Very tempted...2005 S60 T5

[KPB]

After a couple of high cost repairs on my 530d (and some prompting from the missus who hates it's 'old man' image) i've been looking round for a replacement motor.

I do 24k a year so obviously diesel is my best option in the current climate, and i've had my eye out for all the usual suspects inc a D5 without much luck in my price range.

So yesterday, very sensibly me thinks, I drive 70 miles to look at an 05-plate S60 T5...and now i'm in a right head vs heart quandry.

Its a dark coloured ex-plod motor so poverty spec, but in excellent condition inside-out and only 73k. 6-speed/260 version. Lower max boost point etc etc.

Took it for a short test drive and its a bit of a monster. Felt as tight as a drum and not at all tired nor baggy. Handles, stops and steers on a different planet to my old 01 S60 T5 due to the upgrades. Performance wise - the dealer did the usual 'its a 300bhp version' patter and I know this has been debated ad nauseum on here previously, but subjectively it feels at least on a par with my previous rica'd 01-plate S60, so i'm inclined to believe its not standard.

Problems to mull over...

Economy - assuming 33mpg on my motorway commute, its going to put £1k on my annual fuel bill (but the car is quite cheap to start with)

ICE - I'd be taking a gamble that the wiring etc is present behind the police facia plate. Anyone got any experience here?

Zero history - the dealer said that as it was an undercover car, the history would be nearly impossible to get out of the West Mids force who owned it previously (perhaps he's already tried and failed?)

Selling it on - i'll probably sell it after a year and this might be tricky due to spec and history.

Any thoughts?

[Liddo]

I'd say it all depends on price. If its REALLY cheap, it might be worth a dabble, as long if its cheap enough not to worry about re-sale value in 12 months time.
If everything is spot on, and you dont have to spend pots of money making it good, then it could be a better bet than buying a higher priced diesel.

BUT, the way the fuel prices and insurance prices are going, I think your gonna have a spot of trouble moving it on in 12 months, but again, if it is cheap, you may be able to let it go cheap :confused:

Get a D5 or a E39 530d Sport 2001 on ;)

[cornclose]

It'll be in the £400 odd tax band as well won't it ?

Personally I wouldn't go there, but it's up to you of course.

[princepugh]

Probably time for you to get busy with Excel, see how the costs are going to work themselves out over the planned period of ownership and what you might reasonably expect at re-sale.

[Loadsamiles]

It'll be in the £400 odd tax band as well won't it ?

Personally I wouldn't go there, but it's up to you of course.

No.

Ex-police cars are in the PLG band....:P

[Loadsamiles]

Zero history - the dealer said that as it was an undercover car, the history would be nearly impossible to get out of the West Mids force who owned it previously (perhaps he's already tried and failed?)


All police vehicles have same or better than main dealer service history. That is the last thing to be worried about.

The Volvos are also subject to a 3 year 150,000 mile warranty with the police too! As such all parts used are genuine Volvo.

The biggest let-down on ex-police cars is usually the suspension, but a quick drive of one will soon show that up. Air-con gets neglected too.

I'd be far more wary of an ex-business fleet car, or an ex-hire car as they don't get looked after as well.

[KPB]

No.

Ex-police cars are in the PLG band....:P

Does that mean it will be about £185 a year? Result. The model is listed as a band 'k' on Parkers.

Btw, thew purchase price is £4650, so not bad for an 05.

Fuel bills are my biggest worry, but my budget for a diesel was £5k, so in real terms the £1k fuel bill hike I mentioned earlier is closer to £650. I used 1.20 per litre as my benchmark. Obviously I need to factor in about £100 for a stereo. I don't think the car needs any other work doing at present.

Very tempting...

[Loadsamiles]

ICE - I'd be taking a gamble that the wiring etc is present behind the police facia plate. Anyone got any experience here?



piece of piss!

All you could want and more.

[Loadsamiles]

Does that mean it will be about £185 a year? Result. The model is listed as a band 'k' on Parkers.

Btw, thew purchase price is £4650, so not bad for an 05.

Fuel bills are my biggest worry, but my budget for a diesel was £5k, so in real terms the £1k fuel bill hike I mentioned earlier is closer to £650. I used 1.20 per litre as my benchmark. Obviously I need to factor in about £100 for a stereo. I don't think the car needs any other work doing at present.

Very tempting...

Yes. It's down to a loophole as the cars have to be band classified at first registration and these cars are registered in a "police" tax band (zero). Upon re-classification the DVLA do not have the means to re assess them so they get dumped in the PLG group. This means cheaper tax. Mine has six months on it at about £100

I just paid £4500 for a 140,000 mile 55 plate V70 (white) so that price is actually very good. The only thing with mine is I landed a motorway only car so it drives like new.

[KPB]

Yes. It's down to a loophole as the cars have to be band classified at first registration and these cars are registered in a "police" tax band (zero). Upon re-classification the DVLA do not have the means to re assess them so they get dumped in the PLG group. This means cheaper tax. Mine has six months on it at about £100

I just paid £4500 for a 140,000 mile 55 plate V70 (white) so that price is actually very good. The only thing with mine is I landed a motorway only car so it drives like new.

Any problems when installing a stereo?

[cornclose]

No.

Ex-police cars are in the PLG band....:P


Well there you go then. That's interesting. Still, it's not for me, but each to their own.

[Loadsamiles]

Any problems when installing a stereo?

None really if you've fitted one before.

You need to splice the wires as Plod usually cut into the speaker wires for their radio.

Other than that the P2 V70 is one of the best cars to fit stuff to. Loads of room and plenty of wiring points.

[Liddo]

but my budget for a diesel was £5k


SURELY you can get a really nice diesel for that money????

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2005-VOLVO-S60-D5-SE-MANUAL-DIESEL-4-DOOR-SALOON_W0QQitemZ220579205618QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAut omobiles_UK?hash=item335b8b91f2

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2005-55-Volvo-S60-2-4-D5-185-SE-6-Speed-DIESEL-Red_W0QQitemZ200458083973QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomo biles_UK?hash=item2eac3b9e85

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2006-56-Volvo-S60-2-4-D5-185-S-DIESEL-6-Speed-FVSH_W0QQitemZ200416608603QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutom obiles_UK?hash=item2ea9c2c15b

[Markie]

Stereo wise, I've just put a Volvo 603? stereo in, came from a scrapyard W plate V70, plugged straight in to my ex-plod 2004, all for £10.

[KPB]

Stereo wise, I've just put a Volvo 603? stereo in, came from a scrapyard W plate V70, plugged straight in to my ex-plod 2004, all for £10.

Cheers mate. You're probably right but I have noticed ebay facia plates are different pre and post-04. So i'd thought the facelift model stereo shapes were slightly different...but I could well be wrong.

If I buy it, first port of call will be a main stealer to get a list of appropriate stereo model codes. I found a 2005 V70 owners handbook online, which lists the HU650 and HU850 as the options for that year. So I know at least those fit.

[straight5]

I say go for it. T5 engine is worth the extra fuel bills, over a Diesel engine. I get far more smiles per gallon than I have ever had out of a Diesel. (Just my opinion). If you do hundreds of miles a week, it can be so much more fun to have that extra grunt and nicer engine note.

[MacXC60T5]

Problem with an undercover car you do not know what it has done or how its been driven unlike a motorway car. I would also walk away at that price as in 12 months I would say you will be lucky to £2k the way things are. My opinion is not an experts opinion just from years of lookin, buying, and selling. I would snap it up at £3250 but no more. Also bear in mind not all think like me.

[t5_monkey]

If petrol prices are going to spike this summer that will really hammer 2nd hand prices on big petrols - maybe wait till Juny/July and if petrol prices are high pick up a petrol bargain ? :)

[thebadger]

Any problems when installing a stereo?

http://www.vpcuk.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=8353&d=1268258787

No Issues, standard plugs, facias (proper Volvo double Din) from Rufe. Stereo adaptor harness from any online spot (or halfrauds).

Fits perfect, looks the part, would not be a tough job!

[Marvin]

Zero history - the dealer said that as it was an undercover car, the history would be nearly impossible to get out of the West Mids force who owned it previously (perhaps he's already tried and failed?)

?[/QUOTE]

Have seen plod cars in Strathstones at Brum, might be worth checking stealers to see if they have history.

[KPB]

Have seen plod cars in Strathstones at Brum, might be worth checking stealers to see if they have history.

Cheers. I've contacted West Mids constabulary to see what their policy is too. If that fails, I wonder whether a Freedom of Information enquiry might work instead.

I've taken all advice on board and am still mulling it over. It really is proving to be a head vs heart issue! Thanks for everyone's input so far.

ps - Just seen a 54-plate 101k white S60 reach £3200 on ebay in a private sale. Reserve wasnt met, but it did get plenty of bids and suggests there is some demand in the private market for shipping them on.

[jbconno]

Is this the one ? Looks nice.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201011354724218/sort/priceasc/usedcars/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/transmission/manual/fuel-type/petrol/maximum-age/up_to_5_years_old/model/s60/make/volvo/radius/1500/page/1/postcode/sk57rd?logcode=p

[KPB]

Is this the one ? Looks nice.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201011354724218/sort/priceasc/usedcars/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/transmission/manual/fuel-type/petrol/maximum-age/up_to_5_years_old/model/s60/make/volvo/radius/1500/page/1/postcode/sk57rd?logcode=p

Yep. Looks like it sold this PM, which puts me out of my misery tbh. I couldnt make the numbers add up in terms of the economy as it would have meant a £4k annual fuel bill.

[SomeBloke]

Ever thought of one of these?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VOLVO-XC70-2-4-D5-AWD-6-SPEED-AUTO-ESTATE-07-07-1-OWNER_W0QQitemZ350340855851QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAuto mobiles_UK?hash=item5191f1382b

Diseasle and right on the money......

[KPB]

Ever thought of one of these?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VOLVO-XC70-2-4-D5-AWD-6-SPEED-AUTO-ESTATE-07-07-1-OWNER_W0QQitemZ350340855851QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAuto mobiles_UK?hash=item5191f1382b

Diseasle and right on the money......

Nice spot. If I was up for an estate car this would be on my list. I'd love to see the look on my missus' face when I turned up with that!

[cornclose]

Nasty looking wheel arch's though... Looks bad in white too (IMHO).