Discussion
Still looking fab! Lovely photos!
Nothing much happened to mine recently; just keeps going nicely.
That said, I think a front wheel bearing may be on the cards in the next few months, which means buying one of those gen2 breaing puller kits. We'll see.
Can I ask what springs you fitted? If I keep the car beyond next MOT (Jan), I'll do the suspension properly and your suspension plan looks a good one to copy!
Nothing much happened to mine recently; just keeps going nicely.
That said, I think a front wheel bearing may be on the cards in the next few months, which means buying one of those gen2 breaing puller kits. We'll see.
Can I ask what springs you fitted? If I keep the car beyond next MOT (Jan), I'll do the suspension properly and your suspension plan looks a good one to copy!
RC1807 said:
Good photos.
I saw the Falkirk Wheel on TV the other day, Susan Calman thing on C5.
What an amazing feat of engineering the wheel is!
It’s a belter, I was lucky enough to film this for them last year, amazing to see it all up close.I saw the Falkirk Wheel on TV the other day, Susan Calman thing on C5.
What an amazing feat of engineering the wheel is!
https://youtu.be/TSXPMGDkLrE
The Falkirk Wheel was fantastic, a real engineering marvel. We took a trip on one of the tour boats which was fascinating. And the Kelpies a few miles down the road is also worth checking out if you're in that direction.
As for the springs, they were just generic motor factor items. It was discovered they needed changing when having the shocks replaced so had to accept what was on the shelf.
As for the springs, they were just generic motor factor items. It was discovered they needed changing when having the shocks replaced so had to accept what was on the shelf.
Time for an update! After the big Scotland trip last summer the Volvo hasn't seen much use - a few trips in between lockdowns, and commuting into work occasionally. The most exciting trip was a drive round Silverstone over Christmas:
IMG-20201230-WA0013 by CarlosV8, on Flickr
Unfortunately at sedate speeds to see the lights, but pretty cool nonetheless.
Based on the lack of use I foolishly thought it would just sail through it's MOT last month. WRONG! 5 failures and 3 advisories. Damnit. Probably should have done a service before the test!
All 5 failures related to the rear brakes. It seems the calipers have been binding (probably not helped by a lack of use) and this has killed what was left of the rear pads. I didn't have time or inclination to to sort out, so got the garage to put on new calipers, discs and pads in order to get it through the MOT. The advisories were a leaking exhaust, wear to the inside of a front tyre and signs of the tyres perishing.
The exhaust I knew would crop up as I temporarily patched it up last year with the intention of getting a new exhaust made up. Never got round to having that done. The inside tyre wear was annoying as I had the alignment done before going to Scotland - we did hit a few potholes whilst driving enthusiastically so I will get that checked out soon. The perishing tyres were more concerning, as I had 4 new Avons fitted 2 years ago. They were date stamped 2019, so should have had plenty of life left in them. I bought them through Blackcircles, so got in contact with them, not expecting to get anywhere, just to vent. Their customer services could not have been more helpful - asked me to provide pictures and tread depth measurements and very quickly got back to me offering me a refund based on the life left on the tyres. That equated to just over £200. Nice!
The only condition was that they wanted the old tyres back, so I couldn't just pocket the money. So last week a new set of Firestone tyres were fitted. Clearly, Avons were (and forever will be) avoided. The Firestone tyres get mostly good reviews for a mid range tyre, so we'll see how they go. With the refund accounted for I got the set of 4 new tyres fitted for £110, which isn't too bad.
A lot of expense summed up in one photo:
20210718_153627 by CarlosV8, on Flickr
I had the tyres fitted at home, but even that wasn't straight forward. Within 3 minutes of starting work I got a ring on the door bell and was given this:
2021-07-13_10-50-34 by CarlosV8, on Flickr
That's my locking wheel nut key, broken in 2. The guy couldn't get it back together, so that was game over. Luckily I had the paperwork with the key code, so managed to order a replacement from McGard in Germany for the princely sum of €18 delivered. It turned up 2 days later, that's German efficiency for you! Fortunately, with the use of some super glue and a vice I also managed to get the old one back together and got the wheels nuts off myself (I suspect if Mr Tyreman put his windy gun down he would have been alright!). Mr Tyreman2 then came out and got the tyres swapped. I put the locking wheel nuts back on myself!
Elsewhere, the oil has been replaced with 6 litres of Castrol's finest, along with the filter of course. And I've also replaced the gearbox mount, as I was getting some clunking as torque was put through the drivetrain. It's un uprated mount from Pumaspeed, often referred to as the e-Focus mount as it was inspired by the stiffer mount from an Electric Focus in the USA.
This is old vs new mounts:
20210717_110326 by CarlosV8, on Flickr
There's a lot more material in the new mount, but there is still some give so I'm hoping there won't be a major increase in harshness as a result.
And the final job of the weekend was a bi-annual wash:
2021-07-18_08-50-37 by CarlosV8, on Flickr
I was toying with the idea of moving the V50 on - it's been a great car and it's the longest I've kept a daily driver, but a small part of me fancied a change. However, with a load more money spent in the last month, it will likely stay for another year. Just need to decide if I want to throw a load more money at it sorting out the exhaust!
IMG-20201230-WA0013 by CarlosV8, on FlickrUnfortunately at sedate speeds to see the lights, but pretty cool nonetheless.
Based on the lack of use I foolishly thought it would just sail through it's MOT last month. WRONG! 5 failures and 3 advisories. Damnit. Probably should have done a service before the test!
All 5 failures related to the rear brakes. It seems the calipers have been binding (probably not helped by a lack of use) and this has killed what was left of the rear pads. I didn't have time or inclination to to sort out, so got the garage to put on new calipers, discs and pads in order to get it through the MOT. The advisories were a leaking exhaust, wear to the inside of a front tyre and signs of the tyres perishing.
The exhaust I knew would crop up as I temporarily patched it up last year with the intention of getting a new exhaust made up. Never got round to having that done. The inside tyre wear was annoying as I had the alignment done before going to Scotland - we did hit a few potholes whilst driving enthusiastically so I will get that checked out soon. The perishing tyres were more concerning, as I had 4 new Avons fitted 2 years ago. They were date stamped 2019, so should have had plenty of life left in them. I bought them through Blackcircles, so got in contact with them, not expecting to get anywhere, just to vent. Their customer services could not have been more helpful - asked me to provide pictures and tread depth measurements and very quickly got back to me offering me a refund based on the life left on the tyres. That equated to just over £200. Nice!
The only condition was that they wanted the old tyres back, so I couldn't just pocket the money. So last week a new set of Firestone tyres were fitted. Clearly, Avons were (and forever will be) avoided. The Firestone tyres get mostly good reviews for a mid range tyre, so we'll see how they go. With the refund accounted for I got the set of 4 new tyres fitted for £110, which isn't too bad.
A lot of expense summed up in one photo:
20210718_153627 by CarlosV8, on FlickrI had the tyres fitted at home, but even that wasn't straight forward. Within 3 minutes of starting work I got a ring on the door bell and was given this:
2021-07-13_10-50-34 by CarlosV8, on FlickrThat's my locking wheel nut key, broken in 2. The guy couldn't get it back together, so that was game over. Luckily I had the paperwork with the key code, so managed to order a replacement from McGard in Germany for the princely sum of €18 delivered. It turned up 2 days later, that's German efficiency for you! Fortunately, with the use of some super glue and a vice I also managed to get the old one back together and got the wheels nuts off myself (I suspect if Mr Tyreman put his windy gun down he would have been alright!). Mr Tyreman2 then came out and got the tyres swapped. I put the locking wheel nuts back on myself!
Elsewhere, the oil has been replaced with 6 litres of Castrol's finest, along with the filter of course. And I've also replaced the gearbox mount, as I was getting some clunking as torque was put through the drivetrain. It's un uprated mount from Pumaspeed, often referred to as the e-Focus mount as it was inspired by the stiffer mount from an Electric Focus in the USA.
This is old vs new mounts:
20210717_110326 by CarlosV8, on FlickrThere's a lot more material in the new mount, but there is still some give so I'm hoping there won't be a major increase in harshness as a result.
