Citroenmads Citroen blog.

R9UKE · Post by **R9UKE** » 17 Mar 2011, 00:49

The Volvo qualities I look for? A smoke stained headling, CD changer full of 70s Spanish pop and an indestructible front bumper - all the qualities of the best Volvo I ever owned! The last point was discovered when we hit a fridge at a good 20 MPH. Not a mark on it.

Seriously though, I think the S40/V40 feels a bit light and anorexic compared to the bigger boys. I thought that too about the 440, and still do, but it's other qualities make it excusable. Perhaps the V40 is the same? What you say about the slippers and a pipe - absolutely! Especially if you get a beige S80

Yes, my C5 V6 had 140,000 miles on it, and didn't show it at all (apart from the leather armrest). I'd have believed it had half that mileage.

Renaults suffer from plenty of trim quality issues after certain mileages, especially the Laguna II. Of course, if it's a dCi, the lack of power and plumes of black smoke out of the back make you think the mileage has been tampered with and lowered

Toby_HDi · Post by **Toby_HDi** » 17 Mar 2011, 00:52

What is your thoughts on the S70 then?

My brother picked one up the other week at auction. 1998/S 2.5 10v SE. Leather, 140k yet looks almost new.

£330!!!

R9UKE · Post by **R9UKE** » 17 Mar 2011, 00:59

Bargain! They're too cheap to ignore... I've never spent more than £200 on a Volvo, and all three have been excellent.

The S70 was an odd one. It was moving into the new "S" generation, while still retaining the boxy looks and straight lines of the 940/960. Interior much improved over the older ones though. So... best of both worlds!! Plus that engine will be beautiful, if slighty thirsty

Post a pic if you get a chance!

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 17 Mar 2011, 10:57

Your Volvo qualities differ to mine then

Are fridges in the road a common occurrence in Ireland?

I would imagine it came off worse!

Well the V40 we have is certainly not light, it has a lot of weight in it

I know what you mean though, it feels good to drive actually. I have had a very short drive in a V70 D5, which was a nice car but it did feel about as heavy as a tank.

The S/V40 is a small car though, but its a good sized car unless you need a lot of luggage space. Its size is probably about right for what I need, it just doesnt suit the size of an estate that we need.

I had a 3seat sofa and then two one seat leather chairs in the Xm estate last night. No way wold they have gone in the Volvo, they wouldn't even fit in Passat estate.

Ive very limited Volvo experience, but going by is V40 I do like them, and it seems to have the Volvo features i would expect.

If you need a nice sized, comfortable, safe and value for money reliable car, I think I would recommend an S40/V40.

Yes, i agree, Renaults dont often wear miles well. Citroens seem good for it and Peugeots not too bad either.

I plan to clean the Xm later and get its rear mudflaps fitted. I may well post up some pictures if the weather gets brighter

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 17 Mar 2011, 19:25

I have finished fitting the mudflaps to the Xm but did not get around to giving it a good clean. I will do that on Saturday as I plan on taking it to the CCC dealer meet on Sunday.

A quick picture of the Xm next to the V40 hire car:

Quite a noticeable size difference!

The interior of a S1 TCT Prestige Xm ive been doing a few odd jobs with:

Really quite like this interior, this particular one needs a realy good clean and leather feed, but the dash is great!

Still, I do very much like the S2 dash:

And just for Luke, the 156K mile 1.8 V40

The Volvos dash looks very plain, especially in this company, but its very functional, as you would expect

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 17 Mar 2011, 20:47

Has the dog bone popped off the rear HC of the Volvo?

robert_e_smart · Post by **robert_e_smart** » 17 Mar 2011, 21:22

Has the dog bone popped off the rear HC of the Volvo?

I was about to say!!!

What colour is the Prestige Chris, please tell me its not white

The Xm estate looks excellent, it has too many pedals though

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 17 Mar 2011, 22:53

Perhaps! Ill have to have a look under the car .... thats higher than it was, its now only just resting on the bump stops. Its quite bouncy

Apparently the V40 was available with optional rear leveling suspension! Pneumatic struts or something I think.

Ive just been out for a drive in the Volvo again, I do very much like it

Might need to own a Volvo at some point! Ive always quite liked them, but I like them a bit more now.

Thanks robert, ill be getting it cleaned up and a few new photos in the next few days. Its pretty filthy in that picture. Ah, it has the right number of pedals, 4 pedals to two feet is the most interesting way! Someone i gave a lift to last night was amased at its lack of a normal handbrake and the fact it had four pedals. I like that!

Robert, quite a contrast in fact, here is the Prestige in all its glory ....

It does need quite a lot putting right with it, im thankful its not mine!

R9UKE · Post by **R9UKE** » 17 Mar 2011, 23:47

Wow that Volvo really has taken the miles in it's stride! Thanks for posting a pic. Even the drivers seat doesn't look especially worn in any way, very impressive! Bit of a drab interior but that's standard Volvo, and very functional which I'm sure you've realized by now.

Glad to hear you like it, if you're that impressed with a V40, just imagine an S80

robert_e_smart · Post by **robert_e_smart** » 17 Mar 2011, 23:50

It does need quite a lot putting right with it

Thats the best way to buy them!

Is it black or green?

just imagine an S80 Smile

Pure class! I have driven a S80 that was a taxi with 245K miles, automatic might I add, and it was very good. I have driven a manual S80 with 100K less, and it was superb. Both were D5s, which are the ones to get apparently.

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 18 Mar 2011, 00:29

It certainly has Luke, im very impressed with how fresh it is. The longer drive I had in it this evening proved its a sound car too. I dont know what it is about it, it just feels right to drive. It has a few quirks which i like about it too.

I do like the S80s, im yet to drive one but ive been a passenger in a couple of 2.4 petrols. They are very nice and comfortable cars.

Robert, the Xm is black. Trouble is I like to get cars about perfect and this Xm would need far too much work and money spending to get near to that. Its bodywork lets it down too. Could be a good car though, its in daily use and never complains.

D5 Volvo engines do seem pretty excellent, usually the ones which hold their value the best too.

Is the 1.9D in the S40 a Volvo unit? Looking on ebay there seems to be a few diesels for spares or repair and very few petrols with problems.

robert_e_smart · Post by **robert_e_smart** » 18 Mar 2011, 08:40

Trouble is I like to get cars about perfect and this Xm would need far too much work and money spending to get near to that.

Make sure the current owner does this, so you don't have to

CitroJim · Post by **CitroJim** » 18 Mar 2011, 20:55

robert_e_smart wrote: Make sure the current owner does this, so you don't have to

Where's the fun in that?

robert_e_smart · Post by **robert_e_smart** » 18 Mar 2011, 21:03

Where's the fun in that?

I agree, but Chris is in the fortunate position of hopefully getting paid to do this work by its current owner.

I miss having a project car about. The TCT Prestige was such a nice one as well, and the TD Xantia I have is so good that is not really a project at all.

CitroJim · Post by **CitroJim** » 18 Mar 2011, 21:18

robert_e_smart wrote: I miss having a project car about.

I know what you mean Robert

My Activa has become a bit of a project lately