New Purchase

[roony]

Hi guys...first post here and looking for some general advice...

Going to see a few C30 1.6D this weekend (R design) all 2010 models with approx 55k on the clock.

Are there any known issues/weak spots that I should be aware off?
Any thing to look out for when test driving the car? i.e. turbo noises? etc?


I have read a few stories about the ecu's and egr's giving errors? is this still the case?

Are am I better looking for a later car? i.e. 2012/13?

I would appreciate any help..

Thanks again..

[iainmd]

Just be aware that when it hits 75k miles it will be due a DPF replacement so budget around £1k for that service when it comes. Other than that just make sure the DPF additive fluid was topped up at 37.5k service.

[scoobysn7x]

The 1.6D seems to have the most issues of any car in the range, and the low mileage on that age of car would put me off a bit, as it's probably been used for mainly short journeys. If possible I'd try and find a D3/D4/D5 these are volvo engine and more reliable and have less issues.

I had the C30 D3 brilliant engine (D4 is the same engine but with a different map), I had mine remap was running approx 200bhp and average around 46mpg, and was pretty rapid.

[iainmd]

Not sure that's entirely fair. Any of the 1.6D or 2.0D cars with a non-lifetime DPF mean there are maintenance issues with the DPF with it needing replacement every 75k and the fluid topped up every 37.5k but other than that they are pretty solid engines. They are used in Volvos, BMW Minis, Fords, Peugeots, Citroens the world over and often in cabs/taxis so they can't be that bad.

Our V50 1.6D has been bombproof so far apart from the DPF finally going at 105k miles but that would have been avoidable if I had replaced it as per the manufacturers schedule at 75k which I neglected to do.

Any modern diesel is a poor choice if all you do is short trips whether it's a wet or dry DPF. What you say about the D3,D4,D5 is true in terms of maintenance cost, they should cost less in overall maintenance due to having a dry DPF.

The other big advantage of the D3/4/5 and even the D2 is that you get a 6th gear. The 5 speed gearbox in the pre-2010 1.6D is crying out for a 6th gear.

[scoobysn7x]

And you get the 5 cylinder sound track ;-)

[roony]

Thanks guys... so If the owner can not evidence the DPF being topped up at 37K could I be heading for trouble? Also.. I did not realise about the 75k big service? 1k cost is a lot for a small car? is that worst case or the norm?

Thanks again..

[iainmd]

That's the norm I'm afraid. The DPF is about £550 to replace plus another couple of hundred for the fluid top-up and the service on top of that so about £1,000 all-in. That will happen again if you still have the car at 150k miles.

If the previous owner hasn't had the EOLYS fluid topped up at the 37.5k service the DPF is unlikely to be able to regenerate properly and may be damaged as a result. If they had it serviced by Volvo it should be fine as it would picked up as routine in the Volvo servicing schedule.

[roony]

Invaluable information.... Thanks again for your help...

Originally Posted by iainmd

That's the norm I'm afraid. The DPF is about £550 to replace plus another couple of hundred for the fluid top-up and the service on top of that so about £1,000 all-in. That will happen again if you still have the car at 150k miles.

If the previous owner hasn't had the EOLYS fluid topped up at the 37.5k service the DPF is unlikely to be able to regenerate properly and may be damaged as a result. If they had it serviced by Volvo it should be fine as it would picked up as routine in the Volvo servicing schedule.