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Can anyone out there give me their opinion on the V70 estate? Advice and comparisions like manual/auto or old/new shape, what I could be expecting to pay etc would be useful. I have seen some of the archive threads on ex-police models but any more info would be useful.
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"They're all timing belt engines."
Don't let this put you off, were talking about Volvo quality here. Most of the cars I've had since 1974 have had timing belts, and I've never had one go yet (touch wood). I'm on my third V70 and I have a V70 D5 SE at the moment which is excellent and extremely quiet compared to my brothers new Audi A4 2.5 TDI. My Volvo dealer has assured me the timing belt will be ok up to the 96k service where it is changed and costed as part of the service, which is only £400 incluing the belt change. Doubt whether I shall keep it that long.
I have found the new V70s drive and handle a lot better than the old ones, I think there is slightly more room as well. I did test drive a BMW 5 3.0D Touring for a weekend and although it was superb to drive I found the cabin a little cramped and my kids moaned about the room in the back compared with the V70. I like manual boxes, but if you go for a T5 they are certainly better to drive with an auto box. There are some bargains around at the moment, both petrol and D5s, look in the Saturday Telegraph Motoring supplement.
Cheers
VD5D.
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>>Don't let this put you off, were talking about Volvo quality here
My father had one of the first 16v volvo engines the 2.3 16v GLE 940. It needed two new engines in 40000 miles, both failures were due to cambelt sprocket and cambelt failures. I seem to remember that this engine didn't last very long in the range. Having said that it is a while ago now!
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Took a diesel one out for a test run yesterday: the dealer pulled it up to me in the yard and I could hardly hear the engine at all. Up the Lincoln bypass at 80, doing 2500revs, very happy. Now I know why so many have blue lights on top...
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VD5D,
Thanks for the comments (and from everyone else for that matter). I was interested in the one about auto vs manual in particular. Care to expand on it please. Also, being a complete car dullard, whats the score with the timing belt thing, I thought all cars had them? (puts on flak jacket and waits for banter)
Seriously, anything more would be gratefully recieved
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All engines require some way of driving the camshaft (and hence valves) in time with the crankshaft (and hence pistons) to operate the valves. Originally this was done with gears, but this became impractical when cam shafts switched to overhead designs. There are 2 ways to drive the camshaft now - chain or belt. Chains tend to last longer, are much less likely to snap, but are noisier, heavier, less efficient, and require good lubrication. Belts are light, quiet, but prone to damage by oil leaking past seals, and require changing at relatively low mileages. They also use tensioners that run on unlubricated bearings which are also prone to failure. Some manufacturers seem to have problems with tensioners / belts 'routinely' failing early (Vauxhall for instance) whereas others (Peugot/Citroen for instance) seem to have no such problems. The incidence of belt failure on a well maintained car is relatively rare, but usually catastrophic and expensive - on most modern engines the pistons hit the valves if the valves stop whilst the crank continues to rotate (which is what happens when the belt snaps). This bends valves, and can damage the pistons and in extreme cases the head, beyond repair. Repairs are expensive since at lest the head needs to come off, and possibly the engine out. Lots of labour charge!
It is sensible to spend out about £200 every four years (average motoring) to avoid a £1000 ++++ bill for a new / rebuilt engine. Recent early failures have given belts a bit of a tarnished reputation, but I believe they are really no better or worse than chains, provided they are changed regularly.
BTW my Father-in-law has a V70 2.4 Auto - reckons it's a nice car, but limited steering lock and boot space compared to the 940 he had before!
Richard
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Another blunt question - I take it the D5 is the oil burning version of the T5??
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Loey,
Volvo offer 3 gearbox variants, a 5 speed manual, a 5 speed adaptive auto with winter mode and a Geartronic (2.4T and T5 only) which can be switched from auto to manual. The geartronic is recommended for the T5 as it handles the power more smoothly and efficiently than a manual box and lets you concentrate on the driving.
If it's raw power you want go for the T5 it develops 250bhp against the D5s 163bhp. However the D5 develops more torque 340Nm/rpm against the T5s 330Nm/rpm. However the D5 has extremely good in gear acceleration,and is more economical, I regularly get over 40mpg and I don't hang about. One thing Volvo specify fully synthetic for the D5 ACEA B4, which is expensive.
Timing belts/chains I personally wouldn't worry about it on a Volvo if it has been properly looked after.
I agree about the comment on 16" and 17" wheels. Go for the 16", I've got 17"( they come as standard with the SE pack) and my wife has scuffed them parking against kerbs!
I suggest you get down to your local volvo dealer, get yourself a brochure also look at www.volvocars.co.uk and test drive the different variants in petrol and diesel, you will not be dissapointed.
Cheers
VD5D
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I assume you mean the new shape (from 2000) in which case they are quiet, refined and roomy with lots of clever touches - shopping bag hooks, can fold down rear seats without removing headrests, very comfy seats and full of clever safety features.
Basically it feels like a high quality item - although dealer servicing prices reflect this...
Worth getting one with a SE pack (leather/climate control) although all models have air-con + alloys - even the base Torslanda (although it does have cloth and vinyl(!) seats so is best avoided in my book).
Try to get one with a 'winter pack' - heated seats (great in winter), headlamp wash/wipe and carpet mats.
Even the base model (140bhp) is plenty of engine to haul the big car around - it's tuned for torque rather than outright speed and it's fine to drive as a manual - haven't driven an auto - I believe most are autos.
It's not easy to park though as the turning circle is big and it is very wide - although it is shorter than a Mondeo estate.
Only other point I can think of is if you want a full size spare wheel don't go larger than 16" alloys as the 17" full size wheel won't fit in the under floor spare wheel compartment.
Good luck!
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Timing - some cars have a rubber (?) belt, others have a chain.
The advantage of a chain is that it tends to last longer. If the timing belt goes, especially on modern cars, the pisotns can jump through their surrounds and destroy the whole engine, at least economically.
This can happen with a chain driven cam as well, but because of the longer lifespan, this is much less likely, and so you're not faced with a £200 repair bill every 72,000 miles. (That's the average recommended life of a timing belt, however to be on the safe side many of the prudent people on here change every 50,000/5 years. I had mine changed at 5 years and 43,000 miles).
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We've had a nightmare with the Volvos on our Police Fleet. Everything from electrical/aircon problems to wheels which rub the body. An engine died a death recently and had to be replaced.
They have proved a big disappointment and we all prefer the Omegas.
MLC
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I currently run a '98 V70 T5 Auto , Solid car , great acceleration , rock solid build.
Just had the timing belt changed at service by volvo cost 160 for belt , follower and labour. Rest of standard service brought total up to 310.
Talking to local traffic cops they reckon the later auto box from '99 onwards is a bit notchy and they now use manuals in the fleet.
No complaints in 9 months ownership and 10k miles.
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>>They have proved a big disappointment and we all prefer the >>Omegas.
Not the story I get from the cop who lives next door to my brother, he reckons their V70 T5s'are really good, and they have just bought some more unmarked ones.
VD5D
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I also have friends in the force who much prefer the Volvos.
My own C70 (T5 Auto) has done 42k fault free, very fast & comfortable miles.
I'll certainly be looking at another Volvo when it's up for change but more likely the 2.4T which I couldn't get last time.
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Not the story I get from the cop who lives next door to my brother, he reckons their V70 T5s'are really good, and they have just bought some more unmarked ones.
Can you get us the reg nos. of the unmarked ones when they are delivered ;-)
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I've had a lat old model V70 as a company car for the past 3 years. I've really enjoyed it. Its done almost 70 k miles, and the only fault has been a heated mirror that didn't heat.
Its March 2000 W, has the same 2.4 140 bhp engine thats in the new version. I agree this is a nice toquey engine - manual is fine and doesn't need lots of gear changes.
This car might not be quite a roomy as the new one but it does have a superb turning circle. I can get it in and out of spaces more easily than many smaller cars.
I'd recommend one of these - in fact I am thinking of buying it off the company when the lease runs out.
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Blinking heck midlife! Where do you get your Omegas from? Ours are not a patch on the Volvos.
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Thanks to everyone who took the time to pass on advice and anecdotes - it is all being thought about and mulled over, guess a bit of shopping around and test driving is now in order.
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What did you decide as looking also at the V70 / XC70 and interested to know how u got on.>> Thanks to everyone who took the time to pass on adviceand anecdotes - it is all being thought about and mulled over, guess a bit of shopping around and test driving is now in order.
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