Annual/12k Service - Really Necessary?
Discussion
If you want it to last I'd get it serviced. Back street bob won't charge much for basic oil and filters. Or, if able do it yourself. Equally keep the cam belt changes up to date, If it goes twang its goodnight engine.
As for the bulbs on your car not a clue sorry. Some are packed in by air boxes and other bits that make access hard. For £7 quid Halfords will fit.
As for the bulbs on your car not a clue sorry. Some are packed in by air boxes and other bits that make access hard. For £7 quid Halfords will fit.
The real answer is it depends...
Are you intending to keep it ?
I have mechanical sympathy and want my cars to live as long as possible but when I removed the sump of my 115k diesel I was shocked to see it was spotless.
In the old days I'd expect to remove inches of thick black sludge.
So if it's had decent owners before I suspect you could get away without changing it for 50k or so - depends how lucky you feel.
Are you intending to keep it ?
I have mechanical sympathy and want my cars to live as long as possible but when I removed the sump of my 115k diesel I was shocked to see it was spotless.
In the old days I'd expect to remove inches of thick black sludge.
So if it's had decent owners before I suspect you could get away without changing it for 50k or so - depends how lucky you feel.
I'd have it serviced, or if you intend to keep it a while (service history not so relevant on resale) do it myself. Oil + filter is easy and cheap.
As for the HID bulbs, no idea. Probably as simple as the standard H7 on the V50 tough. That's very easy, the Volvo engineers put some thought into that (headlamp assembly can be removed quite quickly, good to work on). Think there's a video on YT.
As for the HID bulbs, no idea. Probably as simple as the standard H7 on the V50 tough. That's very easy, the Volvo engineers put some thought into that (headlamp assembly can be removed quite quickly, good to work on). Think there's a video on YT.
Find some vouchers online for a fast fit place and get a cheap oil change done while you wait/watch. It usually doesn't take a rocket scientist to change an air filter either and they're also cheap from a motor factor.
Cam belt depends on how lucky you're feeling. At 4 grand I'd probably err on the side of caution.
Cam belt depends on how lucky you're feeling. At 4 grand I'd probably err on the side of caution.
Headlamp bod change is child's play. There is a stainless steel tent peg like pin, which enables you to remove the whole headlight in, quite literally, seconds, with no tools.
Once the headlight is out, remove the rear cover, then remove the ballast with a quarter turn, then uncle the bulb as normal.
Replacement bulb from here: http://www.hids4u.co.uk/
I've ordered from there twice, the bulbs are exactly the same as the Volvo OE Philips and will be delivered next day.
Once the headlight is out, remove the rear cover, then remove the ballast with a quarter turn, then uncle the bulb as normal.
Replacement bulb from here: http://www.hids4u.co.uk/
I've ordered from there twice, the bulbs are exactly the same as the Volvo OE Philips and will be delivered next day.
Marty Funkhouser said:
Am currently running a Volvo V50 diesel shed (paid £4k for it).
It was serviced last November since when we've done 10k miles - is it really worth getting a basic service done? Or maybe wait another 6 months?
Also, how easy are the new high intensity headlight bulbs to replace?
Absolutely, annually or 8-10k miles, whichever happens first imo. Easy to do yourself and if you do all the plugs/filters you'll easily have change from £100.It was serviced last November since when we've done 10k miles - is it really worth getting a basic service done? Or maybe wait another 6 months?
Also, how easy are the new high intensity headlight bulbs to replace?
You know you're on PH where 4k is 'shed' money!
*bemoans poverty*
I'm also running a shed but a £281 one, I've had the old girl for a couple of years now.
I don't have it serviced as such but I have an oil and filter change done once a year and just clean out the air and pollen filters once in a while.
The last mot picked up on the front disks and pads needed sorting and I've had the odd drop link replaced once in awhile.
If it starts missing in the future I may bung in some new plugs or change the ht leads.
But I guess you can go without scheduled servicing but I wouldn't go without changing the oil as I believe that's false economy.
Also if your not servicing the car look under the bonnet every couple weeks just to look for any oil or water leaks, and check fluid levels etc.
I don't have it serviced as such but I have an oil and filter change done once a year and just clean out the air and pollen filters once in a while.
The last mot picked up on the front disks and pads needed sorting and I've had the odd drop link replaced once in awhile.
If it starts missing in the future I may bung in some new plugs or change the ht leads.
But I guess you can go without scheduled servicing but I wouldn't go without changing the oil as I believe that's false economy.
Also if your not servicing the car look under the bonnet every couple weeks just to look for any oil or water leaks, and check fluid levels etc.
I would certainly stay well on top of oil and filter changes on a turbo diesel. The oil gets contaminated with soot particles over time and this makes it abrasive. Fresh oil is a must to protect the turbo. In fact, cheaper oil and half the service interval wll be far better than expensive 'long life' oil and trying to push the service interval out to 20k.
Whenever you read stories of mad folk who've pushed cars out to a million miles their 'secret' is always regular oil changes.
Whenever you read stories of mad folk who've pushed cars out to a million miles their 'secret' is always regular oil changes.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff