New to C70 ownership

[StevensSheds]

Morning

I've recently acquired a 2004 C70 convertible, a 2.4T GT manual, 78k miles, generally a very nice car indeed.

Its been many years since I've owned an older Volvo, and I am far more used to 90's Mercedes, so am on a bit of a learning curve.

Is there anything I should be doing to the car, checking etc to alleviate future issues? I've got a strut brace coming to make it less shaky shaky, and I will book it in for a timing belt in the near future as theres no history with the car, so better be safe than sorry.

The roof is a little scary, its fine at present, but would it benefit from any localised lubrication or checks to prevent failure?

I've had a read through of the sticky.

Many thanks

[Tannaton]

A very nice car - I've had two T5 GT manuals.

The strut brace will make no difference I'm afraid, it's a wallowy old hector but you will get used to it. Super comfortable, especially the later model you have with the softer leather.

Main issues too look for on that age is worn suspension bushes (front wishbones) and strut stops all of which are easy to resolve.

Check all the speakers are working if that is important to you - as time goes on getting working spares will get harder.

I'm not aware of any roof issues, they're generally reliable if not messed about with.

I would recommend you get yourself Volvo VIDA set-up it can work with 99% of the cars electronics and you have all the repair/diagnostic procedures and part numbers specific to your car.

[ITSv40]

Every pivot in the hood mechanism needs a little lube and the gears need a little grease smeared on them. The hood can be stopped and started at any point to aid servicing. Having stopped the cycle I always complete that cycle before going into the next - if stopped whilst opening fully open the hood before closing and vice versa. I don't think it makes any difference, but makes me feel better.

Check the drain pipes in the front scuttle panel - they hang down from the black plastic cover in front of the fire wall. Also check the drains in the hood storage well - four big black grilles. Best way to clean them is remove the wheel arch liners and poke some wire up the pipes whilst pouring water down from above. Also remove front arch liners and check for silt build up in the bottom of the front wings

[JohnM 855 T5R]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

The strut brace will make no difference I'm afraid, it's a wallowy old hector but you will get used to it.

Sadly I have to agree. My old C70 T5GT manual convertible had all the torsional rigidity of an overripe banana and no amount of bolted on iron will change that. Yes, I bought a strut brace and absolutely no detectable difference.
Just enjoy it for what it's meant to be - a boulevard cruiser - and steer clear of potholes.

Regards
John

[ITSv40]

I must be the most anti strutbrace person on the planet - just boy racer bull. However, since fitting a genuine brace, my car is transformed. Not all the flexibility is removed, but now it is 'characterful ' instead of being alarmingly wobbly

[StevensSheds]

Well thank you for the replies everyone, hopefully when the strut brace arrives it’ll do at least something, I’m fitting a towbar too so I’ll have extra metal at both ends.

To be honest, it’s already not as bad as I’d expected, it’s as has been described, a comfy cruiser with character.

Thanks again for the advice

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by StevensSheds

Well thank you for the replies everyone, hopefully when the strut brace arrives it’ll do at least something, I’m fitting a towbar too so I’ll have extra metal at both ends.

.....but to improve the stiffness you need the extra metal between the doors.

If you haven’t got one, look on eBay for a genuine Volvo windbreak/deflector that sits over the rear seats. They make a huge difference...

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

If you haven’t got one, look on eBay for a genuine Volvo windbreak/deflector that sits over the rear seats. They make a huge difference...

....they make a huge difference to the wind and bluster in the cabin when the roof is down, I meant....

[StevensSheds]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

....they make a huge difference to the wind and bluster in the cabin when the roof is down, I meant....

Yes, it came with one, which was nice

[Juular]

They aren't sports cars, but there's not many more relaxing drives on a nice day, listening to that 5 cylinder warble.

Some say fitting a towbar or at least the frame for one can help the handling if you really are set on it. Otherwise I'd just enjoy what is a great car.