19 y/o with an S60 T5 - my car history and a belated intro..
Discussion
Baryonyx said:
Car getting damaged in a car wash? No surprises there then. It's probably a 'use at your own risk' type thing too, so I doubt you'll be compensated for the damage.
First time my car's been damaged in one though, and it'll be the last time I take a car through one. The guys running seemed pretty affable though, and gave me a form to claim from head office, so it should be possible.Baryonyx said:
Also, if the back end of an S60 is moving about in any sort of 'meaningful way' then there is something wrong with it. They don't do handling drama, just grip, grip and more grip.
I've edited my post now for your benefit. My point was that I couldn't get the tail to loose traction, but found lifting had a greater effect on increasing yaw that in did in the Polo. But your right, they do grip.
Thought I'd give a small update.
Managed to claim from the car wash for the wiper arms and got them fitted now. Done quite a few more miles in it too, including three trips into Wales to explore some great driving roads. As you can see in the pictures, it's looking rather filthy as I haven't cleaned it for a couple on months. I put some new plain number plates on it too as the old ones were tired, and it's tidied it up no end. It will need a new pair of front tyres though soon as the fronts are down to about 3mm.
S60 wheel by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
S60 in Wales by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
Managed to claim from the car wash for the wiper arms and got them fitted now. Done quite a few more miles in it too, including three trips into Wales to explore some great driving roads. As you can see in the pictures, it's looking rather filthy as I haven't cleaned it for a couple on months. I put some new plain number plates on it too as the old ones were tired, and it's tidied it up no end. It will need a new pair of front tyres though soon as the fronts are down to about 3mm.
S60 wheel by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
S60 in Wales by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
Munched another 500 miles this weekend and it's still handling everything I throw at it with complete and utter imperturbability. That'll make 4000 miles in three months then - seems excessive when I remember I don't even use the car for commuting but more's the fun.
Anyway, thought I'd share the fruits of my afternoon's 'revision' for your delight and delectation...
Volvo S60 promotional video
Volvo S60 WhatCar? video review
Cringworthy "comparison test" video w/ Tiff Needell
Anyway, thought I'd share the fruits of my afternoon's 'revision' for your delight and delectation...
Volvo S60 promotional video
Volvo S60 WhatCar? video review
Cringworthy "comparison test" video w/ Tiff Needell
Jip said:
Nice to see someone else who is a young with a powerful saloon car. What do your friends think of it? I've been branded 'dad' by every lot of people on the grounds of having a 'family' car...
Who said I had friends? 
In all seriousness, I'm generally a victim of the father-based banter these days- actually one friend couldn't contain herself when I mentioned I drove a saloon car.
It's a trade off I'm willing to take for driving a 'proper' car and not an uninspiring econobox methinks.
Waugh-terfall said:
Synchromesh said:
actually one friend couldn't contain herself when I mentioned I drove a saloon car.
Oh, really? I'll be off to the ClassifIeds then. 
I really am digging myself into a hole here...
More to the point, I'm seriously tempted to chop the S60 in for an MX-5. What say y'all?
Fartgalen said:
Keep the S60.
Mx5 also
I'd love to...but don't want to pick up the soap in the prison shower that is the insurance industry.Mx5 also
And even if I went for the two car setup, I'd be able to go bargier with the barge, so I'd swap the S60 for an LS400 or XJR, then I'd go more hardcore with the toy and get a Caterham...
Birdster said:
I'd say 6K would get you into this easy. Depends if they want rid, maybe a cheeky 5K. Is the auto less desirable?
http://www.selektvolvocars.co.uk/selekt-search-res...
Just looking at the spec. Pretty impressive really. Must be due a major service or something. Although a quick Google suggest the timing belt is 10 years/100,000 miles.
I like it.
I paid less that half that asking price for mine, which is only 3 years and 30k miles older. Also, mines manual (more reliable), better colour and a superior spec. On that basis, the one you've linked to looks overpriced.http://www.selektvolvocars.co.uk/selekt-search-res...
Just looking at the spec. Pretty impressive really. Must be due a major service or something. Although a quick Google suggest the timing belt is 10 years/100,000 miles.
I like it.
Birdster said:
I meant I liked your car. :-)
The colour and wheels is better than the one I linked to.
Does yours have the sports kit?
I just had a look for the cheapest one on Volvo's used sales.
Oh, thanks. The colour and wheels is better than the one I linked to.
Does yours have the sports kit?
I just had a look for the cheapest one on Volvo's used sales.
