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mark20uk
Tuesday 1st March 2005, 19:46
i was just wondering what interavls the police actually change there cars is it to do with miles or is it a certain time peroid in the north east most trafic police drive around in the new s80 t5s all though a have seen a few s70s still.

clive d
Tuesday 1st March 2005, 20:05
the police change there cars after about 5years service. they end up with 110,000 to 200,000miles on the clock some stay in service a tad longer.

Goof
Tuesday 1st March 2005, 20:41
Leicestershire used to change them based on mileage ~ some less used ones were kept longer. We had a Granada 3.0S as a Panda car!

mikej
Tuesday 1st March 2005, 23:22
If anybody is looking for an v70 t5 explod in the preston area there are 5 coming up for sale on the 10th of this month at BCA auction site, thought someone just may be interested.If you want mileage details give us a shout..

BrightonBreezy
Wednesday 2nd March 2005, 15:52
I'm in the market for a cheaper V70 T5 so I'd be very interested to know what's coming up at the auctions.
Where is the BCA auction site?
West Oxfordshire auctions seem to deal with the ex-plod cars in the South and they have a ex-police sale on the same day. Usually, they don't post up the actual cars until the same day.

BrightonBreezy
Wednesday 2nd March 2005, 16:44
Bit of digging around:
Tomorrow, 3 March, these 3 ex-plod V70 T5s are coming up at Enfield BCA. Auction starts 1:30pm.
GK52NLG Enfield 03-03-2005 VOLVO V70 2.3 T5 Estate 2002 52 158,670
HY51CPX Enfield 03-03-2005 VOLVO V70 2.3 T5 Estate 2001 51 155,111
Y81UOW Enfield 03-03-2005 VOLVO V70 2.3 T5 Estate 01Y 139,962

I'll have to see if I can get there in my lunch hour.
Not sure if its actually in my interests to post this info here. One of you lot might come along and bid against me!

mikej
Wednesday 2nd March 2005, 19:05
Bit of digging around:
Tomorrow, 3 March, these 3 ex-plod V70 T5s are coming up at Enfield BCA. Auction starts 1:30pm.
GK52NLG Enfield 03-03-2005 VOLVO V70 2.3 T5 Estate 2002 52 158,670
HY51CPX Enfield 03-03-2005 VOLVO V70 2.3 T5 Estate 2001 51 155,111
Y81UOW Enfield 03-03-2005 VOLVO V70 2.3 T5 Estate 01Y 139,962

I'll have to see if I can get there in my lunch hour.
Not sure if its actually in my interests to post this info here. One of you lot might come along and bid against me!
And here are the details for preston 10th/march should anyone require them:

1999 s plate v70t5 142k miles manual
1998 s plate v70t5 128k miles manual
2000 x plate v70t5 124k miles manual
2001 x plate v70t5 84kk miles manual new shape
2001 x plate v70t5 108k miles manual new shape

For those who wish to view BCA stock you have to have a trade account with them first or you could just simply ring them and ask about forthcoming sales .Anyway hope this helps if i can be of assistance just ask......
mike

Goof
Wednesday 2nd March 2005, 19:24
It'd be nice to see how much they sell for...

mark20uk
Thursday 3rd March 2005, 19:13
i live in northumberland and i was just wondering were a would be able to find out who and how i could buy an s70t5.
would contacting the police themselves be a good bet

BrightonBreezy
Thursday 3rd March 2005, 22:42
This afternoon's auction at BCA, Enfield:
The 52 plate car was a silver, camera car, manual gearbox. Only a few holes in the dash. It sold for £5,000 exactly.
The other two were white ex-patrol cars with auto transmissions. They weren't presented in good condition: gaping holes in the fascia and central console; roof holes; rips in the seats; damaged paintwork fromthe sticker removal.
I don't want an auto so I didn't wait around to see what they sold at.

mikej
Thursday 3rd March 2005, 23:52
Hello again all,
Firstly let me say i am in no way an authority on this although i am on my 5th T5 and all i might add all have been explod and purchased at auctions throughout the country.I hope this may help those of you who are wondering where and when you can buy these cars ,firstly you can buy throughout the uk from London to Scotland BCA auctions are used to dispose of quite a few as well as others like those in oxford .Based on personal experiences i would stick to the BCA sites ,don,t bother trying to contact the various forces as they are very reluctant to give any details hence very few come with service records , there are some but these are few and far between basically they dont want joe bloggs knowing how much they have spent on servicing etc .I,ve heard many people going on about how well they are serviced using only genuine parts and how the police must chip them etc,this however is mostly dealers trying to shift them for silly money.Again my own experience dealing with my local main dealer and force is that No cars are ever chipped,the only time the car is serviced at main dealer is for a warrenty claim all serviceing is done by police to keep costs down and every one i,ve purchased direct from plod has had aftermarket parts fitted?These cars should never be valued the same as a private car you will find this out if you buy and then sell at a later date.Buying is easy, ring the auction houses up and ask abouth forthcoming sale dates,ring a few days before and speak to entry control about what vehicles are in and then go along,get there a few hours before and check the cars out properly make a note and go and get a coffee.Again for those of you who dont know what to check for try tyres & make sure you have spare and jack,disks,exhaust,front screen for cracks/chips etc,dash and console for holes ,roof linning for zips/rips,body damage especially inside & under boot and engine bay ,oil and water conditon and MAKE SURE you are next to/behind car once started ,if poss jump in and try gearbox/clutch/steering etc.I,ll bet those out ther who have bought an explod from a so called specialist dealer and there are a few have paid over the odds for it and been totally gutted when you come to sell basically because those people and dealers know what they are actually worth would you do it again i think not! My personal advice would be buy it yourself ,take a mechanic with you if you need to and the money you save you can spend getting the car as you want it.I have always checked my cars out thoroughly and never had any issues,considering what you are paying for them who cares if its white ,the miles are high,you can even buy your own warrenty if it makes you feel better.Oh yes i was a dealer in my part time for many years , if i can help just ask.....i am now getting off my box todays lesson is over bye bye... :eek:

mat562be
Monday 7th March 2005, 20:27
As a serving police officer, I can offer the following view:

Ex-police cars (in this case Volvos which have been used as Traffic/Roads Policing cars, or, in some cases as response cars) are, in my humble opinion, not the bargains that many people think them to be. Several myths and old wives tales exist when it comes to these cars.

Many people assume the cars to be performance bargains due to them having been "chipped" and subjected to various expensive suspension mods. The fact is, very few cars are chipped, either by the manufacturer or any aftermarket operators. The simple fact is that most cars which are bought or leased by forces carry a warranty element from the manufacturer which does not allow for, or warrant, any aftermarket alterations. In addition, the cars are tested and approved by a Home Office agency which then gives that particular car (model, engine/fuel type, transmission etc) a seal of approval. To interfere with that setup would fall foul of that approval. In addition, the cars are selected based on an assumed level of reliability and servicabilty. Forces, operating under ever more tight budgets are reluctant to change any aspect of the car which would conceivably make it differ from this.
Basically, in all but a very few specialised cases, the cars are standard.

A second myth is that the cars are religiously serviced. In many cases this IS true. However, remember that the cars cover a heavy milage. In the case of motorway patrol cars and ARVs they may cover upwards of 1500 miles a week. Whilst all of this driving is undertaken by advanced-grade drivers, all of whom are disciples of the Roadcraft system of car control (one aspect of which is mechanical sympathy for the vehicle) they are driven for extended peroids of time far harder than any layman would, or probably could, drive his own car. They are also, through the rigours of the work, subjected to some pretty rough treatment; when was the last time you drove your own V70 over a series of pillowcase speed humps at 70 mph? Often, particularly in cases where the ownership of the cars remains with a leasing company (e.g. one midland force who lease all their vehicles from Vensons) the servicing is undertaken 'in-house.' A company, being paid an all-in, sum-per-mile for each vehicle on a "maintenance-included" contract will, inevitibly not lavish the same attention and care that a respected Volvo franchise would with your own car. I could relate stories, but that wouldn't be right or proper.

