C70 - Help please!

[phil1979]

Hi Guys,

I'm still looking at the old shape C70 for my next car. I've test driven the 2.0, and it's too wheezy, so looking at the 2.4T now. But yet to find a good one, so yet to drive that model. From the range, which is best though?

2.0T
2.4 GS
2.4T GT
2.3 T5

Does anyone have any info on mpg's on the motors listed above, and any notes on things to look out for/avoid?

I'm looking to spend up to £7.5k

Ta!
Phil.

[oogieboogie]

Old C70 is a nicer shape IMO, especially the rear.
GS / GT is all about trim spec.
From what I understand the electric seats are v. slow.

Engine - depends what you're after - all out speed is the 2.3 T5 which is what I went with (as a hard top).
I also tried the 2.0T and was not impressed.
Doubt you'll have to go to £7.5k
Wait for the right one - there are some very clean cars out there if you can afford to be patient.
I'd assume the Volvo Owners Club forum will have some kind of buyers guide (though I can never find my way round the site).

Here's Parkers guide - the Tech Data tab will give you an impression for comparison but the numbers don't really stack up. My T5 does 60 in less than their estimate but averages mpg closer to 26 than 28 - and I'm light on the gas too. Short runs will get you 20-24. Motorway will get you 30-ish.

Here's a guide for T5's in all shapes www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?t=7657&highlight=buyers+guide
(can't get that link to embed I'm afraid)

Old versions 97-98 have throttle cable newer versions 99-00 (aka ME7) have electronic throttles. These are the ones watchdog have been looking at (see thread on this forum). Mine had the problem but freebie clean and new software solved it. If it needs a new ETM you'll have to pay towards it. (Edit to clarify - I think this is all C70's not just T5s but worth you checking with Volvo UK Customer Services 0845 756 4636 who are very helpful)

Eats front tyres I'm led to believe - haven't had mine long enough to know, but T5 will wheelspin in 4th - a lot of horses for FWD, and no matter what engine there's a lot of weight.

Edited by oogieboogie on Wednesday 7th March 21:50

[phil1979]

oogieboogie said:

Old C70 is a nicer shape IMO, especially the rear.
GS / GT is all about trim spec.
From what I understand the electric seats are v. slow.

Engine - depends what you're after - all out speed is the 2.3 T5 which is what I went with (as a hard top).
I also tried the 2.0T and was not impressed.
Doubt you'll have to go to £7.5k
Wait for the right one - there are some very clean cars out there if you can afford to be patient.
I'd assume the Volvo Owners Club forum will have some kind of buyers guide (though I can never find my way round the site).

Here's Parkers guide - the Tech Data tab will give you an impression for comparison but the numbers don't really stack up. My T5 does 60 in less than their estimate but averages mpg closer to 26 than 28 - and I'm light on the gas too. Short runs will get you 20-24. Motorway will get you 30-ish.

Here's a guide for T5's in all shapes www.vpcuk.org/forums/showthread.php?t=7657&highlight=buyers+guide
(can't get that link to embed I'm afraid)

Old versions 97-98 have throttle cable newer versions 99-00 (aka ME7) have electronic throttles. These are the ones watchdog have been looking at (see thread on this forum). Mine had the problem but freebie clean and new software solved it. If it needs a new ETM you'll have to pay towards it.

Eats front tyres I'm led to believe - haven't had mine long enough to know, but T5 will wheelspin in 4th - a lot of horses for FWD, and no matter what engine there's a lot of weight.

Thanks - great info. Regarding the ETM - what sort of costs are involved? Is it a must to have done as a precaution, or only on ones that go wrong?

Cheers
Phil.

[swedish nemesis]

phil1979 said:

Hi Guys,

I'm still looking at the old shape C70 for my next car. I've test driven the 2.0, and it's too wheezy, so looking at the 2.4T now. But yet to find a good one, so yet to drive that model. From the range, which is best though?

2.0T
2.4 GS
2.4T GT
2.3 T5

Does anyone have any info on mpg's on the motors listed above, and any notes on things to look out for/avoid?

I'm looking to spend up to £7.5k

Ta!
Phil.

Hi have a look at this car, it might be of interest to you!: www.volvoclub.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=33237

Cheers

[oogieboogie]

The ETM isn't a must but I think the upgrade is advisable. I was going to leave alone as it was running fine, then one day it decided to play up so I had no choice. The software and clean is FREE at any Volvo main dealer. If it fails completely I believe Volvo are now putting up a bigger percentage of the price (originally only 20%) but you'd have to ring Volvo UK Customer Services (0845 756 4636).

These are the models affected:
C70 1999-2002
S70 1999-2000
S60 2001 all engine variants, 2002 non-turbo only
V70 1999-2001 all engine variants, 2002 non-turbo only
V70XC 1999-2000
XC70 2001
S80 1999-2001

Edited by oogieboogie on Wednesday 7th March 21:53

[phil1979]

swedish nemesis said:

phil1979 said:

Hi Guys,

I'm still looking at the old shape C70 for my next car. I've test driven the 2.0, and it's too wheezy, so looking at the 2.4T now. But yet to find a good one, so yet to drive that model. From the range, which is best though?

2.0T
2.4 GS
2.4T GT
2.3 T5

Does anyone have any info on mpg's on the motors listed above, and any notes on things to look out for/avoid?

