Giving my '05 a 2010 facelift!
 

I've had a 2005 V50 for a few months, and although I did say I'd never modify it, I've started to feel it looks a bit dated, whenever I see a new model on the road.

I found out (thanks to this thread) (Thanks JonnieB2009!) that in fact the body of the 2010 model is exactly the same, the only bodywork differences were the front and rear bumper and front and rear lights. So I set about finding second-hand parts on ebay to update my 5 year-old car.

I thought I'd start a thread to show my progress and keep it updated as I go.

The idea is: From this:
http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper01.jpg

To this:
http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....0bumper01a.jpg


The total cost I'll update here:
Front Bumper £40
Front O/S Headlight £40
Front N/S headlight £(need)
Front Grille £45
Rear Bumper £45
Lower grills/fog surrounds £50 new
Current spend: £230

Firstly I found a front bumper on ebay, luckily the correct colour! Advertised as needing a respray, but I figured to keep the cost down I'd have a go at localised corrections!

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper02.jpg

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper03.jpg

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper04.jpg

Polished up OK!

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper05.jpg

And the paint chips that went right down to the plastic filled and painted with a brush! then wetsanded back a bit and polished. I know it's not quite as good as new, but I'm more than happy with it, I think they'll never get noticed once the bumper's fitted. TBH it's in better condition than my original bumper!

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper08.jpg

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper09.jpg

Then I got a grille (£140 new! :doublesho)

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper10.jpg

The grille had a broken rung, so I planned on plastic welding it up. Never tried it before, but took my soldering iron (bend the tip over in the vice to it was a more usable spreader) and the black inside tray from a CD case, and started melting away!

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper06.jpg

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper11.jpg

I'm quite pleased with the results of 10 minutes of plastic welding! I sanded it back and thought If I were getting this 100% it really wouldn't be too hard, another layer and more sanding it would have been spot on! But as I planned on wrapping it in 3M carbon vinyl I left it as it was, I was scared of cracking it by sanding it too hard. Plus that part is hidden under the badge anyway!

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper12.jpg

So here's my repaired grille, not bad I think!

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper13.jpg

The grille in the 2010 V50 I pictured is the R-Design one, with a brushed finish. I did consider trying to brush the metal finish myself, but had second thoughts!!!

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper14.jpg

Next to the foglights. Technically the new bumper needs new fogs, but I'm hoping to reuse my own. So I offered them up to the holes, and they do fit OK. Just a couple of new lug-holes and a little mod to the screw position, I think there's no reason why they wont work just fine behind the new surround.

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper15.jpg

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper16.jpg

I'm still waiting for a set of lower grilles/ fog surrounds, I've ordered them cos they only came in at £50 for the lot, plus waiting for one more headlight to come up cheap on ebay. Also, the R-design splitter. They I'll fit the front.

The rear bumper has a few bigger scratches than this, it may need a proper bit of painting! Plus the rear bumper came with splitter fitted! But... someone hacked a section out of the middle to fit a towbar, so I'm gonna have to have a go at fibreglass moulding to make a repair section!

Hey, good man.

You got a really good deal on the parts and its coming together nicely. Nice finishing touch to the grille. Are you going to get a R design lower spoiler and rear lower spoiler?

I tried getting the alloys but they cost approx £1400, there were some alloy stores online that did replicas but stopped manufac them so I bought refurbed Serapis for £500 off Ebay.

Let me know if you need any advice or guidance when you come to put it all together.

rgds

Yeah I'm chuffed I found parts the same colour as my car! Plus the rare bumper has an R-Design splitter already attached, allbeit with a section cut out of the middle from a towbar! I'm gonna have a play making a fibreglass mould to replicate the cut- out peice, plus I'm gonna fill over the 2 exhaust gaps cos my deisel doesn't have pipes in the right places!
I'm only one headlight away from fitting the front, I've got the standard front valance to tide me over til I find a splitter. The rear has to wait until I've sourced both lights, but there's some work to be done on that first anyway!

Colourcoding the standard front valance and the rear repairs will just be done with spraycans but as they aren't big panels I think the results will be fine. Plus I think I'll paint my standard skirts too, can't afford the R ones!

looks great Ben. You make it sound so easy :)

Nice Ben, I'm doing exactly the same thing but slower.
I have all the parts but in different colours, I'm slowly sanding them back and fixing any blemishes as I go. Will primer them and look for costs to get them sprayed.

