Volvo XC70's "New Lease On Life"

[Jlaa]

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!"

Actually I think the 707 hp one are weaksauce ones now ---- the are up over 800hp now. The Dodge Demon Is the Most Powerful Challenger Ever | MotorBiscuit

 

[gsxr]

Actually I think the 707 hp one are weaksauce ones now ---- the are up over 800hp now.

This is correct. There's a guy at my local track with a Hellcat Redeye that has been modified, somewhere north of 800hp now. Stupid fast, really fun car, he's won a couple track championships in the Factory Muscle category (which doesn't allow German cars to compete, harrumph.)

 

[alabbasi]

Actually I think the 707 hp one are weaksauce ones now ---- the are up over 800hp now. The Dodge Demon Is the Most Powerful Challenger Ever | MotorBiscuit

I'm not sure if that was the point i was making but thank you for that tidbit

 

[Ascension]

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!"

When Volvo was a Sweed owned company they built some of the best cars on the planet. Most were relatively slow and stogey but they ran forever and were built like tanks. There are reasons the the Guinness record for high millage is held by a Volvo and you will find pages of Volvos on their high mileage registry that have over 500K miles and all of them are the older cars. The V and S 90's were the evolution of the last real Volvo designs. It's like comparing the quality of build of the Mercs from our era and before to now. They aren't the same.
Big difference for Volvo is now they are building these Chinese designed POS abominations under Greely and most of the Ford era designs were also sub par in overall quality and lacked reliability.

 

[alabbasi]

they are building these Chinese designed POS abominations under Greely

Yeah? Have you owned one or had personal experience with one? I ask because this doesn't sound like a qualified opinion to me. I've never driven one but to me, the new V90 is a beautiful car inside and out. Far better looking than most wagons out there (Barring the CLS shooting brake). As far as reliability, Volvo is doing something new with Volvo under Chinese ownership. They're on the leading edge. Welcome to the future.

 

[Jlaa]

Volvo and its sales numbers under Geely’s ownership is headed up and to the right - good news for the company (and I am careful not to conflate products with companies.) i really enjoyed my old 240 and 940 Turbo but they never appealed to my aesthetic tastes when new, as the new V90 or XC90 does. Volvo has become more fashion forward. I don’t think, though, I would spend the kind of money that A new V/XC90 demands for a new car though..... Autos are seemingly no longer seen as durable goods, but as fashion now.....

That said, Jaguar under Tata ownership has seemingly foundered, which is a big shame.
Volvo seems to be adapting well.

 

[Jlaa]

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

I am guilty of upping the boost a little bit.

 

[skikrazey]

An ex-girlfriend had a mid-80's 240DL if I remember correctly. Had over 200K on the clock, 4cyl stick. I patched the rusted wells in the trunk. Normal tune up stuff. Had to replace the column stalk and a relay in the center stack. Easiest dash & steering column I ever had to take apart!
Car ran great got her through college and then some. It was a metallic brown tank with tan interior.

 

[PJmak]

No issues with my chinese made 2018 xc90 although you can tell they tried to save money on the paint work.

Otherwise i think its the best full size suv on the market with most standard options than any other carin its class. Ive checked them all out when i was shopping for a suv.

Couldnt find a blue one in CA so i had this one delivered from a volvo dealer in Kansas

 

[alabbasi]

Here's another fact: Sweden had two car companies but only one was saved with Chinese money and is around today.

Jaguars biggest enemy is itself. The funny thing is that their sales increased under Tata ownership, mainly due to luxury car demand in China and sold cars than ever in 2017. Sales in China fell off in 2019, maybe because they phased out the XJ which was always the flagship.

 

[Jlaa]

Here's another fact: Sweden had two car companies but only one was saved with Chinese money and is around today.

I didn't know this!!!!!!
<EDIT> Never mind. I had a brain fart. Yeah, I miss Saab. I want a pristine 9000 Aero.

 

[ace10]

I didn't know this!!!!!!
<EDIT> Never mind. I had a brain fart. Yeah, I miss Saab. I want a pristine 9000 Aero.

Set up a email notification from the appropriate FS section on Saabdotnet.

Used Saab Classifieds

#1 Used Saab Classifieds on the Internet. Get the most for your Saab or Parts! 1/2 million visitors in the past year. On the Internet since 1988!

www.saabnet.com

I've been hunting for a C900 vert for about a year.

Really nice 9000's don't come up all that often.

 

[Jlaa]

Set up a email notification from the appropriate FS section on Saabdotnet.

