Just got an S60 D5 SE - seems very nice!
Discussion
Good write up indeed.
In the time I've had mine I've put Eibach springs on taking it down 40mm to firm up the handling and it really transformed it. It makes the car feel so much more planted and reassuring through the bends that it's genuinely like night and day. Interestingly enough you only feel the slight sacrifice in ride quality on the very harshest of road surfaces so 90% of the road and 90% of the time you'd never think it was a compromise. Notably the standard dampers were perfect when i changed the springs at 100k miles. I didn't expect that and ended up returning the dampers I'd bought as they weren't needed.
I also changed the suspension top hats and bearings as well as the bushes and a lower torque mount on the engine. Next was the tyres with a full set of Rainsports to round it off.
To supplement the excellent stereo I purchased an integration cable and wired a sub and amp into the boot. Now it has the bass to back up the vocals of the system.
It's now one very useable, all weather vehicle that seems to cover ground effortlessly and in real comfort.
What a bargain these things are.
In the time I've had mine I've put Eibach springs on taking it down 40mm to firm up the handling and it really transformed it. It makes the car feel so much more planted and reassuring through the bends that it's genuinely like night and day. Interestingly enough you only feel the slight sacrifice in ride quality on the very harshest of road surfaces so 90% of the road and 90% of the time you'd never think it was a compromise. Notably the standard dampers were perfect when i changed the springs at 100k miles. I didn't expect that and ended up returning the dampers I'd bought as they weren't needed.
I also changed the suspension top hats and bearings as well as the bushes and a lower torque mount on the engine. Next was the tyres with a full set of Rainsports to round it off.
To supplement the excellent stereo I purchased an integration cable and wired a sub and amp into the boot. Now it has the bass to back up the vocals of the system.
It's now one very useable, all weather vehicle that seems to cover ground effortlessly and in real comfort.
What a bargain these things are.
The rear bracket on my exhaust has rusted off so it was an advisory in the MOT. Volvo replacement rear is well over £300.
From Volvo Swansea i ordered a genuine bracket that clamps around the exhaust and all fixed.
I also replaced the bump stops that were worn. Apart from that straight trough the MOT again with no problems.
I'm on 10K now on these fronts and i think ill get another 5k out of them.
4 years i've had the car and it has been brilliant, but i am looking at getting a new car ( Skoda VRS/Golf GTi mk 7) as petrol cars are now getting more economical and the VW tsi engine is good for a remap. But like you i'm struggling to part with the Volvo as it owes me nothing, costs me nothing and goes like stink with the remap. So im reluctant to part with 15k for a ton of depreciation and little gain.
From Volvo Swansea i ordered a genuine bracket that clamps around the exhaust and all fixed.
I also replaced the bump stops that were worn. Apart from that straight trough the MOT again with no problems.
I'm on 10K now on these fronts and i think ill get another 5k out of them.
4 years i've had the car and it has been brilliant, but i am looking at getting a new car ( Skoda VRS/Golf GTi mk 7) as petrol cars are now getting more economical and the VW tsi engine is good for a remap. But like you i'm struggling to part with the Volvo as it owes me nothing, costs me nothing and goes like stink with the remap. So im reluctant to part with 15k for a ton of depreciation and little gain.
Did you get it remapped in the end?
I have the V70 Euro 3 163 engine and the Geartronic gearbox and was pleasantly surprised with the torque of the factory standard engine set up but then had an MTE remap - and it brought a bigger smile to my face! If you haven't already.....and on a car with 130k on the clock I'll be keeping it for a while! (unless the government ban the thing!)
I have the V70 Euro 3 163 engine and the Geartronic gearbox and was pleasantly surprised with the torque of the factory standard engine set up but then had an MTE remap - and it brought a bigger smile to my face! If you haven't already.....and on a car with 130k on the clock I'll be keeping it for a while! (unless the government ban the thing!)
Remapping a 163 D5?
I've been toying with the idea but I'm not sure to be honest. As standard, at 163 the engine feels un stressed and reliable, almost like its well within its capabilities. I don't really know how near to its components limits it is I have no way of knowing. For certain the engine block and turbo look meaty in size!
I'm taking the view right now that the car is fast enough (did I just say that!) and its not intended to be a sports saloon so why not keep it as Volvo intended.
I feel sure it would handle 200bhp but would the clutch,fuel pump hold out?
Its such a lovely old thing I suppose I want to kid glove it 😊
I've been toying with the idea but I'm not sure to be honest. As standard, at 163 the engine feels un stressed and reliable, almost like its well within its capabilities. I don't really know how near to its components limits it is I have no way of knowing. For certain the engine block and turbo look meaty in size!
I'm taking the view right now that the car is fast enough (did I just say that!) and its not intended to be a sports saloon so why not keep it as Volvo intended.
I feel sure it would handle 200bhp but would the clutch,fuel pump hold out?
Its such a lovely old thing I suppose I want to kid glove it 😊
ShadyDuck said:
Did you get it remapped in the end?
I have the V70 Euro 3 163 engine and the Geartronic gearbox and was pleasantly surprised with the torque of the factory standard engine set up but then had an MTE remap - and it brought a bigger smile to my face! If you haven't already.....and on a car with 130k on the clock I'll be keeping it for a while! (unless the government ban the thing!)
I'll be interested to know how your gearbox holds up, I'm fairly sure that in standard tune they're quite close to the torque limit of the gearbox.I have the V70 Euro 3 163 engine and the Geartronic gearbox and was pleasantly surprised with the torque of the factory standard engine set up but then had an MTE remap - and it brought a bigger smile to my face! If you haven't already.....and on a car with 130k on the clock I'll be keeping it for a while! (unless the government ban the thing!)
Did you get the transmission fluid changed? If not, do it anyway
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