2002 C70 2319cc T5

[jarmstrong001]

I currently drive a 2000 S40 1.8i GDI engine and get about 45mpg.
I am looking into buying a 2002 C70 coupé (hardtop) with the 2319cc T5 engine.
What are the things to look out for when looking at the C70?
Had a look at this thread http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=87669
is there anything else specific to look out for?
Don't do much mileage at the moment so not a big problem but what kind of mpg could I expect from the T5 and how does it perform when driving a lot of short 2 mile journeys when cold?
How does the handling compare with the S40?

Thanks for your help!

[alexward]

I've had my C70 T5 GT for about 5 weeks now mate and I love it. Its stonkingly quick. Leaves most stuff for dead. Its supremely comfortable too. Stereo's amazing. Mine's got sat nav, but thats crap! Mileage so I hear on these isn't an issue as long as its been regularly serviced.
On the handling front, they're not brilliant. Its more of a grand tourer than sports car handling wise. I've come from an MG ZT 190 with the optional sports suspension, which when new was one of the best handling front drive saloons going! So i've noticed the lack of point to point nimbleness!
But it sure as heck makes up for it in other areas.
Its a mile muncher.
You won't be disappointed mate.

[storming]

Try putting a strut brace in c70, will make a big difference.
I have an Mg ztt 190 and a T5R and wish I could put the t5 engine in Mg it would then make the perfect touring car!

[ovlov25]

I have a 850 which is near enough the same engine....

Expect 18mpg or less around town and you will need to consider 3000 mile oil changes to keep the engine in tip top shape.

The T5 is built to bomb down motorways not for fannying around town.

[alexward]

Originally Posted by storming

Try putting a strut brace in c70, will make a big difference.
I have an Mg ztt 190 and a T5R and wish I could put the t5 engine in Mg it would then make the perfect touring car!

Agree with you on that mate. I find the Volvo far more comfortable than my MG.
Toying with the idea of the strut brace. Where's the best place to get one?

[jarmstrong001]

Thanks for all your advice

Originally Posted by storming

Try putting a strut brace in c70, will make a big difference.
I have an Mg ztt 190 and a T5R and wish I could put the t5 engine in Mg it would then make the perfect touring car!

Is this necessary in the hard top or are the rigidity problems only in the cabriolet?

[ovlov25]

Originally Posted by alexward

Agree with you on that mate. I find the Volvo far more comfortable than my MG.
Toying with the idea of the strut brace. Where's the best place to get one?

Rufe - a trader on this site, the genuine one is only 60 quid or so new. That, along with a poly top mount, the 2 best upgrades for this car.

[Simon J]

We find that on predominantly short trips round town in our C70 T5 auto we get about 300 miles to a tank of super unleaded which works out at around 20 mpg. On a longish motorway trip we'd see 30 mpg without too much difficulty unless we really push the speed up to three figures when it will drop to the upper 20s. We also find that the extra cost of using super unleaded such as BP Ultimate pays for itself in the extra mpg we get and a T5 definitely runs better on it than the regular 95. So a win win situation really.

As for the strut brace, it's probably a must have for the convertible but as we've had one installed from new it's hard to say what difference it makes. But if it does make a big difference, then the convertible must be awful without it! Sports car it ain't but as a grand tourer it's awesome.

[jarmstrong001]

What is a T5 GT exactly and can you tell if a C70 T5 is a GT or not from the VIN?

[Simon J]

Not sure if you can tell from the VIN whether a car is a GT but here's the 2002 brochure for the C70 which lists the various permutations.