I'm looking to spend up to £7.5k

Ta!
Phil.

Hi have a look at this car, it might be of interest to you!: www.volvoclub.org.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=33237

Cheers

Thanks for the link - nice spec, and well looked after, but I don't think I could handle the colour. Ideally looking for a black one. Thanks all the same - Phil.

[oogieboogie]

I haven't read this yet so can't comment on contents, but here's a magazine write up from 2002 -

used car buyer C70 guide

[4941cc]

phil1979 said:

Hi Guys,

I'm still looking at the old shape C70 for my next car. I've test driven the 2.0, and it's too wheezy, so looking at the 2.4T now. But yet to find a good one, so yet to drive that model. From the range, which is best though?

2.0T
2.4 GS
2.4T GT
2.3 T5

Does anyone have any info on mpg's on the motors listed above, and any notes on things to look out for/avoid?

I'm looking to spend up to £7.5k

Ta!
Phil.

To clarify, GS and GT are the same trim level. GS on a coupe, GT on convertible. All C70s are turbocharged, not much difference in fuel economy whichever you go for, all around 25-27mpg for autos 29-30 manuals. No real difference in everyday use between 2.4T & T5. T5 has firmer suspension though. Coupe much sharper drive than conv. LOTS of scuttle shake on convertibles, leaky roofs if not looked after. Steering stops can fail but not usually serious. ETM issues already covered. Good luck if you haven't bought already, well done if you have.

[seho]

Hello.

I have a T5 convertivble with auto box, and even for a convertible, the box is not a good one, very slow and making for very low mpg around city.

I bought the car in GB, and still have the number plate for sale, so anyone fancy
C 7 ONV ?
Yes C70 NV ! Looks really good on car.

I'm looking for 750 £, that's what plate companies would give me so I guess they would sell it for a lot more.

That would help me fixing the right hand window regulator (did left one) which seems to be a real problem on this car, and very expensive to fix, 400 + £ for part, and 4 hours, and also the front suspensions, bump stops or whatever, making strange noises at the moment.

Otherwise good car, very good motorway handling even under heavily raining conditions.

Cheers.

[mr nordic]

Hi,

My colleague purchased a C70 convertable a year ago, T5 Auto. He is over the moon and glad he did not puchase the Audi equivilant (£4k more at the time).
He gets an average of 28 MPG since he has owned it and commutes 25 mile to London in it most days with some long journeys also.

He loves this car, the only negative is the steering lock is not that tight (not good for the wife in tight parking situations!!!), but other than that he really rates it.

Performance wise it is not much slower than my old 850R.

He also reckons the handling has been transformed positively on Michelin rubber.

Good luck.

[tph230481]

check this out? C70 T5 GT Manual?

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/

[RichB]

My advice? Get the T5 because if you get the 2.4T you will always have that lingering doubt that you should have gone for the full monty!

[phil1979]

Well, may have finally found one. Seeing This tomorrow.

Any thoughts?

[RichB]

£6.5k for a lot of car and decent performance, only you can decide if it's correct for you.

[phil1979]

RichB said:

£6.5k for a lot of car and decent performance, only you can decide if it's correct for you.

I think it's a little pricey for a '97, but we'll see what they will offer for mine as a p/x. It's under 20 miles away from me, so worth a gander all the same. They look great in black, though I don't envy the task of keeping those BBS wheels clean.

[RichB]

phil1979 said:

RichB said:

£6.5k for a lot of car and decent performance, only you can decide if it's correct for you.

I think it's a little pricey for a '97, ... They look great in black.

Indeed, you know better than I do what they are worth these days but personaly I think the C70 Coupe is a bit of a classic and dark colours look best. Very nic elooking car. Go have a test!

[freddy10]

OOGIEBOOGIE - You are a star re the Volvo ETM problem. I knew nothing of this and have been having all sorts of problems with mine for the last 10k. My local garge had a fault code as the air mass meter and £190 later they replaced it, fixed for a couple of hundred miles then back to up down up down crap idling, poor performance, etc.

Now I've rung my local volvo dealer and they know all about it and are doing the ETM clean and upgrade for free next week...hallejulah!!

Thanks again

[pangster79]

4941cc said:

To clarify, GS and GT are the same trim level. GS on a coupe, GT on convertible. All C70s are turbocharged, not much difference in fuel economy whichever you go for, all around 25-27mpg for autos 29-30 manuals. No real difference in everyday use between 2.4T & T5. T5 has firmer suspension though. Coupe much sharper drive than conv. LOTS of scuttle shake on convertibles, leaky roofs if not looked after. Steering stops can fail but not usually serious. ETM issues already covered. Good luck if you haven't bought already, well done if you have.

i know this is an old post but thought i could add to it - in case anyone pulls it up in a search..

the GT and GS spec are not the same and are not restricted to convertible or coupe.. the GS spec had manual seats and half leather interior and only had A/C as stock (not ECC) and quite a few extras were optional.. the GT was the top spec (regardless of body type) and had full leather electronic seats, climate control and AC as standard and had 3 options r.e. suspension set up and a few other bits i can't quite remember..

there is a big difference in performance between a 2.4T and a T5 - i test drove a few before buying mine and am glad i went for the T5 as i would always think i had bought second best if i bought the 2.4.. the T5 is also a lot more tune able than the 2.4T...