Japanese V70 Import Purchase Help

[joetothphoto]

Well, I've lurked for awhile and I thought I should join and get as much knowledge from other Volvo owners here.

I am in the process of buying a Volvo V70 2.0 T5 SE Lux Powershift from a dealership near me. It is a Japanese import and in amazing condition.

A couple of questions I wanted to ask and I am hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

A couple of things I want to do in order to make this an enjoyable family car and driving experience for me is... tune the engine for starters. I called several main dealers near me and I got different answers from each of them. To be fair they all sounded like they couldn't be bothered or had no clue. I wanted to go the Polestar route as I could have the software updated at the same time. But one dealer said they won't touch it for that reason.

So, I might just be looking a company that does ECU remapping for Volvos. But if I can have the cars software updated, should I do this and is it possible on Japanese imports?

Secondly, the company I am buying from has a very good reputation. If they tell me the car has had a full service, should I still take it to a garage that deals with Volvos and have it looked over?

Finally, I have read loads about the V70 lacklustre driving in the city. The car will be mainly used for road trips and the occasional trip into town. A few people here have mentioned sway bars as a good starting point. Can anyone recommend online companies that sell what I need and any garages that can help with the installation of such products if I decide to upgrade the suspension further?

Thanks again.

[Kev0607]

I can't help with the update/Polestar side of things.

With regards to sway bars, you can get them from places like parts for Volvo website. Very reasonable prices and they'll deliver the parts to your doorstep. Just search your car model and year from the drop down menu and search under suspension.

Just another thing worth mentioning, the Powershift transmission is garbage. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I wouldn't touch one of those with a barge pole. Unless it has records of being serviced properly with the correct fluid and filter, I'd walk away. Being honest, even if it had records of being serviced, I still wouldn't buy one. You need the proper 6 speed auto, not the Powershift.

As for getting the car looked over. Where possible, I'd advise you do it. I think its certainly worth getting it looked over by a Volvo professional before parting with any money.

[Simmy]

iv run a powershift for the last 8 years they are not quite as bad as kev says i would say they are not suitable for any power up grades re maps ect if thrashed they tend to break the shock absorbers in the clutches there is 2 in the gearbox if you want to drive hard look for a different car

[joetothphoto]

Originally Posted by Simmy

iv run a powershift for the last 8 years they are not quite as bad as kev says i would say they are not suitable for any power up grades re maps ect if thrashed they tend to break the shock absorbers in the clutches there is 2 in the gearbox if you want to drive hard look for a different car

Thanks Simmy, I am not a hard driver by ay means. The car is going to be a family car and used for the occasional trips into town and long road trips. I just wanted to make it as comfortable as possible and enjoyable to drive.

[Simmy]

as kev says maintenance is the key a fluid change is over £200 with the filter intervals are every 50k there is a set procedure as this is a 2 compartment gearbox. get a good long test drive to observe any problems sutch as juddering on take off or bumping as coming to a stop if the car shows any of these things dont buy

[joetothphoto]

Originally Posted by Simmy

as kev says maintenance is the key a fluid change is over £200 with the filter intervals are every 50k there is a set procedure as this is a 2 compartment gearbox. get a good long test drive to observe any problems sutch as juddering on take off or bumping as coming to a stop if the car shows any of these things dont buy

Thanks Simmy, I will question the dealership about this and if there isn’t any record of servicing I will walk away. I will also take a long test drive.

[simboc2004]

Originally Posted by joetothphoto

Well, I've lurked for awhile and I thought I should join and get as much knowledge from other Volvo owners here.

A few people here have mentioned sway bars as a good starting point. Can anyone recommend online companies that sell what I need and any garages that can help with the installation of such products if I decide to upgrade the suspension further?

Thanks again.

I have changed my (very rusty) rear sway bar/anti-roll bar to a Hardrace one. Bigger diameter and very easy to swap. Keeping my eyes open for a similar discount price for a front one. Look at their website - hardrace.co.uk. Big reputation in Honda Civic world, plus other racing cars. A nice metallic blue too - though I will take it off again and paint it Polestar Blue for that true Swedish look...

I also fitted a genuine R-Design front suspension top brace from a V60. Again works well, though much redrafting of the filler honeycomb plate needed. There was also a Polestar brace made for V60s - that may well fit too - it has three mounting "arms" on each side, unlike the R-D one, which has one. The Polestar one is like the standard strut brace fitted to my wife's 2017 V40. It needs special double ended suspension top mount screws to fit it. Hardrace also make a V60 strut brace. Photos attached.