AWD.

Great in the rain though. Also they do not fit the wheel wells. At some point you will start to notice tire scrapping under hard cornering.

My dealer just shook his head when I brought this up. He said so many folks complain about it and Volvo Canada will do nothing.

Yes the stering is poor. Like driving a bike with straight forks. After a couple of hours you get tired driving this thing. And the turning radius is the worst I have seen on any car.

They took my alignment outside recommended spec and the steering is a bit better. They told me I would have increased tire wear but I don't care.

These are not very good cars.

brianf

How did you modify the alignment?

I find the return of the steering wheel after a turn is twitchy. And yes of course the turning radius or lack there of sucks.

My new S60 only has 100 miles on it but I have played with the turning radious on the parking lot and it's no worse them my 02 Maxima. It really doesn't seem enough of an annyance to speak off. I'm very happy on how the car drives. I also don't hear any road noise with the Pirelli tires. Maybe they updated them for 06. Overall I don't think the reviewers give enough respect to the S60. The only downside right now that I see is the size of the key/remote which is like a small cell phone.