Jon's New V70R

[jellison]

Hi Guys,

Just bought a 2 previous owner V70R (Silver with Tan leather). FSH, 88.7k miles.



Looks like the first owner had until a year ago up to 81k and then last one till 88.7k.

Few opinions before I get to the R.

I've had a few Volvo's in the past, 850T5 and a P2T5. 850 was IHO a better car that the later cars just because it was smaller. A std 850T5 has a much tighter car than the bigger lardier P2 shape cars, much of this just being weight. The P2T5 I still have (father had from new and I have run for 3+years), was always a disappointment over the 850T5 (both bought new), just bigger heavier and much more rolly poly. But you get used to it. Engine definitely better in P2 (pity chassis the other way). Anyway P2 was / is a mega tow car and damn fast in a straight line when required.

I did always hanker after winding the power up on P2 and did first with a Jetex SS system (small difference and bit better noise - nothing aggressive) and then with a custom remap by a company my father has used to have 4 vehicle done in the past (all with amazing results). With this done it was a bloody missile (faster than the R (more on that below) once out of wheelspining first). Pre map base power was 251 so 1nhp up on std (but then you have to think it never had a true 250 and the Jetex had gotten it to that start point (I/m guessing it had 10-11 up on std from the feel). Remap took it to 303. This was way to much for the std 16J rims and 215/55 tyres, so got a set of multi-spoke Borbet Volvo rims (not seen on many other Volvo), with new 235/17/45 Goodyear Eagle F1 (3's). These really help get the power down and just better over all grip. Was thinking about the suspension at this point but I kind of had grown used to the std soft setup (it is a massive barge not a race car), so left as is. But fantastic now (done a huge amount to it over and above normal stuff in last year or so; full clutch and mass flywheel change a few months back, 17" wheels and tyres, all new brakes and pads, alternator, PAS pump and more).

But then gradually feeling I'd like a newer much lower mile car (T5 is at 155k, but as I say one family from new so I know the history and have driven from day one) for the next 5+ years or so. Plus towing a race car abroad with a car over 15 years old you hit a brick wall with "get you home" assistance for the tow vehicle and the trailer and racer (unless pay way extra)! So starting looking about for a newer much lower mile V70R.

Anyway found this relatively low mile car and hope this can be good for a good long while.

First impressions:-
1. So many gadgets! Seems to have everything bar satnav and subwoofer (even has those twin pop-up rear seats in the boot).
2. Not sure yet on the fancy dampers (seems it has had 3 front in it life to this point). Hardest setting is just pointless (like having no damping at all - like and Audi and then some!). Comfort and Sport seem pretty good, but why not just get the compromise right between these for one fixed damper. May change opinion, but they cost a sh*tload and seem to not last that long, where as std dampers on my old T5 are the originals and seems the same (soft) now as they did when brand new.
3. Not convinced by the AWD yet, OK it is great in low gears for traction and not destroying the tyres, but so much more complicated stuff in there (not just mechanical bits like a rear diff and driveshaft, but all the computerised crap to go wrong), once you are up and running what does it really offer apart from lugging and extra 100 odd kg about (that is Massive amount).
4. Performance. This is totally standard car. This seems better in a straight line than the std P2T5 (but not by much once out of the low gears). In the low gears it is way quicker than the 2wd car, but once into say 3rd, no better (it is lugging that big extra weight about). I'd gues it has about 290bhp (just on feel of the engine vs the feel of the extra weight). 3rd gear and up I'd say the performance (pure straightline) falls some where between std T5 and mapped / pipped T5. You can feel it has a lot more to give (knowing how much the map and catback did for the T5), but just feels held back (again the weight). I'm thinking this is going to need 340+bhp to be on par with the old T5 from 3rd and up (but it is already better up to that point).
5. The tow bar on it id bloody hideous. I have an expensive removable one that site under the back valance. One on it is non removable and have had rear valance cut to accommodate (that will need fixing when the other one takes its place). Will sell or bin the std one when the T5 is sold.
6. Brakes, nothing special. You'd expect those fancy 4 pots all round to be better than they are. They are Ok, but not really any better than the all new stuff is giving me in the tweeked T5. There is a very slight judder from the front which I'll get looked at asap (only when car has been driven for 5-10 miles and warmed up - not noticed on test drive, but Volvo service papers did mention it as a recommended thing to be looking at).

These are the impressions after less than 2 fill ups so far.

Car for me is going to be a luxury barge that can when required really get up and go (and tow). For me way to big and lardy to through more than a catback and a remap at (rest will stay standard I'm thinking at this point). Have some other stuff went I want nibble and fast cars (I like old bet very muddied classic stuff - so easy to work on).

Fast stuff https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/...?memberId=7660

I have been looking at LeeT5's thread (respect - but partly scared by the amount he show that can go wrong (great for him he can fix these modern things or has a much cheaper repair route than most) and will get to Harvey's soon. The level of knowledge the guys are bringing is mega and I hope to cherry pick certain bits they have done (but not get carried away).

Cheers
Jon
Jellison