Finally joined the Volvo V70 club
Discussion
After my previous barge (545i) met an untimely demise involving catastrophic oil loss I have been on the look out for a replacement.
Having viewed a few P3 V70s that we’re top of my budget and absolute dogs I decided I’d rather have a good P2 model than a ropey P3!
I settled on a facelift model with the EU3 163bhp D5 without a DPF as that seems to be one of the more reliable engines. I wanted an automatic as I think it suits the barge nature of these and am prepared to look at the maintenance required in future.
Early this week, I spotted this one 2hrs 20 mins away at a small dealer. It looked great on the pictures and all seemed to add up when I spoke to the dealer.
I collected today and had an effortless 2hr journey back in probably the most comfortable car seats I’ve ever experienced and I had the heated/cooled/massage seats in the 545!
Service book shows 17 stamps and it was recently serviced with new rear brake calliper and Pads fitted... it really is just about as good in the flesh as the pictures suggest!!
Dealer pics below as I didn’t get chance to take any of my own just yet...
The car has been purchased as we are getting a Hungarian Vizsla in the near future... looks like I better get a boot liner sorted to keep the interior as immaculately it is now!!
Jobs list so far is short :
1) headlight restoration - used the autoglym kit on my mini and was very impressed so think I’ll get another.
2) boot liner / mat and some rubber floor mats.
That’s all!
Having viewed a few P3 V70s that we’re top of my budget and absolute dogs I decided I’d rather have a good P2 model than a ropey P3!
I settled on a facelift model with the EU3 163bhp D5 without a DPF as that seems to be one of the more reliable engines. I wanted an automatic as I think it suits the barge nature of these and am prepared to look at the maintenance required in future.
Early this week, I spotted this one 2hrs 20 mins away at a small dealer. It looked great on the pictures and all seemed to add up when I spoke to the dealer.
I collected today and had an effortless 2hr journey back in probably the most comfortable car seats I’ve ever experienced and I had the heated/cooled/massage seats in the 545!
Service book shows 17 stamps and it was recently serviced with new rear brake calliper and Pads fitted... it really is just about as good in the flesh as the pictures suggest!!
Dealer pics below as I didn’t get chance to take any of my own just yet...
The car has been purchased as we are getting a Hungarian Vizsla in the near future... looks like I better get a boot liner sorted to keep the interior as immaculately it is now!!
Jobs list so far is short :
1) headlight restoration - used the autoglym kit on my mini and was very impressed so think I’ll get another.
2) boot liner / mat and some rubber floor mats.
That’s all!
I've always liked these. The D5s aren't as bulletproof as people make out though, make sure when you get the cambelt changed that you use the highest quality parts and use someone who knows what they're doing!
Out of interest, how do you rate the NVH compared to the 545i? Especially when idling in traffic?
Out of interest, how do you rate the NVH compared to the 545i? Especially when idling in traffic?
I've taken mine from 123,000 to 172,000 currently, similar to yours, dark blue facelift although with light interior, Euro III D5 motor, although mine's a manual and has the 18" Nebula wheels on, looks fantastic but the ride is less plush than it could be as a result...
Great cars, replaced a fair few front suspension bits shortly after getting it and there's a bit of clunking again now, so looks like my previous commute took its toll, it's just used for dog / tip duties now and I'm torn how much I want to put in to the old girl or just shed along focusing on MOT outcomes.
A handsome design though and fits in to most environments without drawing attention to itself.
Great cars, replaced a fair few front suspension bits shortly after getting it and there's a bit of clunking again now, so looks like my previous commute took its toll, it's just used for dog / tip duties now and I'm torn how much I want to put in to the old girl or just shed along focusing on MOT outcomes.
A handsome design though and fits in to most environments without drawing attention to itself.
Thanks all for all the positive comments. I’m hoping this will make it to silly mileage, I certainly plan to look after it mechanically. It’s currently on 130k so as seems to be the joke with them... just about run in!
It’s getting thrown straight into tip duties this weekend. I’ve had a play at getting the seats down including the passenger seat tipped forwards and it’s crazy the amount of space available!
They do seem to be a “do it all” car which wouldn’t look out of place at a posh hotel! I do like my cars of this era that just feel well made (to a point as with anything mechanical) and the styling I think is ageing well...
Yes, the turning circle does match that of the Exxon Valdez but I can live with that in return for supreme comfort.
Compared to the 545i, I’d say the seats are more comfortable and the wind noise is slightly less but the 545 had a panoramic sunroof so possibly an unfair comparison. When idling, the V70 is definitely a bit more agricultural but the audio system is good enough to drown it out.
It’s getting thrown straight into tip duties this weekend. I’ve had a play at getting the seats down including the passenger seat tipped forwards and it’s crazy the amount of space available!
They do seem to be a “do it all” car which wouldn’t look out of place at a posh hotel! I do like my cars of this era that just feel well made (to a point as with anything mechanical) and the styling I think is ageing well...
