Volvo V70R: PH Carpool

Think you like fast Volvos? Not as much as this PHer!

Name: Stephen Sawdy
Car: Volvo V70R P2.5
Owned since: March 2014
Previously owned: 27 other Volvo R models and various Renault 5 Turbos (including a Gordini), Citroen BX 16vs and a Vauxhall Astra GTE 16v

Still making good power after 155,000 miles!

Why I bought it:
"Many reasons! Mainly though watching the 850 estates banging around the touring car circuits in the 1990s with great success; somehow it seemed wrong but they looked so right!

"I think Murray Walker summed it up well: "They all laughed when Volvo said they'd be entering an estate, but they don't think it's funny anymore."

What I wish I'd known:
"Not a lot really as this is my seventh (!) P2R. The automatic is a bit leggy - 110mph in third is possible - but I have a manual (and another two Rs!) so I can always use that instead."

Things I love:
"It is a very understated Q car, produced in very low numbers (for some models, only 80 were imported) so rarity comes as standard. The performance is good but it's easy to tune as well and the V70 also has an almost Germanic build quality and feel to it. All this with a certain Swedish flair and the safety of a Volvo - it ticks all the boxes for me!

Out and about with like-minded Volvo folk

"Performance-wise they can easily reach 350hp with modest tuning and up to 450 without opening the engine up. As standard it came with the Ohlins designed active chassis and Brembo four-piston calipers on each corner, coupled with the Haldex AWD. Even without any tweaks it can hit 60mph in 5.5 seconds.

"I can't forget the sound either, it's just heavenly! With the three-inch downpipe and cat back exhaust, at full chat it's a five-cylinder orchestra under the bonnet.

"Recently on the dyno after 155,000 miles it made exactly the original claimed power figure - 295hp - which I thought was pretty good for a standard tune car!"

Things I hate:
"The Ohlins active chassis is not the best; I'll be fitting KW coilovers to my other P2R for the track. The cost of maintaining one of these can be high if you buy a dog.

Costs:
"I saved this car as it had a split liner, but I had to go through the car as the main dealer service history did leave a lot to be desired. It was more time consuming than mega money, but if you're not going to tackle the work yourself I can see how labour would add up. Fortunately I've learnt a few things along the way!"