I like your finished grille, I'm tempted to grab some Carbon wrap and "play".

Re-using the fogs is interesting, I was going to buy some new ones.
Can you let me know if there are any issues with fitting the fog grilles once done?

Are you going to spray your existing door mirrors? Might be the cheap way to go if using alloy wheel paint?

I have a nearside headlight secondhand which needs some work, the chrome surround off of the main lens came adrift during postage and I'm not sure you can manipulate it back on without taking the glass off the front?
You are welcome to it if you want? As used it has a few scratches on the glass lens too (I picked up a new unit cheap in the end).

Good work so far, I'm eager to watch your progress :-)

Hey JLBerry I hadn't thought about door mirrors!

Will definitely update re fog fitment

how much would you want for the headlight?

I'm getting my o/s n/s sides confused!! I need the drivers side headlight, I got that wrong when I wrote the last bit!

Ben, looks like I was confused too.
It is the Off Side that I have - part 31265701
I thought it was the chrome bit which was adrift but it is the clear plastic piece which sits around the headlight chrome. Unless you are very creative and have pixie fingers, it will require removal of the glass. Might not be a bad idea as the white lining is a little dusty.
chips/marks on glass may polish out to a reasonable level, just needs effort.
There may be some bulbs in the lamp but I'm not going to promise you the condition as they are untested.
Worst case, it'll see you good until you find another!
Yours for free if you can pay for the courier or collect in person.
I'm just outside of Bristol (M5 J19) if that helps?
Rgds
Jason.

oh, just remembered, I have a couple of front splitters, not the R-design version tho. One is new but painted in brilliant blue, the other is used and in a light blue/green colour.
For the r-design splitter, try the ebay user - fat.toby

Next I'm going to look at replacing the aerial cover with a 2006> which is slightly larger and better looking. Not sure how the existing cover has been secured. Any ideas?

No idea about the aerial, sorry.

I'll take the headlight!! If you want to post it and I'll paypal you? Or let me know the collection address and I'll get a courier booked for tomorrow?
Let me know either way! Very good of you, thanks!

I've already got a standard front splitter thanks, I've got a breakers contacting me tomorrow who say they should have an R-Design one.

Let me know re the headlight, it's all I'm lacking to get the bumper fitted! taking the glass off will be a right pain, but it's the sort of challenge I don't mind trying!

can you send me a pm with your address and I'll get in the post.

I don't have enough posts under my belt to PM, how annoying!! I'm sure you can PM me though.

My Address:

Ben Brown
3 Church Street
Lavenham
Suffolk
co10 9qt


Just let me know the amount and the paypal email.

Thanks mate, you're a star!

This is good stuff.

Dont forget pictures guys so we can see the work-in-progress!

Rgds:camera:
J

Hi Ben, it will be a very nice looking car when your done. Interested in the fog light side of things, where did you order the fog light grills/covers from?
Mine hasn't got any fogs, but the wiring is in place, so DIY fit possible. I would need a cabin switch and a software upgrade to work on mine though.
Andy

From The Volvo Dealership. The foglight sorrounds cost £14.40+VAT each, and the lower center grille costs £13+VAT. About £50 all-in for the lower parts. If the '04 fogs can be made to fit it will certainly help costs!

Ben, I'll post tomorrow.
Rgds
Jason.

Let me know how much to reimburse you mate. Many Thanks!

Hi Ben,
in the post!
Also, you might be interested in Ebay item: 130404225180
A pair of headlamps for the facelifted model I think

Have you started facelifting our volvo yet jlberry?

Not yet, I'm sanding the panels, getting ready for primer this week.
Should get the front bumper in primer by Friday.
Will work on the rear bumper next. The r-design rear bumper spoiler needs a little repair but no big deal.

The roof spoiler has the first layer of top coat and will get to the next two hopefully this week before lacquer. I have the type 2 spoiler like the r-design/sport. I also have a type 1 spoiler from Germany which I'm toying with using. See item 350235913751 on the German ebay site for a similar example.
Has anyone installed a rear spoiler and drilled the fixing holes? Any advice would be wonderful.

Looks like the sport side skirts are glued/bonded on the under-edge.
Any suggestions of which glue to use? I'll use regular body kit adhesive as it should be sufficient?

When I'm finished, I'll have a spare S40 2007-> front bumper and a spare 2007-> rear bumper up for sale....plus the old bumpers. If any one wants something, please shout!

