Steel vs air
- been looking at V90 (wagons, not SUVs, not Cross Country, those with plastic fender trim need not apply) They are about as plentiful as dentition in barnyard fowl. I have come across one with the optional air suspension. Has anyone driven both and can speak to the +s and -s? I am more concerned about adding control complication to a marque with a less than stellar reputation for reliable electrics than I am about the cost - that's a negotiation.
Here's some owner comments I found in the Swedespeed Owners Forum which may pertain to your question regarding air suspension. These are just a few threads. The site has 25 pages of threads on this topic. Overall, for what it's worth, here's my opinion on this topic:
#1: Owning a 2020 V90 Inscription T6, with the standard suspension, I can say that it is rides smoothly on smooth-to-almost-smooth surfaces, but can transmit a jolting feeling and thud-sound if you happen to come across even a moderate pothole. From my perspective, there may not be much difference in the suspension between the V90 Inscription and the R, although the R's stance is a little more lowered. Both of these offer little shock travel, which enhances maneuverability. If you get an Inscription, my advice is to stay with 19" wheels, since they provide a taller sidewall. Also, keep the air pressure at 36 lbs, which is what is on the door post. The dealer had set them at 30 lbs, I guess thinking that my car would ride smoother. However, the opposite occurred. Trust me, the car rides smoother at 36 lbs, and others have agreed with this.
#2: Knowing what I know now, would I have purchased the rear suspension option? For me, the answer would have been "yes", since on my trips to visit my kids I tend to load up the car. However, with this said, I haven't noticed much of an issue during my travels with the standard suspension handling rear loads.
#3: As some of the threads have stated, I think the "air" suspension system also has an electronic strut dampener component. As opposed to the air suspension, my guess is that the electronic struts may contribute to a smoother ride.
At the end-of-the-day, regardless of the standard or optional suspension, IMO the V90 Inscription/R will ride harder than the lifted V90CC. The reason, from what I can tell, is the increased strut travel. Perhaps it may also have different springs, but I'm not sure. As you know, I own a V90 Inscription, but I've also driven the R and CC, all with the standard suspension. IMO, the Inscription/R is more nimble than the CC. At the end-of-the-day, purchasing a V90 with standard or option suspension is up to you and your driving needs. If you plan to drive on reasonably well maintained local and highway roads, and not go off-roading and/or put heavy loads in the rear of the car, than I think the standard suspension should be ok.
Here's a few links I found for the Virginia area. IMO, even if you find an Inscription you might be ok with, it will probably have 20 inch wheels, which will contribute to a harsh ride and be subject to pothole damage. I purchased mine with 19 inch wheels, and would have gladly bought with 18 inch wheels if they were available, as they were for the 2018/19 model years.
https://www.koonsvolvocarswhitemarsh...odyStyle=Wagon
https://www.fairfaxvolvova.com/new/v...BoCogEQAvD_BwE
https://www.edmunds.com/used-volvo-v90-richmond-va/
Feel free to call me at 908-380-0086, and leave a voice mail message, if you want to discuss. I make it a habit of not immediately answering calls from unknown phone numbers, but if you leave a message, I'll be sure to return your call.
Regards, Steve (Maggs)
PS: Not surprised that you're finding it had to locate an Inscription. In my 12 months of ownership, I haven't seen another on the road. From what I understand, during 2020 Volvo may have sold less than 100 Inscriptions in the USA. With this said, the Inscription concentration seems to be
in the states of Washington, Virginia and Maryland, with a smattering in Maine (why Maine, I don't know).
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/a.../#post-3456121
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/c.../#post-7780957
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/v.../#post-7106823
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/m.../#post-7741320
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/a.../#post-7052209
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/t.../#post-4983537
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/a.../#post-7817081
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/a.../#post-6146690
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/a.../#post-6449450
#1: Owning a 2020 V90 Inscription T6, with the standard suspension, I can say that it is rides smoothly on smooth-to-almost-smooth surfaces, but can transmit a jolting feeling and thud-sound if you happen to come across even a moderate pothole. From my perspective, there may not be much difference in the suspension between the V90 Inscription and the R, although the R's stance is a little more lowered. Both of these offer little shock travel, which enhances maneuverability. If you get an Inscription, my advice is to stay with 19" wheels, since they provide a taller sidewall. Also, keep the air pressure at 36 lbs, which is what is on the door post. The dealer had set them at 30 lbs, I guess thinking that my car would ride smoother. However, the opposite occurred. Trust me, the car rides smoother at 36 lbs, and others have agreed with this.
#2: Knowing what I know now, would I have purchased the rear suspension option? For me, the answer would have been "yes", since on my trips to visit my kids I tend to load up the car. However, with this said, I haven't noticed much of an issue during my travels with the standard suspension handling rear loads.
#3: As some of the threads have stated, I think the "air" suspension system also has an electronic strut dampener component. As opposed to the air suspension, my guess is that the electronic struts may contribute to a smoother ride.
At the end-of-the-day, regardless of the standard or optional suspension, IMO the V90 Inscription/R will ride harder than the lifted V90CC. The reason, from what I can tell, is the increased strut travel. Perhaps it may also have different springs, but I'm not sure. As you know, I own a V90 Inscription, but I've also driven the R and CC, all with the standard suspension. IMO, the Inscription/R is more nimble than the CC. At the end-of-the-day, purchasing a V90 with standard or option suspension is up to you and your driving needs. If you plan to drive on reasonably well maintained local and highway roads, and not go off-roading and/or put heavy loads in the rear of the car, than I think the standard suspension should be ok.
Here's a few links I found for the Virginia area. IMO, even if you find an Inscription you might be ok with, it will probably have 20 inch wheels, which will contribute to a harsh ride and be subject to pothole damage. I purchased mine with 19 inch wheels, and would have gladly bought with 18 inch wheels if they were available, as they were for the 2018/19 model years.
https://www.koonsvolvocarswhitemarsh...odyStyle=Wagon
https://www.fairfaxvolvova.com/new/v...BoCogEQAvD_BwE
https://www.edmunds.com/used-volvo-v90-richmond-va/
Feel free to call me at 908-380-0086, and leave a voice mail message, if you want to discuss. I make it a habit of not immediately answering calls from unknown phone numbers, but if you leave a message, I'll be sure to return your call.
Regards, Steve (Maggs)
PS: Not surprised that you're finding it had to locate an Inscription. In my 12 months of ownership, I haven't seen another on the road. From what I understand, during 2020 Volvo may have sold less than 100 Inscriptions in the USA. With this said, the Inscription concentration seems to be
in the states of Washington, Virginia and Maryland, with a smattering in Maine (why Maine, I don't know).
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/a.../#post-3456121
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/c.../#post-7780957
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/v.../#post-7106823
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/m.../#post-7741320
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/a.../#post-7052209
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/t.../#post-4983537
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/a.../#post-7817081
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/a.../#post-6146690
https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/a.../#post-6449450
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