Converted to the dark side
Discussion
Oh dear, it seems that I have converted to the dark side and have switched from the Germans to the Swedes.... 
I bought an S60 T5 the other day and I am really impressed. Its a loverly car with low mileage and at a cracking price. I really struggled to justify say a BMW 330i Sport for around £12,000 when an equivalent S60 T5 was newer, lower mileage, better spec'ed and much less... In fact, I was surprised for how little these rockets go for!!!
I am looking forward to a long-term relationship with this interloper. But, anything to be aware of with these cars? Common faults worth dealing with? I also need some new tyres in the next couple of thousand miles - any suggestions of brand for better life and grip?
I bought an S60 T5 the other day and I am really impressed. Its a loverly car with low mileage and at a cracking price. I really struggled to justify say a BMW 330i Sport for around £12,000 when an equivalent S60 T5 was newer, lower mileage, better spec'ed and much less... In fact, I was surprised for how little these rockets go for!!!
I am looking forward to a long-term relationship with this interloper. But, anything to be aware of with these cars? Common faults worth dealing with? I also need some new tyres in the next couple of thousand miles - any suggestions of brand for better life and grip?
Re Tyres, don't but P6000's! They tramline awfully and ride is not good. I quite got on with Eagle F1's but you'll go through them fairly quickly whatever you buy. Falkens were OK for cheapies!
Main problems are suspension bushes etc, nothing really major AFAIK.
Have you got used to the comedy turning circle yet?
Main problems are suspension bushes etc, nothing really major AFAIK.
Have you got used to the comedy turning circle yet?
Hello off again,
Yes they are fine cars and still a relatively well kept secret.
As has been said the front lower forward bushes have voids in them and are not really up to the job....there is a replacement, stronger Volvo item, but you can fit Powerflex bushes which really are fit and forget.
The main bone of contention with the first year or so's production is the Magnetti Marelli eletronic throttle module that has proven a poor design, Volvo have been less than helpfull out of their otherwise excellent 3 year warranty, but have finally been shamed into some action. Later cars have a Bosch component that gives no problems.
It is well worth joining the Volvo Owners Club for £27 or so per year, they have a very busy site www.volvoclub.org.uk which is free to non members, but Membership brings stacks of real benefits.
Best never to deal with Volvo Dealers for service as they are expensive and many have the propensity to regard the money in your pocket as theirs when you walk through their doors...there are very many equally competant well equipped and trustworthy independant Volvo Specialists. I have to say however that Volvo dealers can be quite sharp on some parts pricing.
If you want good stuff for tuning then I am your man....
Regards, Don.Norchi.
www.kalmar-union.com
Yes they are fine cars and still a relatively well kept secret.
As has been said the front lower forward bushes have voids in them and are not really up to the job....there is a replacement, stronger Volvo item, but you can fit Powerflex bushes which really are fit and forget.
The main bone of contention with the first year or so's production is the Magnetti Marelli eletronic throttle module that has proven a poor design, Volvo have been less than helpfull out of their otherwise excellent 3 year warranty, but have finally been shamed into some action. Later cars have a Bosch component that gives no problems.
It is well worth joining the Volvo Owners Club for £27 or so per year, they have a very busy site www.volvoclub.org.uk which is free to non members, but Membership brings stacks of real benefits.
Best never to deal with Volvo Dealers for service as they are expensive and many have the propensity to regard the money in your pocket as theirs when you walk through their doors...there are very many equally competant well equipped and trustworthy independant Volvo Specialists. I have to say however that Volvo dealers can be quite sharp on some parts pricing.
If you want good stuff for tuning then I am your man....
Regards, Don.Norchi.
www.kalmar-union.com
evening offagain,
does yours have the 17s or 18s? I've used pzero rossos since I've had the car, and as I've just mentioned on another thread, whatever you get, you'll need new tyres quite regularly. Sometimes it's just too tempting to put your foot down in these things.