The cars also necessarily end up being 'Cop-ified' which in the case of any vehicles used for armed duties or dog-carrying duties will involve extensive modifiction with the associated effect on interior and exterior trim. One saving grace is that the new issue radio and Vascar kit are designed more around the existing fitments of the vehicles in question and do not involve the kind of butchering seen in older cars. Radio aerials and Tracker receiver devices will always leave some scarring however. Also, the waist-worn belt rig of todays officers, with dozens of vehicle entries and exits per day, make for well-worn seats and interior fitments.

The cars are often also driven hard, from cold, and are very often left standing idle at the scene of an incident with no "warm down" allowed to prolong the turbocharger life.

On the whole, police vehicles represent a ready pool of high milage, well used Volvo cars which will inevitibly have been driven over and above what an equivalent car would ever have been in private hands. They will have been regularly serviced, but to a standard which is often unknown, and will most likely have suffered some knocks and bangs along the way. A force about to offload a 150k vehicle is unlikely to indulge in expensive, but permanent fixes for worn items and is more likely to shore up what is already there. My experience is that equivalent-milage police vehicles often feel markedly "looser" than an equivalent private vehicle as a result. If you can live with this, and the often "tired" interior, then they can be a bargain. Also, nowadays you don't have to end up with a white one either...

Wobbly Dave
Tuesday 8th March 2005, 10:27
Thanks Matt. A valuable insight into ex-plod. Something I have always believed having seen the posts of ex-plod owners is that it is a lottery as to what you end up with. As far as mods go I thought the only general mod was the fitting of the larger front brake disks (302mm rather than 280)

CAMO
Tuesday 8th March 2005, 10:51
DITO WHAT MAT562BE HAS STATED- ITS A LOTTERY WHAT TOU WILL GET. THE T5'S ARE A WORK TOOL, WITH CAR SYMPATHY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST! :eek:

siamblue
Tuesday 8th March 2005, 11:34
It just shows you how strong these engines really are,If they can do 120k via the Police,That's more than likely over 200k private owner mileage in comparison,
If you want a newer car get a ex plod,If you want a older much loved car go private,As i know what i would rather have now,

A MUCH LOVED AND UP RATED/GRADED CAR :thewave:

mat562be
Tuesday 8th March 2005, 13:58
Thanks Matt. A valuable insight into ex-plod. Something I have always believed having seen the posts of ex-plod owners is that it is a lottery as to what you end up with. As far as mods go I thought the only general mod was the fitting of the larger front brake disks (302mm rather than 280)

Dave,

My understanding is that the brakes were changed, by Volvo, as factory fit modification for early 850s as used as traffic cars. A colleague, who was on traffic when the first Volvos began to be used, says that the standard brakes used to be very prone to fade and even warped disks due to the punishment they got. As a result, Volvo - anxious to maintain their relationship with the police as a valued customer and advertising tool - changed them for the bigger items. Apparently this meant modification to the wheel and tyre setup too, and must have cost a packet...

siamblue
Tuesday 8th March 2005, 14:14
I was up at Notts Police HQ afew weeks back,and i had a lot of attention from the Police,The car being ex police as well,Maybe the Police drivers love them too,
I have lots of cars in my time,But these are comfy safe and very quick,
Matt what car do you drive?

Wobbly Dave
Tuesday 8th March 2005, 14:31
Dave,

My understanding is that the brakes were changed, by Volvo, as factory fit modification for early 850s as used as traffic cars. A colleague, who was on traffic when the first Volvos began to be used, says that the standard brakes used to be very prone to fade and even warped disks due to the punishment they got. As a result, Volvo - anxious to maintain their relationship with the police as a valued customer and advertising tool - changed them for the bigger items. Apparently this meant modification to the wheel and tyre setup too, and must have cost a packet...

Yes I know - you can't fit 302's inside the standard t5 wheel. I think 280mm were phased out with the 850s. P1 V/S70's came with 302mm as standard?

It also goes to show what a waste of time AP kits are (not to mention money)

siamblue
Tuesday 8th March 2005, 18:10
Yes I know - you can't fit 302's inside the standard t5 wheel. I think 280mm were phased out with the 850s. P1 V/S70's came with 302mm as standard?

