Bargain Basement Volvo S60

Bargain Basement Volvo S60

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Challo

Original Poster:

10,041 posts

154 months

Wednesday 21st November 2018
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After agreeing to sell the BMW, I needed a new car asap I managed to find this Volvo on autotrader about 5 miles from my house. I had been looking at a E46 328 touring, but it needed new a new rear brake rebuild for the MOT and with no service history thought it could become a financial nightmare.

The car is a 2003 Volvo S60 2.0T SE, with 124k on the clock. It has a full service history, cambelt changed around 25k miles ago and an exterior and interior that i can only describe as mint condition. I need to get some more photo's at the weekend, but so far im enjoying it.



Couple of points that I need to look at:

Headlight output seems really dull, so will look at getting some brighter bulbs.
Gear change is very stiff, and sometimes 1st and reverse can be difficult to engage. The clutch feels ok, but apparently the gear selector cables can dry out so might need lubing.
The drivers speaker doesn't work
Slightly pull to the left, so will get the tyre pressures checked, and tracking done

Only 4 months MOT, but not bad for £900 biggrin

rednotdead

1,214 posts

225 months

Thursday 22nd November 2018
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Challo said:
Slightly pull to the left, so will get the tyre pressures checked, and tracking done
I had one of these for a while. The most comfortable car ever. But - they are susceptible to tyres, pressure and tracking. Ours came with Pirellis I think, once I changed them for some Goodyear F1s it was much better. Pressures needed to be spot on though.

M1C

1,832 posts

110 months

Thursday 22nd November 2018
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Great cars. Lovely car for the money, nice one smile

Sparkzz

450 posts

135 months

Thursday 22nd November 2018
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I have a 2005 s60 d5 with 227k miles. 1 owner before me. I paid £1,400.

I've owned it for about 18 months.

Wonderful cars, and cheap to run.

My only costs have been a new alternator belt which snapped due to being misassembled by a garage prior to my ownership and some new tyres.

Just booked the car in for some new discs and pads.

I fully intend to take the car on to 300,000 miles and it feels like it will do it no problem at all.

Bennyjames28

1,702 posts

91 months

Thursday 22nd November 2018
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I've always liked the look of these for some reason. Will follow thread.

Challo

Original Poster:

10,041 posts

154 months

Monday 26th November 2018
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So I have had the car for a week, but not had a chance to do many miles in it due to work commitments and using the missus car over the weekend. One thing I have noticed is the comical turning circle and having to bear this in mind when entering multi-story car parks. Overall its in lovely condition and very comfy to drive, and the 180bhp means this is quick enough when needed.

Couple of extra things I need to look at:

The trip/message computer doesn't work. Sometimes it comes on, but then flickers and goes out. The light is on, but no text is being displayed?

Also i think the clutch is on the way out. Difficult to select a gear from stand still when I depress the clutch. Once moving the gear changes are stiff, but occasionally the gear change is nice and easy. Went on the Volvo UK forum and some suggested clutch drag which would mean an expensive new clutch and may DMF? Need some further investigation.

I have added some pictures below and you can see this is does not look like a car that has done 124k miles. Even the body work is immaculate with only 1 small little car park ding.







Challo

Original Poster:

10,041 posts

154 months

Monday 17th December 2018
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  • *1 Month Update***
So one month in and the old Volvo is ticking along nicely, and certainly better on fuel than the auto E46. I have now realised how big the turning circle is in these, its defiantly changed my approach to parking and driving round multi-story car parks. I wasn't sure how the 2.0T engine would perform but it has a good turn of pace if you need it. Its so comfy on the motorway as well, a lot of my time is spent around town but the handful of longer journey's have been in supreme comfort.

I have started to notice a few clunks from the front and back of the car, so I suspect the bushes/drop links are on the way out. If i get some time over Xmas I will give it a look over.

The big issue is the clutch. On the test drive it was a little stiff, but the last few weeks its been a real struggle at times to get into gear. After some further research it looks like its suffering from clutch drag. The car is driveable, but I always start the car in gear to avoid having to force it into first. Apparently its going to a 1000 job for the clutch kit, dmf and labor on top. On a £900 not sure its worth it?

Any thoughts?


Mr Teddy Bear

186 posts

190 months

Monday 17th December 2018
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If the car is in otherwise good nick, could you buy better for 2.5k? If not bite the bullet.

All cars cost money, some more than others, but if you have a plan to run it upto 300k why change your mind at the first bill? All old cars need greater maintenance, but that's offset by no depreciation and cheaper spare parts.

Oh and find a Volvo specialist if you haven't already.

If you hang on to it for 5 -10 years and look after it you will probably sell it for more than you paid.

Sell it now and someone handy with spanners will land a bargain!

Edited by Mr Teddy Bear on Monday 17th December 14:11

Challo

Original Poster:

10,041 posts

154 months

Monday 17th December 2018
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Mr Teddy Bear said:
If the car is in otherwise good nick, could you buy better for 2.5k? If not bite the bullet.

All cars cost money, some more than others, but if you have a plan to run it upto 300k why change your mind at the first bill? All old cars need greater maintenance, but that's offset by no depreciation and cheaper spare parts.

Oh and find a Volvo specialist if you haven't already.

If you hang on to it for 5 -10 years and look after it you will probably sell it for more than you paid.

Sell it now and someone handy with spanners will land a bargain!

Edited by Mr Teddy Bear on Monday 17th December 14:11
I think my plan is to run it till the MOT in March and then decide long term on the plan. No issue with doing work myself, but i get a quote on the clutch and then make a call.

Lucky there is a Volvo specialist nearby, so will pop and get them to give it a once over.

