RE: Shed of the Week: Volvo V70
Discussion
ShadyDuck said:
Great Shed!
A run from Peterbough to central London inclusive of town driving averaged an epic 70.4mpg (60mph on the motorway).
Mine used to make wild claims like that A run from Peterbough to central London inclusive of town driving averaged an epic 70.4mpg (60mph on the motorway).
. I'd be interested to know what the actual, calculated, consumption was. My display was miles out, but it might just have been my car.
I am genuinely surprised at the enthusiasm for these cars. I have a 2006 V70 2.4D. It is huge, comfortable and well equipped. I do like it, but would not buy another.
The warning messages, error codes and little faults it has are most disappointing. Mine currently has a dodgy steering angle sensor, which is a Volvo only part and would cost goodness how much to replace. What else has gone wrong? Corroded alloys, steering pump, brakes, a/c condenser etc.
Why Volvo only parts? Because once you have plugged the new part in, you have to then program the bit with the vehicle's VIN. This stopped, or makes very difficult, salvage parts being reused. Most annoying.
Okay, the car has done 165,000 miles. After having had a Lexus LS400 which was faultless, the expense and regular problems with the car are enough to stop me buying another. At a similar age the annual servicing bill is around 500. Whereas the Lexus was nearer 100.
It is a shame an estate LS is not made!!!!
The warning messages, error codes and little faults it has are most disappointing. Mine currently has a dodgy steering angle sensor, which is a Volvo only part and would cost goodness how much to replace. What else has gone wrong? Corroded alloys, steering pump, brakes, a/c condenser etc.
Why Volvo only parts? Because once you have plugged the new part in, you have to then program the bit with the vehicle's VIN. This stopped, or makes very difficult, salvage parts being reused. Most annoying.
Okay, the car has done 165,000 miles. After having had a Lexus LS400 which was faultless, the expense and regular problems with the car are enough to stop me buying another. At a similar age the annual servicing bill is around 500. Whereas the Lexus was nearer 100.
It is a shame an estate LS is not made!!!!
Hi All
I own a 01 v70 t5 manual estate with 220,000 miles on the clock.
I have had it remapped and put a Jetex exhaust and cone air filter on it makes a very nice sound and is quick.
Great all round car, I have thought about changing it but what else could replace it with apart from another Volvo. When I do it will be a manual v70r.
Cheers
Dunc
I own a 01 v70 t5 manual estate with 220,000 miles on the clock.
I have had it remapped and put a Jetex exhaust and cone air filter on it makes a very nice sound and is quick.
Great all round car, I have thought about changing it but what else could replace it with apart from another Volvo. When I do it will be a manual v70r.
Cheers
Dunc
405dogvan said:
Not really wise to consider that given it would end-up costing more than the purchase price (unless you DIY and even then probably almost-as-much again!!)
I make such decisions on an emotional basis rather than a financial one. E.G. replacing my E39 520i's engine cost about eight times the car's likely value at the time. Sod it. I like the car. There are a lot of family memories bound up in that 1680kg lump of steel, aluminium, plastic, cloth and wood. When I can afford to, I'm going to give it a proper restoration. If I bought a V70, bonded with it and then had the gearbox go bang, I'd replace it anyway. I don't understand the 'run it til it breaks then scrap it' philosophy of shedding.RoverP6B said:
405dogvan said:
Not really wise to consider that given it would end-up costing more than the purchase price (unless you DIY and even then probably almost-as-much again!!)
I make such decisions on an emotional basis rather than a financial one. E.G. replacing my E39 520i's engine cost about eight times the car's likely value at the time. Sod it. I like the car. There are a lot of family memories bound up in that 1680kg lump of steel, aluminium, plastic, cloth and wood. When I can afford to, I'm going to give it a proper restoration. If I bought a V70, bonded with it and then had the gearbox go bang, I'd replace it anyway. I don't understand the 'run it til it breaks then scrap it' philosophy of shedding.People start talking about preserving and maintaining the cars - which is, generally speaking, bloody stupid.
SOTW finds cheap examples of cars which probably aren't available at this price point otherwise. They are going to be dodgy old buses with faults and NOT the sort of thing you want to buy, restore and keep.
I think I know why so many people are burned on cars tho - they apply about zero common-sense to their purchases ;0
Shed: a car to be driven into the ground.
Think of it as 'organised retreat', you buy it and drive it until too many things are wrong to keep doing that - then you scrap it.
405dogvan said:
Here's the problem we have with SOTW every single week.
People start talking about preserving and maintaining the cars - which is, generally speaking, bloody stupid.
SOTW finds cheap examples of cars which probably aren't available at this price point otherwise. They are going to be dodgy old buses with faults and NOT the sort of thing you want to buy, restore and keep.
