Comfy Volvo Content
Discussion
S100HP said:
CarlosV8 said:
That is awesome! Doesn't look like they did one for the V50 though... damn!
I can see no reason this wouldn't fit your car. It just latches round the boot latch and then stabilises against the bumper. Happy for you to use mine as a test.
Despite starting a thread looking for ideas for next car I'm not sure I'm ready to move mine on currently. Despite having 156k on the clock now it's probably in the best condition it has been during my ownership. I therefore decided it was time to bring it into more modern times and install a grom, giving me Bluetooth integration with the standard head unit.
As you can see they retail over £120, but I managed to nab one at half the price. It arrived today and I fitted this evening. I neglected to take any pictures but this video gives you an idea. You pop off the shifter surround, undo a few screws, slide the (massive) radio/climate unit, plug the grom in and put it all back together.
Here is a video for anyone interested.
https://youtu.be/LBtDcoBRHWs
It's a clever box of tricks, mimicking a 10 CD changer from the stereo point of view. I connected Bluetooth from my phone and can now stream music from my phone. I also ran the mic along the top of the transmission tunnel under the shifter/cup holders and it currently sits in the arm rest. The quality is excellent as you'd expect. A worthy investment brining the car into the 21st century.
As you can see they retail over £120, but I managed to nab one at half the price. It arrived today and I fitted this evening. I neglected to take any pictures but this video gives you an idea. You pop off the shifter surround, undo a few screws, slide the (massive) radio/climate unit, plug the grom in and put it all back together.
Here is a video for anyone interested.
https://youtu.be/LBtDcoBRHWs
It's a clever box of tricks, mimicking a 10 CD changer from the stereo point of view. I connected Bluetooth from my phone and can now stream music from my phone. I also ran the mic along the top of the transmission tunnel under the shifter/cup holders and it currently sits in the arm rest. The quality is excellent as you'd expect. A worthy investment brining the car into the 21st century.
Edited by S100HP on Wednesday 28th August 23:11
Very little to report of note in Volvo land. The XC70 has just ticked over 158500 miles having just returned us from a half-term trip from the New Forest to Minehead (which was a massive mistake, but the less said about that the better). It took us almost 4hrs to get there including stops, but the return leg at night, in the rain, took only 2hr40m. The car ran faultlessly, as you'd expect, and felt extremely competent at all time. It really is running nicer than ever in my ownership. I think the new tyres have helped massively with the ride quality and general feel of the car. We managed to squeeze everything for our week away in the boot too, somehow, although it was tight. I had to abort the collection of a mini-fridge on the way as there was no space left.
The only real issue I've had was a few days before we were due to depart (as you'd expect). I was parked up at the local Shell, filling the car up ready for the journey and noticed the front nearside tyre was looking a bit squidgy. I topped it up and the next morning it was clear it had dropped again. I went to my friendly tyre bloke who found the smallest sliver of metal embedded in the tyre. Thankfully it didn't write off my nearly new tyre, as he could repair it.
Apart from the excitement above, you may have seen I've set up the annual dirty car thread on here. I've had a good start with my Minehead journey as you can see
The only real issue I've had was a few days before we were due to depart (as you'd expect). I was parked up at the local Shell, filling the car up ready for the journey and noticed the front nearside tyre was looking a bit squidgy. I topped it up and the next morning it was clear it had dropped again. I went to my friendly tyre bloke who found the smallest sliver of metal embedded in the tyre. Thankfully it didn't write off my nearly new tyre, as he could repair it.
Apart from the excitement above, you may have seen I've set up the annual dirty car thread on here. I've had a good start with my Minehead journey as you can see
My Mother lives in Minehead, so I've heard lot of tales 
Be reet sir, that looks like an easy enough fix.
Glad to hear it's still serving you well. Part of me still regrets not buying an XC70 given the current weather / terrain where a couple of inches more ground clearance, not to mention some more grip would have been rather handy. I think if the right spec / drivetrain / colour combo came up at a non fantastical price, I'd be quite tempted.
Glad to hear it's still serving you well. Part of me still regrets not buying an XC70 given the current weather / terrain where a couple of inches more ground clearance, not to mention some more grip would have been rather handy. I think if the right spec / drivetrain / colour combo came up at a non fantastical price, I'd be quite tempted.
Davie said:
Be reet sir, that looks like an easy enough fix.
Glad to hear it's still serving you well. Part of me still regrets not buying an XC70 given the current weather / terrain where a couple of inches more ground clearance, not to mention some more grip would have been rather handy. I think if the right spec / drivetrain / colour combo came up at a non fantastical price, I'd be quite tempted.
I think you should. You had a P3 by all accounts isn't the same. Worse apparently. I suspect you'll find a P2 a bit wayward when driving, I fitted the strut bar mod which helped, but then I'm aware it's never going to set the world on fire dynamically and appreciate it for what it is. Comfy transport.Glad to hear it's still serving you well. Part of me still regrets not buying an XC70 given the current weather / terrain where a couple of inches more ground clearance, not to mention some more grip would have been rather handy. I think if the right spec / drivetrain / colour combo came up at a non fantastical price, I'd be quite tempted.
3rd visit to Ali in 3 weeks, twice for this car, once for hers. Unreal.
Edited by S100HP on Friday 15th November 09:13
S100HP said:
I think you should. You had a P3 by all accounts isn't the same. Worse apparently. I suspect you'll find a P2 a bit wayward when driving, I fitted the strut bar mod which helped, but then I'm aware it's never going to set the world on fire dynamically and appreciate it for what it is. Comfy transport.
