Buying a new Sport ST with SE suspension?

[oldmanbm]

Hi I am thinking of changing my Volvo V50 for a new 170 Tdi Exeo ST Sport. However while I like the style of the Sport spec I would like to have it SE suspension. I know you could do this when the Exeo was launched but I wonder is it possible now?

[Koops]

Hi, I test drove an Exeo with the sport suspension and took delivery of an SE Lux two days ago :D
Suprisingly I haven't noticed much difference between the two suspensions, my SE Lux is reasonably firm i.e. not much roll when cornering, doesn't wallow, but soaks up the worst of bumps.

[runer]

I don't know & perhaps its comparing apples to oranges but when I test drove the ST sport I found it was just as soft / hard as my Leon stylance (thats SE to you). I also test drove the basic ST 1.6 and what was obvious was that the sport was more stable & that planted feeling. Wrt how it'd feel over a journey of 1000km -no idea but will find out Jan.

[Koops]

I part-exchanged a Leon FR Tdi for the Exeo SE Lux Tdi; now that does have firm suspension!

[westcountry boy]

Ive got an SE Lux ST - with standard SE suspension.

Handles really well - its a company car and I have to go up and down lots of muddy farm lanes - some very bumpy.

As it is a few mm's taller than the sport suspenion - its great for ground clearence....someone asked me the other day if it was 4wd !!

Its in a shocking state mud wise - nobody would be proud of the state of the 18" rims!!

[oldmanbm]

Well the local dealer tells me that while you could get the Sport with the SE suspension as a no cost option - now you cant. He has a Sport ST and an SE ST and when the weathers better he has promised me a play in both to see which I like the best. To be honest I'd like the SE Lux but I can't ignore the awesome value of the current Tech option. Will wait and see. Has anyone got a Sport and wishes they hadn't?

[andyj]

I guess it all depends what kind of comfort level you're used to, prior to opting for the Sport suspension.....

I came from a Leon Cupra R (via an Altea) so I was relatively used to a firm ride, but find the Sport Exeo apleasure to drive. Yes it's firm, but not harsh/umcomfortable.

Even the wife, who used to hate the LCR ride, doesn't complain about the Exeo !! :lol:

[Koops]

I believe that you get VAT off of non-tech cars if registered this year, and 0% Finance if needed and you can pay the minimum deposit. I don't think the Tech models get the VAT discount so are they such good value?

[oldmanbm]

Good point re the VAT thing. Will check in the morning.

[canonman]

MY10 car's (Sport's only) you could pick if you had normal suspension or sport's suspension.

Now you can't sports come with sports and SE ect come with Normal suspension

[oldmanbm]

Thanks. Looks like an SE Tech then. Are these cars reliable? A friend has had a horrendous experience with a new Audi A6 and when I said I was thinking of buying a Seat based an the A4 he went ballastic!!!

[andyj]

You will always get the odd car that is 'unreliable' (like your friends A6), but what you don't hear about are the 1000's of cars that are more than 'reliable'.

I wouldn't say that the Exeo is more/less relaible than any other production car to be honest. At the end of the day, there's alot of human involvement in the assembly of any car, and where you've got human involvement you've got a 'risk'. Human error as they call it ;)

The Exeo chassis is the A4 B7 chassis, which is proven to be a very stable/reliable chassis, and is thought to be better than the newer B8 chassis. The engine's are the newer ones fitted to the newer A4 B8's, so there's limited long-term reliability information available compared to the B7 engines, but that's not something that put me off buying one ;)

At the end of the day, they're a bloomin' good car for the price you pay, especially in comparison to an A4. When I bought mine (new), the only A4 I could find that ws the same price, was a 4year old one, with 60k on the clock.

[julianat57]

Hi, I agree with all that Andy has said. My Exeo ST SE 143 is my first new car, I have had an air con sensor fail and a relay fail on the Heated rear window, fairly minor problems and sorted quickly at no cost. Typical new car faults that can occur, so I am told, but the rest of the car is so good that I can overlook these problems. It really is good value for money and I was lucky to get £2,500 off, scrappage deal using my son's Fiesta and an £8 per month 3 year service deal when I bought mine in March, my son had my Audi A4 Avant 2.5 tdi, so he is a happy bunny too! Buy one, it does make sense and I find the SE suspension just fine....Julian

[canonman]

Drop me a email and Ill see what deal we can do for you :-)