Volvo C30 R Design 2.0 Petrol Thoughts please

Volvo C30 R Design 2.0 Petrol Thoughts please

Author
Discussion

rdb85

Original Poster:

605 posts

86 months

Thursday 30th March 2017
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I am thinking of getting a Volvo C30 R Design. I am just after a little advice on what they are like, reliability and such.

GloriaGTI

509 posts

86 months

Thursday 30th March 2017
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I looked at these briefly because they look a bit different and fancied that T5 engine. Was put off by the interior, it seemed very uninspiring by my taste.

No prizes for guessing what I bought in the end biggrin

Have you tried the web for reviews, honestjohn etc? Could try the Volvo section on here (is there one?)


PistonheadRob

49 posts

115 months

Thursday 30th March 2017
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I have an r design 2011 facelift 2.0 petrol any questions please just ask I have had it a couple of years.
Reliability wise faultless in over 2 years absolutely nothing.
But it is a very basic under stressed engine based on a Mazda engine that ford changed slightly then volvo used it, so engine wise very little to go wrong


rdb85

Original Poster:

605 posts

86 months

Thursday 30th March 2017
quotequote all
Thanks for that, I really like them, they are different and unusual. What's the mpg like in them and also parts and servicing?


PistonheadRob

49 posts

115 months

Thursday 30th March 2017
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Hi Volvo servicing can be expensive I go to and independent volvo specialist the last Mot and service was £180 the one before that was £160 service and mot
So without mot around £140.
The car is based on a ford focus platform so many parts shared so they are cheap parts.
Mpg wise to power ratio in the 2.0 is not amazing, and not the most exciting engine but the trade off is excellent reliability.
I do very short runs and cold starts and do around 30mpg.
Recently did a long trip to wales and did just over 40mpg on average.




rdb85

Original Poster:

605 posts

86 months

Friday 31st March 2017
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I might go and have a look at one over the weekend, and see if they will let me test drive it.

seadragon

1,137 posts

214 months

Friday 31st March 2017
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I saw a T5 in Orange type colour in my work parking lot for a while and I really liked the look of it (except for the colour haha). I quite like the minimalist interior style, suits my taste.

Quickmoose

4,482 posts

122 months

Friday 31st March 2017
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I had a T5 SE
because I liked the concept and the execution Volvo did with the C30.
That said, the ride/handling is softer than Golfs/Focuseses - which I wanted (more comfortable)
The interior design is quite polarising. I loved the simplicity/style, lack of fuss or changes in surface material for the sake of it. I also loved the fact it is a strict 4 seater, with 4 seats (not a rear bench).
The boot space is pretty tragic, and the glass tailgate small and oddly shaped - great for exterioir design, a bit pants if you shop a lot or want to carry a bike and people....
Had mine for 2 years and the ignition barrel failed, that was it.
Maintenance was affordable via the Volvo specialist at Camberley.
5 cylinder was full of character if a smidge thirsty.
2.0l should be perfect.

rdb85

Original Poster:

605 posts

86 months

Friday 31st March 2017
quotequote all
I thought the 2.0 ltr looked perfect, as the 1.6 petrol seemed under powered. The 2.0 has more power, and I am sure that I could get 35mpg or even 40mpg. The servicing does not sound that bad to be honest. I will try and see if I can find a specialist other than a main dealer.

I was looking last night at one of those boot covers, bit expensive at £300 on ebay but it suits the car nicely.

Quickmoose

4,482 posts

122 months

Friday 31st March 2017
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rdb85 said:
I thought the 2.0 ltr looked perfect, as the 1.6 petrol seemed under powered. The 2.0 has more power, and I am sure that I could get 35mpg or even 40mpg. The servicing does not sound that bad to be honest. I will try and see if I can find a specialist other than a main dealer.

I was looking last night at one of those boot covers, bit expensive at £300 on ebay but it suits the car nicely.
Funny... I always left the one I had in the garage, as I preferred seeing the 2 separate seats in the rear view mirror and very rarely had anything in the boot... but yeah it was at least thought about in it's shape.... thumbup

PistonheadRob

49 posts

115 months

Friday 31st March 2017
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When I bought the car I thought I would get a hard cover straight away but it makes the small boot even more not useable so did not bother it has a very small opening on the hard cover. The soft cover can be folded flat to hold more. With the hard cover I would always have it in the garage.
The soft cover though does look cheap and a decent parcel shelf is far far better in my opinion.
In my opinion the 2.0 would be perfect with a turbo on it to give it more bhp and more importantly torque think ford/volvo messed up with that. If driven normally it would not even effect mpg that much.
The 2.5 t5 sounds amazing but very very thirsty for power given and is fairly heavy.

rdb85

Original Poster:

605 posts

86 months

Monday 10th April 2017
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I have found two that I really like. There is a C30 R Design and an R Design Lux. Now the Lux model has the same mileage but there is a price difference of almost £1700. Do you think its worth it?

Also I have noticed that some models come with twin pipes, how easy would this be to do on an R Design please?

Thanks

cj2013

1,314 posts

125 months

Monday 10th April 2017
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I had a D5 which was brilliant.

It's one of the only ones with a Volvo engine and box (T5 is too I think), as the rest is made up from the ford parts bin.

Surprisingly, this does (imo) make a significant impact on the "feel" of the car, with the lower spec cars (DrivE, for example) feeling very cheap in comparison.

Most except the DPF-hindered (disposable) early 1.6Ds get 108k/6 year timing belt intervals

Zetec-S

5,832 posts

92 months

Monday 10th April 2017
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I used to work with someone who had a T5, have to say it was supremely comfortable - good seats and even with larger wheels it rides really well. They could also fold the back seats down and fit a bike in the back (with the wheel removed).

I think they averaged around 35mpg as well smile

bobfrance

1,323 posts

266 months

Monday 10th April 2017
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I have a c30 T5 (the 2.5L 5cyl engine).

In my experience fuel economy isn't brilliant. I get about 24mpg and have achieved about 28mpg on a run. I find the ride to be pretty harsh and tyres (17" rims) are pricey due to being a slightly oddball size.

However I love it, it's very reliable, I like really the ethos of the Scandinavian design, the engine note and the performance is decent too.

No experience of the 2.0L though sorry.

Quickmoose

4,482 posts

122 months

Monday 10th April 2017
quotequote all
rdb85 said:
I have found two that I really like. There is a C30 R Design and an R Design Lux. Now the Lux model has the same mileage but there is a price difference of almost £1700. Do you think its worth it?

Also I have noticed that some models come with twin pipes, how easy would this be to do on an R Design please?

Thanks
Only you'll know that...is the extra kit of a 'lux' worth the £1700 to you?
Has one been looked after better or in a better colour?

Don't know about exhaust, but I'd imagine it's not beyond the wit of a decent mechanic to fabricate, or even replace the back box with a twin exit..

cj2013

1,314 posts

125 months

Monday 10th April 2017
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bobfrance said:
I have a c30 T5 (the 2.5L 5cyl engine).

In my experience fuel economy isn't brilliant. I get about 24mpg and have achieved about 28mpg on a run. I find the ride to be pretty harsh and tyres (17" rims) are pricey due to being a slightly oddball size.
Mine had Separis 17's and were 205/50R17. Nothing odd about the size or the price, and the ride was spot on?

rdb85

Original Poster:

605 posts

86 months

Saturday 29th April 2017
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I was looking at a 2.5 seem quite hard to find for sale

cj2013

1,314 posts

125 months

Saturday 29th April 2017
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rdb85 said:
I was looking at a 2.5 seem quite hard to find for sale
There are 5 on eBay right now

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_tr...

rdb85

Original Poster:

605 posts

86 months

Saturday 29th April 2017
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cj2013 said:
Looking for a facelift model