As for the wheels, I have Lenso 18" wheels with 225/40/18 tyres.
They're in black and look like a mulit-piece wheel with chrome rims.
Will sand them back and spray them with German metallic silver wheel paint.
I think black works well on black cars....but not my taste.

I put in some new LED's on the side-lights at the weekend. The last set only lasted a few months. This time I went for the standard 501's with the dual layer SMD's, wow I am quite impressed with the brightness. Looks great next to my HID conversion.

I'll post updates as I make progress.
Thanks,
Jason

Yes, pics of work in progress.

Wen you change the front bumper you need the headlights as well - these have strip bulbs built in which run vertically -they look pretty good.
Im wondering if there is a way to change the bulbs to leds though - give it that extra- 'bling'

JLBerry I'm just wondering what method it was posted with as it's not arrived yet? and email me your paypal so I can reimburse you when it does get here. Cheers

I've just bought the R-Design front splitter for £70 from eBay, I tried beating him down on price but he wouldn't budge! Oh well, it's kinda essential to the whole project I guess. I'm wondering how much I'll make back on the original items from my car when it's done? Hoe fully it'll cover half the conversion costs at least?!

chaps,

Dont forget to let you insurance company know as they wont pay out if there are mods they dont know about.

I am with Direct L and its costing me another £150 for the year but that is covered for modifications up to £4k - I had to give them a list.

Many Thanks Jason, I received it today! Let me know your paypal address and I'll chuck you some money!

After a very frustrating half-hour with a piece of bent wire I managed to get the plastic bit back on... then realised the little plastic notches are actually one notch out of alignment! D'oh. Oh well, I'm not going to pop it back off again now, you really can't see unless it's pointed out!

I bought the R-Design splitter from ebay, it's hanging in my garage now getting a few coats of black.
I'm pondering whether to wait until tomorrow to flat it back with 2000grit before lacquer, or to just give it a few coats of lacquer now, then tomorrow when the whole lot is properly dry flatten it all off and polish it up?

Which would work best? It's so hot right now the paint it drying kinda before it hits the surface and is more orangepeely than an orangepeel!

I saw this on another forum and have to say it looks good. You upgraded your '05 V50 to the latest look for a minimum outlay.:thumbs_up:

Thanks mate, should look sweet when I'm done. May commit to the bumper swap tomorrow!

I'm still figuring out which of the Volvo forums are the busiest, there are some with barely any threads, this one seems the best from what I can see. So I stuck this post on a few of them!

Here's what I mean with the headlight - the clear plastic piece that came away is back on but just one notch out, luckily it's the sort of thing you'd never notice!
http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper17.jpg

Here's the splitter getting some black on it. Obviously the finish from a rattle-can is never a perfect gloss to start with, but actually now it's dry it's not as orange-pelly as I thought, just a bit satin. I had this happen in the past (although on a silver car) and after 4 or 5 coats of lacquer a wetsand brought the finish up perfectly, so I'm thinking I'll go straight to the lacquer now then correct the finish once it's dried properly tomorrow.


http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper18.jpg

It wont take you long, you just need some packers under the plastic tabs at the bottom of the headlights. I put packers/shims under then drilled a hole down into the chasis and put a countersunk screw in so the head doesnt touch the headlamp- fitted fine and looks the business.

You wont be dissappointed.

Post up some pics when you have chance.
:thumbs_up:

...as if by magic!

Not sure what you mean mate about the plastic tabs (I'm sure it will become clear when I fit it!)

I'll re-read your original post before I do it! Was there much to be cut away for the bumper to fit??

Hi Ben, considering the cost of postage, don't worry about it. I was expecting to cost a bit more!

Now on to the bumper fitting and I have some questions which I think you discover the answers too before I get to them.!

There is an air flow panel between the front splitter and the skid panel, I'm guessing that the old air flow panel is the wrong size/shape.
What are your plans?
Do you know if the old skid panel will fit with the modifications (assuming the air flow panel needs to be replaced).

Good luck!!!
Jason.

Wow, Jason I don't know what to say! Very generous of you! Thank you!

I havent even looked underneath yet!! don't scare me!! I'm going to give the swap a go right now, I'll document and photograph all I can... wish me luck!

Good luck Ben!
Do you have access to the Volvo VADIS system? Will help you with the removal of parts etc.

90% Fitted :-) Have taken loads of pics... and a nice complete guide too, including fiting the '04 fogs back on! ... just off to have some lunch, then stick arch liners, wheels etc back on and I'll get back on here and right it up!

You will be pleased, its like having a new car!

Here we go guys firstly my guide, then I'll follow with pics, haven't got time right now to collate them to the guide!

Very easy, all you need is a few hours, a set of screwdrivers, torx bits 20 & 27, a drill, a saw and a couple of u-clips (for fitting the standard fogs into the new bumper)

1. Jack up car, remove wheels

2. remove undertray (torx 27)

3. Undo arch liners on bumper side

4. Remove headlight

5. Remove lower fogs, note which side is which

6. under bonnet- 5 clips along front edge. Don't pry them up, push the middle down a few mm and they come loose, (very clever little clips actually!)

7. 1 torx 20 screw either side of these 5 clips

8. each side of the bumpers pop out when you pull them

9. Use a screwdriver and lever out each tab under where the headlight was

10. bumper pulls away (It's actually got a couple of tabs to pry away at the two highest points where it meets the bonnet - I use plastic prying tools for this, I don't want to scratch anything with a screwdriver)

11. vacuum, clean, treat plastics etc (I painted the horn blower mounts with hammerite)

12. You need to saw off 2cm from the plastic behind the grille (see pics) otherwise it hits the bumper. I used a metal ruler to scrape the cut edge clean and remove the plastic burrs.

13. fit the new bumper!
- If you're using the original foglights, you need to be sure you're figured out how you fit them before the bumper is on the car. See pics. I drilled (very carefully) a new hole close to one of the others for the uppermost 'pin' of the foglight, then I cut a groove in the uppermost ring part of the fog, to fit a U-clip. Once the bumper is on the car i plugged it in, then pushed this pin part into place, and drilled a new hole for a screw (2") to tighten on the U-clip. See pics. It's actually very solid. I can't say yet that this definitely fits behind the foglight surround, I don't have the surrounds yet!
Everything I did here I made sure I left all original mountings in-tact and usable in case I fitted others in the future.

15. There's a small piece of the undertray that was still attached to the bumper Offer this up, attach it where it goes on the chassis and drill two new holes through the lower splitter and into this part, move a couple of the original U-Cips to these new holes to attach the splitter.

16. The tabs of the bumper under the headlight, don't quite click into place, but I found they weren't going anywhere anyway.

17. Re-fit the headlight, archliners and wheels.

18. Double-check you've tightenned the wheel-bolts.

Job done! hope that makes sense!

Now to wait for new rear lights and ' get on with that!

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper23.jpg

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper24.jpg

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper25.jpg

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper26.jpg

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper27.jpg

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper28.jpg

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper29.jpg

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper16.jpg

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper30.jpg

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper31.jpg

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper32.jpg

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper33.jpg

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper34.jpg



I Completely love it! Definitely like having a new car! Chuffed to bits!

Here's some closeups of the satin finish I got on the splitter, cutting it back, then poilishing it up. Pretty good from a sprycan I recon!http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper19.jpg

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper20.jpg

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper21.jpg

http://www.lavenham-photographic.co....50bumper22.jpg

Hey Ben, wow what an effort!
a million thanks for coming back with pics and the write up. You've taken quite a bit of the guess work out of my conversion :-)

I've asked Simon from FRF for a price for the fog covers, and I'll most likely order them from him when he's back next week as I'm missing these too.

Today I decided to order some 3M carbon Vinyl for the front grille slats and I might just do the lower grille too.
Somebody else on here applied some 3M on the grille and it looked stunning.

I haven't made progress with the priming yet, bit of a bad week with unplanned hospital time with my daughter....ho hum, next week it'll be.

I'm going to try and fit the R-Design mirror covers this weekend, I'll let you know how easy they are to remove and replace.
I picked up some amber LED push in bulbs, I hope they fit.

I forgot to ask you, what are you going to do with your wheels, are you going to kept them as is or replace with something bigger or newer?

thanks again,
Jason.

I'm gonna keep these 17's on it, personally I really like them, plus with tyre costs, harsher ride etc etc I'm happy to have 17's. Been there done that and It's too easy to spend a fortune

Good job well done.

The R design mirror covers don't fit 2004-2006 models I've tried it.

If your using your car on the road after the mods make sure your insurance company knows or you wont be covered in a bump and all that good work will be down the drain.

Rgds
J:thumbs_up: