2007 Volvo C30 T5
Discussion
After spending the first years of my driving career behind the wheel of a Daf 66 and later a bog standard '01 Focus, I had the opportunity to buy the car I'd hoped to own one day since it was released over 10 years ago, a Volvo C30. It just so happened that it was a manual T5 - the funnest version. Got a fairly good deal from a friendly chap in Birmingham and drove it home like it was a priceless artefact.
One year later, and the reality of meeting my hero has well and truly set in. Having spent probably more than the price of the car on fresh rubber, brake discs, new cambelt and plenty of V-Power, and fixing plenty of niggling issues, it should be enjoyment central. Unfortunately more issues keep cropping up to spoil the enjoyment somewhat.
The most pressing issue revolves around the central electronic module (CEM), which Volvo saw fit to douse in liquid from the washer pump, leading to any number of fun limp mode errors. Anti skid warning, break failure, engine performance reduction, you name it - they are liable to pop up to ruin your day at some point. Thankfully Volvo put out a recall for cars on the P2 platform to sort this. Unfortunately in their infinite wisdom, this car isn't included in that recall, and I don't really fancy forking out for a Volvo technician to confirm that the cause of failure is exactly the same issue. A quick clean with contact cleaner keeps it at bay for a while, but it's not a permanent fix, so future fiddling and most likely an expensive new CEM is ahead, which gobbles up any budget for other fun stuff in the short term.
Also, at some point during Volvo's partnership with Ford, they decided to upholster their seats with crepe paper:
On the plus side, I love the way it looks and having never driven a moderately powerful car before, it does still make me smile.
One year later, and the reality of meeting my hero has well and truly set in. Having spent probably more than the price of the car on fresh rubber, brake discs, new cambelt and plenty of V-Power, and fixing plenty of niggling issues, it should be enjoyment central. Unfortunately more issues keep cropping up to spoil the enjoyment somewhat.
The most pressing issue revolves around the central electronic module (CEM), which Volvo saw fit to douse in liquid from the washer pump, leading to any number of fun limp mode errors. Anti skid warning, break failure, engine performance reduction, you name it - they are liable to pop up to ruin your day at some point. Thankfully Volvo put out a recall for cars on the P2 platform to sort this. Unfortunately in their infinite wisdom, this car isn't included in that recall, and I don't really fancy forking out for a Volvo technician to confirm that the cause of failure is exactly the same issue. A quick clean with contact cleaner keeps it at bay for a while, but it's not a permanent fix, so future fiddling and most likely an expensive new CEM is ahead, which gobbles up any budget for other fun stuff in the short term.
Also, at some point during Volvo's partnership with Ford, they decided to upholster their seats with crepe paper:
On the plus side, I love the way it looks and having never driven a moderately powerful car before, it does still make me smile.
I had a 2010 Volvo C30, just the 2.0d. I had a very similar experience with mine. It really is disheartening because I wanted to like it. I’m also smiling at the seat as that was identical to what mine looked like.
I had twelve breakdowns in eighteen months; my example was under the Selekt scheme. In each instance, the dealer couldn’t find a fault, replaced numerous parts that did not resolve the issue. The dealership network are not the best, unfortunately.
I sold it in June, bought another Volvo.
I had twelve breakdowns in eighteen months; my example was under the Selekt scheme. In each instance, the dealer couldn’t find a fault, replaced numerous parts that did not resolve the issue. The dealership network are not the best, unfortunately.
I sold it in June, bought another Volvo.
Nice to see another C30 T5 here. Here is the thread for mine, with some modifications.
Thankfully I haven't yet had any issues with the CEM or seats (touchwood). That said, I'm thinking of selling the car for something with some more power.
I'm glad it's not just me that's had a bad experience with the Volvo dealer network. Mine goes to a mechanic friend for any servicing or work that's required now.
Thankfully I haven't yet had any issues with the CEM or seats (touchwood). That said, I'm thinking of selling the car for something with some more power.
I'm glad it's not just me that's had a bad experience with the Volvo dealer network. Mine goes to a mechanic friend for any servicing or work that's required now.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff