My car - Volvo S60
Discussion
Not the obvious choice for a 21 year old, I know!
I purchased this car in late 2005 after having had a Volvo T5 for the previous year. I was starting to do a lot more miles, and 22mpg was starting to get on my nerves. That, and a £2k engine replacement after the engine 'let go' at 140mph in Germany was the main reasons for changing my car.
I decided to buy a diesel after driving a Passat TDI130 and being very impressed. I wanted the stereotypical performance diesel, the BMW 330D, but this at the time was out of my price range. The Volvo S60 D5 was the next best thing - a great interior, subtle looks and a power plant to match the BMW 320d, with 163bhp.
I kept it standard for nearly a year, but then I simply needed more power. I had it remapped by RICA which upped the power to 210bhp and the torque to 475NM. The exhaust was changed too, and is now broadly similar to the petrol car with the straight oval output at the tip.
Next was to overhaul the braking system. The front brakes were upgraded to the 305mm discs from the 260bhp T5 version, and the rears were changed at the same time for balance. The pads are Mintex fast road and this setup definitely helps stop the car quicker.
Pushing 475NM through the front wheels obviously leads to some spinnage in the wet, so I opted for some Uniroyal Rainsport tyres for the front - which seem to cope very well if I give it the beans on a less than dry surface.
Performance figures are roughly 7.1 seconds to 0-60 (Test car achieved), and top speed is limited by the gearing at around 140mph. Mid range is superb, and its about as quick as a BMW 330D 204bhp as a comparitor.
My needs have now changed, and I'm looking for a replacement. As great as the D5 is, I really want something more 'fun', but I'm having trouble justifying selling the D5 as it is such a good all round car.
I purchased this car in late 2005 after having had a Volvo T5 for the previous year. I was starting to do a lot more miles, and 22mpg was starting to get on my nerves. That, and a £2k engine replacement after the engine 'let go' at 140mph in Germany was the main reasons for changing my car.
I decided to buy a diesel after driving a Passat TDI130 and being very impressed. I wanted the stereotypical performance diesel, the BMW 330D, but this at the time was out of my price range. The Volvo S60 D5 was the next best thing - a great interior, subtle looks and a power plant to match the BMW 320d, with 163bhp.
I kept it standard for nearly a year, but then I simply needed more power. I had it remapped by RICA which upped the power to 210bhp and the torque to 475NM. The exhaust was changed too, and is now broadly similar to the petrol car with the straight oval output at the tip.
Next was to overhaul the braking system. The front brakes were upgraded to the 305mm discs from the 260bhp T5 version, and the rears were changed at the same time for balance. The pads are Mintex fast road and this setup definitely helps stop the car quicker.
Pushing 475NM through the front wheels obviously leads to some spinnage in the wet, so I opted for some Uniroyal Rainsport tyres for the front - which seem to cope very well if I give it the beans on a less than dry surface.
Performance figures are roughly 7.1 seconds to 0-60 (Test car achieved), and top speed is limited by the gearing at around 140mph. Mid range is superb, and its about as quick as a BMW 330D 204bhp as a comparitor.
My needs have now changed, and I'm looking for a replacement. As great as the D5 is, I really want something more 'fun', but I'm having trouble justifying selling the D5 as it is such a good all round car.
i like these. makes a nice alternative to the generic 3 series/ C classes you see everywhere. yours looks very nice!
an S60R would make a good replacement if you like Volvo's and want more fun, or Volvo's other swedish neighbour Saab, do a nice 9-5 with the 2.3 Turbo in it!
good luck!
an S60R would make a good replacement if you like Volvo's and want more fun, or Volvo's other swedish neighbour Saab, do a nice 9-5 with the 2.3 Turbo in it!
good luck!
Edited by forthright MC on Saturday 19th May 17:45
MKH9130 said:
hugh_ said:
Fantastic cars, I'll be getting one within the next year or so as a daily hack, but need to get a job first (about to graduate)!
Me too, first Final exam on Monday!
Ditto, Exploration Techniques :yawn:
The ironic thing is, if I hadn't bought an unreliable money pit of a Capri, and instead spent all the money I ended up spending on it in upkeep upfront, I could have had an S60. Oh well, nevermind!
jdelmo said:
Im seriously considering an S60 as a uni barge, probably a 2.0T SE although that still does 60 in 8.5.
All of the mods seem to have worked well.
All of the mods seem to have worked well.
I'd say go for the T5, the performance difference is huge and there is next to no difference in fuel economy unless the T5 is being driven very hard.
T5 only commands a small premium over the 2.0T to buy, and insurance is only 10% more.
MKH9130 said:
jdelmo said:
Im seriously considering an S60 as a uni barge, probably a 2.0T SE although that still does 60 in 8.5.
All of the mods seem to have worked well.
All of the mods seem to have worked well.
I'd say go for the T5, the performance difference is huge and there is next to no difference in fuel economy unless the T5 is being driven very hard.
T5 only commands a small premium over the 2.0T to buy, and insurance is only 10% more.
Well what you've said is fair but I will be 19 albeit with 2 years NCB (hopefully) but if as you say the premium is only 10% then all the better! Obviously the T5 would be the one to aim for.
jdelmo said:
Well what you've said is fair but I will be 19 albeit with 2 years NCB (hopefully) but if as you say the premium is only 10% then all the better! Obviously the T5 would be the one to aim for.
I had a T5 at 19
Its worth the expense of a few nights out to have the T5.
Failing that, the 2.5T is not bad and can be upgraded to standard T5 performance.
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