Used S60 Diesel Auto or Geartonic - Owners' Advice?

Hi I own an S60 D5 with the Geartronic option. To date it has been faultless and performs very well in the auto mode. The manual mode also works with no problems, but is not really very practical for everyday driving. I tend to use it mostly for engine breaking on hills, rather like a conventional auto. Apart from this, and maybe crawling in slow traffic, it appears to have more of a novelty value rather than any major advantages over a conventional auto box. It is super smooth in both modes and enables me to average 42 to 44mph with normal driving. EJD

I agree I drove both the standard Auto and geartronic versions of the D5 before buying the Auto, with a minor saving over the geartronic. Glad I did too. The geartronic is a bit of a gimmick, but I suppose has its uses. My auto (163bhp) has performed faultlessly. It has more than enough power for everyday driving, and then some ... it pulls like a train. With roughly 60% urban and 40% M/Way driving, with a not so light foot, I average 37mpg most tankfuls. I achieved 48mpg on a full tank in the summer on 90% m/way driving, so it doesnt suffer too much with the auto. The car does actually feel quicker than the 'official figures' suggest, esp in-gear acceleration, 30 - 70mph+ The choice, as they say, is yours.

As others above have said, the Geartronic is really a "nice to have" extra - unless you're a driver that wants to utilise the full torque of the engine at every opportunity. I use my Geartronic for fun, mainly on fast winding country roads, to hold the car in a gear lower than the autobox would normally choose, so you can pull out of the bends. It's also useful sometimes on certain hill gradients, when the box is clinging on to say 4, and you know the engine would be happier in 3. In terms of smoothness, in full auto, it does its job very well. No different to any normal auto.

Used S60? 

On the assumption that you are considering a D because of furl economy, why not LPG? The last ones off the line emerged 15th May 2005, and so these should be within your price range. Mine (52)(56,000 miles) was traded in the summer against a V70 LPG, and it was performing well, 36 - 58 mpg range allowing for the price differential. They (factory fit LPG volvos) are becoming a rare as rocking horse shoes, so a purchase may well be an INVESTMENT as against a diesel. For ideas of trade situation, see AMS UK(Grimsby) web site. I have no connection, other than being a satisfied punter! Bhowani

I test drove both manual, auto and Geartronic versions before finally settling on the auto D5. I believe the 5 speed auto is well matched to the D5 engine and torque. I really thought the Geatronic was a gimmick and there was quite a delay in it reacting to gearstick input. You can have more than sufficient control with the auto box for twisting country roads, hill decent braking etc. if you make use of the hold feature on the auto box.