C30 as a business car?

[v_forty]

I have a friend considering starting a new business - they'd need a modest size car, and the C30 looks about right (shame they're not made any longer though!). However, a few questions for those who know more about this model than I do:
- petrol or diesel, and any particular engines to look out for or avoid?
- related to the above, what fuel consumption can be expected?
- how comfortable are they, as a driver, for mid-length trips?

The driving would be mostly on A roads and approx. 10-14k each year.

They're also considering a business lease on a new car, but the annual cost of that (once tax is taken into account) is about the up front cost of a good C30.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[harveys]

You don't give a budget ?.
Face lift D3 or D4 would a good starting point as they have the dry DPF system.
But petrol car worth a good look at , Avoid a unloved D2 car

[Sysyphus]

My C70 (essentially the same car with more headroom ) is the most comfortable car I have ever owned. I have done several multi-thousand mile road trips with a good few 500+ mile days - even a 1,000 mile day once.

The T5 petrol engine is a thirsty beast, I get about 18 mpg on my short up and downhill, stop start commute. You would get more (~23) since imperial gallons are 25% bigger than American ones, 30ish (38) on the highway cruising at 75-80. Can easily drop it lower than those figures with spirited driving. C30 somewhat better than that, especially around town since it is lighter, not having the roof mechanism or chassis strengthening required to keep it rigid without the welded roof.

My concern given the required mission, would be that even the newest C30 is now six years old and so reaching an age where things are going to start to wear out or go wrong. Probably nothing too significant to start with, but these things can and do quickly add up to a significant amount of cash.

[andy_d]

avoid anything with a "DPF" system unless you want to be spending £££££
Unless your prepared to deal with the leaky sunroof causing unknown electrical gremlins avoid a sunroof equipped one,
for that mileage go for a larger petrol engine with a Full or Bloomin good service history
small engine + weighty car = shagged engine sooner than with a larger engine

Auto/geatronic factor in a AFT change
manual , find out the £ of a DMF clutch asm

(its cheaper to find a Good auto/geartronic get the atf changed than a dmf clutch asm !)

[T5R92011]

2.0-litre PETROL is the one to go for.

- Nice performance (0-60 in 8.8 seconds, 130mph top speed) and good on fuel.
- Reliable.
- Engine easy to service.

My housemate describes fuel costs as being "the same" as their previous 1.3-litre Toyota Yaris.

Don't go for a T5 unless you wish to spend your entire net profit on fuel.

[Parisien]

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=287052

See this thread with useful info

P

[HDAV]

Why a c30?

What sort of business?

THey can claim 45p a mile from hmrc for using a personal car for business for 10k miles that’s £4500 off the tax bill.....(25p after that) but need to pay insurance inc business cover, fuel and maintenance depreciation etc

Some good PCP and PCH (0% on PCP ) deals on new V40 at the moment as new model due warranty, so should cover any unforeseen bills £200 a month ish 1000 business miles a month is £450 so leaves £250 a month for tax insurance fuel (call it £50 a month for insurance and tax £600 a year)

Don’t take business lease unless accountant advises it


Just been through this with a friend who has decided to keep her 61 plate A3 rather than spend. £2500 a year to lease a car (would love a Volvo but investing in the business takes priority) if after 12 months she hasn’t spent £2500 on the Audi she is in profit....

[Thassos]

C30 s are great & are very comfortable for long journeys, i would agree on the 2L petrol as they are super quiet and based on a mazda block, i guess it wont be the car of choice if your friend is in the antique business !.. and i think most people sell them if they need carrying capacity but thats probably their only achillies heel. If you can find an se spec with leather they have super comfortable seats, the early cars are i feel slightly better built as later ones have a touch of ford cost optimisation going on, have recently bought one so drop me a line if you need any specific info on things to look out for, finding one thats been looked after is always worth the effort in avoiding un expected maintenance bills, a lot of the parts are shared with ford focus stuff..so can be fairly reaasonable on parts, but watch out on things like aircon as my experience is it can be an expensive fix if not working.

[v_forty]

Thanks for all the help, really useful points. Especially about owning the car and using for business.

Why a C30? They've always liked Volvo and the size is ideal - it'd just be for personal transport without any real need for equipment etc. Although I have pointed out that the new V40 isn't exactly a large car.

I think it comes down to liking the C30 and being able to own one because use of the need through the business weighed up against buying a relatively old second hand car.

[Markos01]

And don't forget C30's look good too!

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