It also goes to show what a waste of time AP kits are (not to mention money)

On the S/V 70s the wheels are a different shape the 850s won't fit with 302mm brakes,
Dave don't go there lol,
By the way was it standard as well :eek:

mat562be
Wednesday 9th March 2005, 01:26
I was up at Notts Police HQ afew weeks back,and i had a lot of attention from the Police,The car being ex police as well,Maybe the Police drivers love them too,
I have lots of cars in my time,But these are comfy safe and very quick,
Matt what car do you drive?

A V70N T5 (2000) with a stage 1 BSR upgrade to 300bhp-ish. I only went to a Volvo last year due to needing a bigger car. I have a brood of hefty German Shepherd dogs and needed the boot space. Previously, was a Ford Cosworth man - Sierra, Sapphire 4wd and a t35 Escort Cosworth, all modded by Graham Goode to anything up to 380 bhp or so. Also, have had a Prodrive Subaru in my time. Despite being a bit different I'm happy with my Volly, since it has enough space, all the toys (it's a fully loaded SE) and it's quick enough to still have a play every now and again. I also know it will be a reliable bit of kit since I drive one at work and know a fair bit about them as a result...

siamblue
Wednesday 9th March 2005, 10:50
Wiw you have a good pedigree of cars,
German Shepherds and a Volvo out of work too lol,
A policemans job is 24 hours no doubt,
I suppose it can be a very frustrating job sometimes but also can be very rewarding :worship:

HuskMan
Wednesday 9th March 2005, 14:05
On the M1 this morning, two police Volvos got right up my backside at Leicester Forest East in 60 mph traffic. I couldn't go anywhere, yet the officers who were close enough for me to know what side they dressed on, continued to climb into my boot.
No blue lights and yet after the M69 turn off where traffic eases they left in a cloud of post gritter dust seperated by about 6 feet.
Nothing against our friends in blue (honestly) but can they do this? Ignoring the fact that these cars were police, this was rediculous driving - intimidating, dangerous and just plain stupid.
If I did have something against guys on the job I would have been fuming and on the phone.
Are traffic police allowed to break the speed limit and climb over other cars when they are not on a job? I thought they have to abide by the Highway Code like all road users?

mat562be
Thursday 10th March 2005, 14:33
On the M1 this morning, two police Volvos got right up my backside at Leicester Forest East in 60 mph traffic. I couldn't go anywhere, yet the officers who were close enough for me to know what side they dressed on, continued to climb into my boot.
No blue lights and yet after the M69 turn off where traffic eases they left in a cloud of post gritter dust seperated by about 6 feet.
Nothing against our friends in blue (honestly) but can they do this? Ignoring the fact that these cars were police, this was rediculous driving - intimidating, dangerous and just plain stupid.
If I did have something against guys on the job I would have been fuming and on the phone.
Are traffic police allowed to break the speed limit and climb over other cars when they are not on a job? I thought they have to abide by the Highway Code like all road users?


Yes. And also, no. There is a clause in the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1988 which allows police officers to disregard certain regulations - namely speed limits, 'keep left' instructions and traffic signals. The exemption only applies to police (and ambulance and fire etc.) vehicles if "the obeyance of that regulation would hinder the use to which the vehicle is being put at that time" or words to that effect anyway.

All police drivers who are trained and authorised to do so, are entitled to these exemptions. They apply subjectively, so, the blue lights and sirens do not necessarily have to be on. An example of this would be a traffic car, going at a speed above the limit in order to catch up with a motorist ahead. The police driver could rightly claim the exemption in this case, but to the casual observer it would look like he was simply speeding for the sake of it.

The important thing that we have to remember is that we are not exempt from the normal standards expected of a driver. Police are equally able to attract prosecutions for careless or dangerous driving if we ££££ up.

I don't know the specifics of the case you mentioned, so it wouldn't be right to comment, but my attitude is always that we are very visible in our big blue and yellow cars, so we need to, and should, set the best example to other drivers...

Tomcat
Sunday 20th March 2005, 21:22
Well said that man, I drive all over the northwest and I've seen police stupidity at its best.

Coming back from Leeds the other day I observed two Police Merc's driving so close, that when the lead vehicle pulled into the middle lane because the outside lane was coned off, the rear vehicle nearly plowed into the cones and almost spun out trying to swerve at well over 70 mph.

So much for highly trained officers eh?, training is no use if your just being stupid and not concentrating on what you are doing.

Rufe
Tuesday 22nd March 2005, 19:29
traffic police driving like that is one thing.. round here ive seen a riot van doing u-turns on a roundabout without indicating, no blue lights, no sirens nothing... and missing the roundabout out completely (shortcuted it in the most illegal of ways)! All this happened to be on the main nightclub road in swansea, where the boy racer types cruise around. after this he simply did a lap of the road and did the same again! i was amazed and went to the car to get my video camera out to record it the next time, but he just parked up and sat there watching cars go past instead. obviously was no life or death situation.

Pedro Fandango
Tuesday 22nd March 2005, 20:01
my bro actually got followed & questioned by an off duty copper, followed him 7 miles to his flat then smacked his badge on the window (good job as my bro had his crow bar ready not knowing who he was), told him he was off duty & if asked if he'd been drinking, my bro being how he is told him to clear off to which h got the reply "don't worry i'll be in contact". Unfortunatly my bro didn't get any reg or officer numbers but surely the cop can't do that?

Rufe
Tuesday 22nd March 2005, 20:08
how did he know he was off duty though?

Pedro Fandango
Tuesday 22nd March 2005, 20:20
it the first thing he said after he shown my bro his badge, the cop was in his own car & even had his girlfriend with him

Rufe
Tuesday 22nd March 2005, 20:29
oh right. probably his first week as a pc and trying to impress his bird.

TangoDeltaSierra3
Wednesday 23rd March 2005, 23:29
I've had a V reg 2000 V70 ex Dyfed Powys police with 115000 on clock, was in brilliant nick inside and out, i paid £4800 at auction, had it wrote off last April, got paid £8250 insurance. I'm now on an ex cop S70 and not had any trouble with it at all.

monsterdark
Thursday 24th March 2005, 00:09
now thats a nice payout :shockedbi

Al115
Thursday 24th March 2005, 00:15
Yeah, who were the insurers! :nut:

TangoDeltaSierra3
Thursday 24th March 2005, 01:54
it was esure at the time but it was a 3rd partys fault actually.

spin
Monday 28th March 2005, 18:28
I`ve had my S70 for 2 n half years. It has got full service history from South Yorkshire Police. 21 services in 131k miles, it was based in Barnsley. Not had many problems with it just a new ABS ECU 18 mths ago. Just had new suspension fitted and it feels a lot tighter and handles better now. Its now up for sale on ebay.

TangoDeltaSierra3
Monday 28th March 2005, 19:45
What reg is it Spin, i'm in Barnsley too, i might have a pic of it somewhere. I got took for a ride in 1 of South Yorkshires finest about 2 yrs go , thats what gave me the bug - V 204 HKU it was , sad i know i remember it.

Bye the way it was a ride only lol, not official business. :finger:

spin
Tuesday 29th March 2005, 16:20
It was S538RWA its on a private plate at the mo should be back on original plate next week. Would be nice to see if you have any pics of it.

TangoDeltaSierra3
Tuesday 29th March 2005, 17:51
I dont think i got that , i'll ask around, got a couple of mates that collect pics too, i know S 548 RWA was only just recently sold, it was an ex driving school car, plain white, no aerial holes etc... Are you in Barnsley too then ?

spin
Wednesday 30th March 2005, 01:18
No i`m in Preston lancs. I bought it in Manchester back in oct 02 from a ex police car specialist.

DONKEYT5
Wednesday 30th March 2005, 04:20
did u get urs from xpc in hyde? he ripped me off left, right and centre!! still, live and learn! lookin at the bigger picture, i got a damn fine car, with huge potential!

monsterdark
Wednesday 30th March 2005, 11:12
Don ur not alone he rips off everyone join the club :sorry:

TangoDeltaSierra3
Wednesday 30th March 2005, 12:54
Let that be a lesson to you and others considering using him. In future rip yourselves off and use auction direct. :slap:

siamblue
Wednesday 30th March 2005, 17:05
Let that be a lesson to you and others considering using him. In future rip yourselves off and use auction direct. :slap:

In what way was it done ?

TangoDeltaSierra3
Thursday 31st March 2005, 00:12
I dunno, ask them whos bought from him. But all he does is buy a car at auction, use 20p of filler for roof holes, £40 of paint, maybe repair dash, then put £2000 on asking price and gives u a 3 month warranty. He's no idea if anythings wrong or not, he just prays u get past the 3 month , then you on yer own by sounds of it.

siamblue
Thursday 31st March 2005, 05:35
OIC now just a rogue middleman,Wonder what happens if work needs doing :firedevil

monsterdark
Thursday 31st March 2005, 13:04
took me ages to get all the jobs done on my car by him, holes in dash took for ever just kept hassling him until he got it sorted, bits missing that he had used for other vehicles little bits & pieces here & there. Made him cry though throttle module went & these are dealer only & a whopping £450ish, & he tried also sorts to get out of having to pay for a new one, but in the end he got it sorted after alot of mithering. Would not use him again, as TDS3 says get it at auction yourself save the difference & get the jobs sorted elsewhere

c.hughes1@ntlworld.com
Thursday 31st March 2005, 22:03
fate or what? i registered on this site today as i'm tempted to get at T5. the hyde dealer's near me & i've been in a few times, asking for prices & that. don't think i'll be going there then. does anyone know of any local (north-west) auction houses that get these cars regular?
also, what are the common problems when buying ex police? i've heard of gaping holes etc. what equipment is missing? also, also, what's the price difference tween ex police & private sales on similar milage cars?
also, also, also, what do they mpg wise?

TangoDeltaSierra3
Friday 1st April 2005, 00:21
If u use msn messenger hughsey add me on turbolad@hotmail.com. I have some auction pics i can send u, show u wot u can get for yer money plus general chat.

BrightonBreezy
Friday 1st April 2005, 15:40
does anyone know of any local (north-west) auction houses that get these cars regular?


I've been posting up the T5's coming up for auction at the BCA sites in the 'for sale' section. Keep an eye out for a batch at a site near you. There's a BCA site in Preston.
Next Tuesday there are three S70's and two V70's coming up at the Newcastle site.
I've been along to several auctions recently. The old-shape cars seem to sell for around £2.5k to £3.5k and the new shape for £3.5k to £5k depending on age, milage, level of butchering, etc. Non-white cars tend to sell for more.
Typically there will be holes in the roof & dash, interior panels missing, ripped seats, scratches in body work. All superficial stuff if you're prepared to sort it out yourself. They won't generally have any optional extras and will have the cheapest possible trim option.
I recently bought one myself just 3 weeks ago. Not directly at auction after all but from a private seller who had himself bought it at auction the week before then decided he didn't really want it after all. It cost me the £4k that he himself had paid.
Its a silver '01 V70 T5 with 174k on the clock. Needs a few cosmetic things sorting out but is mechanically sound. Its a 4 year old, new-shape V70 T5 for £4k. For that price I'm prepared to sort out some stuff myself and not be too shocked if something breaks and needs reparing.

spin
Saturday 2nd April 2005, 01:25
Yes got mine from there, they did seam to be a dodgy. They always forgot who i was when I rang them. Sounds like I was lucky apart from having to get a battery after 2 months. I`m hoping to have it sold soon. :B_thumb:

mikej
Saturday 2nd April 2005, 09:57
:banana: At last people are starting to understand ! I think there are enough of us on here who can provide you people with details of future sales and surely enough experience of buying at auction , together with a never ending source of advice regarding these cars Why would anyone whos buying an explod want to pay a dealer a few grand over the odds ? you only have to ask those who have already done it .
mike.............

mat562be
Sunday 3rd April 2005, 22:00
What year / body shape Volvo are you looking at buying?

jbconno
Wednesday 6th April 2005, 18:31
In all fairness, I have had 2 cars off the guy in Hyde and I cannot fault him. Seems like its a bit hit and miss as to peoples dealings with him.