Yes, had an 08 P3 XC70 D5 with a manual box and in many ways it was a great tool but it had some niggles and the potential spend looked like it could start to rival the old V70R and that was keeping me awake at nights so I bailed out. Though, part of the issue was I'd just sold said V70R and in comparison, the XC70 felt like a North Sea ferry. To be honest, I didn't really give it a chance. That was then, this is now and I think I've got 95% of the inner chav / boy racer out of me and I'm more accepting that the current situation dictates an XC70 would be a pretty good all rounder. I did dip my toe in to XC90 ownership, a rough fixer-upper but failed to remember that Mrs Davie was somewhat daunted by the XC70, never mind an XC90 plus it was getting a bit spendy too, so I binned it. Oddly, the P3 is seeemingly far more reliable as far as the AWD goes. The P2 shares all the ruinously expensive and problematic parts of the V70R but you'd have to be really unlucky to get one that needed the angle gear sleeve, the rear DEM and a new pump. Rest assured, I would. The P3 does feel big and heavy and to be honest, even with 185bhp it was dire... the only excuse it could possibly have for being so crap was that it was broken. I hope. So yes, a nice spec / good colour combo P2 XC70 would be a good shout. I actually really quite like the P2 cars, they just work and the three D5's I've had have been brilliant for what I need, though the question is "do I need AWD and more ground clearance" though given the battering the under carriage on mine is takes just now and the ever worsening conditions, the answer might be yes and given said V70 is starting to grate on me already, I've found myself browsing the classifieds... just looking dear, honest.
A couple of little bits done with the XC70 lately.
I ordered a few bits from Volvopartsonline.
The main purpose to was to replace these on both sides
Really easy to remove, just pop out the remaining plugs (mine had lost one), and the unclip and slide out to reveal years of grime.
A minor detail, but the new ones slot in place. The more observant will notice a new expansion tank cap (they are known to leak, and mine had a tiny bit of residue around the cap). I also ordered a couple of interior clips for the seatbelts. You don't need images of that.
The bigger job was the replacement of the gearbox oil. Volvo said these boxes are sealed for life but it's turned out with hindsight prudent to change the oil from time to time. Whilst there was nothing wrong with my gearbox shifting, at 159k and no history to show it's been changed I felt it time especially as I genuinely like this car and cannot see me moving it on for a while. Whilst I'll never reach r129sl level of dedication to his Merc, I like to think I could try.
I had considered changing this myself, but apparently the gearbox has to be told it's had an oil change via VIDA, and I don't have this, so I sent it away with Aaron from AMC Car Repairs down my way, who returned it a couple of hours later. I must have sounded like a right weirdo when I asked for a photo for this thread, but he kindly supplied a video of the oil coming out the box. As you can see, it was black, which isn't ideal.
Anyway, new oil has been installed (it's bloody expensive oil btw) and the car returned a few hours later. Whilst there was nothing wrong with the shifting beforehand, it now feels buttery smooth. Also unnoticeable, which was nice.
This brings us up to date. The car is now sitting on just over 159k and looking suitably dirty. It's in winter mode now with the bike rack on the roof so I can leave it at work some days and ride home.
I think it's due some suspension work next. Lower arms iirc from the last MOT. Good bus.
I ordered a few bits from Volvopartsonline.
The main purpose to was to replace these on both sides
Really easy to remove, just pop out the remaining plugs (mine had lost one), and the unclip and slide out to reveal years of grime.
A minor detail, but the new ones slot in place. The more observant will notice a new expansion tank cap (they are known to leak, and mine had a tiny bit of residue around the cap). I also ordered a couple of interior clips for the seatbelts. You don't need images of that.
The bigger job was the replacement of the gearbox oil. Volvo said these boxes are sealed for life but it's turned out with hindsight prudent to change the oil from time to time. Whilst there was nothing wrong with my gearbox shifting, at 159k and no history to show it's been changed I felt it time especially as I genuinely like this car and cannot see me moving it on for a while. Whilst I'll never reach r129sl level of dedication to his Merc, I like to think I could try.
I had considered changing this myself, but apparently the gearbox has to be told it's had an oil change via VIDA, and I don't have this, so I sent it away with Aaron from AMC Car Repairs down my way, who returned it a couple of hours later. I must have sounded like a right weirdo when I asked for a photo for this thread, but he kindly supplied a video of the oil coming out the box. As you can see, it was black, which isn't ideal.
Anyway, new oil has been installed (it's bloody expensive oil btw) and the car returned a few hours later. Whilst there was nothing wrong with the shifting beforehand, it now feels buttery smooth. Also unnoticeable, which was nice.
This brings us up to date. The car is now sitting on just over 159k and looking suitably dirty. It's in winter mode now with the bike rack on the roof so I can leave it at work some days and ride home.
I think it's due some suspension work next. Lower arms iirc from the last MOT. Good bus.
Edited by S100HP on Monday 2nd December 13:10
TurboRob said:
Currently on the lookout for a P2 XC70 for a house move/tip duties/doggies - found and enjoyed reading this thread.
What's the 2.4T petrol engine like in these? How does it compare to the D5?
My previous XC70 had the 2.4T engine. Was actually a really nice engine, 200bhp iirc. Pulled well and felt good, was mated to a 5 speed manual in that car. It worked well together, although I felt the auto would suit the style of the car more. Personally I think the D5/Auto combo is much better for the car, but I'd not discount a 2.4T manual. What's the 2.4T petrol engine like in these? How does it compare to the D5?
Edited by TurboRob on Sunday 26th January 18:09
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