And the final job of the weekend was a bi-annual wash:
2021-07-18_08-50-37 by CarlosV8, on FlickrI was toying with the idea of moving the V50 on - it's been a great car and it's the longest I've kept a daily driver, but a small part of me fancied a change. However, with a load more money spent in the last month, it will likely stay for another year. Just need to decide if I want to throw a load more money at it sorting out the exhaust!
Good Stuff @CarlosV8, I suffer slight wear on inside of rear tyres, but that almost certainly down to wear in the suspension, I still get 35K+ from rear tyres though
My 2012 226K Mile V50 D2 just passed its MOT with no advisories.........another year ahead....but will the original clutch last.................
My 2012 226K Mile V50 D2 just passed its MOT with no advisories.........another year ahead....but will the original clutch last.................
Edited by DavidY on Tuesday 20th July 08:17
AJB88 said:
subscribed, there is something about Volvo estate threads that I love recently!
I've got a SAAB V6 estate myself. Keep up the good work.
I do love an estate with a bit of poke. You're Saab looks great, I never knew they came with that engine.I've got a SAAB V6 estate myself. Keep up the good work.
DavidY said:
Good Stuff @CarlosV8, I suffer slight wear on inside of rear tyres, but that almost certainly down to wear in the suspension, I still get 35K+ from rear tyres though
My 2012 226K Mile V50 D2 just passed its MOT with no advisories.........another year ahead....but will the original clutch last.................
Luckily the rears are wearing pretty evenly, and from memory there was no issues with the alignment. I have in the back of my mind that my clutch will need replacing at some point - but at 106k maybe it's only just worn in My 2012 226K Mile V50 D2 just passed its MOT with no advisories.........another year ahead....but will the original clutch last.................
waynedear said:
My s40 t5 came with no locking wheel nut key, like you £18 and 2 days, it is a brilliant service.
I was expecting at least a £50 bill from a dealer for it, so very pleased I could cut out the middle man. They even included a little bag of sweets in the box!Edited by CarlosV8 on Tuesday 20th July 12:41
CarlosV8 said:
Luckily the rears are wearing pretty evenly, and from memory there was no issues with the alignment. I have in the back of my mind that my clutch will need replacing at some point - but at 106k maybe it's only just worn in
My clutch reached the top of the pedal some 60K miles ago, still works though............ its not quite the driving experience it once was.......I suspect that because I keep buying replcament cars for the V50 that it will keep on going! I bought an end of line V40 two years ago, my wife used it, and I've ended up selling it to my stepson (well he's taken over the finance!) and then I've recently bought an XC60 (11K off list was too good to refuse), so my wife is currently using that, while I slum it in Victor the V50!!!
That's better!
20210728_223742 by CarlosV8, on Flickr
Should help with the tyre wear! I've now done a few miles with the new gearbox mount, and I think it's introduced a very small amount of vibration coming through the car. However, there are no more clunks or bangs, and it may be my imagination, but throttle response seems much more instant as there's no longer any slack in the drivetrain. Either way I'm happy and the Volvo is now ready for this years staycation road trip!
In other news, we added another old bus to the fleet this week:
20210728_183006 by CarlosV8, on Flickr
I mentioned earlier that I was considering moving the Volvo on, and this was the reason - no need for the estate any more so I could downsize the daily. But after spending a load of money on it in the last month I guess it can stay a bit longer. Which I'm OK with. It also means we now have a 3, 4, 5 and 6 cylinder car on the drive
20210728_223742 by CarlosV8, on FlickrShould help with the tyre wear! I've now done a few miles with the new gearbox mount, and I think it's introduced a very small amount of vibration coming through the car. However, there are no more clunks or bangs, and it may be my imagination, but throttle response seems much more instant as there's no longer any slack in the drivetrain. Either way I'm happy and the Volvo is now ready for this years staycation road trip!
