Comfy Volvo Content
Discussion
S100HP said:
Finally it's MOT time soon. It is due by the end of March. We are now on 152k and I reckon it might need the lower arm bushes replacing. Will find out in time. In the meantime I've been considering a change of car but really struggling to work out what to replace it with, it just does everything well but part of me fancies a newer car, I've just no idea what!
It's been an few weeks since I posted the above, and I'm sure you're all on tenterhooks to see what has happened since my last post. Well I can tell you now. I chucked it in for its MOT on the 1st March and received a call to say it had failed shortly afterwards 
The reason it failed was classed as a dangerous defect:
Nearside Front Seat belt webbing significantly weakened (7.1.2 (b) (ii))
This was an advisory last year and I actually purchased a replacement belt this time last year, but just hadn't got round to fitting it. A poor excuse and an entirely avoidable failure. Sorry car! Anyway, the replacement belt that I've had for a year was fitted, and the car returned to pass the MOT today (8th) but it wasn't a clean MOT. We have some advisories.
Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
Fluid leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
The bushes were an advisory last year so I'm not overly worried about that. The rear pads are a minor issue and can be addressed in the next few weeks, along with the tyres which I mentioned replacing a few posts ago. The fluid leak is also minor, its from the expansion tank and I did the job on my V70R so not overly concerned about that either.
So that is where we're at. The car has now covered 152,259 miles but it's cost me a few quid lately, and needs another £4/500 spending on it now. The temptation to change is growing but this is equally challenged by the fact I actually do like the car. It is one of the last P2 models which is considered the sweet spot for these and because I've spent a few quid now I should keep going with it. It's also an excellent family car. I wish I had r129sl outlook on cars as I'd love to throw unlimited money at the car and keep it going to 200k+. What to do?
Obligatory photo with text below.
Food for thought. This is the car tempting me. I've a fondness for French and it's a C5 with the 2.7 diesel lump and it's just a lot more modern inside than the XC70
http://tinyurl.com/y6ay3c5c
http://tinyurl.com/y6ay3c5c
I have a 2010 D5 XC70 and absolutley love it.
Big fast auto comfy monster of a car.
Fast as hell when you make it work, but a trip from Edinburgh to Lincoln and back towing a trailer with 250kg of maxi scooter on it saw 48mpg !!! 48 ffs. Was super impressed as it was an 80mph on cruise run.
Bought mine at 90k miles but it was John Martins wifes car ( He of John Martin group motors) so had every extra and was serviced up the
kazoo
Big fast auto comfy monster of a car.
Fast as hell when you make it work, but a trip from Edinburgh to Lincoln and back towing a trailer with 250kg of maxi scooter on it saw 48mpg !!! 48 ffs. Was super impressed as it was an 80mph on cruise run.
Bought mine at 90k miles but it was John Martins wifes car ( He of John Martin group motors) so had every extra and was serviced up the
kazoo
carreauchompeur said:
I’m coming up to insurance renewal and am considering a remap. Probably not sensible on 240k, but the numbers look good... anyone done it?
Certainly have given it thought but never have the desire to follow through with it.The XC70 ticked over 153k today meaning 12k in my ownership now. Finally managed to tick off another of those little jobs today, I fitted the replacement light mentioned a few posts. An easy job that took longer than expected as access to the lower of the two nuts was tricky.
A reminder, this was the 01-04 rear light that someone had incorrectly fitted to my car. The indicator lense was supposed to be clear, but I only noticed (embarrassingly) that it was different to the other side a few months back.
Firstly you need to remove the speaker grill which gives access to the boot speaker (probably to keep the dogs happy). A little red tab locks the speaker in place. Remove that and the speaker pops out. It's then just a case of undoing 2 X 10mm nuts. The upper is easy, the lower required a socket with an elbow meaning it can be used at 45 degrees. I didn't have one of these so fitting was aborted till we went to visit friends in the afternoon. He had one and I was able to remove the light.
Refitting was very simple (now I had the tool required). This minor detail actually made me pretty happy for the rest of the day. It now matches!
As a side, the friends mentioned above had just purchased themselves an XC90 (05 plate). I took it for a spin. I liked it.
TheJimi said:
So, XC90 next then? 
Yes, maybe, but nope. Not yet anyway. I've just purchased new tyres for delivery next week which commits me to the car for a while. Vredestein Quatrac5 which I've seen good feedback on. An all-season tyre opposed to a winter tyre which I've been running since purchasing the car.Still reading this thread
The T6, which I mentioned a few months ago, is appealing, but none in my budget are decent enough to be put to use for what I'd need.
Therefore I'm looking likely to go for a 2012-2014 aged one which seem to start around £8k... fits in my "under 10 years old" requirement for work.
I've all but discounted the chance of finding a worthy 5 series at that budget or similar so I think this will do the job....
Nice pic of Notre Dame you got the other month too!
The T6, which I mentioned a few months ago, is appealing, but none in my budget are decent enough to be put to use for what I'd need.
Therefore I'm looking likely to go for a 2012-2014 aged one which seem to start around £8k... fits in my "under 10 years old" requirement for work.
I've all but discounted the chance of finding a worthy 5 series at that budget or similar so I think this will do the job....
Nice pic of Notre Dame you got the other month too!
Shakermaker said:
Still reading this thread
The T6, which I mentioned a few months ago, is appealing, but none in my budget are decent enough to be put to use for what I'd need.
Therefore I'm looking likely to go for a 2012-2014 aged one which seem to start around £8k... fits in my "under 10 years old" requirement for work.
I've all but discounted the chance of finding a worthy 5 series at that budget or similar so I think this will do the job....
Nice pic of Notre Dame you got the other month too!
Would love a T6 one (if I could afford one) but even if I could the high tax bracket would put me off. Maybe just me?The T6, which I mentioned a few months ago, is appealing, but none in my budget are decent enough to be put to use for what I'd need.
Therefore I'm looking likely to go for a 2012-2014 aged one which seem to start around £8k... fits in my "under 10 years old" requirement for work.
I've all but discounted the chance of finding a worthy 5 series at that budget or similar so I think this will do the job....
Nice pic of Notre Dame you got the other month too!
Wish I had been to Notre Damn, but it was The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Amiens, which is a similar style and less burnt.
jmcc500 said:
Just read thread, please keep it up, very interesting!
My 940 estate succumbed to rust last year but I don’t think I am done with Volvo Estates yet. These seem great, but fuel consumption seems worse than I expected. Are the later cars more frugal?
I think mine age one is the least frugal. The 185bhp. The earlier one (163bhp) do nearer 50mpg, and the later ones (newer shape) get upwards of 40mpg.My 940 estate succumbed to rust last year but I don’t think I am done with Volvo Estates yet. These seem great, but fuel consumption seems worse than I expected. Are the later cars more frugal?
Thrilling update. New tyres fitted. The man Ali in mid-flow.
Huge difference to the noise and ride quality of the car, for the better, although I guess that was pretty predictable as the winter tyres that were removed were manufactured in the 42nd week of 2008. They had gone pretty hard and noisy. Rear pads need replacing next. It's endless.
17/6 - I've no idea why it won't display this thrilling picture?
Huge difference to the noise and ride quality of the car, for the better, although I guess that was pretty predictable as the winter tyres that were removed were manufactured in the 42nd week of 2008. They had gone pretty hard and noisy. Rear pads need replacing next. It's endless.
17/6 - I've no idea why it won't display this thrilling picture?
Edited by S100HP on Monday 17th June 09:29
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff