2005 Volvo V70R as a daily
Discussion
A little back story first, prior to Covid I was doing 35,000 miles per annum so I had a newish Volvo V60 D4 which was a 2.0 diesel that could do 55mpg on a run. During Covid my work has changed to the point that my commute is 14 miles a day on the 2 or 3 days a week that I drive in. So I no longer needed a sensible economical wagon. My criteria for a new car were it had to be an automatic estate which was comfortable but could be quick if needed. I fancied a V6 or V8 petrol. I started looking at the usual suspects, BMW 5 Series, E Class and A6 but nothing really jumped out. I then thought about a T5 V70 as a left of field choice that would be reliable, fun and I have a local Volvo specialist who could look after it. I set up searches on here, Autotrader, Ebay etc but nothing came up that either hadn't been to the moon and back or was an import.
I ran into the V70R by total mistake in an Auction. The listing read really well. Original UK car, 1st registered by Volvo UK so really good spec, full Volvo Service History, last owner for 14 years etc. I was hooked. Jump forward to today when I collected the car and all I can say is that I am really please with my purchase. I bought the car from a real car enthusiast who took great pleasure in telling me about and showing me the rest of his fleet. The car was presented exactly as described with a stack of history including all of the MOT certificates and bills going back over the last 14 years of the last owners tenure.
My plan is to use it as a daily, I will only be doing 4 - 5000 miles per annum. I am fully prepared for the potential bills that an R can throw at its owner so some preventative maintenance is planned . I will try and keep this thread updated, some pictures below from the auction listing.
I ran into the V70R by total mistake in an Auction. The listing read really well. Original UK car, 1st registered by Volvo UK so really good spec, full Volvo Service History, last owner for 14 years etc. I was hooked. Jump forward to today when I collected the car and all I can say is that I am really please with my purchase. I bought the car from a real car enthusiast who took great pleasure in telling me about and showing me the rest of his fleet. The car was presented exactly as described with a stack of history including all of the MOT certificates and bills going back over the last 14 years of the last owners tenure.
My plan is to use it as a daily, I will only be doing 4 - 5000 miles per annum. I am fully prepared for the potential bills that an R can throw at its owner so some preventative maintenance is planned . I will try and keep this thread updated, some pictures below from the auction listing.
Edited by Simon-R on Wednesday 14th April 19:43
Nice choice. Test drove a V70R at the Prodrive test circuit in 2003 as part of a Volvo PR event. Nearly ordered a S60R as a result (didn't need an estate) but a mate who came to the same event said 'have you tried an S4?'. As they say, the rest is history. I'd still be tempted by a 'R' though
Great choice.
I've run an early 03 one of these as a daily for nearly 2 years, purchased on 120k now on 140k. Has been ultra comfortable, practicle and despite all the horror stories out there has been ultra reliable as well. Tyre and brake wear is high and the turning circle is truly shocking but this aside it's made a great family wagon.
I've run an early 03 one of these as a daily for nearly 2 years, purchased on 120k now on 140k. Has been ultra comfortable, practicle and despite all the horror stories out there has been ultra reliable as well. Tyre and brake wear is high and the turning circle is truly shocking but this aside it's made a great family wagon.
Simon-R said:
A little back story first, prior to Covid I was doing 35,000 miles per annum so I had a newish Volvo V60 D4 which was a 2.0 diesel that could do 55mpg on a run. During Covid my work has changed to the point that my commute is 14 miles a day on the 2 or 3 days a week that I drive in. So I no longer needed a sensible economical wagon. My criteria for a new car were it had to be an automatic estate which was comfortable but could be quick if needed. I fancied a V6 or V8 petrol. I started looking at the usual suspects, BMW 5 Series, E Class and A6 but nothing really jumped out. I then thought about a T5 V70 as a left of field choice that would be reliable, fun and I have a local Volvo specialist who could look after it. I set up searches on here, Autotrader, Ebay etc but nothing came up that either hadn't been to the moon and back or was an import.
I ran into the V70R by total mistake in an Auction. The listing read really well. Original UK car, 1st registered by Volvo UK so really good spec, full Volvo Service History, last owner for 14 years etc. I was hooked. Jump forward to today when I collected the car and all I can say is that I am really please with my purchase. I bought the car from a real car enthusiast who took great pleasure in telling me about and showing me the rest of his fleet. The car was presented exactly as described with a stack of history including all of the MOT certificates and bills going back over the last 14 years of the last owners tenure.
My plan is to use it as a daily, I will only be doing 4 - 5000 miles per annum. I am fully prepared for the potential bills that an R can throw at its owner so some preventative maintenance is planned . I will try and keep this thread updated, some pictures below from the auction listing.
That... Is lovely! I ran into the V70R by total mistake in an Auction. The listing read really well. Original UK car, 1st registered by Volvo UK so really good spec, full Volvo Service History, last owner for 14 years etc. I was hooked. Jump forward to today when I collected the car and all I can say is that I am really please with my purchase. I bought the car from a real car enthusiast who took great pleasure in telling me about and showing me the rest of his fleet. The car was presented exactly as described with a stack of history including all of the MOT certificates and bills going back over the last 14 years of the last owners tenure.
My plan is to use it as a daily, I will only be doing 4 - 5000 miles per annum. I am fully prepared for the potential bills that an R can throw at its owner so some preventative maintenance is planned . I will try and keep this thread updated, some pictures below from the auction listing.
Edited by Simon-R on Wednesday 14th April 19:43
These are a serious consideration as a replacement to my E39 touring, the day I decide to sell it on
Funnily enough I was behind one today, local to me, whilst out & about doing chores and it looked & sounded superb. UK model; grey colour, same alloys as yours but in a very bright silver and it looked very straight. It had an aftermarket exhaust that sounded a bit too 'drony' for my liking, but it looked a superb car
What's the potential bork factor on these as I know very little when it comes to Ovlovs?
d_a_n1979 said:
That... Is lovely!
These are a serious consideration as a replacement to my E39 touring, the day I decide to sell it on
Funnily enough I was behind one today, local to me, whilst out & about doing chores and it looked & sounded superb. UK model; grey colour, same alloys as yours but in a very bright silver and it looked very straight. It had an aftermarket exhaust that sounded a bit too 'drony' for my liking, but it looked a superb car
What's the potential bork factor on these as I know very little when it comes to Ovlovs?
The potential issues are The Geartronic Gearbox, The Haldex System, The 4C suspension, The liners in the Engine but with some predictive maintenance, most of this can be avoided. I think as long as you have a degree of mechanical sympathy you should be OK.These are a serious consideration as a replacement to my E39 touring, the day I decide to sell it on
Funnily enough I was behind one today, local to me, whilst out & about doing chores and it looked & sounded superb. UK model; grey colour, same alloys as yours but in a very bright silver and it looked very straight. It had an aftermarket exhaust that sounded a bit too 'drony' for my liking, but it looked a superb car
What's the potential bork factor on these as I know very little when it comes to Ovlovs?
There's quite a few of these knocking about coming in from Japan with low miles and I'm very tempted, a car I've always wanted and we'll never see the likes of again, certainly not from Volvo. There still quite dear though, £8k+ and stories of expensive trick suspension failures and transmission issues out me off.
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