RE: Shed of the Week: Volvo V70
Discussion
Tyre Smoke said:
Can't understand the bloke with the Alfa suggesting the Alfa is better put together, there is no way I can countenance that. Even the rear number plate lamps are held in with screws, not just clipped in. His Alfa must be a cosseted garage queen and the Volvo thoroughly abused.
Do you have any direct experience of an Alfa 166? No? Thought not.Fact is, they are well put together and feel solid. The weight of the doors and the satisfying way they close is in another league. My 166 was around the same mileage my V70 is when I got rid of it. The V70 is not thrashed, but it's a town car (in my onwership) and I think that's how it's spent most of it's life. So Edinburgh's useless roads have given it a battering. Mine may not be representative of all of them, but it's neither abused nor is it kept pristine, and whilst it is nicely put together in some areas it's certainly nothing special compared to many other cars of that age and type.
I do have a soft spot for these V70s, and have been tempted by the facelift D5 models as a daily driver.
Well built and extremely spacious. Agree, there are a few niggles and that auto box might cause some serious borkage if it goes. But, say you managed to get the car for £500 and it did you well for a few months, then not too much of a big gamble.
Well built and extremely spacious. Agree, there are a few niggles and that auto box might cause some serious borkage if it goes. But, say you managed to get the car for £500 and it did you well for a few months, then not too much of a big gamble.
PoopahScoopah said:
Do you have any direct experience of an Alfa 166? No? Thought not.
Fact is, they are well put together and feel solid. The weight of the doors and the satisfying way they close is in another league. My 166 was around the same mileage my V70 is when I got rid of it. The V70 is not thrashed, but it's a town car (in my onwership) and I think that's how it's spent most of it's life. So Edinburgh's useless roads have given it a battering. Mine may not be representative of all of them, but it's neither abused nor is it kept pristine, and whilst it is nicely put together in some areas it's certainly nothing special compared to many other cars of that age and type.
I have owned a 166 a few years back. And whilst I loved it, and it was a good car, I'd argue that an E39 or Audi A6 of the same era is way better built and put together.Fact is, they are well put together and feel solid. The weight of the doors and the satisfying way they close is in another league. My 166 was around the same mileage my V70 is when I got rid of it. The V70 is not thrashed, but it's a town car (in my onwership) and I think that's how it's spent most of it's life. So Edinburgh's useless roads have given it a battering. Mine may not be representative of all of them, but it's neither abused nor is it kept pristine, and whilst it is nicely put together in some areas it's certainly nothing special compared to many other cars of that age and type.
Can't compare to a V70 though, as I've never owned one.
thewildblue said:
Yep I got it from a guy in MK who had put a few miles on it. Big folder of history. All Ive done is change a ball joint and then put some new front shocks on as they had got a bit soft...was out of person preference rather than fail an MOT.
Still pulls well though, superb mid range on these engines.
Reckon that's the chap I sold it to. I bought it with around 70k on it and sold it at about 130k. Still pulls well though, superb mid range on these engines.
Whilst the doors may not shut with the clunk of and Audi or BMW these old Swede's are well built. Nothing was broken inside. I replaced it with a brand new V70 D5 company car and it wasn't a patch on the old one. The fact that it's still going strong at 235k and others have tales of 200k plus is testament to their longevity. May not still be around if it was an auto though.
Ps. I didn't find the T5 too bad I fuel on a good run.
Great Shed!
I purchased a 2004 pre facelift D5 geartronic 2 years ago. 1 owner car from an older couple that used it to get to and from their place in France. Came with 107,000 miles on it, every single receipt and even the original purchase invoice. No tow bar and rear seats had been sat in once.
First thing I did was have all the belts changed and the "sealed for life" AW gearbox fluid changed.
Have done a further 30k in the car with only a headlight bulb needing replacing. Gearbox is good and smooth without hesitation. Stereo is truly amazing for a manufacturer fit. It's a comfy daily driver and makes my S2000 feel special the odd time I take her out!
A run from Peterbough to central London inclusive of town driving averaged an epic 70.4mpg (60mph on the motorway).
It also handled a journey from Champagne to London with 450 bottles of wine and the misses on board with no issues.
Whilst it doesn't set the pulse racing, it does what it's designed for incredibly well, in an understated way. Park it outside a stately home or a council estate it'll fit right in.
I would have one in my £100k garage!
Top shed (although I'd probably have a chipped D5 euro 3 for a few more pounds!)
I purchased a 2004 pre facelift D5 geartronic 2 years ago. 1 owner car from an older couple that used it to get to and from their place in France. Came with 107,000 miles on it, every single receipt and even the original purchase invoice. No tow bar and rear seats had been sat in once.
First thing I did was have all the belts changed and the "sealed for life" AW gearbox fluid changed.
Have done a further 30k in the car with only a headlight bulb needing replacing. Gearbox is good and smooth without hesitation. Stereo is truly amazing for a manufacturer fit. It's a comfy daily driver and makes my S2000 feel special the odd time I take her out!
A run from Peterbough to central London inclusive of town driving averaged an epic 70.4mpg (60mph on the motorway).
It also handled a journey from Champagne to London with 450 bottles of wine and the misses on board with no issues.
Whilst it doesn't set the pulse racing, it does what it's designed for incredibly well, in an understated way. Park it outside a stately home or a council estate it'll fit right in.
I would have one in my £100k garage!
Top shed (although I'd probably have a chipped D5 euro 3 for a few more pounds!)
I bought a V70R AWD auto off a local chap; he was a self employed sales rep who travelled up and down the M1 as far as London every day.
220k had passed under its wheels, but I bought it as it was service end up to the b
ks; a stack of paperwork inches high was presented for inspection, and he invited me to contact the Colvo Specialist who had looked after the car.
As soon as I rang up and start ed to enquire about a black V70R, the response was "Is it Marks? If he's selling, buy it, it has had EVERYTHING done; it's has 4 new tyres every time it needs tyres, it's had ERM are placed, gearbox overhauled, new belts...and so it went on)
Anyway, the car was mint, and I paid £1200 for it.
When I decided to sell, I had prospective purchasers (18 in total, vying for the car, and then started a bidding war over and above the price I wanted for it.
Great cars, but known faults can be expensive, they aren't as economical (or as fast) as people think, the turning circle on this model is worse than an 850 (our traffic cops hated it when car thieves went into compact housing estates, spun around and took off and disappeared into the distance while the V70 was still trying to turn around...)
Warning lights appear for the alarm system battery (the battery inside the car) to be replaced, often erroneously.
And the other think I'd check is that the 4wd system actually works; they are known for problems on the output shaft splines, pressure sensor etc, which can be costly to fix (luckily, mine had ALL 4 shafts replaced recently)
Don't forget that if it is not the XC, then the car is nominally fwd, and the drive isn't sent to the rear until at least 1/7th rotation/slippage of the front wheels slippage is detected; I'd suggest trying to find a loose sandy surface or a wet road, get someone to stand outside and the. See if the front wheels spin and the rears do nothing (drive wise).
If so, walk away, it could cost too much to repair the output shafts or even the haldex unit.
Of course, just my six-penneth worth....
220k had passed under its wheels, but I bought it as it was service end up to the b
ks; a stack of paperwork inches high was presented for inspection, and he invited me to contact the Colvo Specialist who had looked after the car.As soon as I rang up and start ed to enquire about a black V70R, the response was "Is it Marks? If he's selling, buy it, it has had EVERYTHING done; it's has 4 new tyres every time it needs tyres, it's had ERM are placed, gearbox overhauled, new belts...and so it went on)
Anyway, the car was mint, and I paid £1200 for it.
When I decided to sell, I had prospective purchasers (18 in total, vying for the car, and then started a bidding war over and above the price I wanted for it.
Great cars, but known faults can be expensive, they aren't as economical (or as fast) as people think, the turning circle on this model is worse than an 850 (our traffic cops hated it when car thieves went into compact housing estates, spun around and took off and disappeared into the distance while the V70 was still trying to turn around...)
Warning lights appear for the alarm system battery (the battery inside the car) to be replaced, often erroneously.
And the other think I'd check is that the 4wd system actually works; they are known for problems on the output shaft splines, pressure sensor etc, which can be costly to fix (luckily, mine had ALL 4 shafts replaced recently)
Don't forget that if it is not the XC, then the car is nominally fwd, and the drive isn't sent to the rear until at least 1/7th rotation/slippage of the front wheels slippage is detected; I'd suggest trying to find a loose sandy surface or a wet road, get someone to stand outside and the. See if the front wheels spin and the rears do nothing (drive wise).
If so, walk away, it could cost too much to repair the output shafts or even the haldex unit.
Of course, just my six-penneth worth....
excellent choice, I love me a Volvo estate.
See the comment at the bottom about 'it's a sensor' as if to reiterate shed's point:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-V70-CD-T5-Estate-/...
zoAAOSwL7VWo6Tq
I like the SoTW Volvo but prefer that blue one more.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-V70-CD-T5-Estate-/...
zoAAOSwL7VWo6TqI like the SoTW Volvo but prefer that blue one more.
r.g. said:
Reckon that's the chap I sold it to. I bought it with around 70k on it and sold it at about 130k.
Whilst the doors may not shut with the clunk of and Audi or BMW these old Swede's are well built. Nothing was broken inside. I replaced it with a brand new V70 D5 company car and it wasn't a patch on the old one. The fact that it's still going strong at 235k and others have tales of 200k plus is testament to their longevity. May not still be around if it was an auto though.
