Newbie with a Couple of Questions

[Jonathank]

Hi Everyone,

I've just bought a 2006 C70 D5 Auto for the summer. It's a one owner, 35k on the clock, 11 stamps in the book and every bill including the purchase invoice. Nice car with a couple of age related marks but nothing too serious.

I'm thinking of keeping it long term and do 3-4k a year so I'm going to start a rolling program of improvements and upgrades. The first 2 items on the list are 1. more power and 2. check and improve the woolly front end, assuming it can be.

I've read the thread on remapping and understand the 5 speed auto limitations but frankly I can't live with a wheezy asthmatic so if I can't make it breathe better and become a little more responsive it's going to have to go. I see that there's a guy called Don offering a £395 performance remap but how would this differ from, say, this company http://scm-remaps.co.uk/ who are relatively local to me and have a rolling road?

With regard to the front end and feeling heavy and a little 'woolly', is this normal or could I have some bush wear?

I may be being a little unfair to the car because my day car is an Audi 3.0 BiTdi Quattro Avant and it replaces a same age Boxster 987 as my 'toy' in the garage (knew I shouldn't have sold it) but by the same token, I don't expect it to perform like either of those either. I just want a competent cruiser for weekends and occasional trips abroad where the wife doesn't keep telling me to slow down and asking me why I have a sports car when the speed limit is 70 mph.

Any and all advice welcomed on both topics along with other upgrade tips on any aspect of the car you'd like to mention.

Thank you.

[domhart10]

Originally Posted by Jonathank

Hi Everyone,

I've just bought a 2006 C70 D5 Auto for the summer. It's a one owner, 35k on the clock, 11 stamps in the book and every bill including the purchase invoice. Nice car with a couple of age related marks but nothing too serious.

I'm thinking of keeping it long term and do 3-4k a year so I'm going to start a rolling program of improvements and upgrades. The first 2 items on the list are 1. more power and 2. check and improve the woolly front end, assuming it can be.

I've read the thread on remapping and understand the 5 speed auto limitations but frankly I can't live with a wheezy asthmatic so if I can't make it breathe better and become a little more responsive it's going to have to go. I see that there's a guy called Don offering a £395 performance remap but how would this differ from, say, this company http://scm-remaps.co.uk/ who are relatively local to me and have a rolling road?

With regard to the front end and feeling heavy and a little 'woolly', is this normal or could I have some bush wear?

I may be being a little unfair to the car because my day car is an Audi 3.0 BiTdi Quattro Avant and it replaces a same age Boxster 987 as my 'toy' in the garage (knew I shouldn't have sold it) but by the same token, I don't expect it to perform like either of those either. I just want a competent cruiser for weekends and occasional trips abroad where the wife doesn't keep telling me to slow down and asking me why I have a sports car when the speed limit is 70 mph.

Any and all advice welcomed on both topics along with other upgrade tips on any aspect of the car you'd like to mention.

Thank you.

a few D5 modded cars here so im sure they will be along soon, but Dons map is quite reputable in the volvo community along with Shark and Tim Williams but its entirely up to you, I know Shark and Don send a unit to you to do the map.

As for handling, I recommend the Bilestein B12 coilovers. I initially had eibach coils on but they really didnt do much appart from bring the ride down a bit. upgrading the rear sway bar is quite good as well.

[zapcity1]

Originally Posted by Jonathank

Hi Everyone,

I've just bought a 2006 C70 D5 Auto for the summer. It's a one owner, 35k on the clock, 11 stamps in the book and every bill including the purchase invoice. Nice car with a couple of age related marks but nothing too serious.

I'm thinking of keeping it long term and do 3-4k a year so I'm going to start a rolling program of improvements and upgrades. The first 2 items on the list are 1. more power and 2. check and improve the woolly front end, assuming it can be.

I've read the thread on remapping and understand the 5 speed auto limitations but frankly I can't live with a wheezy asthmatic so if I can't make it breathe better and become a little more responsive it's going to have to go. I see that there's a guy called Don offering a £395 performance remap but how would this differ from, say, this company http://scm-remaps.co.uk/ who are relatively local to me and have a rolling road?

With regard to the front end and feeling heavy and a little 'woolly', is this normal or could I have some bush wear?

I may be being a little unfair to the car because my day car is an Audi 3.0 BiTdi Quattro Avant and it replaces a same age Boxster 987 as my 'toy' in the garage (knew I shouldn't have sold it) but by the same token, I don't expect it to perform like either of those either. I just want a competent cruiser for weekends and occasional trips abroad where the wife doesn't keep telling me to slow down and asking me why I have a sports car when the speed limit is 70 mph.

Any and all advice welcomed on both topics along with other upgrade tips on any aspect of the car you'd like to mention.

Thank you.

Have a search on here to confirm, but remapping the auto box appears a no go. It can only just handle what Volvo gave it from the factory. It's torque limited in the first two gears anyway, so no benefit from a remap in lower gears.
Most companies offer a remap, but even the manual cars seem to give up eventually. Have a read of dme123's thread: - https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=211547

Don's remaps are highly reputable if you decide to go down this route. You can also try Shark who have a good reputation but there are many others. I think however you won't find too many remapped D5 autos!

The front end of mine used to be rock solid, but recently it's become a bit wooly. I've replaced the shocks all around with Bilstein B4's, but it's not what it was. No obvious signs of bush wear but somethings changed. Will need to resolve as it was completely solid in high speed corners, but not so much anymore.

A smart top box is a cool upgrade. Remote roof open/close.

Long term you might be dissapointed. A 180bhp 2 tonne diesel auto is no Boxster, but it's no money for a good looking convertible.

[LizardOfBodom]

Originally Posted by zapcity1

... It's torque limited in the first two gears anyway, so no benefit from a remap in lower gears.

...FYI atleast 2 companies I know of are offering torque limiter disable option so it is doable, just how long this box will last its a different story

[zapcity1]

Originally Posted by LizardOfBodom

...FYI atleast 2 companies I know of are offering torque limiter disable option so it is doable, just how long this box will last its a different story

Wow interesting!! Minutes I would guess!!

[Jonathank]

I just had a look on the Polestar website and they’re offering 25 horses and 22 torques (not so great) for the auto D5 but only after 2008. What happened then to allow them to be confident of the power increase because I figure if they’re doing it, it must be ok.

https://engineered.polestar.com/uk/p...8-fr-vin-49738

[zapcity1]

Good point. I think the D5 engine used the AW55-50 gearbox during its life in the C70. Maybe Clan could shed some light.