Considering V70, so many variants...
Discussion
Evening all,
I am looking at these to replace my other halfs ageing Ford Focus TDCI 130 which has been brilliant but I'm not sure it will see another winter again due to a cold start problem.
This would be her car to commute in, approx 22 miles round trip and take the role of family duties. My family is all around the country so it would probably do the occasional long trip. I'm undecided on petrol or diesel. The must haves include rear parking sensors, front would be a bonus but not essential, heated seats, leather and xenons. We live out in the sticks so decent lights for night time driving is important. I'm aware some of these came with tasty sound systems and as I like my music, one of the uprated systems would be great but not essential. I don't like the older pre 1999 shape.
Budget is £5k but ideally less. A T5 would be nice but I've heard they suffer problems with cylinder linings or is that just the ford ST 5 pots? My other car is a golf R32 so having 2 cars with awful consumption isn't ideal.
I've heard auto boxes are quite unreliable, is this true? The main thing above everything is it needs to be reliable. I know they can take big miles but is there anything which I should specifically check? What are the big cost items which are weak?
So, back to the original question, which variants should I be looking at based on the above?
Many thanks
I am looking at these to replace my other halfs ageing Ford Focus TDCI 130 which has been brilliant but I'm not sure it will see another winter again due to a cold start problem.
This would be her car to commute in, approx 22 miles round trip and take the role of family duties. My family is all around the country so it would probably do the occasional long trip. I'm undecided on petrol or diesel. The must haves include rear parking sensors, front would be a bonus but not essential, heated seats, leather and xenons. We live out in the sticks so decent lights for night time driving is important. I'm aware some of these came with tasty sound systems and as I like my music, one of the uprated systems would be great but not essential. I don't like the older pre 1999 shape.
Budget is £5k but ideally less. A T5 would be nice but I've heard they suffer problems with cylinder linings or is that just the ford ST 5 pots? My other car is a golf R32 so having 2 cars with awful consumption isn't ideal.
I've heard auto boxes are quite unreliable, is this true? The main thing above everything is it needs to be reliable. I know they can take big miles but is there anything which I should specifically check? What are the big cost items which are weak?
So, back to the original question, which variants should I be looking at based on the above?
Many thanks
I cannot help with suggestions for which variant to get. But I doubt you will get a V70 with xenon for £5K. I have heard some of the older V70s have had problems with the automatic gearboxes but couldn't tell you which ones. Might be wise to join up on the Volvo forums and seek advice over there:
http://www.volvoforums.org.uk
http://www.volvoforums.org.uk
My advice would be to set a budget and a rough age of car, then search around those criteria. For example, at that price you can get an old shape v70 like this http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...
and it'll be relatively low mileage for the age of it.
The newer model came out in 2007 and is probably slightly more modern inside but will probably be a bit leggier.
I had a car a bit like the one above....mine was on a 57 plate and a run out model and called a Sport Special Edition. It was the 185bhp model and an auto. It was a cracking car, quick enough for a family wagon, reasonably economical and had a massive boot, comfortable ride and the best seats I've ever sat in.
The auto isn't an issue as such but Volvo branded it as sealed for life and the general consensus is that it needs a oil change, if you want it to last.
and it'll be relatively low mileage for the age of it.
The newer model came out in 2007 and is probably slightly more modern inside but will probably be a bit leggier.
I had a car a bit like the one above....mine was on a 57 plate and a run out model and called a Sport Special Edition. It was the 185bhp model and an auto. It was a cracking car, quick enough for a family wagon, reasonably economical and had a massive boot, comfortable ride and the best seats I've ever sat in.
The auto isn't an issue as such but Volvo branded it as sealed for life and the general consensus is that it needs a oil change, if you want it to last.
For optimum reliability and economy I think general consensus is to get a Euro 3 era D5 (so the 163bhp one) with the manual gearbox. Euro3 D5s have a black plastic engine cover like this:
The Euro4 have more emissions nonsense, so more to go wrong, and they lose about 10mpg in real world compared to the Euro3. Admittedly the Euro3 may be banned from cities at some point, who knows!
