RE: Shed of the Week: ex-Police Volvo V70 T5
Discussion
charltjr said:
No idea what the hell has happened to that steering wheel, no way it should be looking like that at 165k.
I dunno, it's possible. Mine is on 98k (2000 T5) and the leather has worn down to pretty smooth now, though no where near as faded and messy as that one is. In my case I think that's partly down to it living a life of short local journeys, so a lot of wheel twirling, plus when I bought it I used too aggressive a cleaner on the interior and it affected both the leather wheel and the seats.I think for shed money this is an alright buy IF you just want something utilitarian with a bit of pace that you can shift along as soon as the first big bill comes up. And it's true about those wheels being sought after too.
But if you really want a T5 of this era you are better off holding out for a later 2.4. Going for a later car doesn't really mean more likely you'll find lower miles/better condition as by now they are all getting on. But the 2.4 T5s respond better to a few basic tweaks, so whereas the 2.3 starts to become expensive to push past about 280bhp, for the same sort of outlay you'll be knocking on the other side of 300bhp in a 2.4. Plus the later cars had some of the electrical issues like the mentioned ETM, and DIM failures ironed out.
Problem is these T5s are becoming really hard to come by now. Same for S60s. So if you really want one, they aren't easy pickings anymore. I'm seeing a lot more ex-plod ones up for sale these days, more so than non plod ones, and ex-plod 2.4s are still going for silly money in many cases. They don't float my boat, what with the poverty spec (plus puked on) interior and white paint job.
PoopahScoopah said:
Problem is these T5s are becoming really hard to come by now. Same for S60s. So if you really want one, they aren't easy pickings anymore. I'm seeing a lot more ex-plod ones up for sale these days, more so than no plod ones, and ex-plod 2.4s are still going for silly money in many cases. They don't float my boat, what with the poverty spec (plus puked on) interior and white paint job.
^This is true. I was looking recently and all the good ones were silly money.... like £3500 for a 2003 in good condition with reasonable miles. S60s are much cheaper but then there are probably better options if you are willing to have a saloon. This is my kind of shed, but lets be honest it is poverty spec with broken air con, the white paint doesn't really suit this car and it has probably seen better days. Also "there are no known major issues" - weasel words if ever I saw them.
Ex police so may well have been 'well maintained' but there is no proof and it will have been driven very hard as well... unless the suspension components have been refreshed it will be soggy as hell.
Spannerski said:
I love a retired cop car.
As an ex Cop car mechanic, the Met did nothing to improve the performance of their cars except upgrade brakes on some of their response vehicles, that was it.
I remember this being covered in an old issue of Car Mechanics magazine. They concluded that the reason ex-police stuff always seems to go so well is a combination of lots of exercise, a level of maintenance that very few cars get (although it's manufacturers recommended servicing, they are inspected more frequently, and parts get replaced at the first sign of trouble), and the poverty spec making them a hundred kilos or so lighter than the equivalent civvy version.As an ex Cop car mechanic, the Met did nothing to improve the performance of their cars except upgrade brakes on some of their response vehicles, that was it.
Someone I know bought an ex traffic Rover 827 Vitesse back in the late 90s. I'd driven a few of them and this one was by far the quickest and sweetest of all, despite 160,000 miles on the clock.
Limpet said:
Spannerski said:
I love a retired cop car.
As an ex Cop car mechanic, the Met did nothing to improve the performance of their cars except upgrade brakes on some of their response vehicles, that was it.
I remember this being covered in an old issue of Car Mechanics magazine. They concluded that the reason ex-police stuff always seems to go so well is a combination of lots of exercise, a level of maintenance that very few cars get (although it's manufacturers recommended servicing, they are inspected more frequently, and parts get replaced at the first sign of trouble), and the poverty spec making them a hundred kilos or so lighter than the equivalent civvy version.As an ex Cop car mechanic, the Met did nothing to improve the performance of their cars except upgrade brakes on some of their response vehicles, that was it.
Someone I know bought an ex traffic Rover 827 Vitesse back in the late 90s. I'd driven a few of them and this one was by far the quickest and sweetest of all, despite 160,000 miles on the clock.
As someone else said, 76k miles in the first 3 years for a motorway patrol car (which this presumbaly was) does seem highly hopeful!
Er, yes, you can put the blue lights and the battenburg livery back on...!
The 'Blue Light Preservation Group', who are always at the NEC Classic Car Show, do.
They even source the period correct light bars and (non-working) radios.
The obvious point is you would need to cover the roof bar and Force insignia in such a manner that it would leave no road user under any illusion as to the fact it isn't a Police car in service (often done by putting a tailored cover over the roof bar that clearly states 'not in service')
As an aside, our Sergeants cars were always the ones to buy as they tended to be driven in a much more restrained manner overall as they weren't always chasing motoring crims etc
Alternatively, cars that belonged to the Police driving schools were a safe bet as they were only used for Grade 1 or 2 courses or ferrying the Chief about.
Indeed, I bought a black, un-marked Granada 4x4 that had been our driving school car and other than having a very basic spec it was excellent.
Never been tempted by a T5 though, PCV and turbo problems can be a costly issue and easily out-run the original purchase price if fixed at a garage.
The 'Blue Light Preservation Group', who are always at the NEC Classic Car Show, do.
They even source the period correct light bars and (non-working) radios.
The obvious point is you would need to cover the roof bar and Force insignia in such a manner that it would leave no road user under any illusion as to the fact it isn't a Police car in service (often done by putting a tailored cover over the roof bar that clearly states 'not in service')
As an aside, our Sergeants cars were always the ones to buy as they tended to be driven in a much more restrained manner overall as they weren't always chasing motoring crims etc
Alternatively, cars that belonged to the Police driving schools were a safe bet as they were only used for Grade 1 or 2 courses or ferrying the Chief about.
Indeed, I bought a black, un-marked Granada 4x4 that had been our driving school car and other than having a very basic spec it was excellent.
Never been tempted by a T5 though, PCV and turbo problems can be a costly issue and easily out-run the original purchase price if fixed at a garage.
rtz62 said:
Er, yes, you can put the blue lights and the battenburg livery back on...!
The 'Blue Light Preservation Group', who are always at the NEC Classic Car Show, do.
They even source the period correct light bars and (non-working) radios.
The obvious point is you would need to cover the roof bar and Force insignia in such a manner that it would leave no road user under any illusion as to the fact it isn't a Police car in service (often done by putting a tailored cover over the roof bar that clearly states 'not in service')
As an aside, our Sergeants cars were always the ones to buy as they tended to be driven in a much more restrained manner overall as they weren't always chasing motoring crims etc
Alternatively, cars that belonged to the Police driving schools were a safe bet as they were only used for Grade 1 or 2 courses or ferrying the Chief about.
Indeed, I bought a black, un-marked Granada 4x4 that had been our driving school car and other than having a very basic spec it was excellent.
Never been tempted by a T5 though, PCV and turbo problems can be a costly issue and easily out-run the original purchase price if fixed at a garage.
Other than that, our Force didn't do the hand-shuffling way of steering (not if my friend who was one of the instructors, was in the car, he preferred the race drivers way of control)The 'Blue Light Preservation Group', who are always at the NEC Classic Car Show, do.
They even source the period correct light bars and (non-working) radios.
The obvious point is you would need to cover the roof bar and Force insignia in such a manner that it would leave no road user under any illusion as to the fact it isn't a Police car in service (often done by putting a tailored cover over the roof bar that clearly states 'not in service')
As an aside, our Sergeants cars were always the ones to buy as they tended to be driven in a much more restrained manner overall as they weren't always chasing motoring crims etc
Alternatively, cars that belonged to the Police driving schools were a safe bet as they were only used for Grade 1 or 2 courses or ferrying the Chief about.
Indeed, I bought a black, un-marked Granada 4x4 that had been our driving school car and other than having a very basic spec it was excellent.
Never been tempted by a T5 though, PCV and turbo problems can be a costly issue and easily out-run the original purchase price if fixed at a garage.
And as stated, the T5s we had were never tuned, the engines were standard, although they did have a different electric pack installed for the radio system, 'RunLock' etc
Nice shed, something different and it looks like it would make a great cheap workhorse.I so nearly bought on of these a year or so back, sadly the current owner was a moron who didn't even bother to check if it started.
I arrived, noticed the brakes were all rust and hadn't moved in years, wouldn't turn over, checked the oil and it was so sludgy it was physically possible to hold a lump of it in the palm of your hand, I offered £150 for it, he said it was worth £1000, we parted ways.
It's a shame because I always fancied on of these.
I arrived, noticed the brakes were all rust and hadn't moved in years, wouldn't turn over, checked the oil and it was so sludgy it was physically possible to hold a lump of it in the palm of your hand, I offered £150 for it, he said it was worth £1000, we parted ways.
It's a shame because I always fancied on of these.
To be fair, not a bad thing, many of the general wear-and-tear will have been replaced over time.
The steering wheel is easily sourced and swapped, and personally I'd also source a genuine volvo radio, I always think the aftermarket ones look like a rat with a gold tooth!
Take it that the original £1400 wasn't realised, hence its now £1000, which isn't a bad price
The steering wheel is easily sourced and swapped, and personally I'd also source a genuine volvo radio, I always think the aftermarket ones look like a rat with a gold tooth!
Take it that the original £1400 wasn't realised, hence its now £1000, which isn't a bad price
It's a thumbs down from me.
Why is it only Ex Police Volvos that you guys seem to go crazy over>? I'm surprised there has been no mention of Police remaps and these Volvos being the fastest cars in the land as that's usually what happens!
It may come with countless receipts or perhaps a "full service history" but you are clearly not buying someones pride and joy, just like any hire car/ex fleet/ex services vehicle it has been used as a tool with no care so long as it is working.
Why is it only Ex Police Volvos that you guys seem to go crazy over>? I'm surprised there has been no mention of Police remaps and these Volvos being the fastest cars in the land as that's usually what happens!
It may come with countless receipts or perhaps a "full service history" but you are clearly not buying someones pride and joy, just like any hire car/ex fleet/ex services vehicle it has been used as a tool with no care so long as it is working.
"Police Spec".....
"Major" differences are (according to Vadis):
"Diesel Suspension" on Petrol T5's (Stiffer/Stronger due to Weight of Diesel Engine)
Larger Discs & Brake pads
Some (but not all) have larger Turbo's fitted
Cloth Seating/Non Electric Seats
No Cruise Control or Radio
Some come with "shatter-proof glass"
"Major" differences are (according to Vadis):
"Diesel Suspension" on Petrol T5's (Stiffer/Stronger due to Weight of Diesel Engine)
Larger Discs & Brake pads
Some (but not all) have larger Turbo's fitted
Cloth Seating/Non Electric Seats
No Cruise Control or Radio
Some come with "shatter-proof glass"
cookie1600 said:
I was proceeding in a Northerly direction when I noticed a quite remarkable shed of the week in the Pistonheads area. At the price is was advertised at, I believed it was about to be a steal for someone and should have apprehended the seller and pressed Pound notes into his hand.
[talksport mode] "Excuse me sir" "Yes officer, err can I help you?" "Does this vehicle come with a wadio fitted as standard?" "And a clock?" [/talksport mode] soad said:
"Police Spec".....
"Major" differences are (according to Vadis):
"Diesel Suspension" on Petrol T5's (Stiffer/Stronger due to Weight of Diesel Engine)
Larger Discs & Brake pads
Some (but not all) have larger Turbo's fitted
Cloth Seating/Non Electric Seats
No Cruise Control or Radio
Some come with "shatter-proof glass"
Turbo wont be different."Major" differences are (according to Vadis):
"Diesel Suspension" on Petrol T5's (Stiffer/Stronger due to Weight of Diesel Engine)
Larger Discs & Brake pads
Some (but not all) have larger Turbo's fitted
Cloth Seating/Non Electric Seats
No Cruise Control or Radio
Some come with "shatter-proof glass"
BenWRXSEi said:
Not sure how long it was with the Police, but a look at the MOT history says it only managed 76k in its first three years...
Seems a little low, no?
....I'm still enormously tempted, though....
Low mileage ex-plodders aren't that unusual depending upon which department they are assigned to. I had an ex-Police Vauxhall Senator, it had only done 60-odd k when I bought it because it belonged to the fraud squad and then the driving school rather than being hammered up and down the motorway all day and night. The spec was quite decent - no leather, but the seats were heated, cruise control still included. Seems a little low, no?
....I'm still enormously tempted, though....
Strangest thing was the electric window switches all in-situ but disconnected with a winder on the door. And when the screen washers packed up I assumed it was the pump. After a closer look, it turns out that the failure was a current suppressor in the circuit designed to reduce interference with the radio. And despite being grey, the DVLA documents all said it was white despite frequent requests to amend it.
Did me proud - I bought it in 2003 for £1000, I sold it in 2013 after 10 years and no MOT failures (other than tyres/exhausts) for £400 so that might be a testament to the Police maintenance programme.
Here are some pics, I still miss it even though I love my E39.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=l814tem&sour...
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff