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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
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
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
Another year, another MOT. The third in my possession. I've got into the habit of chucking it in early now, just in case, but I need not have worried this year as it passed without issue.
A couple of minors were flagged:
Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement
Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement
These were the same in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019. Not mentioned in 2017 oddly. As mentioned elsewhere in the thread, last years other advisories had been attended to (Tyres and rear pads)
Milage at this MOT was 161,289, meaning I've covered 9030 miles in the last year. The only comment from the garage was about it being a bit smokey, which was put down to lack of milage over the year. I can't recall the last time I took it for an extended motorway run to be fair. Anyway, they chucked in some EGR cleaner stuff, took it down the road and the emissions were lower on the second test.
Now the car has a 13 month MOT, there is part of me is thinking this is the time to move it on but I'm really struggling to work out what to replace it with, it just does everything without issue. I'm just hankering after something is a little more engaging, but I really don't want to spend any money!
A couple of minors were flagged:
Rear Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement
Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement
These were the same in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019. Not mentioned in 2017 oddly. As mentioned elsewhere in the thread, last years other advisories had been attended to (Tyres and rear pads)
Milage at this MOT was 161,289, meaning I've covered 9030 miles in the last year. The only comment from the garage was about it being a bit smokey, which was put down to lack of milage over the year. I can't recall the last time I took it for an extended motorway run to be fair. Anyway, they chucked in some EGR cleaner stuff, took it down the road and the emissions were lower on the second test.
Now the car has a 13 month MOT, there is part of me is thinking this is the time to move it on but I'm really struggling to work out what to replace it with, it just does everything without issue. I'm just hankering after something is a little more engaging, but I really don't want to spend any money!
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