The earlier automatics (2000-2003 ish?) were a little less reliable, but I think they're rumoured to have sorted the things out after a few years. Same with rumours of dodgy electrics etc (dashboard especially) they were largely sorted after a few years, the facelift model having a different dash that had none of the previous electrical gremlins, often earlier cars having the later dash as a replacement (I think it's distinguished by the silver edging around the gauges)
You can get a very decent one for £2k - £3k, the facelift D5 manuals are commanding a very slight premium just because people are apparently aware they're the one to go for if possible.
Big wheels (there was an 18" option) don't help the ride comfort, and rub the arch liners (from new!).
They all quite enjoy a diet of front suspension bits because they're heavy cars. Replacements should be a decent brand or OEM (although Volvo parts are expensive) if you want them to last.
Not the last word in cornering finesse by any means.
None of the stereo options from the 2000-2007 era have bluetooth, but you can buy one of the CD changer bluetooth plugin bits that do the job and allow you to skip tracks from the steering wheel for example.
If you get one, replace the fuel filter just to be sure, as old / clogged fuel filters can make it cut out when you're very low on fuel, which is inconvenient.
If you're particularly budget conscious, avoid the 4C adjustable suspension, simply because the shock absorbers are about £325 a pair and you can't retrofit normal dampers, so if they wear out, it could get expensive. This is admittedly much better than it used to be now you can just buy the Monroe parts online, apprently OEM prices were eye watering!
If the steering wheel resistance pulses whilst holding a steady angle when cornering, the steering rack has issues. This is expensive to replace due to labour (dropping the subframe I think?) but they have been known to soldier on for 10s of thousands of miles without failing, it's just something to be aware of, they don't "all do that sir"
Here's mine:
The Euro4 have more emissions nonsense, so more to go wrong, and they lose about 10mpg in real world compared to the Euro3. Admittedly the Euro3 may be banned from cities at some point, who knows!
The earlier automatics (2000-2003 ish?) were a little less reliable, but I think they're rumoured to have sorted the things out after a few years. Same with rumours of dodgy electrics etc (dashboard especially) they were largely sorted after a few years, the facelift model having a different dash that had none of the previous electrical gremlins, often earlier cars having the later dash as a replacement (I think it's distinguished by the silver edging around the gauges)
You can get a very decent one for £2k - £3k, the facelift D5 manuals are commanding a very slight premium just because people are apparently aware they're the one to go for if possible.
Big wheels (there was an 18" option) don't help the ride comfort, and rub the arch liners (from new!).
They all quite enjoy a diet of front suspension bits because they're heavy cars. Replacements should be a decent brand or OEM (although Volvo parts are expensive) if you want them to last.
Not the last word in cornering finesse by any means.
None of the stereo options from the 2000-2007 era have bluetooth, but you can buy one of the CD changer bluetooth plugin bits that do the job and allow you to skip tracks from the steering wheel for example.
If you get one, replace the fuel filter just to be sure, as old / clogged fuel filters can make it cut out when you're very low on fuel, which is inconvenient.
If you're particularly budget conscious, avoid the 4C adjustable suspension, simply because the shock absorbers are about £325 a pair and you can't retrofit normal dampers, so if they wear out, it could get expensive. This is admittedly much better than it used to be now you can just buy the Monroe parts online, apprently OEM prices were eye watering!
If the steering wheel resistance pulses whilst holding a steady angle when cornering, the steering rack has issues. This is expensive to replace due to labour (dropping the subframe I think?) but they have been known to soldier on for 10s of thousands of miles without failing, it's just something to be aware of, they don't "all do that sir"
Here's mine:
Edited by SturdyHSV on Friday 24th March 09:46
Thanks Sturdy HSV and others for your pointers. I will continue to research and take a look at the classifieds and come back with some questions if I need to. So consensus is not to go for the slightly more pokey 185bhp version of the D5 as its less reliable? And the facelift is from 2004 onwards?
I've got the 185bhp Euro 4 in my Mk3. I've had no issues so far (115k), but is certainly much less economical than what the 165bhp boys report. I do a steady 50mph most days on cruise control through the M3 contraflow and computer says 41mpg, but in reality it is a little less than that. 25mpg when towing 1.4ton caravan and probaly about 30mpg around town. It's still an awesome straightline cruiser.