Yes, the turning circle does match that of the Exxon Valdez but I can live with that in return for supreme comfort.
markirl said:
I've always liked these. The D5s aren't as bulletproof as people make out though, make sure when you get the cambelt changed that you use the highest quality parts and use someone who knows what they're doing!
Out of interest, how do you rate the NVH compared to the 545i? Especially when idling in traffic?
The cambelt has already been done at a Volvo specialist thankfully and not due for a good while yet. It’s also recently had the rear brakes done which I believe is another issue. Out of interest, how do you rate the NVH compared to the 545i? Especially when idling in traffic?
Compared to the 545i, I’d say the seats are more comfortable and the wind noise is slightly less but the 545 had a panoramic sunroof so possibly an unfair comparison. When idling, the V70 is definitely a bit more agricultural but the audio system is good enough to drown it out.
rallyeS2 said:
markirl said:
I've always liked these. The D5s aren't as bulletproof as people make out though, make sure when you get the cambelt changed that you use the highest quality parts and use someone who knows what they're doing!
Out of interest, how do you rate the NVH compared to the 545i? Especially when idling in traffic?
The cambelt has already been done at a Volvo specialist thankfully and not due for a good while yet. It’s also recently had the rear brakes done which I believe is another issue. Out of interest, how do you rate the NVH compared to the 545i? Especially when idling in traffic?
Compared to the 545i, I’d say the seats are more comfortable and the wind noise is slightly less but the 545 had a panoramic sunroof so possibly an unfair comparison. When idling, the V70 is definitely a bit more agricultural but the audio system is good enough to drown it out.
Don't bother changing the water pump if it's a Volvo item unless demonstrably rough - they go on forever, unlike pattern replacements.
We ran an early V70 2.4T manual for a couple of years from 130-185k & other than worn out suspension components the only other non service items were a brake cylinder & failure of the steering wheel controls/indicator stalks. We replaced it with a manual S60 D5 which was a great car except for the Nebula 18” BBS alloys which made the ride very “crashy”. I found the cars needed their tracking/wheel alignment checking quite regularly to optimise their handling though they were the comfiest cars we’ve owned.
Dog was deeply unimpressed when I traded my S4 avant in for an M4 comp, so needed another dog hauler, and always always wanted an oldish volvo barge to munch miles.
So, got a 2.5T AWD version of these towards the end of last year? Time is hard to figure out these days.
Had some issues but got it all sorted by Tony at IVS in Letchworth and now it's wonderful.
And those seats! If the car ever dies I'm putting the driver's seat in my living room as an armchair.
Question to fellow owners - can much be done re replacing the original CD player with something more modern? It being on the same panel as the heating etc tells me it'd be a fiddly bugger to do.
So, got a 2.5T AWD version of these towards the end of last year? Time is hard to figure out these days.
Had some issues but got it all sorted by Tony at IVS in Letchworth and now it's wonderful.
And those seats! If the car ever dies I'm putting the driver's seat in my living room as an armchair.
Question to fellow owners - can much be done re replacing the original CD player with something more modern? It being on the same panel as the heating etc tells me it'd be a fiddly bugger to do.
georgejoshington said:
Dog was deeply unimpressed when I traded my S4 avant in for an M4 comp, so needed another dog hauler, and always always wanted an oldish volvo barge to munch miles.
So, got a 2.5T AWD version of these towards the end of last year? Time is hard to figure out these days.
Had some issues but got it all sorted by Tony at IVS in Letchworth and now it's wonderful.
And those seats! If the car ever dies I'm putting the driver's seat in my living room as an armchair.
Question to fellow owners - can much be done re replacing the original CD player with something more modern? It being on the same panel as the heating etc tells me it'd be a fiddly bugger to do.
I wouldn't bother. Grab a GROM, stream music from phone.So, got a 2.5T AWD version of these towards the end of last year? Time is hard to figure out these days.
Had some issues but got it all sorted by Tony at IVS in Letchworth and now it's wonderful.
And those seats! If the car ever dies I'm putting the driver's seat in my living room as an armchair.
Question to fellow owners - can much be done re replacing the original CD player with something more modern? It being on the same panel as the heating etc tells me it'd be a fiddly bugger to do.
MrC986 said:
We ran an early V70 2.4T manual for a couple of years from 130-185k & other than worn out suspension components the only other non service items were a brake cylinder & failure of the steering wheel controls/indicator stalks. We replaced it with a manual S60 D5 which was a great car except for the Nebula 18” BBS alloys which made the ride very “crashy”. I found the cars needed their tracking/wheel alignment checking quite regularly to optimise their handling though they were the comfiest cars we’ve owned.
Agree, they are very sensitive to alignment - and chew tyres for fun if they're out. Kwik Fit Geocare is well worth the money.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff