Advice on buying a Volvo C30.

[T5R92011]

You should buy a good condition 2.0-litre petrol...

Reasons:
- Reliable Mazda engine
- No expensive timing belt to change (engine is driven with a chain)
- Incredibly easy to service
- MPG is ok

If you buy the diesel, you will find yourself dealing with constant bouts of reduced power i.e "limp home mode" with various sensors related to DPF throwing errors and EGR valves getting blocked.

As an NHS professional I doubt you need that kind of annoyance and hassle in your life. Sometimes it's worth paying slightly more in fuel to have less worry about your car. For reference my friend is on a relatively low wage and is able to run a 2.0-litre petrol C30 no problem at all.

[T5R92011]

I would also suggest where possible to go for 2012 onwards model for these reasons:

Bluetooth audio streaming
2012 onwards allows you to stream music to your car via bluetooth. Previous models only allowed phone calls to be streamed, but not music.

Automatic headlights with LED DRLs
These cars have dedicated LED daytime running lights, whereas the older cars used the actual headlights as "always on" DRLs, causing the headlight output quality to deteriorate much faster than most cars, due to heat affecting the silvering on the headlamp reflectors.

Ignition switch/steering lock issues resolved.
Volvo removed a troublesome part of the steering lock/ignition switch function on these models as it was causing problems on previous models, despite numerous revisions.

[ricowaldman]

Thanks everyone for helping out with detailed advice. Very helpful indeed.
I am now on the hunt for a petrol C30.

Cheers

Rico

[Dastardly Diesel]

I think that's wise. Find a good one, keep it well serviced, and it should be your faithful friend.

[ricowaldman]

Originally Posted by T5R92011

I would also suggest where possible to go for 2012 onwards model for these reasons:

Bluetooth audio streaming
2012 onwards allows you to stream music to your car via bluetooth. Previous models only allowed phone calls to be streamed, but not music.

Automatic headlights with LED DRLs
These cars have dedicated LED daytime running lights, whereas the older cars used the actual headlights as "always on" DRLs, causing the headlight output quality to deteriorate much faster than most cars, due to heat affecting the silvering on the headlamp reflectors.

Ignition switch/steering lock issues resolved.
Volvo removed a troublesome part of the steering lock/ignition switch function on these models as it was causing problems on previous models, despite numerous revisions.

Thank you so much your comments are exceptionaly helpful. Can i ask, are all the 2.0l ones mazda/timing chain versions? Based on your advice ill be looking for a 2.0l post 2012.

Im gonna keep looking but would you say that this car is a good example.....

https://www.bridgendgroup.co.uk/used...33/?Make=VOLVO

Many thanks again

[lockstock]

Originally Posted by ricowaldman

Thank you so much your comments are exceptionaly helpful. Can i ask, are all the 2.0l ones mazda/timing chain versions? Based on your advice ill be looking for a 2.0l post 2012.

Im gonna keep looking but would you say that this car is a good example.....

https://www.bridgendgroup.co.uk/used...33/?Make=VOLVO

Many thanks again

good colour combo, low mileage. But, looks like it doesn't have heated seats, and has the useless telephone set up which means you miss out on bluetooth for stereo (i think). Otherwise it is identical spec to mine.

I think the price is high as well, even with that mileage, should be more like 5k at most.

In terms of spec, I'd say you want heated seats, xenons are a bonus, and the upgraded stereo is good but the basic one is pretty good too.

the 2l and 1.8l are a mazda design, both chain drive cams, but they are actually the ford duratec units so not quite as good as the actual mazda units. The 1.8 suffers from drinking oil if you are unlucky, something to do with the piston rings. the 2l doesn't suffer from this. Both can get oil leaks round the rocker cover gasket so have a good look, it's not a big deal to change. They are prone to cracking coolant expansion tank. watch out for vibrations through steering wheel and chassis from engine. Could be bad engine mounts (common, not a big deal) or the dual mass flywheel on clutch so take a close look during a test drive. The t tec seat leather neopreen stuff is prone to splitting at stitches so inspect seats. If you find a LuX model with full leather, u wont havr this issue.

check all around the carpets, foot well and boot, there can be water ingress issues, or water issues from air con condensor (lots of threads on this).

[ricowaldman]

Originally Posted by lockstock

good colour combo, low mileage. But, looks like it doesn't have heated seats, and has the useless telephone set up which means you miss out on bluetooth for stereo (i think). Otherwise it is identical spec to mine.

I think the price is high as well, even with that mileage, should be more like 5k at most.

In terms of spec, I'd say you want heated seats, xenons are a bonus, and the upgraded stereo is good but the basic one is pretty good too.

the 2l and 1.8l are a mazda design, both chain drive cams, but they are actually the ford duratec units so not quite as good as the actual mazda units. The 1.8 suffers from drinking oil if you are unlucky, something to do with the piston rings. the 2l doesn't suffer from this. Both can get oil leaks round the rocker cover gasket so have a good look, it's not a big deal to change. They are prone to cracking coolant expansion tank. watch out for vibrations through steering wheel and chassis from engine. Could be bad engine mounts (common, not a big deal) or the dual mass flywheel on clutch so take a close look during a test drive. The t tec seat leather neopreen stuff is prone to splitting at stitches so inspect seats. If you find a LuX model with full leather, u wont havr this issue.

check all around the carpets, foot well and boot, there can be water ingress issues, or water issues from air con condensor (lots of threads on this).

Brilliant. Thank you

[ritesh]

Originally Posted by ricowaldman

Hi,

I was looking for advice about buying a C30.

I work in community for as a Physio for NHS and need a reliable car for my new job. Ive always fancied a C30 but until now have been unable to afford one.

I have found a Volvo C30 DRIVe [115] SE Lux 3dr for sale which has done 60k and is a 2012 reg. I have seen similar ones at same price and do prefer a diesel (for cost/low tax)

I don't have a great deal of technical car knowledge but just wanted to ask for advice about anything i should watch out for when buying a C30.
Is there anything i should check for? Eg. Timing belt replaced? Common faults etc.

I saw a c30 listed recently that had done 220k (which i found reassuring).

And just in general is it a good car to drive, reliable?

I dont need huge amount of back seat passenger space and as long as the boot is big enough (with the back seat folded forward if need be) to fit a zimmer frame from time to time.

Thanks in advance for any advice and i hope to be an official Volvo owner in the very near future.

Rico

Hi Ricowaldman,

I am now selling my Volvo C30 2.0 Petrol R-Design as I have just bought a Volvo V40 Cross Country T5 from a forum member (needed 4 doors). It is 2012 model with 47200 miles (I would say >80% of the mileage is motorway mileage ) with sat nav, heated seats, blue tooth and much more. It is has been fully service by Volvo and the last two services (one last week) by Volvo Specialist in Letchworth.

If interested let me know as it will be going on Auto trader this evening