Mine also has a bit of an additction to consuming front and rear suspension parts. These are Mondeo Mk4 and not really up to the job. Rear control arm bushes were very expensive from Volvo (maybe £170? ech), but I was pleasantly surpised recenlty to find that the complete front control arms are only £108-ish, including ball joint. Wheel bearings should be considered consumables. Don't make my mistake of fitting 'Swedish' pattern parts from partsforvoloonline. They both failed quickly. One in just 1,000 miles.
Mine also has a bit of an additction to consuming front and rear suspension parts. These are Mondeo Mk4 and not really up to the job. Rear control arm bushes were very expensive from Volvo (maybe £170? ech), but I was pleasantly surpised recenlty to find that the complete front control arms are only £108-ish, including ball joint. Wheel bearings should be considered consumables. Don't make my mistake of fitting 'Swedish' pattern parts from partsforvoloonline. They both failed quickly. One in just 1,000 miles.
I've been looking for a little while and really want a V70 (or an S60) facelift with the 163 Euro3 engine, SE spec and rear parking sensors, without moon miles (comfortable up to 150k ish mind). I want full history with a documented cambelt change, and nice bodywork and interior. I don't expect brand new. Not too fussed on auto or manual.
With the V70 the prices are all over the place. £1800 gets a leggy / tatty car, £5k gets a low-ish miles lovely car, and a seemingly random spread in between.
I've saw an honest 100k miler advertised for £3k and it sold within an hour.
S60s seem a bit more available, you can get a very nice car for £2k it seems.
Some of the 'S' spec cars have lots of options, so don't rule them out.
Also, I think the 185 engine is just as good, but the DPF can give issues if you just potter about, and they are quite a bit less economical. You can however get a nice car with this engine for not much £££. So if you do motorway miles then worth considering I reckon.
With the V70 the prices are all over the place. £1800 gets a leggy / tatty car, £5k gets a low-ish miles lovely car, and a seemingly random spread in between.
I've saw an honest 100k miler advertised for £3k and it sold within an hour.
S60s seem a bit more available, you can get a very nice car for £2k it seems.
Some of the 'S' spec cars have lots of options, so don't rule them out.
Also, I think the 185 engine is just as good, but the DPF can give issues if you just potter about, and they are quite a bit less economical. You can however get a nice car with this engine for not much £££. So if you do motorway miles then worth considering I reckon.
Dan Gleables said:
rear parking sensors
Didn't know these were an option, that would be useful as I'm very wary of backing the tow bar through someone's bumper 
This looks to suit your bill (154k miles facelift Euro3 D5 in SE spec with rear parking sensors)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Volvo-V70-2-4-auto-2004M...
Edited by SturdyHSV on Monday 27th March 11:15
Edited by SturdyHSV on Monday 27th March 11:16
It's certainly worth holding out for the right car. I wanted a euro3 manual facelift v70, and has almost convinced myself that geartronic would be OK, when the right car popped up on gumtree local to me, 140 miles in the first day and really liking it so far. Never ceases to amaze what you can pick up for not a lot of money.
si_xsi said:
Budget is £5k but ideally less. A T5 would be nice but I've heard they suffer problems with cylinder linings or is that just the ford ST 5 pots? My other car is a golf R32 so having 2 cars with awful consumption isn't ideal.
The earlier T5's (2000 onwards) were still the old 2.3 bottom end so no worries there and the later one's were 2.4 so again, no worries. The 2.5 was the one with the iffy liners, but again some cars have done 25k+ with no issues.
If MPG is your thing then a T5 isn't... they're fine on a motorway cruise, maybe 35mpg if you're careful but town and B-road and especially with the Geartronic box and it'll be low 20's.
The "best" all rounder is a sort of 2004 D5 SE with the facelift (ie clear lights / chrome bumper inserts etc) and the earlier 163bhp engine and the manual gearbox.... very difficult to find however.
I looked for one for a while and gave up!
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