thinking of buying a t5

[mojoman81]

hi i have been looking for a t5 for a month now, i want a manual, and have come across a ex police car its a 07 plate and done 186000 miles im tempted but would like some advice, should i shouldn't i? whats the difference between police and normal t5? cheers andy

[850Chris]

Take it this is in a V70 and therefore the 2.4 (260bhp) version of the T5 engine? One of the best T5's especially if mated to the 6 speed manual box. Suspension could be fairly tired though and you should check if it's had a new clutch at any point (which I'm guessing it will as the police will have driven it hard). I believe the police ones had upgraded brakes but otherwise pretty standard (apart from base spec interior and holes in dash). If it's a good price, go for it. They are great cars which endear themselves to you.

[kwk]

Having driven them from new and for many years, I would only advise you to examine it very closely. They vary hugely.
I tended to drive a car that was driven by one other driver and was always looked after, but some cars are driven by anybody and are often abused. I would also check to see how many owners after the police. They can usually be bought quite cheaply and are then run on a shoestring.

[DSK]

I couldn't find what I wanted so prior to finding my 2nd C70 T5 through pure luck over time, I was also looking at ex-police S60/70 T5's.

They will have basic spec interiors and options, which I don't personally like in a premium car. Also think about the types of people who will have been sat on those seat and probably spat, puked, bled and ****ed on them.

Suspension as mentioned will be tired along with the likes of control arms, mounts and links with high mileages and heavy use. Also repairs to holes in the roof and other body/interior parts are usually done to a poor standard so check for poor filling, paint along with bubbling for rust.

Also police forces have budgets etc so its not like the service workshops have an open wallet when it comes to maintenance.

I find that people who buy ex-police cars usually do not maintain them very well. On the basis they bought them cheap they are used and abused for a bit of fun and when stuff starts going wrong they try and flog them on.

Take a look by all means as you may find something to suit your needs and budget. However, patience is always my virtue has has also ensured I find a cracking privately owned 1 - 2 owner vehicle at sensible money and in excellent condition so don't give up on the classified ads and be willing to travel.

[wise old monkey]

I got my expolice t5 6speed about 4 months ago. I guess i was lucky in that it was well looked after apart from someone put the wrong front brake discs. Its a 07 plate. I paid £3000. The police spent £32000 on it whilst they had it. And i have recently found out it was north wales training car, which is why it has full leather interior and other extras. If you do decide to get an expolice model you can get a full print out from volvo as to what the police done to it. Right back to how much the livery stickers cost.

[jenkinskg]

What is difference beside some horse power?

I have an 04 c70 2.3 hpt, just wondering

[strbryan]

Originally Posted by jenkinskg

What is difference beside some horse power?

I have an 04 c70 2.3 hpt, just wondering

2.3 hpt is the older T5 engine (in the C70 it was never called a T5), the latter version is a 2.4 hpt T5..The Focus based 2.5 T5 is a lpt so technically NOT a T5

[jenkinskg]

All the power I need, need to get a radar detector besides using waze