General: New-to-me 1999 V70R 2.4 AWD, Laser Blue

[captainpjp]

Good Evening All,
I've just become the proud owner of a lovely Laser Blue 1999 V70R 2.4 AWD Phase 3 on 125k miles.
It's been on the reg number V70 RDM since at least 2009 or earlier, but has also been V125 LOC, M12 WRP and K5 NUM. Just wondered if these details rang any bells for anyone? Great to be back after a short period away from Volvos....

[pgoldi]

Good evening and welcome to the club.
As a new proud owner of this beast, please ensure you check the following in order to preserve your pride and joy.
On this particular vintage:
Timing belt
PCV valve
Parking brake lining in rear disc drums
Drain tubes for sun roof and scuttle panel
Suspension issues may become apparent, but should not prove terminal if dealt with promptly.

Enjoy

[amazondean]

You also need to check it still has the prop shaft 🤔

[britten_mark]

That looks a lovely car from the advert, and I could swear it used to be mine! When I lost track of it when it ended up in Northumberland, I only recall the lad who bought had the engine out next day after sale to fix a rear main seal. He really knew his Volvos. So many visual details stack up yet the mileage and MOT history on the DVLA doesnt?

How did you find out previous registrations BTW, is there a website for that or did you get them from the service history? Did it used to wear the reg V502DBL?

[captainpjp]

Good Evening and thanks for the excellent advice.

I will have all the above checked out plus the brakes, as it feels and sounds as if the nearside rear brake disc is a little warped. My initial research shows that it may be something of a challenge to find the specific rear vented discs for this model. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Interesting, Mark, that it is so like your old car. No, it doesn't seem to have ever worn V502DBL. The previous registrations are listed on an HPI Check Report print-out dating from July 2009, thoughtfully included in the very comprehensive service history folder.

I'm going to enjoy her very much, as she's in amazing condition for her 24 years.

[Rich850R]

Check under rear arch liners and rear seat belt anchor points and sills for rust and worse, lots hidden that the shiny exterior hides on these.

[britten_mark]

Originally Posted by captainpjp

Good Evening and thanks for the excellent advice.

I will have all the above checked out plus the brakes, as it feels and sounds as if the nearside rear brake disc is a little warped. My initial research shows that it may be something of a challenge to find the specific rear vented discs for this model. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.

Interesting, Mark, that it is so like your old car. No, it doesn't seem to have ever worn V502DBL. The previous registrations are listed on an HPI Check Report print-out dating from July 2009, thoughtfully included in the very comprehensive service history folder.

I'm surprised, these cars are so rare (30? P3s imported in Laser Blue) and the similarities to badges and mods are spooky.

Re the discs, that was another "coincidence" that caught my eye, the rear discs have been out of stock for years, but at one time there were some of the same dimensions available from a company in the USA. If I had kept mine that was the next purchase. Considering the size/weight/distance they were not a fortune for a one-off purchase, but that was back in 2017.

[captainpjp]

Well, I've ordered a pair of the vented rear discs for this Phase 3 model from Skandix along with the pads. Should arrive in a few days time. EBC Brakes do list them, but they are out of stock and they couldn't give me a confirmed date when they would be back in.

Can someone help me with the front disc brake specs? Did this Phase 3 V70R come with the 302mm front brakes as standard or were they an option? Mine seem to measure at more like 288mm in diameter as far as I can see.

I had Volmech of Teeside check the car over and had a good report from them of all items to check mentioned in the posts above. Also had engine oil and filter changed along with a drain and refill of the auto transmission fluid.

The car is driving better the more regularly I use it, so once I get the rear brakes sorted, plus a pair of rear drop links fitted as per Volmech's diagnosis, it should really drive just as nicely as it looks! Thanks in advance....

[captainpjp]

May I just bump this post with regards to my question about the original fitment front discs on the 1999 phase 3 V70R - anyone know if the 302mm front discs were standard fit? Many thanks.

[britten_mark]

I'm pretty certain every T5 engined v70 came with 302s as standard since 1997. I can't imagine anyone went to the trouble of retro-fitting 288s to save a few bob in pads as it would mean changing the caliper carriers as well.

I can recommend Meyle Heavy Duty drop links which last a lot longer than any other brand I tried, they really are a joy to put on and you can get them off Ebay.

Ive just noticed from your profile you are in "County Durham", well I'm in "Durham Durham"! Hope to see this car sometime soon, if you attend any classic car shows locally?