Volvo Classic V70 Tdi (manual) incredible mpg
Discussion
I've had my diesel V70 estate a couple of years or so now and it's reached 240k miles, at least the last 50k being mine.
It seems amazing this 16-17 year old car averages around 60mpg - dropping to maybe 56 in Winter and currently showing 64.9 for the last couple of tanks worth, all which seems to add up properly with a manual calculation.
Accepting I do a lot of fairly steady motorway miles but even chugging around locally it maintains similar economy.
And yes the usual motorway driving style is only 2100-2200 rpm max with cruise switched on giving around 68mph, and very occasionally a full blown flooring to discharge the exhaust buildup which seems to come with gentle driving.
But I don't see much in online archives from other V70 Tdi owners reporting this kind of economy - is it possible these engines loosen up as the milages become inter-stellar?
Amazing car - cost £870, not an ounce of rust, will take a double bed straight in with seats down, or fold out the otherwise invisible jump seats for a 7-seater, can tow a big caravan, never seems to go wrong - touch wood, a £30 oil service every 10k miles and 60mpg - it's the best all rounder I've ever had. The only negative is it's anything but flash, and now I'm so attached to it it's going to be some while before I ever own something shinier and newer.
It seems amazing this 16-17 year old car averages around 60mpg - dropping to maybe 56 in Winter and currently showing 64.9 for the last couple of tanks worth, all which seems to add up properly with a manual calculation.
Accepting I do a lot of fairly steady motorway miles but even chugging around locally it maintains similar economy.
And yes the usual motorway driving style is only 2100-2200 rpm max with cruise switched on giving around 68mph, and very occasionally a full blown flooring to discharge the exhaust buildup which seems to come with gentle driving.
But I don't see much in online archives from other V70 Tdi owners reporting this kind of economy - is it possible these engines loosen up as the milages become inter-stellar?
Amazing car - cost £870, not an ounce of rust, will take a double bed straight in with seats down, or fold out the otherwise invisible jump seats for a 7-seater, can tow a big caravan, never seems to go wrong - touch wood, a £30 oil service every 10k miles and 60mpg - it's the best all rounder I've ever had. The only negative is it's anything but flash, and now I'm so attached to it it's going to be some while before I ever own something shinier and newer.
Yes agreed - very heavy footed Italian tuneup is a must particularly before the MoT.
I bought the (manual) V70 Tdi after driving the other half's one around France and back with 7 people and a roof box on, average was around 50mpg.
As I said, mine averages over 60mpg but there are factors which I believe have a significant impact:
1. Manual gearbox more economical
2. Cold weather - seems to drop 5-10mpg when freezing
3. Load - carrying tool boxes etc drops a few mpg
4. Tire pressures - around 40psi in the fronts
5. Driving style - try to keep 2100rpm or below
6. The car has an amazing ability to coast under its own momentum - if doing 60mph I can often let off the accelerator completely about 0.5 to 1 mile away from an approaching roundabout, depending on circumstances
7. Proportion of mileage on the motorway - mine is high but then the motorways are as often as not stop-start these days and the none motorway mpg seems not much different in this car anyhow
I had an E39 530 diesel before and with the same driving style I could only get about 42mpg compared to 60+ in the V70
A trader currently has one with 80k Miles up for £3700 at the moment which is frankly ridiculous money - if it was £2500 I wouldn't think twice.
I bought the (manual) V70 Tdi after driving the other half's one around France and back with 7 people and a roof box on, average was around 50mpg.
As I said, mine averages over 60mpg but there are factors which I believe have a significant impact:
1. Manual gearbox more economical
2. Cold weather - seems to drop 5-10mpg when freezing
3. Load - carrying tool boxes etc drops a few mpg
4. Tire pressures - around 40psi in the fronts
5. Driving style - try to keep 2100rpm or below
6. The car has an amazing ability to coast under its own momentum - if doing 60mph I can often let off the accelerator completely about 0.5 to 1 mile away from an approaching roundabout, depending on circumstances
7. Proportion of mileage on the motorway - mine is high but then the motorways are as often as not stop-start these days and the none motorway mpg seems not much different in this car anyhow
I had an E39 530 diesel before and with the same driving style I could only get about 42mpg compared to 60+ in the V70
A trader currently has one with 80k Miles up for £3700 at the moment which is frankly ridiculous money - if it was £2500 I wouldn't think twice.
£650? - bargain!!!
Mine was £870 couple of years ago similar or a tad higher mileage.
By the way, make sure the belts and water pump are either in good shape or have been changed every 80k Mls - they are physically interconnected and it's a potential engine killer on failure.
I've also found with the Classic it has such a heavy lump at the front, try and keep in mind how the dynamics of the weight distribution will be working when you're driving it.
This especially on roundabouts and when cornering - front suspension, bearings and steering rack can take an uneccesarily heavy beating otherwise.
I used to cringe when seeing how the other half treated hers (only had 165k when she decided it was 'unreliable' and px'd it to a garage without telling me - I was mortifed).
Mine was £870 couple of years ago similar or a tad higher mileage.
By the way, make sure the belts and water pump are either in good shape or have been changed every 80k Mls - they are physically interconnected and it's a potential engine killer on failure.
I've also found with the Classic it has such a heavy lump at the front, try and keep in mind how the dynamics of the weight distribution will be working when you're driving it.
This especially on roundabouts and when cornering - front suspension, bearings and steering rack can take an uneccesarily heavy beating otherwise.
I used to cringe when seeing how the other half treated hers (only had 165k when she decided it was 'unreliable' and px'd it to a garage without telling me - I was mortifed).
So it's a couple of years or so since posting the original and the old TDI made it to 300k miles before being sold for £550, that's £320 less than I'd paid around 120k miles earlier. With the economy it must have saved me £000's.
I only sold the car after finding an almost exact replica coming up to 20 yrs old with only 75k miles although no cruise control and no OBC both which I miss, and no leather, which I don't.
This car is pretty sluggish compared to the previous one though and only averages around 54 mpg so far. I'm considering a few things to try and get it 'up to speed' as it were...
1. EGR cleaner in the fuel tank
2. EGR delete
3. A Ronbox Synergy 4
Not many V70 TDi's being kept going now it seems - I'm tracking one at the moment I might buy from a guy in Glasgow, selling for scrap £200 due to an ABS sensor failure. Such a pity - these Direct Injection cars can run on used chip oil, can achieve 60mpg or thereabouts, can be maintained for a few £/Yr, don't rust, can carry 7 people with rear jump seats, are great comfortable cruisers for long journeys, and everyone who owns them loves them. Mine will see me out. If you find one - buy it!
I only sold the car after finding an almost exact replica coming up to 20 yrs old with only 75k miles although no cruise control and no OBC both which I miss, and no leather, which I don't.
This car is pretty sluggish compared to the previous one though and only averages around 54 mpg so far. I'm considering a few things to try and get it 'up to speed' as it were...
1. EGR cleaner in the fuel tank
2. EGR delete
3. A Ronbox Synergy 4
Not many V70 TDi's being kept going now it seems - I'm tracking one at the moment I might buy from a guy in Glasgow, selling for scrap £200 due to an ABS sensor failure. Such a pity - these Direct Injection cars can run on used chip oil, can achieve 60mpg or thereabouts, can be maintained for a few £/Yr, don't rust, can carry 7 people with rear jump seats, are great comfortable cruisers for long journeys, and everyone who owns them loves them. Mine will see me out. If you find one - buy it!
Edited by Rob-u50pm on Wednesday 19th February 09:29
Edited by Rob-u50pm on Wednesday 19th February 22:00
Cheers watchnut, I'm only just getting to grips with what's worth doing <proactively> to the TDI even though this is my third one - I've never had to look into it they've been so reliable and economical.
I think the same as you - I'm going to do everything I can to keep the car going. Would rather maintain this relic with all its eco and other capabilites over something newer that's more likely to fail.
