XC70: Suspension 2008 AWD D5 Replacement Nivomat Rears

[CB550Honda]

I've read a couple of threads on suspension swaps/upgrades for later XC70s but as mine is a 2008 with the Nivomat electronic shocks they don't answer my problem. I need to replace the rears and have found several suppliers on eBay at anything from £390 to £460ish but when I give them the vehicle details, including the VIN, they have all come back and said no, they won't fit. This morning I had a message saying that mine aren't actually available in the aftermarket at all, so its a main dealer at over £1000/pair.

Given the age/mileage/value of the vehicle this is way above budget for what is essentially MOT work.

Can anyone suggest a supplier at reasonable cost or is there an alternative? Can I revert to standard shocks and if so how?

Thoughts welcome. Thanks.

[Tatsfield]

Perhaps someone will confirm but I didn't think the Nivomats were electronic. They work by reacting to extra weight on the shocks and opening and closing mechanical hydraulic valves inside the shocks to alter the spring rate. The electronic shocks are the 4C system which is not the Nivomats. If you have a set of three buttons to set the shock rates from the dashboard, that's 4C. The Nivomats are self contained.

[Ian21401]

Are you sure that your is fitted with Nivomats? My daughter has a 2011 XC70. She obtained a print out of the build spec. for it from the main dealer. We were surprised to find that it is not fitted with Nivomats, and we were already aware that it doesn’t have 4C either.

[CB550Honda]

Thanks guys. Penny dropped, I have the 4C set up not the Nivomat (which I thought was electronic). Tell-tale is the Comfort/Sport/Advanced buttons up front.

Will so some more research but found another thread on here dealing with the 4C replacement, someone else who is looking at £1000 at the dealer. There has to to be a cheaper option.....

[V8XCV]

I just got some from Parts for Volvos UK for my 4C V70, they are made by Monroe, if you can find the Monroe part number or volvo part number it would be easier to track down.

Can't find the XC70 at first glance though, hmm

Other places that sell the 4c are Skandix.de and Autodoc.co.uk

It costs about £400 for a pair + labour and you have to programme the suspension module. So you need the VIDA on your laptop or go to a dealer or independent who can do that do you.

Also worth checking your product code as this will help you find the right shock, the sticker is on the back of the drivers door pillar (open passenger door behind driver)

https://www.ipdusa.com/techtips/1001...oes-it-tell-me

IPD have a cross reference for the shock numbers

[apersson850]

Originally Posted by Ian21401

We were surprised to find that it is not fitted with Nivomats, and we were already aware that it doesn’t have 4C either.

Neither 4C nor Nivomat was standard issue. At least not on the home market, and probably not in the UK either.

I have Nivomat (bought the car new and ordered that) since I tow a Caravan now and then. In such cases Nivomat is much better than standard. If you tow only small trailer, or not at all, the standard suspension is fully adequate. We have one XC70 with standard suspension too, so I can compare.

[Tatsfield]

My second hand XC70 came with 4C and since I came to it from nearly three decades of driving 2+2 sports coupes, I stick it in the "Advanced" setting which is the stiffest and only use less when on unmade roads. The combination of the stiff setting and a Polestar upgrade has somewhat compensated me for not having obviously sporty cars any more. The handling and acceleration of the XC70 are almost as good as my last 2+2. So it's Nivomat for towing and 4C for improved handling, and Polestar for fun!

[apersson850]

I combine Nivomat with Polestar. The latter isn't useless for towing either.