Johnny50

Does anyone have any experiance with one of these ?

The wife and i are thinking of one as a replacement for the Civic.
I've looked around a bit, and seems like it's not easy to get a manual, as they're mostly autos.

And want to get one with the GT pack on it.

Lots of nice mods available for them.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Andy M3

Not that i am a know it all. But i am. Ex t5 owner [850 Estate] hung around volvot5.co.uk a lot.

Volvo's are great cars, will do monster miles with little wear to engine / box /interior / exterior. If anything looks ropey then it has been abused - walk away. Full dealer history is a must - all of them are high spec - so look out for those with a sunroof and climate CD changer etc. The cars are based on the 70 series saloon and estate, which in turn are based on the 850's. So handling wise it is ample. Comfortable though - i did 1500 miles in 7 days in the 850 across Europe in 30 degree + temps without a hic up.

Engine wise, i personally would avoid the 2.0t as it would feel a little gutless despite the LPT. T5 is the obvious choice with 240 hp - awesome mid range ability and potential tuning [i ran over 300 hp without a hitch]. It is still relaxing to drive and not at all agressive with the power delivery. MPG is poor throughout the range. 18-30 mpg can be expected from all cars. Ours was an auto and spent most of it's time stop starting and got 18-23 mpg. Mixed driving in a manual would achieve 25 mpg.

Gearbox. I had an auto, nothing wrong with it and worked well with lots of power. However it isn't cutting edge, and although smooth can be a little clumsey at times. The manual is good and is slightly quicker than a manual. But the C70 is a GT - so i would probably have an auto but only with a T5. 2.0t needs a manual.

I hope i haven't missed anything. Let me know if you need more.

Andy

EDIT: More info.

Check the history to see what sensors have been replaced, especially the MAF sensor or o2 sensors, if these havent been done expect them to go soon.

Take a good test drive, excessive wind noise from the doors may mean the doors need re-hanging which will cost a fortune, also put the windows up and down at the same time, if one is noticeably slower the motor is probably on its way out, really expensive job!

One last thing with the car standing still before go on a drive, turn the wheel lock to lock and when it gets near full lock you will probably hear a bang which means the joints will probably need re-greasing, not difficult or expensive but annoying!

The Zohan

Great in a sttraight line and now bad around bends, it really is a Grand Tourer by nature
C70 GT has 250BHP from memory, used to keep up with my lightly modded MY99 until it did get twisty.

Has great std ICE courtsey of Bose with 'surround, about 11 speakers from memory.

Will eat tyres, engine sounds fab!

Pretty tough but service history is all.

Johnny50

Wow Andy...

Thanks very much for that. Very much appreciated.
Have driven plenty T5`s in my time, from early 850, to the last shape V70. And loved them.

Dont think there`s anything you`ve missed...thats exactly the type of info i was needing.
Still trying to decide wether to go Volvo, or return to a scoob. I know i`ll get more car per pound with the Vovlo though.

Can i ask what mods you were running ? I`ve noticed that eurosports do an ECu upgrade which they state gives 310bhp...perhaps a tad optimistic.

Paul, many thanks for your reply aswell. I`ve heard the stereos are fantastic !

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Only other weak point is the rear crankshaft oil seal... part is 50p but around £500 labour. Go for a car with blue Volvo grille badge as theses have an OBD11 port and the Bosch ME7 engine management system.

Johnny50

Is there a certain model year that they changed ?

Andy M3

ME7's are more tunable than the early engines and can take around 400hp - i think these were 2000> models. volvotuninguk.com are the people that deal with tuning in the Midlands. I had a a RICA ECU [£600] and ITG panel filter [£40] and that was it. Supposed to be 304 hp on 98 ron. I never had it RR, but what matters is the on road performance - and to bench mark it's mid range ability my 850 Estate auto could crawl past a 996 C4S, E36 M3 is similar mid range, Audi S8 exactly the same from 60 mph to 150 + etc etc. The C70 is quicker and also features a different turbo to the 850's. It has a Mitsubishi 16T which means not as quick to pick up but pull hard to the top.

A rica'd manual C70 will take on all scoobies in a straight line. But Volvo's don't do bends !!! It is a quality car though, and very different to a scoob.

Johnny50

Just been on the volvotuninguk webiste.
They're actually doing a special offer on the T5 upgrades at the moment.

RICA chip, plus ITG panel, and cat-back stainless exhaust for £699+vat
Not too shabby really.
And at least guaranteed to break the 300bhp mark.

Think how much money i would've saved if i bought one of these instead of chasing 300bhp in my old scoob.

Andy M3

Personally, i wouldn't bother with the exhaust unless you were doing a DP and sports cat, which will cost you about £900. If you have all of it done, i am sure you will get a good deal. remember that the car you are buy may need a major service before you tune it. But i have a vid clip of my car from standard to 120 mph. This is auto remember:

http://s23.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=1...T1SUA7RRCOT32D

Another vid clip of a Volvo C70 T5 with mitsubishi 19T turbo, and 3" dp, race cat and full system and a remap. It has been RR @ 350hp, so not too shabby ! Cost for the engine mods alone on this car are circa £3000 +

Recaro

This is a mates T5

Hey has more pictures herehttp://chriswhiteuk.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

Definately check out http://www.volvot5.co.uk.

I've been in it, and it definately is a fast car. Doesnt go round bends well but on a straight it flys.

But, I think its a big car. If you park it in a car park, the spaces are a tight fit and it seems to be very long and overhangs car parks spaces.

Oh, the stereo is good. I reckon the speaker in the middle is the reason.

Johnny50

Cheers Guys.
Andy, the auto still seems to pick up speed well....and that was standard was it ? Looked good.

Recaro, cheers for that link, cracking car your mates got.
I love that colour, but, the wife hates it.

Andy M3

The car had a RICA ECU and ITG panel filter and well serviced. That's it.

Miss it lots now after all this chat

Johnny50

lol. Not surprised.
As much as i fancy another scoob. The comfort factor is swaying me towards the C70.
I just didn't realise they had came down so much in price till i looked.

Plenty out there by the look of it.
Ideally, i would like a manual, but if the auto is stil good, i'd be persuaded.

Andy M3

http://www.volvot5.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=2967

Check this link out. A match made in heaven !

Bobfrog

Recaro, does your mate Chris work in Halfrauds HQ?

Johnny50

If only the damn civic was sold.


Thats just ace that is.