Post 529386 by vaderboyo on 2012-08-08 00:30:29
Ive had the AWD for a few months now and refrained from doing any major mods until I was sure I wanted to keep her.
Keep reminding myself it was a £700 car, and that I was desperate for an auto because of my back problem, which slowly but surely is getting fixed. In this respect it has been a blessing, so easy to drive in traffic and comfortable on long journeys..as expected really and glad I came back to the brand.
The AWD is due for its MOT this month, I'm expecting it will fail on crappy handbrake and some bushes need replacing (or the top mount) on passenger side front suspension leg. I'm guessing it will cost under a £100 to get it through MOT, although I suspect it needs an new lambada sensor..in which case it will cost more lol
Body wise, it needs a dent done on the passenger side rear door and it has a few small parking dents along the bottom of the rear quarter panel, there is also a small dent to the driver side rear arch ... Approx £150 to sort these out....other wise its nice and straight and I like the silver colour.
Ive noticed today that one tyre wall has a small crack in it, gutted as its a fresh tyre, so will need to replace both the fronts to keep tread even....that will be another £140.00 for two P7000.
Mod wise, having looked at suspension kits and drop bolts etc, Ive come to the conclusion that it will be better and safer to swap shocks and springs from a v70r awd as I like the ride height offered....best quotes for front legs and springs and rear springs from ebay breakers has been around the £180 to £200 all in. I really dont like the current ride height in particular the front, but undertsand why it is that way after all its AWD and there was a reason for it.
I'm also after a set of 17" alloys and heated cream leather seats (rather than the half leather I have now) as leather would be even better for my back and..... I really fancy a V70R front bumper...
Last but not least once I'd got the above sorted including engine work to stage 0, I was going to get her remapped to 235bhp with the standard turbo as not to loose to much the the 'lag free' feel....probably another £400 all in.
......which brings me to the burning question that is starting to keep me awake at night....(or rather questions)
Do I really need 4WD and would I be better off just going for a clean T5 Auto?
Will a remapped AWD give nearly the same performance between 80 and 120mph as a standard T5 at top end....the standard setup for the 2.4t is lethargic after 80mph and struggles completely after 110mph.
It would be an easy decision if I didnt like the AWD, but I do like it a lot and for £700 its been an excellent buy. I dont drive like a maniac....often lol.....but in the rain and on roundabouts the AWD is amazing, it really locks the car down and gives you total confidence....you know it could handle a lot more power if it was given the chance and I see it as an added safety feature.
So, I reckon If I keep the AWD, I will keep it for good and probably spend a lot of my hard earnt cash on it over the next 6 months just getting it up to scratch and modding it, once Ive done this it will be unique....then I see some safy V70r's on theifbay and think, hell I wont be any worse of juice wise (probably better), they already come with 17" alloys, lower ride height, deeper bumper etc all fitted.....
My head says V70r and my heart says AWD....what do you think fellow Volvo dudes:cool:
In the meantime I'm off to sleep over it again lol
Post 529389 by Dangerous Dave on 2012-08-08 00:41:53
LOL, I'm biased as I have an AWD (albeit a LPT) and will always say go for the AWD. But therein lies the problem. If you're going to stick with it then you need to be prepared for the problems that will eventually arise, especially if you're going to push some extra horses from the engine. These problems usually cost a lot to fix, especially as parts are getting harder to find.
A remap should open up the top end a lot, but the small(ish) turbo won't be able to flow enough at the very top (depends on if you need it though).
On the MOT front, my tyres passed last year with some cuts in the wall! (advised to change, but was getting new ones anyway as winter was coming).
Have you thought about an uprated ARB kit? IPD do one, they're expensive but do make a difference.
I'm sure the V70R guys will be along soon to share their knowledge and experiences :)
Post 529427 by V70 Graham on 2012-08-08 14:42:44
My opinion, for what it's worth.....
You say it's been an excellent buy, and you love the AWD, you could well go out and buy another T5 auto and have all manor of things wrong with it, I say stick with what you know.
Yes , I know you will have to spend money on her, but as you say you will have something unique when your done.
I have done similar with mine and have her 99% as I want her, and I'm glad I stuck with her.
Hopefully this will help, good luck whatever you deceide.
Post 529445 by vaderboyo on 2012-08-08 17:19:00
cheers guys....cant go with another restless night sleep.....so AWD R suspension on order :B_thumb:
I might go a bit quiet over the coming weeks as wife slowly realises that credit card bills are on the up again:shifty:
Post 529452 by foammanmark on 2012-08-08 17:38:37
I'm new to the world of the V70 R AWD, but the looks of the laser in my signature picture were enough for me to buy the car. I am aware of potential issues and I was advised against the AWD particularly with an auto box which mine is. However, I am looking forward to the colder weather and the advantage of the AWD over FWD, and I am getting used to the auto box as I always go for a manual if poss.
I'm trying to keep some funds to one side for the eventual/inevitable issues, but I have got a very good history on my car with the box and AWD system both having repairs/maintenance work carried out in the last few thousand miles. Mine has the BSR stage 2 map and seems very quick when pushed. I'd say you should go with your own preference and if that's AWD , then so be it. Bring on the snow/ice!!
Post 529454 by vaderboyo on 2012-08-08 17:45:51
[QUOTE=foammanmark;529452]I'm new to the world of the V70 R AWD, but the looks of the laser in my signature picture were enough for me to buy the car. I am aware of potential issues and I was advised against the AWD particularly with an auto box which mine is. However, I am looking forward to the colder weather and the advantage of the AWD over FWD, and I am getting used to the auto box as I always go for a manual if poss.
I'm trying to keep some funds to one side for the eventual/inevitable issues, but I have got a very good history on my car with the box and AWD system both having repairs/maintenance work carried out in the last few thousand miles. Mine has the BSR stage 2 map and seems very quick when pushed. I'd say you should go with your own preference and if that's AWD , then so be it. Bring on the snow/ice!![/QUOTE]
cheers for that, your laser blue looks stunning btw
Post 529457 by foammanmark on 2012-08-08 17:52:47
[QUOTE=vaderboyo;529454]cheers for that, your laser blue looks stunning btw[/QUOTE]
Thank you!! If truth be known, I've gone for the looks of the car rather than the AWD and auto, but when I first came on VPCUK last Autumn, I was looking for an R AWD. I do high Winter mileage and after the 2 previous cold ones I fancied the AWD. However, I was 'put off' the idea so I bought a V70 T5 manual off a member instead, but I've still ended up with an AWD as well.
I have a great local Volvo indy. close to me and he was part of my decision to go with the AWD as well, cos if something does break, then I know he'll fix it well and as keen as he can. That gave me a bit more confidence to take on the R AWD.