C70 Ownership

[M D E]

Here's my tips from owning a T5 Cabro

* Tyre's - Goodyear Eagle F1's make for comfortable ride, more grip and reduces the noise levels

* Fit front strut brace and through default found that a whitter removable towbar acts as a brilliant rear brace. The main cross bar is so strong it's reduced my skuttle shake by around 70% (in my view)

* Replace upper engine mount bush for a polly one ... This has improve the cars feel just for just £30 !

* Stick with Volvo parts for spark plugs and pads

* I changed my front discs for dilled and groved 280mm as braking is not this cars strong point !

* Autoglym hood cleaning pack seems to remove most of the dirt in the fabric roof and waterproofs it well.

* In the winter check the sill chassis bugs, I had to remove mine last winter for another reason and found a surprising amount of water (most if it had turned to ice !)

* If it refuses to start it could be your coil ring behind the steering wheel needs replacing (about £75) from a Volvo dealer fitted (I've had two fitted to mine)

* Around 15-20,000 miles an LPG conversion is the right choice, mine was converted and is serviced by Greenfuel Chippenham ...Excellent conversion Dropped my £65 weekly fuel bill down to £28

* Check you wheels are balanced as this not only increases the chassis wobble (skuttle shake) but tyre wear

* Meguirs is excellent polish !!

* If you get wet carpets like me it's either
Front hood seal drains are blocked
Drivers door window does not always seal against hood (mainly in the winter)
Or heater matrix has gone, I have just replaced the seals on my 2001 (also covered 70k) heater matrix as these leaked causing interior flooding

* Rough idle ? Or hesitation around 3000 rpm
Check
MAF sensor replace with bosh ome part only, cheap ones don't work
MAF plug connector onto sensor ...mine had a break in the wiring harness
Replace ETM with contactless one (details found on the forum)
Check Alternator...I think the output on mine went low causing low voltage problems resulting in poor idle and performance. Fitted new alternator performance and idle resolved

* Upgrade headlights to new clear style, great improvement


All the above may sound like alot but it's just my experience over the past 7 years. This has been one of the best Volvos I have owned and will never sell it ...

Hope you enjoy driving yours ......__________________

[MikeS100]

Great post, thanks for taking the time to write it! I will have had my T5 convertible 3 weeks on saturday so still getting used to it

Couple of questions if you don't mind, how much did it cost for the lpg conversion? I do 15,000 miles a year and as the car is currently only on 49,000 I will hopefully have it a fair few years and so may consider this.

And what are the new clear style headlights? Where do you get them? One of mine is a bit dull which I know is a common fault so I may look into this as well.

[andytc]

Nice post.

I did my soft top recently with Fabsil , did a very good job , the water beads off nicely. I followed the thread below , post number 6 aberdeenangus. I used a paintbrush to apply it , after cleaning it took only 20 mins. Got the fabsil from halfords , search online for a store with stock. 1ltr can was plenty.

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showth...ghlight=Fabsil

[Christerart]

Originally Posted by MikeS100

Great post, thanks for taking the time to write it! I will have had my T5 convertible 3 weeks on saturday so still getting used to it

Couple of questions if you don't mind, how much did it cost for the lpg conversion? I do 15,000 miles a year and as the car is currently only on 49,000 I will hopefully have it a fair few years and so may consider this.

And what are the new clear style headlights? Where do you get them? One of mine is a bit dull which I know is a common fault so I may look into this as well.

You best chance is looking on the web or a junk yard (breakers)...

[MikeS100]

Originally Posted by Christerart

You best chance is looking on the web or a junk yard (breakers)...

I will keep an eye out. I had a look at my lights in more detail after posting this and it turned out it was the bulb that was knackered, not the housing, so I've just ordered some uprated bulbs. But if I see a set of clear lights at the right price I will get them as they do look good. Unfortunately the right price is very very cheap so probably never happen! Lol

[Christerart]

Originally Posted by MikeS100

I will keep an eye out. I had a look at my lights in more detail after posting this and it turned out it was the bulb that was knackered, not the housing, so I've just ordered some uprated bulbs. But if I see a set of clear lights at the right price I will get them as they do look good. Unfortunately the right price is very very cheap so probably never happen! Lol

Well, I got a suggestion for you.

Buy another C70 that's got the clear lights and swap them over. Then either sell it (with your old lights) or keep it as spares...

Chances are you'll come out ahead.

=*^)

[MikeS100]

Originally Posted by Christerart

Well, I got a suggestion for you.

Buy another C70 that's got the clear lights and swap them over. Then either sell it (with your old lights) or keep it as spares...

Chances are you'll come out ahead.

=*^)

Lol! I like your optimism but if I can't even afford the lights how am I going to buy another whole car?

[Christerart]

Originally Posted by MikeS100

Lol! I like your optimism but if I can't even afford the lights how am I going to buy another whole car?

Hey, where there's a will (want/desire) there's a way...

=*^)

[M D E]

Hi, thanks for the reply and sorry for taking a while to reply .... The conversion cost £1650 for a multi point BRC system .. I paid my conversion cost back in 8 months with the amount of fuel my T5 get through ! ... 40, 000 miles in and still going strong ... costs £32 for 220 miles ...

The lights I bought off eBay ... imported ones but with the correct beam alignment ... The difference ... ! don't need to light my candles anymore ...

I will bump my post up in the LPG section regarding my conversion details ...

[MikeS100]

That's a lot of money to find in one go but it certainly sounds like it might be worth it.