I'm considering the purchase of a 2001 V70. Having driven both the 2.4T and the T5 back to back, I'd appreciate any comments on the following impressions.

The 2.4T engine seemed to have much better low and mid range throttle response and torque than the T5. I really didn't see any real world benefit to the T5 engine. Did I drive a T5 dud or am I missing something? My head says the T5 should be markedly faster, but my gut says for 95% of driving, the 2.4 is better and more responsive. Anybody have any experience or comments?

The 2.4T I drove had 16" wheels/tires. The T5 had 17". Expectedly, the ride of the 17" car was noticably harsher. Does anyone know if there is a difference in the suspension between the 2.4T and T5. The dealer doesn't really know. The literature doesn't say there is a difference, other than the brakes. Anyone know the truth?

I want to make a decision between the 2.4T and T5 soon. Just so you guys know, I have extensive driving experience with Turbo Porsches including the 993 Twin Turbo. I say that to let you know I know about Turbo cars and lag. Thanks for any help.

Hal -

The clincher for me is that for only $300 more, I got the "bigger" engine, better seats, bigger wheels, bigger brakes, free fog lights, and a couple more things I can't recall right now. You get some goodies on the T5 that just aren't available on the 2.4T, so if you were to price out the extras, and make the two cars as equally well-equipped as possible, the T5 is cheaper. And let's face it...higher on the ZOOT factor scale.

My .02

- Darell

Hi Hal, I'm not saying that the dealer may want you to buy one car vs. the other, but did he/she have a lot of 2.4T's around?

When I test drove the 99 GLT & T5 back-to-back (drive the GLT first), the GLT felt like the parking brake was on. For me, there is no question that the T5 is more fun. (Of course, for pure torque, the T5 can't touch my 740 with 5.0L Mustang V8.)

Peter;

Or my CBR 1000F!

All the best.

Robert A. Froebel

I would also consider the cost of 17" tires vs 16" tires, and there may also be a big difference with the auto insurance people.

Rich,

Everyone's insurance factors are different, but my premium at AAA only increased by about $250/yr, and I went from a 1988 760 Turbo Wagon to the 2001 V70 T5. As for tires, a piece of metal shredded one of my new tires after owning the car only 3 days. Replacement cost for a Pirelli P6000 235/45R17 Sport Veloce was $165 (includes mount, balance and 7.25% tax).

Hal,

I agree with everything already stated, but I really can't emphasize enough how important it is to run 92-93 octane fuel in a T5. When running 87 octane, the knock sensor will retard the timing and cut the boost and you'll lose a whole bunch of git up 'n' go. If your dealer fills up all his cars with 87 (like the one I bought my car from), no wonder you couldn't see a real world difference.

Also, the T5 package also includes a bunch of stuff standard that is optional on the 2.4, so the price difference between the two models isn't just for the engine.

Bottom line, I'm happy with my T5 (with 17" wheels).

Given the two choices, I'd go for a T5 again. Partly because the 2.4 is unavailable with a manual transmission, partly because it's arguably the best "Q-Ship" made today.

The T5's performance envelope is similar to a 911SC cabriolet, at least until you come to the first corner. It really is a hoot to drive!

The Twin Turbo shouldn't suffer from much turbo-lag. I think that was the idea of the design. BTW, I learned how to shift on a '76 911S, and still have an '86 944 with the factory sport suspension that I mostly use to stand on to get things off high shelves in my garage.

My Porsche mechanic said he was impressed when he drove the Volvo!

-Uncle Olaf

'98 V70T5M, 55k, IPD stabilizer bars, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, Dunlop SP8000s.

There is absolutely no difference in the suspension between the two models. For the small price difference, go for the T5. No comparison if you like to "push" the car. The 2.4T is just fine but the T5 is an...animal!

Yannis

Yannis -

Why is it that the T5 has a "dynamic" chassis, and the T5 has a "comfort" chassis if they're the same? Everything I learned told me that the T5 had a better handling suspension.

- Darell

Hello Darell,

don´t know how it is over in the states, but here in germany its this way:

140 HP + 170 HP non turbo: comfort chassis

200 HP (2.4T) and 250 HP (T4): dynamic chassis

Extra-option: lowered sport chassis (as far as i remember).

By the way: here in germany, there is a 2000 Dollar difference between the 2.4T and the T5, and you can get EVERY! option for EVERY! engine... (e.g. sport seats and manual in 2.4T, normal seats in T5 etc.).

Regards

Thorsten

Thorsten -

Yeah, that's always bugged me, because I actually wanted all the T5 goodies with the 2.4T engine. But I'm not complaining, I like what I got.

There are lots of items that you simply can't order with the 2.4T here in the States. Oh well. At least we don't have a president.

- Darell

Hal,

Most of what you are saying is true.

The loner car of choice for me when my T5 is in is the S70 GLT. The time that I had the car for 2 days it did show better low and midrange responce than my T5.

The 2.4T is a low pressure turbo that produces peak torque at about 1800 rpm while the high pressure T5 trquires about 2500 rpm for it to come alive, but watch out when it does.

It takes a few miles( about 5k) for the engine to looen up. The T5 also loves 93 octane fuel. Without it the engine output suffers.

The 2.4T is good for real world driving, but it is nothing like the rush of the T5 coming alive. The downfall of the 2.4T is that on manual is available,IMO.

There is about a 1s diffrence in 0-60 times (2.4T-7.8s, T5-7.0s)

Compared to the GLT I find the T5 a more enjoyable car to drive.

I drew out the torque and HP curves of the 2001 2.4T and the T5 on the same piece of paper. Of course, these are based on optimum octane fuel for each engine.

I was surprised that ( on paper, at least ) the T5 equals the torque of the 2.4T at about 1500 RPM, and rises rapidly above it from there. Although the 2.4T reaches its peak torque at 1800 RPM, the T5 peak torque is so much greater that it is putting out more than the 2.4T even at the lower RPM's.

Further thoughts on this:

* The more high performance tuned an engine is, the more sensitive it is to

being well broken in. The 2.4T may be showing what it has to give

earlier on, while the T5 may require 5,000 - 10,000 miles before it

really starts to show its stuff.

* The T5 is a smaller displacement engine and really needs to be pushed to

feel lively. I don't know about others, but I am reluctant to put this

kind of push on a brand new engine, as you would have to do in a back to

back test drive.

* Then there is the illusive " T5 Upgrade ". who knows what this really

consists of, and what the T5's really consist of that are sitting in

dealer's stocks.

* There is also a psychological factor: When you start out in the T5 your

mind is expecting startling performance, and for the reasons considered

herein, you come away doubly dissapointed.

* Many dealers use " El cheapo " fuel in their new vehicles. The 2.4T can

do pretty well on this, but the T5 ECU is going to rein the overall

performance parameters in when you start pushing it. Couple this with

the other considerations discussed above and you can see how a back to

back test drive of new 2.4T vs T5 vehicles may well leave the T5 not

showing itself too well.