XC70: General New V70 / XC70 first impressions

[rjf240GLT]

I agree, i havent seen another one; apart from the ones i drove at the Volvo Freedom drive thingy a couple of months back. My old (now wifes) V70 D5 2002 176K, runs at around 38mpg even for short journeys. i'm hoping my new one will better that, particulalry as it will be doing some long runs.
What wheels have you ordered for yours; I spec'ed the optional Fortuna which look great, suspect that most people will go for the Odysseus, which are featured in the brochures. I also had fitted an ipod/usb connector, which is great; it was cheaper than a multi-cd changer and as i've an ipod full of songs, seemed to be a good idea. One thing i need to check with the dealer though is the steel grille; i thought it was stanard, but i havent got one; i do have a nylon net that connects to the rear seat though! What did your cars come with?
Cheers, Rob

[Chaddie]

The Steel Grille is only standard on the XC70.

I went for the standard wheels, bigger alloys look good but make for a harder ride and can also make for a bigger turning circle.

I've been thinking of the iPod/USB connector (can have it as a dealer fitted extra), but since I tend not to keep my cars long, I only want it if it can be taken out and fitted to my next car at a sensible price.

The CD plays MP3's so I've created a CD with 100+ MP3 songs on it, but I can't create folders / Albums using iTurns, its only seem to let you create a playlist and copy that to a CD.

Does anyone have an idiots guide to create a MP3 CD (with Folder / Albums) using iTurns.

Cheers

[Chaddie]

I've just uploaded a couple of photos of my new XC70 into My Photo Gallery, the weather wasn't great so they aren't that good, but better than nothing.

[Kobe]

looks good..

do you bother with special paint treatments/waxes etc?

[Chaddie]

No I never have on any of my cars.

You have to wash it everytime with special shampoo, wipe any bird crap off within a set time etc or the warrenty on the treatment is invalidated.

I never put a car through a machine car wash, there is a place near where I work that does it by hand and they seem to do a really good job so I just go there.

I think the treatment Volvo sell also treats the leather seats etc, but I don't eat in my car, I don't have kids so 95% of the time its only me in it, so the inside is nearly always clean.

If you wash you car by hand yourself everytime, then it might be worth buying it with your car, if you don't save the £350+ it buys a lot of car washes.

[Kobe]

Originally Posted by Chaddie

save the £350+ it buys a lot of car washes.

true

[dodgyken]

I am debating either to be sensible and buy a 2003 V70R (yep - that is the sensible option), the slightly daft option (New D5) or plain loopy option (T6).

I have specced a car up on the Swiss Volvo site - and gone for Black with red leather, 17" wheels (for winter), roof rails, premium sound, subwoofer, Ipod, cd-changer, automatic, 4C suspension, and a few other bits and pieces.

On top I have spoken to the dealership and they will attend to the tuning options - Heico chip tuning (210PS and 480Nm), Heico sports suspension (works well with the 4C apparently), and also the Heico 19" Volution V wheels (for summer)

I am not back their until 8th December - so in the meantime.

How good is the new V70? Compared to the old one? What is the turning circle like??

[Kobe]

the T6 is probably actually quicker than it feels when you drive it.. it didn't give me any sense of occasion.. or feel disappointed to hand the keys back..

hence I didn't bother going for that sort of performance option and went for the more useable D5 route.

Not sure what a modded version would do. Perhaps the autobox didn't give me the feeling of control I want with a quick car.

[rjf240GLT]

Hi, I've seen another all-new V70! It as on my way to Cornwall last Friday. Didnt have the same wheels as mine though! Car performing better by the day; nearly done 1500 miles now! Called the dealer about the steel grille, and they sent a volvo product note to me. Will upload it if someone tells me how; but basically due to shortages only the XC70 is having a steel grille as standard the V70 has a nylon one instead. Havent asked if I get a discount (£70 price difference) yet! Turning circle is better than my wifes old v70, or atleast i can get in a carparking space in one go! Will put some pics when i work out how. But new son (4months and counting) takes our time; although he does look great in his volvo boots!

[Chaddie]

I've seen another XC70, same colour as mine but not sure of the model.

I've just done 1000 miles and is very smooth, I've tried to keep it at around the 2000rpm till now I might start opening it up a little more now. Tried on the way home from work and was very quiet and smooth seems more sure footed than the old XC70.

The turning circle is better, I think its about half a meter less than the old V70.

I wonder how good compared to the old XC70 will the new one be off road / in snow, with it having lower profile tyres as standard will this make it worse in snow? just wondering with the winter coming and with me living in the country (up a hill).