Used Saab Classifieds

#1 Used Saab Classifieds on the Internet. Get the most for your Saab or Parts! 1/2 million visitors in the past year. On the Internet since 1988!

www.saabnet.com

I've been hunting for a C900 vert for about a year.

Really nice 9000's don't come up all that often.

Oh man all those 9000s listed have like intergalactic mileage on them. I can easily see myself bringing home a $3000 car and dumping $30,000 into it, ending up with a car valued at $8,000.

 

[alabbasi]

When I first moved to the US, I bought a 92 Saab 900S Convertible with a 5 speed manual. There was no craigslist at the time so finding a cash car was not as easy as it is today and I found that most dealers wanted obscene money for cars that in the UK would be considered jalopies, The reason I bought it was because it was the only car in the Autotrader who's value was comparable to what I would pay for an 8 year old Saab in the UK.

I owned that car for about 3 years. I tried so hard to like it. I joined the Saab mailing lists and tried to get into the whole enthusiast thing. Compared to my 88 E30 318I, it wasn't that well built and it was so slow (like 300D non turbo slow). I did drive a Turbo and it's more fun but really, I was happy to be done with Saabs when I bought my 97 E420. I've had a couple of Volvo's a 740 Wagon and a 740 Turbo Wagon and now a 164E. I like them. If you're going to buy a 9000 Turbo, be sure that it's a 5 speed car. I remember reading period reviews from the 80's and the autos were usually panned.

 

[ace10]

Oh man all those 9000s listed have like intergalactic mileage on them. I can easily see myself bringing home a $3000 car and dumping $30,000 into it, ending up with a car valued at $8,000.

Sounds like a plan!


But seriously, 9000's do seem to get used as intended(heavily). Especially compared to the C900s which pop up in pristine condition about 1x/month. Last week an alert came through for a Monte Carlo Yellow turbo vert. I pinged the guy within about five minutes, and I still wasn't first in line.

 

[Ascension]

Yeah? Have you owned one or had personal experience with one? I ask because this doesn't sound like a qualified opinion to me. I've never driven one but to me, the new V90 is a beautiful car inside and out. Far better looking than most wagons out there (Barring the CLS shooting brake). As far as reliability, Volvo is doing something new with Volvo under Chinese ownership. They're on the leading edge. Welcome to the future.

Looked hard at a S 60 in 2015 but could not get past the little 4 with a turbo and supercharger being the top powertrain. For about the same $ could have bought a C class and liked the overall platform better. The wife however wanted a Chrysler V6 200S and it was to be her car so--.
They do look nice but are going in a different direction from what I want and I don't send money to China if I can help it.
Front engine rear drive preferably the smoothness and torque of a larger engine like the old straight 6 in the last R's or high pressure turbo 5's they had at least with all wheel drive. Things kinda like you find in the cars we mostly talk about here in our M119 powered W124's. They just don't build cars like that anymore and I am not interested in what they do build now. I just won't spend my $ on them.

 

[alabbasi]

They look nice but are going in a different direction from what I want.

Fair enough, if it's not to your taste it's not to your taste. We have lots beards in the MB community who think that the W123 240D was the last 'real' Mercedes. I'd personally rather shoot myself in the face than drive one daily. Companies that don't adapt disappear, or if they get bought, I hope that new ideas will come new cash to turn around the business.

While it may not be to your taste, that little 4 banger probably performs better than anything made in or before the early 2000's, unless it has an AMG or //M badge.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

These wheels and tires should have been on UPS delivery truck on 12/31, instead, delivered only today. At customer service - no explanation given, just that the tires and wheel were not on the truck, not until today... and would not allow me to pick them up myself either. "good things come to those who wait?"

These are some beeeeeefy tires compare to stock





And the every so useful tool/stud for mounting the wheels - compliments of my totaled W211 E500...



First impression - very smooth, not much noise at all, definitely eats the small cracks and minor road imperfections with ease. In the am tomorrow, highway speeds, back home going to take back roads to see how well these hold the "twisties" and dirt and gravel this weekend.

Regards,
D

 

[ace10]

I find that the Coopers do an admirable job of not picking up rocks, especially compared to another AT like the BFG.

Living on a gravel road, it's something I to watch. The Cooper design doesn't clear mud as well as the BFGs, though.

 

[Duh_Vinci]

I find that the Coopers do an admirable job of not picking up rocks, especially compared to another AT like the BFG.

Living on a gravel road, it's something I to watch. The Cooper design doesn't clear mud as well as the BFGs, though.

I like these so far. Very well mannered at highway speeds, in the rain on the twisty back roads as well as gravel.





Frankly, BFGs is what I wanted originally, but no one had them in stock in the size I needed, all back ordered. Those side-knobbies on BFG and the deeper thread are definitely packing some off road capabilities... At the end, these were priced great, and I feel that are a very good balance for on and off tarmac.

Regards,
D

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Yesterday warning light intermittent: "Stop Bulb Check", and when that happens, only 3rd brake light is on.

Hours of searching the web since yesterday, absolutely no solid leads to the fix on any forum... results anything from wires, bulbs, corrosion, sockets to full CEM replacement, despite what appears to be somewhat common issue.

I replaced the bulbs, I checked the fuse, I removed the sockets and cleaned them up, I wiggled the B:3 wire set leading from the CEM - nothing...

So to all the P2 owners if this dreaded "Stop Bulb Check" happens:

This is the diagram for the CEM module with possible culprits



This is a very very good full wiring info for 1st generation of XC70/V70RV70/XC90
for @northNH since your cars are 2005, this is your PDF (in case you don't have it yet) XC70/V70R/V70/XC90

Then I stumbled on this short primitive video:

Then I went to our local pick-a-part and this is what $4.00 buys me (including the $2.00 entrance fee)



And here is to the budget fixed brake lights!



One thing to mention: This forum is very unique to how much detailed, accurate information and resources available, and willingness of members to share their knowledge and experience - appreciate you gents! It is certainly not the same with the Volvo forums form what I can tell...

Regards,
D

 

[northNH]

Re: The wiring diagram you linked is the cat’s meow when laying awake at night in a cold sweat trying to diagnose P2 paranormal electrical epiphenomenology. Much obliged.
Got anything else/link as useful?

...resources available and willingness of members to share their knowledge and experience...It is certainly not the same with the Volvo forums form what I can tell...

Fortunately this is not true for the Vintage Volvo crowd, especially Amazon, 1800, and 240s.
The older the violin, the sweeter the music...

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Stopped by Lidl the other day, noticed the silver Roof Rack, $39? Aluminum, I figured it would go well with the late style rails, and what have I got to loose at this price, it the quality is poor, I'd return it.



Installed it today... Surprise surprise, noticed on the box, "Made in Italy"...







Quite a bargain imo... Lockable, solid feel, good fit and finish...





Who knew you can buy something now days that is not made in China... Overall, quite happy with this rack!

Regards,
D

 

[Duh_Vinci]

I usually use basic linseed oil on all the "abundance" of plastic trim, but this time my brother wanted me to try the product he likes from Chemical Guys... Only time will tell how long it last. Not too shiny, little bit goes a long way for sure.









Regards,
D

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Long time ago, I had WJ, it was rather rare optioned by original owner, straight 6 but QuadraTrac (usually reserved for V8 models). I did small lift, late graphite wheels, oversize tires, among other things... One thing I never install, was the front bull bar. Jeep been sold while back, bull bar I kept, and I'm glad I did: now I will make it fit this Volvo (just rough testing how and where)





I think it will look good. It is modular, so the light brackets, lower shield, all removable. And now that I have the MIG welder, and a chop saw, I can (and will) certainly fabricate the brackets to make it fit well.

Regards,
D

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Spent some time under the car, removed all the cover panels. Looks like this WJ bar with it's brackets would work better than I thought:



With 2 out of 4 brackets attached, outward mounting, I could fabricate a bracket to subframe bolts



Or indward direction, swapping left and right brackets, I could weld a bong/nut to the subframe and mount it directly (could actually modify the other 2 brackets easily



Oh decisions...

Regards,
D

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Rather productive day, took a week of "planning" and "designing" the brackets and the mounts, and worth it. All the bracket and mounts are done! I tell you, happy to see that at least, raw mild still has not jump prices like the wood did!



All welded up



Test fitted, tapped into the re-bar, and nicely threaded in, bracket also will serve as the plate holder (since we require to have one up front too)



Found a new favorite tools in the garage, locking pliers! Securing brackets together before tack welding - new respect for these pliers for sure. And speaking of the welder, it was worth spending money on it for this project alone. Chop saw got some good use for the first time in 5-6 years too!



Now going to take everything apart, so I can coat all the fabricated brackets. Though part of me say: "Take the whole thing to powdercoating and have them do it in silver as the rest of the accessories..."


Regards,
D

 

[Duh_Vinci]

Finally, the bull bar is on!



Will see how these perform in the fog/night







Regards,
D