Volvo S60 T5 | Shed of the Week
Discussion
I like that, compared to a lot of them the colour makes it look, if not exactly modern, at least not really old like some of the washed out blues and golds these tend to come in.
Lot of car for £1195 and looks very tidy, assuming it is not mechanically tired could be a bit of a bargain, 300 bhp as well, for a grand or so, amazing when you think what you get.
Best shed for a while, just need to remember with the Swedish stuff, they may be fast but they arent sporty or huge fun beyond decent acceleration, probably why they are cheap, just need to relax into what it is and enjoy it, not try and drive it like what it isnt.
Lot of car for £1195 and looks very tidy, assuming it is not mechanically tired could be a bit of a bargain, 300 bhp as well, for a grand or so, amazing when you think what you get.
Best shed for a while, just need to remember with the Swedish stuff, they may be fast but they arent sporty or huge fun beyond decent acceleration, probably why they are cheap, just need to relax into what it is and enjoy it, not try and drive it like what it isnt.
benharris said:
I was considering an S60 D5 a year ago, to use as my daily shed, but the turning circle was the thing that put me off as the access to my driveway is very tight. I think the turning radius is a rediculous 13 meters. My dad has an earlier, phase 1 V70 and the turning circle on that is only 10 meters for a bigger car!
Aparently there is something you can do with the steering rack to reduce the turning circle. Volvo fitted a different bushing/spacer component, depending on the size of the wheels specified at the factory, so changing this can make it better, although you'd probably also need to run smaller wheels to prevent them rubbing.
Even still - it gets a 10 vote from me - great shed!
If you want a good turning circle, try and old 940 - they are like a London taxi! Even the old Mercs were good.Aparently there is something you can do with the steering rack to reduce the turning circle. Volvo fitted a different bushing/spacer component, depending on the size of the wheels specified at the factory, so changing this can make it better, although you'd probably also need to run smaller wheels to prevent them rubbing.
Even still - it gets a 10 vote from me - great shed!
Edited by benharris on Friday 17th January 08:42
30+ MPG? A workmate had one of these - unmodified. He had a back problem - hence the Volvo with comfy seats - and an 80 mile a day commute. Solution - LPG conversion. Mind you, I think at the time he'd paid £10k for it.
I was recently offered a cheap but tidy V70 T5 estate but the memory of tales of fuelling costs put me off.
I was recently offered a cheap but tidy V70 T5 estate but the memory of tales of fuelling costs put me off.
Great cars, more so when not hampered by the Geartronic box. Had a few T5's, P2 cars snd a V70R and whilst you simply cannot ignore the fact the D5's run on fresh air, something like a 05 era V70 T5 estate would be a terrific all rounder. Almost invisible, huge, fast and pretty dependable and change from £1500. This S60 looks great but if you're getting a quick Volvo, it has to be en estate. Just, because.
rastapasta said:
Has this the same engine as a focus ST?? ie 2.3 turbo?
Essentially, yes using the same B52 engine but with 2.5 capacity and slightly different bore/stroke length.Up to 2004 the T5 was a 2.3 with 247bhp, then a 2.4 with 256bhp.
Many OV and OW were management/demo cars, hence the spec.
Fantastic shed!
And a manual... the autos are not good so it's a major plus and not common.
I run a later 2.4 T5 manual. In horrible greeny gold colour unfortunately but everything else about it is perfect for my needs as a daily shed.
The size is perfect, larger than a 3 series (or at least more spacious up front) but not as big as a 5 series.
They are superb cars, the build quality is streets ahead of Merc / BMW of the era. Looking underneath mine the metal brackets still have most of their powdercoat whereas my 3 year newer BMW looks like it's been kept at the bottom of the sea for a decade.
I think the earlier cars like this suffer from a couple of common faults with the electronic throttle body and the instrument cluster but I have had zero issues with my car in 60K / 3 years. I had a 2.4T prior to that and it was likewise super reliable.
They do chew through suspension components and can be a bit clunky sounding even when nothing's massively worn.