Turning circle is awful in the standard car. Add the larger wheels and lower suspension of the sport pack and when friends you're with on holiday do a U-ey in the middle of a sleepy devon town centre in their Galaxy, leaving you to do a 4 point turn while traffic stops and people watch, you will be cursing that turning circle
The boost is addictive. You find yourself using it to put a smile on your face. There is something very perverse about accelerating quickly in a volvo
I've just mentioned in gorvid's thread about the two things I've had to put up with - noisy suspension and melting headlights.
Spread the ovloV!
does yours have the 17s or 18s? I've used pzero rossos since I've had the car, and as I've just mentioned on another thread, whatever you get, you'll need new tyres quite regularly. Sometimes it's just too tempting to put your foot down in these things.
Turning circle is awful in the standard car. Add the larger wheels and lower suspension of the sport pack and when friends you're with on holiday do a U-ey in the middle of a sleepy devon town centre in their Galaxy, leaving you to do a 4 point turn while traffic stops and people watch, you will be cursing that turning circle
The boost is addictive. You find yourself using it to put a smile on your face. There is something very perverse about accelerating quickly in a volvo
I've just mentioned in gorvid's thread about the two things I've had to put up with - noisy suspension and melting headlights.
Spread the ovloV!
don kalmar union said:
If you want good stuff for tuning then I am your man....
Oh dear, you shouldnt have mentioned that!
I am actually looking to get it chipped up from the standard 250BHP. Since its an auto, what is the most reasonable balance of performance, price and power? I see quotes of 300 - 310BHP for the manual, but suspect that it needs to be a little lower than this for the auto..... also, does the MPG improve? Not that this matters, but might make it easier to justify to the wife at least! Oh, and how much for this too?
I totally agree change from the standard pirelli tyres, dont do the car any favours!
Their are a number of Re-maps available, your mpg will improve slightly and naturally you will get better performance.
Im not going to suggest any one particular re-map company as it will turn into an open argument as usual with a certain member.
Just have a look on the net and ask on a few different forums and see what you think from what people say.
Another good source of information from another busy board which is very friendly is:
www.volvot5.co.uk/forums/
And their is no charge at all for membership.
Their are a number of Re-maps available, your mpg will improve slightly and naturally you will get better performance.
Im not going to suggest any one particular re-map company as it will turn into an open argument as usual with a certain member.
Just have a look on the net and ask on a few different forums and see what you think from what people say.
Another good source of information from another busy board which is very friendly is:
www.volvot5.co.uk/forums/
And their is no charge at all for membership.
There is no charge for the use of most of the VOC site, however, the sections closed to non VOC members have plenty of very valuable info. that you will not find elswhere. Also full VOC membership gives many other valuable deals that are not available at all elsewhere.
Also worth looking at the US based site that is about as well frequented as the VOC.
www.swedespeed.com
Regards, Don.
www.kalmar-union.com
PS. Off again, if you could call or e mail me with the model year of your car I can give you exact details of what I have on the tuning front.
Also worth looking at the US based site that is about as well frequented as the VOC.
www.swedespeed.com
Regards, Don.
www.kalmar-union.com
PS. Off again, if you could call or e mail me with the model year of your car I can give you exact details of what I have on the tuning front.
Edited by don kalmar union on Monday 22 January 10:50
don kalmar union said:
PS. Off again, if you could call or e mail me with the model year of your car I can give you exact details of what I have on the tuning front.
Tried sending through your member details. Bounced I am afraid. Send me a PM through my profile and I will get back to you.
Its just like one long advert.
Edit; Congrats on the purchase.
Tyres, I have Conti Sport Contact 3s now which are low noise, and advoid the whole tramlining S60s seem to suffer from. Very good in the wet aswell where I like my tyres to count.
Edit; Congrats on the purchase.
Tyres, I have Conti Sport Contact 3s now which are low noise, and advoid the whole tramlining S60s seem to suffer from. Very good in the wet aswell where I like my tyres to count.
Edited by A - W on Monday 22 January 17:36
A - W said:
Its just like one long advert.
Edit; Congrats on the purchase.
Tyres, I have Conti Sport Contact 3s now which are low noise, and advoid the whole tramlining S60s seem to suffer from. Very good in the wet aswell where I like my tyres to count.
Edit; Congrats on the purchase.
Tyres, I have Conti Sport Contact 3s now which are low noise, and advoid the whole tramlining S60s seem to suffer from. Very good in the wet aswell where I like my tyres to count.
Edited by A - W on Monday 22 January 17:36
Interesting on the road noise thing - mine seems to suffer quite badly at high speeds, but suspect its the tyres and that they are worn.
Oh, and when does it get boring bating BMW's?
off_again said:
A - W said:
Its just like one long advert.
Edit; Congrats on the purchase.
Tyres, I have Conti Sport Contact 3s now which are low noise, and advoid the whole tramlining S60s seem to suffer from. Very good in the wet aswell where I like my tyres to count.
Edit; Congrats on the purchase.
Tyres, I have Conti Sport Contact 3s now which are low noise, and advoid the whole tramlining S60s seem to suffer from. Very good in the wet aswell where I like my tyres to count.
Edited by A - W on Monday 22 January 17:36
Interesting on the road noise thing - mine seems to suffer quite badly at high speeds, but suspect its the tyres and that they are worn.
Oh, and when does it get boring bating BMW's?
In a word Never, well until an M3 does it to you!
A - W said:
The 330d tends to pull away though.
The torque just keeps you there and even those in the CTR and 206 GTis have a second look at the kids in the back while we waft past.
The torque just keeps you there and even those in the CTR and 206 GTis have a second look at the kids in the back while we waft past.
Wouldn't have thought a 330d would beat an S60 t5 tbh, it's at least 35 hp down and a second to sixty down!
(unless of course it's in that "Real World" place where diesels are faster than a fast thing and big petrol engines stop working!)
i had a volvo t-5 and got it for 25k, sold it i think 3 years later for 6k, it had 110k miles on it and i had no problems with it except tyres, i now got updated facelift d5t version, again no problems
turning circle- crap
stereo system- excellent
ride quality- average, i dont really trust this car round corners as it doesnt feel connected to the road, its a bit too soft, also at v high speeds on a testrack , 140mph seems ok but after that car goes a bit light at back
put 18 inch rims on it, transforms the cars looks, turning circle gets worse though
i had pirellis on mine but now got goodyear 18 235. dont tramline much
what year is your car? i dont know why depreciation is so bad, anyone know?
turning circle- crap
stereo system- excellent
ride quality- average, i dont really trust this car round corners as it doesnt feel connected to the road, its a bit too soft, also at v high speeds on a testrack , 140mph seems ok but after that car goes a bit light at back
put 18 inch rims on it, transforms the cars looks, turning circle gets worse though
i had pirellis on mine but now got goodyear 18 235. dont tramline much
what year is your car? i dont know why depreciation is so bad, anyone know?
Edited by k321 on Monday 22 January 23:44
04 D5 of the 163 variety. When I bought ithe 185s were just out and I couldnt afford the newer one.
I am more then happy with the one I got, good colour inside and out and all the toys being the SE.
The power and torque are such much fun, most havent a clue that'll do what it does.
I scared a bloke the other night entering the NSL and as usual they wait for you to pass with it being a Volvo. He noticed I wasnt the bib and tried to keep up, sadly for him I didnt see him again tll the 30s.
I am more then happy with the one I got, good colour inside and out and all the toys being the SE.
The power and torque are such much fun, most havent a clue that'll do what it does.
I scared a bloke the other night entering the NSL and as usual they wait for you to pass with it being a Volvo. He noticed I wasnt the bib and tried to keep up, sadly for him I didnt see him again tll the 30s.
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