C30 D3 or D4 - reliable?

[mikeyscott]

Looking at C30 D3 or D4 as a commuting car, circa 80 miles a day.

How economical are they compared to their stated figures?

Reliable etc?

Looking at 10-12 plate, £6-8k at most. Originally was looking at £2k cars, but want comfort and some tech etc.

Running a 135i at mo, but that’ll be parked up or sold.

Like the look of this one, but £££
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2018...

Had a S40 T5 a few years back on an 08 plate and was so comfortable.

[KAC30]

Hiya

I have a D5. Totally reliable except for normal maintenance. Car handles nicely. Ride a good compromise. Front seats are so comfortable. In normal trim was getting 38 - 40 mpg but I don't hang around. Had it re-mapped and goes really well, now doing around 42 mpg. Best thing is you don't see many so nice and exclusive. Glass only rear hatch is a novelty. Probably one of those really good cars that got overlooked for more mainstream products and badges. Would recommend.

K

[mikeyscott]

Many thanks. I purchased a C30 D4 last weekend and been driving it all week, certainly more relaxing than my 135i. Even more so as i’m Let out at junctions.

Will take it up to RT Volvo Specialists very soon and equally will look forward to a drive in my 135i soon.

Went for a 60 plate high spec with 85k on it. It’s a “cheap” daily. However I’ll be getting bushes and all that checked. If required will fix powerflex and if suspension seen better days a Bilstein B12 kit will go on. As for mapping nope, focus is a LSD into my 135i or sell it with an aim of a Porsche Cayman. Need a bigger drive.

[LiquidGnome]

I get up to about 47 MPG on mine (D4). Not too bad. The sound system is excellent, the best I've heard in a car.

[chilistrucker]

KAC30 said:

Hiya

I have a D5. Totally reliable except for normal maintenance. Car handles nicely. Ride a good compromise. Front seats are so comfortable. In normal trim was getting 38 - 40 mpg but I don't hang around. Had it re-mapped and goes really well, now doing around 42 mpg. Best thing is you don't see many so nice and exclusive. Glass only rear hatch is a novelty. Probably one of those really good cars that got overlooked for more mainstream products and badges. Would recommend.

K

Anymore info on the remap, who, where and cost?

Like the fact that they have a decent sound system in them, I do like my music in the car.

[mikeyscott]

chilistrucker said:

KAC30 said:

Hiya

I have a D5. Totally reliable except for normal maintenance. Car handles nicely. Ride a good compromise. Front seats are so comfortable. In normal trim was getting 38 - 40 mpg but I don't hang around. Had it re-mapped and goes really well, now doing around 42 mpg. Best thing is you don't see many so nice and exclusive. Glass only rear hatch is a novelty. Probably one of those really good cars that got overlooked for more mainstream products and badges. Would recommend.

K

Anymore info on the remap, who, where and cost?

Like the fact that they have a decent sound system in them, I do like my music in the car.

Sound system really good and helps my daily 90 miles.

Might chop my 135i in for an RS3 / M or Cayman if goes well

[chilistrucker]

mikeyscott said:

chilistrucker said:

KAC30 said:

Hiya

I have a D5. Totally reliable except for normal maintenance. Car handles nicely. Ride a good compromise. Front seats are so comfortable. In normal trim was getting 38 - 40 mpg but I don't hang around. Had it re-mapped and goes really well, now doing around 42 mpg. Best thing is you don't see many so nice and exclusive. Glass only rear hatch is a novelty. Probably one of those really good cars that got overlooked for more mainstream products and badges. Would recommend.

K

Anymore info on the remap, who, where and cost?

Like the fact that they have a decent sound system in them, I do like my music in the car.

Sound system really good and helps my daily 90 miles.

Might chop my 135i in for an RS3 / M or Cayman if goes well

[Otispunkmeyer]

Good to hear good things about the d3/d4. Currently considering one as a replacement for a 595 abarth. The abarth, bless it, is a fantastic car but ultimately the wrong car for a 30 mile each way cross country commute.

Don't get me wrong, it's a blast when you get that bit of open road. But those are few and far between, normally stuck in a big snake of bozos doing 37. Being 6ft3 the abarth does get uncomfortable after half an hour and the low speed ride is wearing.

Need something equally a bit left field... Comfy, good stereo, but of pace. Just something that you can get into after a hard day and not have it be grumpy at you for not wanting to give it maximum attack.

I know Volvo's have epic seats (ex S60 owner). Main question is will the fuel tank enable a week's driving (330 miles just for work) without needing to fill up!? (Abarth does ok on mpg at 37, but it's got a thimble for a fuel tank. It's toast by Wednesday evening usually!)

Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Friday 2nd March 22:32

[TiminYorkshire]

We're thinking of one of these for the other half so watching this thread with interest.

[mikeyscott]

After my first week commuting 90 miles everyday i’m Impressed. Comfortable, pokey and i’ve got 50mpg in the dash. Will know the real number next time I fill up and enter the details into road trip app.

Coped well in the snow too, those 215/45 tyres that people moan about.

If contract gets extended and i’m there next winter i’d Prob get some 17” wheels and put winters on

[Otispunkmeyer]

Yes drove a D3 today.

