New and improved...

SG · Aug 11th, 2002, 19:55

My new C70 T5 GT arrived last weekend (at last) so it was time to say goodbye to my 98 (but otherwise identical) model.

This is the first time I've ever changed one car for another of the same type yet I can't believe the difference between the two. I had quite a few build problems with the last car but the new one seems to be much better put together. There's not a squeak or rattle to be heard, the wind noise has gone and the panel alignment is much better. I was told a while ago that the joint-venture with TWR which had originally built the car was no-longer and that Volvo had assumed full responsibility for C70 production. I don't know if this was/is the case but there's definitely been a step improvement in build quality.

The T5 engine is also significantly different. I hardly recognised it when I lifted the bonnet! It's the same block but the inlet and exhaust manifolds have been redesigned. I don't plan on tweaking anything but all of you waste-gate fettlers will be pleased to hear that the impeding heatshield has gone (well most of it anyway).

I guess the engine mapping has evolved over the years as well. I don't wan't to gun the new car until the engine has a few thousand miles behind it but I can already feel that it's much more responsive at lower revs (2000-4000rpm). My old car was quite sluggish low-down and would then take off at 4000rpm in a hooligan sort of way. The new one feels more 'refined' for want of a better word. It is also a lot quieter although that may change with time.

Other detail changes include improved door seals, 'fan' washer jets and (finally) a light that tells you when the cruise control is engaged. TRACS has also been replaced with STC.

I was originally a bit concerned that the newer C70s all came with 280mm discs compared to the 302mm ones on my last car however it turns out that the discs are identical. This could mean two things - either the new car has 302mm discs or my last car had 280mm ones without me realising. I'll need to measure them at some point.

On the down side, the toolkit is nowhere near as impressive as it used to be.

Scott

Aug 11th, 2002, 19:55	#1
SG Member Last Online: Dec 1st, 2020 00:09 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Cambridge	New and improved... My new C70 T5 GT arrived last weekend (at last) so it was time to say goodbye to my 98 (but otherwise identical) model. This is the first time I've ever changed one car for another of the same type yet I can't believe the difference between the two. I had quite a few build problems with the last car but the new one seems to be much better put together. There's not a squeak or rattle to be heard, the wind noise has gone and the panel alignment is much better. I was told a while ago that the joint-venture with TWR which had originally built the car was no-longer and that Volvo had assumed full responsibility for C70 production. I don't know if this was/is the case but there's definitely been a step improvement in build quality. The T5 engine is also significantly different. I hardly recognised it when I lifted the bonnet! It's the same block but the inlet and exhaust manifolds have been redesigned. I don't plan on tweaking anything but all of you waste-gate fettlers will be pleased to hear that the impeding heatshield has gone (well most of it anyway). I guess the engine mapping has evolved over the years as well. I don't wan't to gun the new car until the engine has a few thousand miles behind it but I can already feel that it's much more responsive at lower revs (2000-4000rpm). My old car was quite sluggish low-down and would then take off at 4000rpm in a hooligan sort of way. The new one feels more 'refined' for want of a better word. It is also a lot quieter although that may change with time. Other detail changes include improved door seals, 'fan' washer jets and (finally) a light that tells you when the cruise control is engaged. TRACS has also been replaced with STC. I was originally a bit concerned that the newer C70s all came with 280mm discs compared to the 302mm ones on my last car however it turns out that the discs are identical. This could mean two things - either the new car has 302mm discs or my last car had 280mm ones without me realising. I'll need to measure them at some point. On the down side, the toolkit is nowhere near as impressive as it used to be. Scott

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