I think I know why so many people are burned on cars tho - they apply about zero common-sense to their purchases ;0
Shed: a car to be driven into the ground.
Think of it as 'organised retreat', you buy it and drive it until too many things are wrong to keep doing that - then you scrap it.
People start talking about preserving and maintaining the cars - which is, generally speaking, bloody stupid.
SOTW finds cheap examples of cars which probably aren't available at this price point otherwise. They are going to be dodgy old buses with faults and NOT the sort of thing you want to buy, restore and keep.
I think I know why so many people are burned on cars tho - they apply about zero common-sense to their purchases ;0
Shed: a car to be driven into the ground.
Think of it as 'organised retreat', you buy it and drive it until too many things are wrong to keep doing that - then you scrap it.
My last two Golfs, ran them for 3 years each, paid about £700 to buy. Did the MOT and everything to keep them MOT-friendly but didn't bother servicing them. Will probably do the same to the Volvo. Some things needed fixing to keep it running (see the bargain basement thread) but not gonna bother servicing it. Am toying with the idea of getting the auto gearbox flare seen to, though (£200 for a empty and fill plus filter). It can feel a bit notchy when changing gears.
A lot of SOTWs are eminently 'keepable' cars, though. Old Jags, BMWs, Mercs, Alfas and suchlike. Hell, I got my 18-year-old 535i for 59.5% of Shed's maximum budget and it's easily got another 18 years' life left in it. My sons have said they'll keep it going after I'm gone, anyway. If you just give up on and scrap a car because it's going to cost more to fix its faults than the car would fetch in resale value, you're really not an enthusiast.
I'll put my hand up to also being someone that struggles with the idea of throwing the car away because the cost to repair outweighs its value.
Last year I treated the OH's car to a full suspension refresh, new radiator, new exhaust, gearbox flush, and various other bits and pieces as things were starting to niggle me. Parts cost was probably triple the car's current value but it once again drives as well as it did when it left the factory nearly 20 years ago. It's not even a car that could be considered an enthusiasts car, but it suits the OH perfectly, she loves the car, and it has sentimental value attached to it now.
If I'd had to pay a garage to do the work then it would have been harder to justify, but it sailed through its MOT without a single advisory and it should keep going for a good many years with any luck. I could have bought several sheds for the cost, but none would have been in nearly as good a condition as this car now is.
I can easily sympathise with anyone that would replace the gearbox on this Volvo to keep it going despite common sense suggesting that it'd be better to throw it away.
Last year I treated the OH's car to a full suspension refresh, new radiator, new exhaust, gearbox flush, and various other bits and pieces as things were starting to niggle me. Parts cost was probably triple the car's current value but it once again drives as well as it did when it left the factory nearly 20 years ago. It's not even a car that could be considered an enthusiasts car, but it suits the OH perfectly, she loves the car, and it has sentimental value attached to it now.
If I'd had to pay a garage to do the work then it would have been harder to justify, but it sailed through its MOT without a single advisory and it should keep going for a good many years with any luck. I could have bought several sheds for the cost, but none would have been in nearly as good a condition as this car now is.
I can easily sympathise with anyone that would replace the gearbox on this Volvo to keep it going despite common sense suggesting that it'd be better to throw it away.
kellyt said:
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.
Edited by Pooh on Sunday 31st January 08:30
Looking at the pictures that car is NOT fitted with a geartronic gear box.
Also it is exactly the same automatic gearbox geartronic as the standard unit - it is just a solonoid or a switch to allow gear changes by pushing or pulling gear knob, like a e39 steptronic box.
They are no more prone to failure than the normal box as they are exactly the same... we had the same dribblers on here slag off the Volvo Geartronic box and they had to retreat back to their boxes about this last year.
Electrics are the problems with this gen V70... play the V70 game open the bonnet how long until you find a made in France badge.
Also it is exactly the same automatic gearbox geartronic as the standard unit - it is just a solonoid or a switch to allow gear changes by pushing or pulling gear knob, like a e39 steptronic box.
They are no more prone to failure than the normal box as they are exactly the same... we had the same dribblers on here slag off the Volvo Geartronic box and they had to retreat back to their boxes about this last year.
Electrics are the problems with this gen V70... play the V70 game open the bonnet how long until you find a made in France badge.
Genuinely I do not understand the love and devotion for V70s of any age. Perhaps as a shed they're OK, big and perhaps a bit quicker than a Mondeo, but otherwise I just don't get them.
As for build quality, coming from Subaru, I can't understand why people think Volvos are well made, though no-one usually says anything nice about the Volvo AWD system.
A shed, yes, but not an interesting one in my opinion.
As for build quality, coming from Subaru, I can't understand why people think Volvos are well made, though no-one usually says anything nice about the Volvo AWD system.