Have to say, it’s a good engine that. Lovely and smooth, but also hushed with just a nice low down warble coming through when you accelerate. Car rides well, very quiet and of course seats are epic. My only reservation is the clutch pedal which seems to have way too much travel and a sticky bottom. Steering is light, but it suits the effortless nature of the car.

[mikeyscott]

Otispunkmeyer said:

Yes drove a D3 today.

Have to say, it’s a good engine that. Lovely and smooth, but also hushed with just a nice low down warble coming through when you accelerate. Car rides well, very quiet and of course seats are epic. My only reservation is the clutch pedal which seems to have way too much travel and a sticky bottom. Steering is light, but it suits the effortless nature of the car.

Clutch pedal feels the same as mine, steering extremely light compared to my E82 135i.

Engine rattles a bit, but I'm a petrol man - will be ordering oil for it and checking. I'll get the oil done every 10k rather than the 16k quoted. Don't like leaving oil for big miles.

[KAC30]

chilistrucker said:

mikeyscott said:

chilistrucker said:

KAC30 said:

Hiya

I have a D5. Totally reliable except for normal maintenance. Car handles nicely. Ride a good compromise. Front seats are so comfortable. In normal trim was getting 38 - 40 mpg but I don't hang around. Had it re-mapped and goes really well, now doing around 42 mpg. Best thing is you don't see many so nice and exclusive. Glass only rear hatch is a novelty. Probably one of those really good cars that got overlooked for more mainstream products and badges. Would recommend.

K

Anymore info on the remap, who, where and cost?

Like the fact that they have a decent sound system in them, I do like my music in the car.

Sound system really good and helps my daily 90 miles.

Might chop my 135i in for an RS3 / M or Cayman if goes well

Sorry been away. C30d5.Had it mapped at Devil Developments in Sussex (Evolution chip) Cost £300 . I don't like rolling roads so don't know exact outputs. BHP up from 180 to around 210, but its the torque that's the killer, C30 autos start at peak of 250ftlb but the manual has 299ftlb. The map has prob put on approx. another 50ftlb. run it for 5k so far with no issues. Only small issue is on 2008 models only a map can cause a fault code to appear. Its a not a real one and a Volvo dealer can sort it for you at a service. Something to do with the fact that the 2008 model D5 had 2 ecu's. Only 2008 model affected and as said my Volvo guy sorted FOC at service. When you consider a M3 has around 313ftlb in a heavier car the 3rd to 6th gear acceleration can surprise. Getting approx. 5-8mpg more after map. As said before not many around so nice and rare. Not a bad little car with a bit of fun thrown in.

[KAC30]

Sorry just to confirm, run car for 5k after map with no issues.

[MYOB]

mikeyscott said:

I'll get the oil done every 10k rather than the 16k quoted. Don't like leaving oil for big miles.

I thought the D4 service interval was 12k. I'm sure it's only the 5-pot D5 with a 16k service interval. Or 1 year, whichever is soonest.

Regardless, there's no need to change the oil at 10k.

[LiquidGnome]

MYOB said:

I thought the D4 service interval was 12k. I'm sure it's only the 5-pot D5 with a 16k service interval. Or 1 year, whichever is soonest.

Regardless, there's no need to change the oil at 10k.

The D4 is also a 5-pot. In the C30. The new D4 is a 4-pot. Great naming by Volvo.

[LiquidGnome]

Otispunkmeyer said:

Good to hear good things about the d3/d4. Currently considering one as a replacement for a 595 abarth. The abarth, bless it, is a fantastic car but ultimately the wrong car for a 30 mile each way cross country commute.

Don't get me wrong, it's a blast when you get that bit of open road. But those are few and far between, normally stuck in a big snake of bozos doing 37. Being 6ft3 the abarth does get uncomfortable after half an hour and the low speed ride is wearing.

Need something equally a bit left field... Comfy, good stereo, but of pace. Just something that you can get into after a hard day and not have it be grumpy at you for not wanting to give it maximum attack.

I know Volvo's have epic seats (ex S60 owner). Main question is will the fuel tank enable a week's driving (330 miles just for work) without needing to fill up!? (Abarth does ok on mpg at 37, but it's got a thimble for a fuel tank. It's toast by Wednesday evening usually!)

Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Friday 2nd March 22:32

I get about 520 miles per tank.

[MYOB]

LiquidGnome said:

The D4 is also a 5-pot. In the C30. The new D4 is a 4-pot. Great naming by Volvo.

I'm aware of that, but can see why you thought I wasn't aware. But my point remains, I believe it's only the older D5 with a service interval of 16k miles. Everything else is 12k.

I referred to the "5 pot D5" because the newer D5s are 4 cylinders.

[LiquidGnome]

MYOB said:

I'm aware of that, but can see why you thought I wasn't aware. But my point remains, I believe it's only the older D5 with a service interval of 16k miles. Everything else is 12k.

I referred to the "5 pot D5" because the newer D5s are 4 cylinders.

Ah sorry, my mistake.

[MYOB]

LiquidGnome said:

Ah sorry, my mistake.

Don't be daft, I didn't explain myself concisely