Challo

Original Poster:

10,041 posts

154 months

Thursday 7th March 2019
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Today was MOT day. Booked in at ATS in Bracknell as they had MOT for 29.99 and a free retest which is stupidly cheap.

I was worried about the old girl has there has been plenty of knocks and crashing from the suspension. Turns out she did fail but only a couple of things.

1. Drop links
2. Front brake hoses
3. Headlight alignment

£40 at Eurocarparts and £60 labour to a mate and she should be good to go. No other advisories which is pretty good considering its done 125k and over 13 years old.

The clutch is dragging so will have to see how long that lasts.

Might even treat her to a service and a wash.

Ahbefive

11,657 posts

171 months

Thursday 7th March 2019
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Hard to replace such a good car even for £2k. I'd probably get the clutch replaced or at least take it to a specialist to get looked at. It's the worst bill you are likely to get in this car.

Challo

Original Poster:

10,041 posts

154 months

Thursday 7th March 2019
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Ahbefive said:
Hard to replace such a good car even for £2k. I'd probably get the clutch replaced or at least take it to a specialist to get looked at. It's the worst bill you are likely to get in this car.
I know what you mean, ideally would love an estate as we have a dog now but he won't mind the back seat.

I suspect it will need a clutch and DMF but will see what the specialist says.

BigMon

4,155 posts

128 months

Thursday 7th March 2019
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You can't beat old Volvos!

I've had my C70 cab since September 2017, put almost 10000 miles on it and it's been great. Just had a few consumables (brakes, gearbox oil, tyres, etc) but it's been faultless. I think you just keep old Volvos for the next owner really!

Mine has a comically bad turning circle too!

Challo

Original Poster:

10,041 posts

154 months

Tuesday 19th March 2019
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Got the car through the free retest and now has a clean MOT which is good for another year. I do still seem to here some knocking from the front and rear over rough roads so im wondering top mounts might be a cause.

Need to drop it into the local Volvo Specialist for a once over and highlight any issues.

aland75

172 posts

76 months

Wednesday 20th March 2019
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It’s not too bad to DIY the clutch and flywheel on these, I’ve done it a few times at home.
Suggest also changing the slave cylinder while apart.
Get on GSF’s email mailing list and wait for a 60% off deal to buy the parts.
However sometimes Volvo can beat even that deal, the last clutch etc I bought was from Caffyns Volvo for less!
Suspension stuff is all easy enough.

They are fantastic cars, my V70 D5 is on 273k and has no issues.

Challo

Original Poster:

10,041 posts

154 months

Monday 9th September 2019
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On a wim a picked up a E39 Touring a few weekends ago so the S60 is going up for sale. Its been on Gumtree and FB for the last week with no interest, but its due an oil service so will get that done this week and then re-advertise.

Its in fantastic condition, but needed an estate rather than a saloon. If anyone wants a cheap S60 let me know.

silverfoxcc

7,683 posts

144 months

Monday 9th September 2019
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Challo

If the DIM is making your teeth itch. and depending whereabouts in the south you are. There is a firm in Waltham Cross that will do a remove/repair/re install in about 4 hours in Waltham Cross Problem is i cannot remember their bloody name!

Challo

Original Poster:

10,041 posts

154 months

Monday 9th September 2019
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silverfoxcc said:
Challo

If the DIM is making your teeth itch. and depending whereabouts in the south you are. There is a firm in Waltham Cross that will do a remove/repair/re install in about 4 hours in Waltham Cross Problem is i cannot remember their bloody name!
Going to put the car up for sale, but thanks for the information.

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 9th September 2019
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Challo said:
On a wim a picked up a E39 Touring a few weekends ago so the S60 is going up for sale. Its been on Gumtree and FB for the last week with no interest, but its due an oil service so will get that done this week and then re-advertise.

Its in fantastic condition, but needed an estate rather than a saloon. If anyone wants a cheap S60 let me know.
This is the problem with sheds, if you drive them as a preference rather than because it is all you can afford the urge to frequently change is strong. When you know you can have a new (to you) car for less than the deposit on a lease you find yourself constantly on eBay and Facebook looking for something that might take your fancy.

If you are anything like me you will take great pleasure in cleaning and tidying the new shed, servicing it and fixing any issues. Once this is complete you get bored and want the next one. This is why I currently have the shed I bought last month, my old shed (not got round to selling it yet, plus wanted to see if the new shed was reliable) and I am still on eBay constantly looking at cars for under £1k.


Challo

Original Poster:

10,041 posts

154 months

Monday 9th September 2019
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Joey Deacon said:
This is the problem with sheds, if you drive them as a preference rather than because it is all you can afford the urge to frequently change is strong. When you know you can have a new (to you) car for less than the deposit on a lease you find yourself constantly on eBay and Facebook looking for something that might take your fancy.

If you are anything like me you will take great pleasure in cleaning and tidying the new shed, servicing it and fixing any issues. Once this is complete you get bored and want the next one. This is why I currently have the shed I bought last month, my old shed (not got round to selling it yet, plus wanted to see if the new shed was reliable) and I am still on eBay constantly looking at cars for under £1k.
Exactly. Had a S60 for 10 months with no issues, just needing a service and only problem it wasn't an estate. Bought an E39 for £500 with a lot of niggling issues (wheel alignment, suspension knocks, needs tyres, oil leaks, broken tailgate) which will end up costing me more money. The missus was not impressed as I now need to try and shift the Volvo.

To be honest the BMW was bought as a project to tinker with and the estate will be handy with the dog and tip runs but sometimes you think why am I getting rid of a perfectly good volvo.