Early morning commuter car hunting..Volvo S60 D5?

[croakey]

(Yet) Another thrilling real time exploration in the pursuit of my latest commuter machine... Fueled by the wife's desire/need for my current 5 year old A4 and a house renovation requiring a cash injection!

Up at 0615hrs to begin my hunt!



The joy of being in Kent is that places show up as quite close online but the internet works on the theory you have a boat to cut across the Thames estuary. So what isn't really that far is a 4 1/2 hour trek.




So I'm off to Norwich to meet a man wearing red trainers; unsure if this is the modern version of carrying a red rose?!

Packed the essentials


(Carton of orange juice not in shot)

Will it be any good? Will be get bought?

Who knows!

[croakey]

I think it's a decent choice...it could also possibly be a tidy bargain. Equally it could drive like a drunk crab.

Currently at Gillingham- even the sunshine doesn't make it feel welcoming. Onwards and upwards Gravesend next!

[croakey]

Eta is somewhere around midday unless there is unseasonable rain, leaves, slippery rails or I get taken hostage for bad mouthing the Medway towns.

[croakey]

Successfully traversed the labyrinth that is the the underground. Arduous and odourous summarise this experience concisely

[croakey]

It's actually not that bad, bit light on details... Essentially it's a book in the way top gear was a car series!

[croakey]

Sadly I work in London, and get the pleasure daily. Northern Line this morning was particularly busy, didn't risk taking a photo as I couldn't get my phone out my pocket owing to a rather rotund gentleman stood slightly too close for comfort.

[croakey]

It's now mine...

Here's a guess what it is time.





I'll come back when I stop for fuel to see if someone is correct

[croakey]

SturdyHSV said:

Wait, it can't be a pre-2004 because that's when they introduced the silver gauge surrounds (I think?)...

OK, 2005 S60 D5.

Unless its had the dash replaced, which is possible as they were problematic I seem to recall?

The beard is strong.

It is indeed a 2005 s60 d5 se... Not seen one of this spec before though










2 owner car, 84k, full history, cambelt, water pump etc done. It's a very VERY tidy car

£2500

Think I've done alright.

Edited by croakey on Wednesday 13th April 17:19

[croakey]

So just got in...

So far so good, a bit choppy around corners at road speed akin to Xbox feedback for massive under steer. Likely it's going to need two lower arms at some point as they were picked up on the mot.


That's it.

Other than that it is immaculate, and drives like a Swedish 5 pot magic carpet if IKEA made such a thing.

Some more pictures...
















So far I've figured it's an SE as its got cruise etc, also it's got the winter pack as its got heated seats and headlight washers.

How do I confirm its a euro 3 lump in it?

[croakey]

So this is a euro 3 lump? If so its even more lucky because I hadn't checked!

[croakey]

Just checked and it is indeed a very very late euro 3 car.... Very pleased with that.

What are the options for:

• parking sensors?

• aux input to stereo?

[croakey]

Looking at options for integrating an Aux in / Iphone input to the standard stereo

GROM units get good reviews but unsure if i need to pay for the top of the range if there is a cheaper alternative.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Grom-Aux-in-Adapter-Kit-...

By all accounts it just bolts into the CD Changer output on the back of the head unit.

They also offer a bluetooth option but to be honest i dont really use the phone in the car?!

[croakey]

Ive not chance to use the cruise control yet, however i am on a run of late shifts this week so will have clear motorways to give it a try out tonight.

[croakey]

I have no idea why it is an odd spec car... It just is I guess. It was registered 31/05/05 so is a very late crossover car.

Used it yesterday for the first time in its new role and it's fair to say I'm sure I've made the right choice, it is a perfect motorway cruiser, comfy seats, cruise control, stable and also plenty grunty enough.

Things I've noticed...

1) headlights are not the brightest. Now I've swapped out of a xenon equipped a4 so I know I'm going to struggle to match it but can anyone give a personal recommendation for bulbs?

2) the steering doesn't like roundabouts, whilst on say 3/4 lock at road speed the wheel bucks backwards and forwards. I'm 90% sure this is front lower arms/ drop link related. I've seen a kit from IPDD that is a bush insert they reckon cures most of the s60's problems

3) the aircon needs a re gas

4) the reset button on the info stalk appears to do nothing

Still... I'm happy with it!

[croakey]

It's working just not very cold! I'll look into new compressors just in case!

[croakey]

Can genuinely see why these cars are held in such high regard

Managed to reset my trip...




Im guessing it's optimistic but for an 80mph cruise I'm impressed.

Released the free 15bhp.

Edited by croakey on Friday 15th April 12:54

[croakey]

ChocolateFrog said:

It's usually the clutch on the compressor that goes. There is cheap fix if you Google it.

As for bulbs I've given up on the brighter halogen bulbs. They go too quickly due to being on all the time. Think I've got some halfords heavy duty ones in there at the moment and they seem ok.

If it's a keeper don't be tempted to buy cheap suspension parts or you'll be doing it again in 10000 miles.

Mines 200000 miles ahead of yours so there's plenty of life left in yours.

I intend to keep this thing long term, I owes me very little from he outset and I can't think of anything I need more.

Plus the 5 cylinder warble is a sweet sweet thing

[croakey]

SturdyHSV said:

I have a watch list of likely consumables from reputable brands at the best prices I can find, here are some links for you

Front / Rear drop links

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161271021849

New 'Nissen' intercooler

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271548616778

Track / tie rod ends

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/150931281189

Lower wishbone with ball joints (replacing the bushes seems a faff so this seemed far easier and better long term!)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121282183064

Cambelt kit

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272204742383

Thanks , I reckon suspension is my first priority.
Sorely tempted to look at remaps but don't think I really need one

[croakey]

I'll not reset it now and see what I can manage.

I commute at odd times, often either 0500hrs or late say 0130hrs (joy of shift work) so for a majority of its driving it can sit on cruise and plod along

[croakey]

All good to hear...
Previous owner has paid out over £200 for a replacement alarm siren unit and related resets etc. He also checked the rear handbrake shoes a short while ago and noted no wear (he even threw in a set of replacements should i need them)

I've not noticed the misty headlamp but I'll have a look when I get chance.

I'm also going to double check tyre pressures as that could be a nice easy fix!

It's still an absolute monster for motorway hacking