A shed, yes, but not an interesting one in my opinion.
Super Slo Mo said:
ShadyDuck said:
Great Shed!
A run from Peterbough to central London inclusive of town driving averaged an epic 70.4mpg (60mph on the motorway).
Mine used to make wild claims like that A run from Peterbough to central London inclusive of town driving averaged an epic 70.4mpg (60mph on the motorway).
. I'd be interested to know what the actual, calculated, consumption was. My display was miles out, but it might just have been my car.
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.
Tyre Smoke said:
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.
Edited by Pooh on Sunday 31st January 10:12
nct001 said:
Looking at the pictures that car is NOT fitted with a geartronic gear box.
Also it is exactly the same automatic gearbox geartronic as the standard unit - it is just a solonoid or a switch to allow gear changes by pushing or pulling gear knob, like a e39 steptronic box.
They are no more prone to failure than the normal box as they are exactly the same... we had the same dribblers on here slag off the Volvo Geartronic box and they had to retreat back to their boxes about this last year.
I thought all Volvo autos of that era suffered from gearbox flare?Also it is exactly the same automatic gearbox geartronic as the standard unit - it is just a solonoid or a switch to allow gear changes by pushing or pulling gear knob, like a e39 steptronic box.
They are no more prone to failure than the normal box as they are exactly the same... we had the same dribblers on here slag off the Volvo Geartronic box and they had to retreat back to their boxes about this last year.
RoverP6B said:
A lot of SOTWs are eminently 'keepable' cars, though. Old Jags, BMWs, Mercs, Alfas and suchlike. Hell, I got my 18-year-old 535i for 59.5% of Shed's maximum budget and it's easily got another 18 years' life left in it. My sons have said they'll keep it going after I'm gone, anyway. If you just give up on and scrap a car because it's going to cost more to fix its faults than the car would fetch in resale value, you're really not an enthusiast.
I'm certainly not a Volvo enthusiast!The way I'm playing this game - I will pay for £200-300 here and there to fix stuff (brakes, fine; coil pack, fine) but I'm not going to replace a gearbox on a £700 car. If there's a chance that something will cost over £500 then I'll bin the car. This S60 is a white goods car, I'm afraid.
Hoofy said:
nct001 said:
Looking at the pictures that car is NOT fitted with a geartronic gear box.
Also it is exactly the same automatic gearbox geartronic as the standard unit - it is just a solonoid or a switch to allow gear changes by pushing or pulling gear knob, like a e39 steptronic box.
They are no more prone to failure than the normal box as they are exactly the same... we had the same dribblers on here slag off the Volvo Geartronic box and they had to retreat back to their boxes about this last year.
I thought all Volvo autos of that era suffered from gearbox flare?Also it is exactly the same automatic gearbox geartronic as the standard unit - it is just a solonoid or a switch to allow gear changes by pushing or pulling gear knob, like a e39 steptronic box.
They are no more prone to failure than the normal box as they are exactly the same... we had the same dribblers on here slag off the Volvo Geartronic box and they had to retreat back to their boxes about this last year.
The box fitted to a V70 will be GM made just you find in an e39 - they will be equivalent except the volvo will be fwd derived and bmw rwd derived
405dogvan said:
Here's the problem we have with SOTW every single week.
People start talking about preserving and maintaining the cars - which is, generally speaking, bloody stupid.
Absolutely.People start talking about preserving and maintaining the cars - which is, generally speaking, bloody stupid.
But the SOTW write up often encourages this kind of mindset by talking about rare and irrelevant faults like the ETM or transmission and how much it would cost to fix; as if you would actually bother. Another example is whenever a certain age BMW or JAG is SOTW the guff about nikasil lined engines is trotted out.
It would be bonkers to buy a sub 1k SHED and then start replacing expensive parts or spending a fortune on preventative maintenance like gearbox fluid changes.
Tyre Smoke said:
Wow! Err. yes actually. But don't let that stop your moral outrage. You just carry on in your ivory tower, making sweeping assumptions. I guess you'd be called a stuck up Prig in the old days.
Prig? f
k me, aren't you just a walking dictionary? Sure it's not you that lives in a tower. Did you get the butler to type this? Well, Chumley Warner, I made a direct comparison between two of MY cars that had/have similar mileages and use on the same roads and are/were treated the same. The 166 had not a squeek or rattle, the V70 is riddled. So, I can't "countenance" your experience based upon mine, so we'll have to agree to disagree.I'm not here to slag off V70 anyway. They are "fine" for a purpose. My original post was to point out that they are not as fast or as robust as many seem to imagine. But mainly my point was that as a SOTW this is as dull as watching paint dry. However, since a lot of PH commenters seem to be obsessed with doing "tip runs" I can see why Shed would play up to that.
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