Ps. I didn't find the T5 too bad I fuel on a good run.
I average 27-29 mostly...if I get heavy on the pedal and town work its 22-24....on a run fully loaded Ive had 37....33 is easy enough taking it easy on long runs.Whilst the doors may not shut with the clunk of and Audi or BMW these old Swede's are well built. Nothing was broken inside. I replaced it with a brand new V70 D5 company car and it wasn't a patch on the old one. The fact that it's still going strong at 235k and others have tales of 200k plus is testament to their longevity. May not still be around if it was an auto though.
Ps. I didn't find the T5 too bad I fuel on a good run.
Its only just started to rattle in the last 1000 miles but I just suspect something is lose....seats are in good nick still, brakes and clutch good....but could do with an alignment and some decent tyres...the chinky rubbish on there at the moment will wheelspin at 80+ in the wet if you try hard enough.
I bought it as a shed and think its great. Its helped with everything...wardrobes, mattresses you name it.... But it will be up for sale soon.....
Well, as the the owner of this shed, I have to admit to a certain interest! It's a very fine shed, ok it's not concours condition, but it goes well! The gearbox is referred to as potential expense, maybe, but so far it has never given a twitch, it still has a smooth fast change, never been abused. Interesting about the throttle module lasting 100,000 max, mine managed almost precisely that, failed in the Saltash tunnel, which was 'interesting', but it had the decency to go into limp mode to let us get out & home, (to a chorus of horns...)
Starts first time every time, uses no oil and has carried a 'student' load of bizarre indeterminate content, including asleep student, many times. I sometimes wish it was a little higher, but that was my mark1 espace that spoiled me. Now that you could get a three piece suite in and sit on it comfortably!
Starts first time every time, uses no oil and has carried a 'student' load of bizarre indeterminate content, including asleep student, many times. I sometimes wish it was a little higher, but that was my mark1 espace that spoiled me. Now that you could get a three piece suite in and sit on it comfortably!
Regarding gearbox flare, whoever decides to buy this car, read this: http://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-s60-v60-10/comp...
Great write-up by Shed, as usual!
Looks like a great "do-everything" car - big for load-lugging, quick enough for a B road blast, some AWD ability for bad weather, as has been said it would look at home anywhere and unlike some of it's predecessors it doesn't look like a big box on wheels. I don't need one but I quite like the idea!
But some have highlighted a few potential issues - I think I would at least look for a manual if I got tempted - must stay off the classifieds until I get over it!
Still at the price if it lasts just until the MOT expires that has to be a bargain.
Looks like a great "do-everything" car - big for load-lugging, quick enough for a B road blast, some AWD ability for bad weather, as has been said it would look at home anywhere and unlike some of it's predecessors it doesn't look like a big box on wheels. I don't need one but I quite like the idea!
But some have highlighted a few potential issues - I think I would at least look for a manual if I got tempted - must stay off the classifieds until I get over it!
Still at the price if it lasts just until the MOT expires that has to be a bargain.
PoopahScoopah said:
Tyre Smoke said:
Can't understand the bloke with the Alfa suggesting the Alfa is better put together, there is no way I can countenance that. Even the rear number plate lamps are held in with screws, not just clipped in. His Alfa must be a cosseted garage queen and the Volvo thoroughly abused.
Do you have any direct experience of an Alfa 166? No? Thought not.Fact is, they are well put together and feel solid. The weight of the doors and the satisfying way they close is in another league. My 166 was around the same mileage my V70 is when I got rid of it. The V70 is not thrashed, but it's a town car (in my onwership) and I think that's how it's spent most of it's life. So Edinburgh's useless roads have given it a battering. Mine may not be representative of all of them, but it's neither abused nor is it kept pristine, and whilst it is nicely put together in some areas it's certainly nothing special compared to many other cars of that age and type.
VolvoT5 said:
klunkT5 said:
IMO If you want reliability go 2wd and manual, Geartronic and 4wd are the 2 things Volvo didnt quite get right in terms of longevity.
^This. Plus get the right engine because they all drink like a fish anyway so might as well have the full turbo power. Edited by VolvoT5 on Friday 29th January 17:37
If you take it for what it's mean to be - a swift (not fast) robust load lugger, you won't be disappointed. It's solid, very comfy, the stereo is a revelation, and it hustles along nicely with the addictive 5 pot warble. It feels well screwed together, and I may be slightly blind, but for a big estate I think it's rather handsome.
I paid just over shed budget, but I'm happy as Larry with mine.
wiliferus said:
the stereo is a revelation, and it hustles along nicely with the addictive 5 pot warble.
Yes, and yes!It's annoying. I wish the stereo was s
t because I really miss not being able to plug in a USB stick or SD card. It's the only time I've ever turned the bass to minimum because it's so overwhelming.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff