Volvo XC70's "New Lease On Life"

[Duh_Vinci]

Frist trip of the Volvo since the return from the body shop, after the car was totaled by insurance company, compliments of the fallen tree.

Rural Virginia area, never been there, since the road ends, and becomes completely unmarked and unpaved:


























Very happy to have this car back!

Regards,
D

 

[Jlaa]

I have a similar car! The best part about the car is the interior. It is an orange color called "Atacama" I think and it is very sumptuous and fragrant. As it was an extra-cost option, this leather interior is not protected and requires a lot of maintenance work to keep it looking good.

To be fair I am not completely enamored of the car though --- there are too many electronics in it for my taste and too many little issues with the two (TWO) brake fluid level sensors attached to the master cylinder that constantly give false readings and tell me that "DSC deactivated". But the interior is nice.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

I have a similar car! The best part about the car is the interior. It is an orange color called "Atacama" I think and it is very sumptuous and fragrant. As it was an extra-cost option, this leather interior is not protected and requires a lot of maintenance work to keep it looking good.

To be fair I am not completely enamored of the car though --- there are too many electronics in it for my taste and too many little issues with the two (TWO) brake fluid level sensors attached to the master cylinder that constantly give false readings and tell me that "DSC deactivated". But the interior is nice.

View attachment 119939 View attachment 119940 View attachment 119941

You, Sir got the P2 Horsepower R Wagon! And man do I love this interior combo!!! My brother had the sedan version of yours, S60R with two tone blue interior. Fun cars to drive for sure, but I agree, lots of electronic gadgetry for my liking. My XC70, while still a P2, very few electronic options, and I'm happy about it!

Did I mention that I love your interior color? You know, the interior color???

 

[Kyiv]

@Duh_Vinci, did you have 200 grams of spirits with you? A perfect companion to an unpaved road in forest

 

[Duh_Vinci]

@Duh_Vinci, did you have 200 grams of spirits with you? A perfect companion to an unpaved road in forest

If camping with overnight stay - you bet, along with a small portable grill, kebabs, tomatoes, cucumbers, cilantro and baguette!!! This was a last minute decision day trip.

Dusted off the camera this morning, mounted 25mm lens and off I went... This trip should have been taken during the fall colors, but better late than never!

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Somewhere in Spotsylvania, VA, between Fredericksburg and Culpeper. Chilly morning, empty country back roads, love this feeling of solitude after a long week of the busy hospital schedule!









And back home for a double shot of espresso with German soft ginger bread cookies "lebkuchen"



Regards,
D

 

[a777fan]

Ooh. Chocolate dipped no less!

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Ooh. Chocolate dipped no less!

I wish these were sold year around!!!

 

[LWB250]

I wish these were sold year around!!!

If you have an Aldi store nearby, they'll have them. They have lots of good Euro goodies this time of year you won't find anywhere else.

Dan

 

[Duh_Vinci]

If you have an Aldi store nearby, they'll have them. They have lots of good Euro goodies this time of year you won't find anywhere else.

Dan

Cheers Dan!

We do, Aldi and Lidl, that’s exactly where we buy these. Seem to be seasonal though (and that may not be a bad things for the jeans size)

 

[northNH]

After many decades of owning and maintaining at least one of virtually every RWD Volvo from 444/544 thru 960/V90, and another several decades since their introduction badmouthing their FWD/AWD replacements, I recently found a beautiful ‘05 XC70 for my GF.

I was wrong, great car...
Especially so when dealer-maintained one owner at one-tenth MSRP.

 

[Jlaa]

After many decades of owning and maintaining at least one of virtually every RWD Volvo from 444/544 thru 960/V90, and another several decades since their introduction badmouthing their FWD/AWD replacements, I recently found a beautiful ‘05 XC70 for my GF.

Really? You have had so many? Wow!!
My fav was my 1993 940 Turbo wagon. I miss it and regret selling it. Durable, comfy, great turning circle, and not as slow as my 240.

 

[alabbasi]

Really? You have had so many? Wow!!
My fav was my 1993 940 Turbo wagon. I miss it and regret selling it. Durable, comfy, great turning circle, and not as slow as my 240.

I am keeping an eye out for a late 90's V90. I have a soft spot for older Volvos, I picked this project up a couple of months ago

 

[northNH]

444/544/122/123GT/1800/145/164/240T/265/745T/940T/960/S90/V90

164 eye candy:

 

[alabbasi]

I'm digging the wagon

 

[Duh_Vinci]

...I recently found a beautiful ‘05 XC70 for my GF.

I was wrong, great car...
Especially so when dealer-maintained one owner at one-tenth MSRP.
View attachment 120613View attachment 120614
View attachment 120615View attachment 120616

It's a lot of car for the money, and yours looks to be in top shape, perfect, the most practical interior color too!

 

[gerryvz]

I have petitioned @xfadmin to officially rename this entire forum to be "VolvoBoard"

 

[sheward]

I have a similar car! The best part about the car is the interior. It is an orange color called "Atacama" I think and it is very sumptuous and fragrant. As it was an extra-cost option, this leather interior is not protected and requires a lot of maintenance work to keep it looking good.

To be fair I am not completely enamored of the car though --- there are too many electronics in it for my taste and too many little issues with the two (TWO) brake fluid level sensors attached to the master cylinder that constantly give false readings and tell me that "DSC deactivated". But the interior is nice.

View attachment 119939 View attachment 119940 View attachment 119941

That interior in that grey car could be the nicest combo I've seen. Right up there with Ox blood inside silver / grey.

drew

 

[alabbasi]

Right up there with Ox blood inside silver / grey.

Yes, my favorite combo. Did they ever make a 500E with red/oxblood interior?

 

[sheward]

No, however I have a picture of one somewhere from way back on the board here custom done. It may have been a bit lighter than Ox blood. If I remember correctly it was a Brabus car. Maybe even a 6.0 liter.



drew

 

[northNH]

For the VolvoBored...

 

[gerryvz]

Isn't @Ascension a Volvo guy, too?

 

[alabbasi]

For the VolvoBored...

View attachment 120646View attachment 120647View attachment 120648

is Santa getting you a vacuum cleaner?

 

[northNH]

Photos were from ~5 years ago when I brought it home newly purchased.
As my winter good weather DD, now with MB OE winter rubber mats (a good deal BTW).
Trunk ‘bout the same...

On the other hand, my Amazon’s unrestored trunk, vacuumed:

 

[Ascension]

Isn't @Ascension a Volvo guy, too?

The old real Volvos yes not these new POS China owned things.
Own a 1998 V90 wagon these were the last front engine rear wheel drive Volvos ever built.

 

[alabbasi]

The old real Volvos yes not these new POS China owned things.
Own a 1998 V90 wagon these were the last front engine rear wheel drive Volvos ever built.

Every generation of car enthusiasts has one old bloke that tells everyone else with a new car that his beater was the last real model they ever made

 

[Kyiv]

After many decades of owning and maintaining at least one of virtually every RWD Volvo from 444/544 thru 960/V90, and another several decades since their introduction badmouthing their FWD/AWD replacements, I recently found a beautiful ‘05 XC70 for my GF.

I was wrong, great car...
Especially so when dealer-maintained one owner at one-tenth MSRP.
View attachment 120613View attachment 120614
View attachment 120615View attachment 120616

If that's your driveway/front yard, it's an awesome place you live in.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

A trip to the the junk yard this morning.



A great place to be on the day off, even when everything is frozen solid at 9am... Still, inexpensive parts "haven" on earth, aka pick-a-part



I take virtual inventory few times per week, just for fun. And sure enough, late model of XC70 P2 just popped up. Silver roof rails is exactly what I was after (only of these late models), should match my silver roof basket perfectly!



Along with clips, pistons, lamp holders, windshield nozzles



Rails hardware with gaskets and srews



And rear wiper arm (mine has a broken clip)\



$31.50, what's not to love? Now all I need to do is wash everything up and replace my rails with these facelift aluminum pieces.

Regards,
D

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Out with the old, in with the new





Next week I'll order the lift kit from crosscountryperformance, then I will need to decide on the wheels and +2 size in all terrain tires... For the wheels, I'm pretty sure I'm set on Sparco Terra in "light grey" in 16x17 https://www.tirerack.com/wheels/Whe...6!3!72322457293!!!g!79583398213!&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[northNH]

$31.50 well spent...
For my just-acquired one I’d like to find a 2” DE-lift kit...

So as I decided the recently-acquired XC70 mentioned above was a long-term keeper (as much as my GF is), my next step was my usual, find a suitable parts car.

On the way to my local pop-and-son junkyard last week I stopped for gas at my local garage. While filling I noticed an exceptionally clean XC70 just pulled out of the repair bay, and an old (i.e.75+) VT couple waiting for their car.

I walked over, complimented them on how nice their car was and they told me this:
Bought it new in ‘05, four 30K mile Dealer services, local fluids, always garaged, etc...
“More reliable than any of our kids, in fact, more reliable than any other of our relatives either”

Six months ago they parked it in their garage and when they next drove it, 2 weeks ago, the transmission began slipping.
Local diagnosis: “Needs a new transmission; we’ll do it for $2500 but we’d rather not do it, for nothing”).
So they bought a nice small Toyota PU, and they wanted sell the Volvo...
$750 was what they asked, with the almost new 4 studded snows in the way-back included.

I told them I was interested but as I had time on my side I told them I’d let them know in 24 hours...
As we were just 5 miles from my house and they had their PU with them they countered with $650 cash right now and they would drive right over with it. And that’s what they did, and drove home in their PU with my cash and their plates.
(They came back the next day with 2 more original keys and the Dealer-performed paperwork).
(And some cookies).

2 days later, after snooping around a bit about used transmissions I finally drove the car...
Beautiful driver, no warnings/messages/failures, and after a good hot hour run, NO transmission issues.
Clearly was a victim of sitting a while and gumming up; these boxes well known for that...

A 4 x 3.5 qt flush is definitely in this car’s future.
For now I expect it’ll just hibernate til Spring, it’s way too nice for a parts car, and I still haven’t made it to the JY.
Notice the BRAND NEW headlight?

 

[JC220]

Nothing beats a fresh cadaver discovery at a junk yard eh!

 

[Duh_Vinci]

@northNH smoking deal on a great car!!! Good for you!!!

This transmissions certainly do not like sitting not-driven. That is the first thing I did when I bough the car, drained and gently flushed with fresh fluid. It's been about 10k since the flush, could not be happier with Idemitsu (the actual OE manufacturer of fluids for these Aisin gearboxes) Amazon.com



I cut off the return line off the junk yard car, attached to the clear tubing for easy flush

 

[Duh_Vinci]

For my just-acquired one I’d like to find a 2” DE-lift kit...

LOL I'm the opposite, added to cart 2" lift kit from cross country performance this morning! V70 springs interchange maybe?

Nothing beats a fresh cadaver discovery at a junk yard eh!

View attachment 121088

 

[northNH]

Thanks for the confirmation...

FYI the Idemitsu ATF has been on “clearance” sale at AutoZone for a while at $2/qt.
The 2 stores around me seem to get a 12bottle case every couple weeks...
I’ve snatched up all they receive for the last month since I bought the 1st XC and read about their transmissions.
Already did a 14qt flush on that car (also the first thing I did).
Now showing cherry red fluid on the dipstick and shifting imperceptibly.

Re: lowering...Unfortunately, for several reasons (spring perch height, tie rod end geometry), lowering with stock V70 parts no workee...Lowered yes, decent ride and steering, no, even with swapping V70 struts/springs complete...

BTW do (any of) you know of an XC site populated with folks with even remotely the experience, expertise and helpfulness of this here MB site?
Not SwedeSpeed, not VOC, not volvoXC.com, nowhere even close like here that I’ve found

Although I don’t have a E500E, it is extremely rare for me to have to look virtually anywhere else than here and Dave’s for all the info I’m needing and looking for about my pedestrian 124s.
Seriously spoiled on this account.
And big time grateful.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Thanks for the confirmation...

FYI the Idemitsu ATF has been on “clearance” sale at AutoZone for a while at $2/qt.
The 2 stores around me seem to get a 12bottle case every couple weeks...
I’ve snatched up all they receive for the last month since I bought the 1st XC and read about their transmissions.
Already did a 14qt flush on that car (also the first thing I did).
Now showing cherry red fluid on the dipstick and shifting imperceptibly.

WOW, at $2/quart, I would have purchased enough to last a "life time", unfortunately, it must be a regional thing, never had these fluids in our local stores. Smoking deal! And beautiful color that cherry red is, isn't it?

Re: lowering...Unfortunately, for several reasons (spring perch height, tie rod end geometry), lowering with stock V70 parts no workee...Lowered yes, decent ride and steering, no.

So, let's lift it then?

BTW do (any of) you know of an XC site populated with folks with even remotely the experience, expertise and helpfulness of this here MB site?
Not SwedeSpeed, not VOC, not volvoXC.com, nowhere even close like here that I’ve found

Although i don’t have a E500E, it is extremely rare for me to have to look virtually anywhere else for the info I’m needing and looking for about my pedestrian 124s.
Seriously spoiled on this account.

There is definitely something to be said how truly great this forum is! I don't own E500E either (SL500 of the same era), and fortunately, most of the answers I do find here as well. So is there an equivalent for the forum/board for the Volvo enthusiasts? In my experience no! And I've own Volvo's since 1994 with our 850 T5 and on... I always have to do the search and dig between all 3 sites and youtube and pelican to find relevant information...

Regards,
D

P.S. $2.00 per quart, dang... neeeeeeed!!!!

 

[northNH]

If this situation continues and AutoZone keeps replenishing their local “clearance” stock every 2 weeks and I keep buying 12 bottles at a pop and I figure I need enough for a while for 2 XC’s at 25K miles between flushes, it won’t be long before I have more than enough to send you a case or two...

So, let's lift it then?

This car is for my GF, she’s tippy enough.

 

[Kyiv]

$31.50 well spent...
For my just-acquired one I’d like to find a 2” DE-lift kit...

So as I decided the recently-acquired XC70 mentioned above was a long-term keeper (as much as my GF is), my next step was my usual, find a suitable parts car.

On the way to my local pop-and-son junkyard last week I stopped for gas at my local garage. While filling I noticed an exceptionally clean XC70 just pulled out of the repair bay, and an old (i.e.75+) VT couple waiting for their car.

I walked over, complimented them on how nice their car was and they told me this:
Bought it new in ‘05, four 30K mile Dealer services, local fluids, always garaged, etc...
“More reliable than any of our kids, in fact, more reliable than any other of our relatives either”

Six months ago they parked it in their garage and when they next drove it, 2 weeks ago, the transmission began slipping.
Local diagnosis: “Needs a new transmission; we’ll do it for $2500 but we’d rather not do it, for nothing”).
So they bought a nice small Toyota PU, and they wanted sell the Volvo...
$750 was what they asked, with the almost new 4 studded snows in the way-back included.

I told them I was interested but as I had time on my side I told them I’d let them know in 24 hours...
As we were just 5 miles from my house and they had their PU with them they countered with $650 cash right now and they would drive right over with it. And that’s what they did, and drove home in their PU with my cash and their plates.
(They came back the next day with 2 more original keys and the Dealer-performed paperwork).
(And some cookies).

2 days later, after snooping around a bit about used transmissions I finally drove the car...
Beautiful driver, no warnings/messages/failures, and after a good hot hour run, NO transmission issues.
Clearly was a victim of sitting a while and gumming up; these boxes well known for that...

A 4 x 3.5 qt flush is definitely in this car’s future.
For now I expect it’ll just hibernate til Spring, it’s way too nice for a parts car, and I still haven’t made it to the JY.
Notice the BRAND NEW headlight?

Absolute and total steal. I feel bad for the elderly couple

 

[northNH]

More of a gift than a steal, I think the cookies prove that.

Babies, puppies and cars climbed into my lap, humped my leg or followed me home for little or no money since I was young.
Not something I ever earned.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Wheels and all terrain tires ordered:



Tomorrow will place the order for that 2" lift kit.

Regards,
D

 

[ace10]

Nice choice on the tires. The AT3 might be a bit loud, though.

What's the stock tire weigh?

 

[PJmak]

Proud volvo owner here too
Would love an older s60r

 

[gerryvz]

Do we need to create a sub-forum for Volvos?

 

[LWB250]

Do we need to create a sub-forum for Volvos?

"Gerrybrickboard"?

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Nice choice on the tires. The AT3 might be a bit loud, though.

What's the stock tire weigh?

To be honest, no idea, though I'm sure these Coopers are definitely heavier. After few days of digging and searching, these appeared to be a very good option, taking in consideration the traction on/off road and snow, treadware, noise and looks... Crosscountry performance suggest these are highly competitive and near bullet proof for any road condition. The speed rating is under what the car came with, but I wanted this car to be capable on and off road/mild trail capable. BF T/A were the next up, but were considerably higher priced and out of stock in my size, so...

Do we need to create a sub-forum for Volvos?

LOL I din't think we would have quite few Volvo owners here!

Regards,
D

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Driving this morning to Napa to pick up my oil and filter for the Volvo this morning. Another Volvo (XC90) in front of me at the stop light, sticker on the tailgate reads: "I hope something good happens to you today" Ok, so I smile, and keep driving. Picked up my oil and filter, driving to the dealership on the way back home, need a drain plug washer.

At the dealership, I ask for the washer, parts guys disappears for a min, returns: "Is that all you need?" ... Yes... "No charge have a nice day!" little thing, but me thinking back to the Volvo sticker from earlier

Oh, but wait...

When I dropped the car at the body shop weeks ago, I took this little thumb drive with me. Well, I have not seen it since.

Fast froward to today: little jeans pocket - found it!!! It is stuffed a bit of lint... It's been through a deep cycle wash, and dryer-ed through on the med-high heat setting... Used the tooth pick to removed lint, shoved it into the head unit - the freaking thing works like nothing happened! Amazing little thing to survive all this!!!

This is the tumb SanDisk:



Me again thinking again about the back of that Volvo sticker...

And with that said, "I hope something good happens to you today"!!!

Regards,
D

 

[northNH]

 

[Ascension]

Every generation of car enthusiasts has one old bloke that tells everyone else with a new car that his beater was the last real model they ever made

The 98 V and S 90's were the last front engine rear wheel drive Volvos built that's just a fact. After Ford came in the designs changed and they all were front wheel drive or all wheel drive that's fact. It's not that I don't like the Ford cars would love to own the right 6 speed V 60 R wagon. It's the cars after Greely bought the company and started running the show from China I'm not fond of.

 

[Ascension]

I have a similar car! The best part about the car is the interior. It is an orange color called "Atacama" I think and it is very sumptuous and fragrant. As it was an extra-cost option, this leather interior is not protected and requires a lot of maintenance work to keep it looking good.

To be fair I am not completely enamored of the car though --- there are too many electronics in it for my taste and too many little issues with the two (TWO) brake fluid level sensors attached to the master cylinder that constantly give false readings and tell me that "DSC deactivated". But the interior is nice.

View attachment 119939 View attachment 119940 View attachment 119941

LOVE those V 60 R wagons! With a few mods those can be absolutely vicious cars!

 

[alabbasi]

The 98 V and S 90's were the last front engine rear wheel drive Volvos built that's just a fact.

That is a fact but I'm not sure what it has to do with anything
That might be like saying "I like the 78 Dodge Monaco because it's a real Chrysler!! from the days they were grossly mismanaged and had to get two government bailouts! Not those 707hp POS ones built by Italians!"

 

[PJmak]

My neighbour has what looks like a p1800 coupe in his garage. Never seen it move, tires are flat and it just sits looks more like a restoration in progress kinda car. Black color