Would be nice to find a V70 TDI 'expert' to get some advice from - there seem only ancient posts online and very few maintenance related video clips.
Good for 500k with maintenance they say - I guess at 244k you could be about half way there?! At this rate I'll be 92 when mine conks out.
I think the same as you - I'm going to do everything I can to keep the car going. Would rather maintain this relic with all its eco and other capabilites over something newer that's more likely to fail.
Would be nice to find a V70 TDI 'expert' to get some advice from - there seem only ancient posts online and very few maintenance related video clips.
Good for 500k with maintenance they say - I guess at 244k you could be about half way there?! At this rate I'll be 92 when mine conks out.
Edited by Rob-u50pm on Wednesday 19th February 22:04
Mate!!! (Rikki 337)
Looks like you've been doing some great work on the old girl!?
I was looking for your contact details the other day - I still have the radio unit. If you still need it let me have your number and we'll work out a way to get it to you?
I picked up another TDi with only 75k miles by the way but very sluggish compared to yours and it has only been giving me 51mpg even with my regular steady right foot. I've just managed to fit a Ronbox Synergy 4 which I'm hoping will improve the mpg - it's certainly not quite as sluggish now.
Are you enjoying yours? I'm sure it must have had a remap at some point to achieve that sort of performance. You haven't spotted a tuning box on there at all have you - maybe it did, I never looked into mods as it was already awesome!
Best, Rob.
Looks like you've been doing some great work on the old girl!?
I was looking for your contact details the other day - I still have the radio unit. If you still need it let me have your number and we'll work out a way to get it to you?
I picked up another TDi with only 75k miles by the way but very sluggish compared to yours and it has only been giving me 51mpg even with my regular steady right foot. I've just managed to fit a Ronbox Synergy 4 which I'm hoping will improve the mpg - it's certainly not quite as sluggish now.
Are you enjoying yours? I'm sure it must have had a remap at some point to achieve that sort of performance. You haven't spotted a tuning box on there at all have you - maybe it did, I never looked into mods as it was already awesome!
Best, Rob.
How did you get on mate? Was there a tuning box attached?
I'm still a bit behind yours on economy even after fitting the box. Not too bad now at 56.6mpg (was only achieving 51mpg pre-box) but I've some way to go.
I've tried a different combination of settings and a couple of other tweeks including a good clean out if the MAF sensor and housing so will be interesting to see how it pans out after another tank of fuel (will be some months with the Covid-19 lockdown).
My email is unchanged by the way but didn't see anything from you. If you did email it must have gone to Spam, so drop a line here and we'll work out a way to get the radio unit to you?
Best, Rob.
I'm still a bit behind yours on economy even after fitting the box. Not too bad now at 56.6mpg (was only achieving 51mpg pre-box) but I've some way to go.
I've tried a different combination of settings and a couple of other tweeks including a good clean out if the MAF sensor and housing so will be interesting to see how it pans out after another tank of fuel (will be some months with the Covid-19 lockdown).
My email is unchanged by the way but didn't see anything from you. If you did email it must have gone to Spam, so drop a line here and we'll work out a way to get the radio unit to you?
Best, Rob.
"hose from/to the turbo had a little split in it."...
Now there's a thought - Watchnut was the mpg down as a result?
If so I'll probably get a butane canister and blow it around the vaccuum pipes to see if I can identify any leaks. Some while ago I watched a YouTube clip of a guy doing it that way - is safer than it sounds.
Currently I've turned the settings right down on the new Ronbox tuning box I fitted and it seems very happy. Will report back when I've done enough miles to understand the effects on economy 👍
Now there's a thought - Watchnut was the mpg down as a result?
If so I'll probably get a butane canister and blow it around the vaccuum pipes to see if I can identify any leaks. Some while ago I watched a YouTube clip of a guy doing it that way - is safer than it sounds.
Currently I've turned the settings right down on the new Ronbox tuning box I fitted and it seems very happy. Will report back when I've done enough miles to understand the effects on economy 👍
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