Considering S70 as a winter driver

volvooh · Post by **volvooh** » 10 Aug 2012, 09:00

We are considering an S70 as a winter driver. We have V70 wagon (FWD)- its okay in the snow but far from being a billy goat. I was wondering how an S70 (FWD) would perform. I have always attributed the light body weight and elongated frame on the V70 to is lack of winter handling.

Post by **rmmagow** » 10 Aug 2012, 09:06

Did you try running 4 snows? I did that on my V70 last winter. Although mine's an AWD, the propshaft is removed. My back end, however, would still be heavier than yours. With the 4 snows, it was decent, not great mind you, but OK. I am somewhat spoiled as I own a Subaru too and that car really is a billy-goat in the snow. The V70 AWD when it was AWD was still not all that great in the snow compared to the Suby.

Post by **jblackburn** » 10 Aug 2012, 09:15

The S70's butt likes to slide out in snow/rain/slush if you're going even a slight bit too quickly. You can easily correct for it - unless you're on icy roads. It'll claw through snow pretty awesomely, though, and the front end is well balanced for grip.

That was on all-season tires. I imagine a dedicated set of snows would VASTLY help with grip.

Post by **rmmagow** » 10 Aug 2012, 09:52

And maybe a bag or two of playsand w/a shovel.

Post by **cn90** » 10 Aug 2012, 10:15

Everything else being equal, no difference between S70 vs V70.

My advice: buy 4 WINTER tires and search ebay/craigslist for a set of 4 used rims.
The dedicated winter tires make a HUGE difference on snow.

Post by **meine39** » 10 Aug 2012, 12:48

Never impressed with our FWD 850's snow performance. 4 snow tires will help.

madspeed50 · Post by **madspeed50** » 10 Aug 2012, 12:55

My s70 t5 goes like mad in the snow with four studded Hakkapaletta's

Yep, sent from my rooted, rommed Galaxy Nexus....

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 10 Aug 2012, 20:29

+1 on snows all around, no matter what you drive.
And Hakka's Rock, but for the real deal ?

AWD FTW!

Now...Perfect world? Hakka's on an AWD.

That's gotta be the package.

Someday I hope to be able to afford the
privilege of posting that review.

anmartin44 · Post by **anmartin44** » 23 Oct 2012, 22:00

I've never gotten stuck even in 8-12 in of snow with my winter studded tires on the front. tires make a huge difference.

Post by **850 LPT** » 24 Oct 2012, 08:09

anmartin44 wrote:tires make a huge difference.

I agree. My 850 is great in the snow with a set of Pirelli Winters.