C70 folding roof problems to look for

[ex Triumph Man]

New to C70 ownership, but have run several Volvos to date.
Problem is SWMBO has got her eye on what must be one of the last C70s. A 62 reg D3 Solstice.
What should I be looking for regarding the folding roof mechanism and were any issues resolved or not by this stage?
Thanks in anticipation

[dcw]

Perhaps not a direct answer to your question, but I have a recently purchased 2007 C70 (see Showroom thread) and found a roof problem - it would not always lock shut when closing the roof. The fault took quite a bit of tracing by a main dealer - eventually traced to a failing sensor where the roof locks into the top of the windscreen.

My impression is that we were unlucky - according to the dealership technicians (with whom I am on first name terms from many years of custom) generally the roof mechanism is pretty reliable. Dealer changed sensor, realigned locks into top of windscreen (one was slightly out, apparently), regreased all working joints and seals as appropriate, and now all works perfectly again.

I suspect the problem had been there a while, but as an intermittent fault did not show up when we tested the car.

All I can suggest is that you operate the roof a couple of times, always letting it run through the complete operation (stopping and starting midway can upset it), and if it seems to work smoothly then it should be OK...

Oh yes - and the Mk2 C70 is a lovely car!!

David

[Proghound]

I've had my 2008 C70 for most of two years now, and the roof has always been completely reliable. Other owners on here will tell you the same.

As with the complex folding roof mechanisms on other cars, you might expect that eventually there is a risk that sensors will fail or the movement will harden and break wires. And you do hear the odd report, such as DCW's case. But like the Volvo techs told him, they seem to be the exception. There's one on here, a very well respected guy called Clan, and he'll tell you that Volvo tested the C70 roof through more than 6000 cycles without fault. Unlike other cars, what you don't hear of with the C70 is a lot of frequently occurring roof issues, like leaking seals or motors stripping cogs. That, to me, says that Volvo got it right.

As mentioned, don't put the roof partway down (or up) and then reverse it, because the sections have been known to collide. I saw a magazine site review where the guy managed to do exactly that when trying to position the roof for a sequence of photographs. Always complete the operation in either direction.

Other than that, go to it, and enjoy!

[tullyman]

Bought a 2011 C70 D3 in April after having had a 07 Saab convertible for almost three years, despite one being a folding hardtop and other canvas the mechanisms are similar, I have had no problems with the roof mechanism in either car, except once in the Saab when I put the roof halfway through the opening cycle and stopped it. As the earlier thread stated, open or close all the way, no faffing about!!

[ex Triumph Man]

Thanks guys. Your words of reassurance are much appreciated. The bit about completing the cycle is a handy tip to know.

[dme123]

I bought an '08 C70 about 6 weeks ago and did a lot of research before purchase, partly due to concerns about the complexity of the roof. As the others have said you only seem to find sporadic problems reported, certainly nothing to be concerned about. I'd maybe be slightly more concerned with a car from early in the production run, before the 2008 MY updates perhaps, but even then there doesn't seem to be anything serious.

I believe it also says in the manual to try and operate it with the car on the flat. I would have thought the concern would mostly be for side to side inclinations, or with one wheel on a kerb perhaps, as this can twist the chassis slightly. It seems more fussy than the more common 2 part folding hard tops in this regard, but as a payoff the car isn't a badly proportioned warthog of a thing to look at.

[ex Triumph Man]

Well that's it. SWMBO fell for the car. So, all being well, we should take delivery 1 October.

Lloyd Volvo, Carlisle, say they have only ever had one C70 give problems with the sun roof and that was on a car the AA had fiddled about with at the side of the road, otherwise no issues with the roof.

It certainly is an impressive piece of kit and seems solidly constructed. Sensible advice seems to be not to change direction mid-travel, not to operate while on the move and as above, keep the car on the level.

Again, many thanks to all who have replied. I suppose having the sun shining when the car appeared on the drive sealed the deal.

Regards

[dcw]

Excellent - well done! You'll enjoy it, and more importantly so will SWMBO.

Great on a sunny day, but it's surprisingly sheltered in the car on a colder day with the roof down if you have the windows up and the wind blocker in place. We tend to have the "unless its actually raining, we'll have the roof down" approach.

Be good to see some pictures on here when you've got it.

David

[ex Triumph Man]

Thanks for your encouragement. Only trouble is I don't know how to post pictures here I'm afraid. Sorry

[PELLISTONE]

I bought my 2012 C70 D3 SE Lux Solstice Geartronic 3 weeks ago and am loving it...... like DCW it's roof down unless it's raining, which it does a fair bit up here in the Highlands.
The roof has failed to lock closed properly twice (looks slightly mis-aligned at the first joint from the windscreen) but eventually sorts itself out after opening and closing until it is functioning correctly. I didn't let it go through the full cycle a couple of times but, having read your posts will make sure that I do if it happens again.
If it does keep happening, do you think it is a software or hardware fault?