In other news, we added another old bus to the fleet this week:
20210728_183006 by CarlosV8, on FlickrI mentioned earlier that I was considering moving the Volvo on, and this was the reason - no need for the estate any more so I could downsize the daily. But after spending a load of money on it in the last month I guess it can stay a bit longer. Which I'm OK with. It also means we now have a 3, 4, 5 and 6 cylinder car on the drive
Edited by CarlosV8 on Wednesday 28th July 22:56
Christmas update time! The Volvo has been behaving well since the expense of the MOT earlier in the year, which is good. We did another UK holiday in it over the summer, although only about 500 miles this time, rather than then the 1500 last year. A few of photos from our travels:
2021-08-02_12-18-33 by CarlosV8, on Flickr
20210803_234704 by CarlosV8, on Flickr
2021-10-29_06-55-24 by CarlosV8, on Flickr
Once again it was a joy to drive and quite at home either cruising on the motorway, or pushing on down a fast B road. Which is why it's going to be hard to part with after Christmas... the time has finally come for it to be moved on and it will be replaced with something entirely different - a Vauxhall Corsa-e
2021-08-02_12-18-33 by CarlosV8, on Flickr20210803_234704 by CarlosV8, on Flickr2021-10-29_06-55-24 by CarlosV8, on FlickrOnce again it was a joy to drive and quite at home either cruising on the motorway, or pushing on down a fast B road. Which is why it's going to be hard to part with after Christmas... the time has finally come for it to be moved on and it will be replaced with something entirely different - a Vauxhall Corsa-e
GrantD5 said:
Seeing the work going into this makes me miss the S60 but also not miss the work it needs!
Gald to see it's going well.
Cheers!Gald to see it's going well.
Max M4X WW said:
Be a shame to see it go! We had thought about going electric in something small but I ended up buying an Up GTI yesterday instead.
Going by the last photo you are pretty local to me as well..
Yes, it will be a shame. I've enjoyed my time with the V50, but after 3.5 years (the longest I've ever owned a daily!) it's time for a change.Going by the last photo you are pretty local to me as well..
I'd like an Up GTi, but it would be a little too small for us - I need something that will fit 3 of us and a bit of baggage (but has to be a hatch and not an SUV type thing) and the Corsa is about the minimum we would get away with. Saying that, I still think of a Corsa as a small car (based on Novas/Corsas back in the early 90s), but in reality the Corsa-e is about the same size as a mk3 Astra. I guess I'm just getting old and out-dated
I'm in Southampton, but had an evening out at the drive-in after getting free tickets
Sorry to see this thread closing.....................
Victor the V50 (my V50) is still happily going coming up to 232K (still original clutch), has shrugged off a slow speed head on collision when a pensioner lost control recently and hit me (stationery at the time, I had stopped) head on. Crack in bumper and grill (not claiming anything as an insuenace co will write the car off!! Pensioner pretty shaken up), but Victor is still rolling.......
Victor the V50 (my V50) is still happily going coming up to 232K (still original clutch), has shrugged off a slow speed head on collision when a pensioner lost control recently and hit me (stationery at the time, I had stopped) head on. Crack in bumper and grill (not claiming anything as an insuenace co will write the car off!! Pensioner pretty shaken up), but Victor is still rolling.......
Edited by DavidY on Tuesday 21st December 10:23
DavidY said:
Sorry to see this thread closing.....................
Victor the V50 (my V50) is still happily going coming up to 232K (still original clutch), has shrugged off a slow speed head on collision when a pensioner lost control recently and hit me (stationery at the time, I had stopped) head on. Crack in bumper and grill (not claiming anything as an insuenace co will write the car off!! Pensioner pretty shaken up), but Victor is still rolling.......
That sucks, but glad Victor is still going. I've got a spare pre face-lift grille if it helps?Victor the V50 (my V50) is still happily going coming up to 232K (still original clutch), has shrugged off a slow speed head on collision when a pensioner lost control recently and hit me (stationery at the time, I had stopped) head on. Crack in bumper and grill (not claiming anything as an insuenace co will write the car off!! Pensioner pretty shaken up), but Victor is still rolling.......
Edited by DavidY on Tuesday 21st December 10:23
Max M4X WW said:
It wasn't Love Actually was it? We got tickets from Sky too but I refused to go
Ha no, it was the original Addams Family with the little one.CarlosV8 said:
That sucks, but glad Victor is still going. I've got a spare pre face-lift grille if it helps?
Thanks for the offer, but Victor is far from pristine, and wears his small battle scars with pride! He's been a real workhorse and its only Covid that see his 25K+ miles a year drop, but we should hit moon mileage in a few months.Enjoy your new steed when youy get it
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