The fuel economy is actually not bad. Normal driving yields around 27-28mpg on average. I recently did a trip from South of France to Sussex and got 32mpg at an overall average of 70mph. Not bad I don't think for something with around 300hp. 70L fuel tank as well so the range is excellent.
I think 310hp might be a bit optimistic on the 2.3 engine but they are really grunty so makes a very relaxed car in use especially with the seats which as others mentioned really can't be beaten for comfort.
The hifi comes in for special mention as it's also way better than you'd ever expect. I actually prefer the earlier hifi to the later one although both are really good.
Negatives would be the general precision of the controls and ride quality / handling. A 3 / 5 series kills it in all dynamic areas but it's fun in a slightly scary well when pushing on. It's not a car I would put in the hands of an inexperienced driver. They'd end up understeering into a tree or something.
For the price it's fantastic.
And a manual... the autos are not good so it's a major plus and not common.
I run a later 2.4 T5 manual. In horrible greeny gold colour unfortunately but everything else about it is perfect for my needs as a daily shed.
The size is perfect, larger than a 3 series (or at least more spacious up front) but not as big as a 5 series.
They are superb cars, the build quality is streets ahead of Merc / BMW of the era. Looking underneath mine the metal brackets still have most of their powdercoat whereas my 3 year newer BMW looks like it's been kept at the bottom of the sea for a decade.
I think the earlier cars like this suffer from a couple of common faults with the electronic throttle body and the instrument cluster but I have had zero issues with my car in 60K / 3 years. I had a 2.4T prior to that and it was likewise super reliable.
They do chew through suspension components and can be a bit clunky sounding even when nothing's massively worn.
The fuel economy is actually not bad. Normal driving yields around 27-28mpg on average. I recently did a trip from South of France to Sussex and got 32mpg at an overall average of 70mph. Not bad I don't think for something with around 300hp. 70L fuel tank as well so the range is excellent.
I think 310hp might be a bit optimistic on the 2.3 engine but they are really grunty so makes a very relaxed car in use especially with the seats which as others mentioned really can't be beaten for comfort.
The hifi comes in for special mention as it's also way better than you'd ever expect. I actually prefer the earlier hifi to the later one although both are really good.
Negatives would be the general precision of the controls and ride quality / handling. A 3 / 5 series kills it in all dynamic areas but it's fun in a slightly scary well when pushing on. It's not a car I would put in the hands of an inexperienced driver. They'd end up understeering into a tree or something.
For the price it's fantastic.
Turbobanana said:
Excellent shed, if a little dull-looking.
You have to wonder what clothes the original owner wore: grey, no doubt. Probably lived in a house with magnolia wallpaper too.
I'd take a different view. Some people have a lot of fun but don't like to draw attention.You have to wonder what clothes the original owner wore: grey, no doubt. Probably lived in a house with magnolia wallpaper too.
This is the opposite of the ten year old 1.0 Corsa with "Max Power Bodykit and Banginchoons, innit".
Sometimes the guy sipping his point quietly in the corner is more interesting and better company then the loudmouth talking to everyone at the bar.
Still one of my favourites of all the cars I've owned. In terms of comfort, build quality, performance, reliability and NVH levels, it was brilliant. Cavernous boot too, if limited in ultimate useability by the relatively narrow opening. Best factory fit seats and hifi of any car I've ever experienced, too. An all-day-comfortable car. I drove it from Hampshire to Tyneside stopping only for a couple of comfort breaks, and got there feeling relaxed, and with no stiffness at all.
The only things I remember disliking were the supertanker-like turning circle and the slightly lumpy low speed ride. Oh and mid-20s average mpg, which was the reason I sold it (coincided with the fuel price rises in early 2000s, and my annual mileage going up into the 30k's). I was putting £600 worth of fuel a month in the thing. Just couldn't afford it.
I'd have another tomorrow though.
The only things I remember disliking were the supertanker-like turning circle and the slightly lumpy low speed ride. Oh and mid-20s average mpg, which was the reason I sold it (coincided with the fuel price rises in early 2000s, and my annual mileage going up into the 30k's). I was putting £600 worth of fuel a month in the thing. Just couldn't afford it.
I'd have another tomorrow though.
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