Didn't know there was a sports kit. The T5s do have a firmer setup and I believe extra chassis bracing to make them a bit stiffer. Mine's SE spec so has all the goodies (and more) though.
Went to the T5D5 meet at Castle Combe on Friday. Unfortunately I arrived to too late to get my own car on track but managed to blag pax laps with plenty of others. No surprises in the fact even the the fettled ones couldn't muster a half decent apex speed but the incongruity of lapping Combe in a Volvo didn't wear off. Interesting to see what people had done with their T5s too. Wish I'd got an 850 estate now though...
Was also good to meet Stedman and jimbobsimmonds from here, a few more young T5'ers
Taking the S60 for it's first trip abroad (in my ownership) tomorrow - to Lille and back again on Tuesday via the Chunnel. Gave the car a good check over today which was quite lucky really - the spare tyre was at less than half of it's recommended pressure
I don't have breakdown cover fingers crossed it's impeccable reliability record will continue. Hopefully some photos to follow.
Was also good to meet Stedman and jimbobsimmonds from here, a few more young T5'ers
Taking the S60 for it's first trip abroad (in my ownership) tomorrow - to Lille and back again on Tuesday via the Chunnel. Gave the car a good check over today which was quite lucky really - the spare tyre was at less than half of it's recommended pressure
I don't have breakdown cover fingers crossed it's impeccable reliability record will continue. Hopefully some photos to follow.
Willeh85 said:
Nice choice of motors. May I ask where you were looking/found your volvo for under £3k?
As I said earlier I bought it from a friend who's a PHer himself. Saved him the hassle of selling it privately. For me it meant I knew, and trusted, it's history.There are plenty around for this price, or lower if you're prepared to go for a higher mileage example.
Back home today from my night in Lille - a 580 mile round trip in all. My first time driving abroad, but found driving on the right only took me a few minutes to get used to. In fact, it took me just as long to get used to driving on the 'wrong' side of the road when I got off the train at this end.
Had plenty of time to get to London so managed to eek out 40mpg
(you heard me right T5'ers) at a steady 62mph. In fact, going slower didn't yeild any better results - perhaps it's tuned to be most efficient at 100kph to do better in official tests?
This soon went down once we reached the Autoroutes and I could set the cuise to 80mph (130kph) in smug legality. Blissfully smooth surfaces meant I could converse with my passengers in hushed tones, above only the quiet whisle of the wind in the mirrors. A stark contract to our own M20!
Another difference - lane discipline. Perhaps it's a factor of having two lane motorways rather than three, but at no point did anyone stay in the outside lane a moment longer than they needed to. Blissful
I think the real star of the trip was the car though, not that I ever doubted it (evident by the fact that I don't even hold breakdown cover). I've discoved it's natrual habitat really is cross-continental travel.
S60 driving on to Chunnel by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
S60 on Chunnel 1 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
S60 on Chunnel 2 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
Had plenty of time to get to London so managed to eek out 40mpg
(you heard me right T5'ers) at a steady 62mph. In fact, going slower didn't yeild any better results - perhaps it's tuned to be most efficient at 100kph to do better in official tests?This soon went down once we reached the Autoroutes and I could set the cuise to 80mph (130kph) in smug legality. Blissfully smooth surfaces meant I could converse with my passengers in hushed tones, above only the quiet whisle of the wind in the mirrors. A stark contract to our own M20!
Another difference - lane discipline. Perhaps it's a factor of having two lane motorways rather than three, but at no point did anyone stay in the outside lane a moment longer than they needed to. Blissful
I think the real star of the trip was the car though, not that I ever doubted it (evident by the fact that I don't even hold breakdown cover). I've discoved it's natrual habitat really is cross-continental travel.
S60 driving on to Chunnel by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
S60 on Chunnel 1 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
S60 on Chunnel 2 by jlewisbarned, on Flickr
Stedman said:
It's a turbo car so slower wont necessarily mean better. Lower than 70mph in my car is just laggy, anything over is lovely. 80mph is right in the 'band, but tends to chew fuel a bit quicker.
If I'm honest, engine response isn't my priority when I'm on cruise control mode for a few hours. Having said that, mine pulls with conviction from almost any speed in top, although I may just think that because my last car was a 1.4 'valver' PoloStedman said:
I see you took Jimbob out for a drive, have fun?
Oh yes. 
DJC said:
I had an S60 D5 (remapped, of course) at 20.....Prior to that I had an 855 T5 at 18/19
Disregarding the power plant, how did the 850 compare to the S60? 
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