360 GLE I - Banger or Classic? Now with pictu
 

A family friend has just given me a 360 GLE I. Its a C (1986) reg with 90000 on the clock. Since i dont have to pay for it I thought I would try it out for a month or so to see if I like it.

The interior is a little shody but the engine is sound and has a full service history as well as recent new cluth and gearbox. There are some minor faults like the drivers window and sun roof dont open (electric) and the rear right hand door does not close with the central locking.

Do people think that it is worth spending money on this car or should I just get rid of it and buy something a little more recent? (if so would anyone like to by a 360 in NW london?!)

I will hold onto it for a month anyway and see what I think but any suggestions would be appreciated!

Pictures at: http://geocities.com/clark_vincent2002/volvopage.htm

RE: 360 GLE I - Banger or Classic?
 

Vincent,

You have been given what is basically a good car for free. Before you try to make money selling it, have a go at fixing some / all of the minor niggles yourself.

Check all the fuses.

Take off the door trims and try to see if there are any loose connections to the window motor and the central locking solenoid. It is also possible for the supply cables to these items to get trapped and broken as they go from car body to door.

The sun roof in my 360 GLE is manual so I cannot help you there.

If you still want rid of the car, let me know as I may be interested in taking it off your hands.

RE: 360 GLE I - Banger or Classic?
 

If any body would like to give me a free 360 with only 90K , id be happy to take it !!! . 3-4 years of hassle free(ish) motoring for nowt.

RE: 360 GLE I - Banger or Classic?
 

Hi Vincent,

Personally I wouldn't bother about things like the sunroof not working etc, I think all 300's are like that.

What I would (and have) done is take it to an MOT station and spend 25quid. If it passes, basically you have a years cheap motoring, if not take a decision whether it is worth fixing.

Just a note on the faults, Volvo never seemed to get the sunroofs right. Both mine had the same problems, as do all at the scrappy. The cenral locking on the back left doesn't work, same with last one. Heated seats never seem to work, Battery light kept flashing on the dash board, instrument never read correctly. From what I gather, Volvo electrics left a lot to be desired on older models.

All the best,

RE: 360 GLE I - Banger or Classic?
 

my electrics are all good! including the seats....hmm....warm backside in winter!

the central locking packs up because the window seals are cr*p, and they let water in, so the bits get corroded or whatever.

my passenger side electric window packed up too - the motor got burnt out methinks. took it to pieces a few times, to no avail...got a new one from down the scrappy!

agreed on the sunroofs, but they are a non volvo part anyway - mine is rusting for a start, and something has broken in it that stops it going back properly. is yours *really* electric - i ask cos i didnt know they did a leccy one...

cheers

james

ps: oh...and keep the car, if you can afford the fuel!

RE: 360 GLE I - Banger or Classic?
 

Yeah the sunroof is really electric but I wouldent get to happy because I cant make it work!! It has leather seats too!

RE: 360 GLE I - Banger or Classic?
 

woah! that is cool!
where is the switch? could you maybe post some pics?

i need to get out more...!!

cheers

james

RE: 360 GLE I - Banger or Classic?
 

Of the sunroof? il have a go but its really not that impressive, especially since i doubt it will ever work again, i would have prefered a manual one!

RE: 360 GLE I - Banger or Classic?
 

cool stuff! is it a volvo one, or an aftermarket one?

yours in a c reg car, correct? i think this may have been a rare option that was deleted on later models - hence i have never heard of it.

re: the pics, i really want one of the switch, and of the cover where the handle should be.

i really dont know why...but i find it fascinating! it sure beats maths homework....

cheers

james

RE: 360 GLE I - Banger or Classic?
 

Vincent,
My late lamented 340 had the power window problem so I took the motor out and stripped it down. The only thing wrong with it was the overloadcut out in one of the wires to the brushes not reset itself
so I by-passed it and the motor worked for another 4 years.
I think its function is to liimit the force which is applied to the glass to prevent amputation of children`s heads, fingers etc.
As to the sunroof, on the larger Volvos(and I think yours is the same) you can easily fit a manual crank in place of the motor and gear box simply by undoing a few screws. You should be able to find a manual crank in the scrap yards. It will be a lot easier to find than an electric one.
Colin