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Volvo C70

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Comments

  • erisamanerisaman Member Posts: 99
    Thanks for that, changing the subject a little - I know that Volvo as a manufacturer frown upon modifications which, in the wrong hands, could jeopardise safety, however, have you heard of anyone producing a 'one touch' roof opening module for the C70. I recall a rush of excitement when L-C-T produced such a module for the Eos, but they refused to consider doing one for the C70.

    Now, 18 months later, researching for the Astra TwinTop, I have found a very good company who do actually produce a one-touch system for the C70. It appears to be superb in quality, and is certainly not cheap, but, in addition to being just 'one touch' to operate the roof, it also allows the roof to be opened whilst on the move - the speed to be governed to a pre-set speed. If anyone is interested then I will post details and apparently, if there are enough potential buyers, the company will consider a 'group buy' at discount.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Just remember that any such modification will automatically void the warranty.
    Not sure I would do that with something as sensitive and potentially costly as a convertible top.
  • erisamanerisaman Member Posts: 99
    Hmm, a timely reminder and I take your point ...... but to have to park up and keep one foot on the brake and a finger on the button ..... sounds virtually nothing but is a 'pain' in practice.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    but to have to park up and keep one foot on the brake and a finger on the button ..... sounds virtually nothing but is a 'pain' in practice.

    Oh the humanity! :P

    20 yrs ago, Mercedes Benz was selling a $60,000 convertible that you had to put the cloth top down manually.
    You ever try to do that w/ a brand new 560SL?
    What a pain in the [non-permissible content removed] that was!
    It literally took 2 people and a lot of straining to do it.
    Now, we have fully automatic metal roofs.
    So, you gotta stand still, big deal.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,891
    LOL!
    yeah, I gotta agree with Vmax here.

    In my wife's bimmer, you gotta lower all the windows, release the 2 latches at the windshield, GET OUT OF THE CAR, raise the front of the top to release the tension, then raise the back of the top off of the rear deck, pull a handle inside of the passenger compartment to release the tonneau cover, then hold the cover open and fold the top down into it. And, while I don't know if this is a standard feature or not, you have to run around to the other side to tuck the fabric in on the passenger side, run back to the driver's side and tuck the fabric in there, then snap the tonneau cover shut.

    Holding that brake pedal must be SO annoying. ;P

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • erisamanerisaman Member Posts: 99
    And remember the televisions with their tiny screens and grey images, how folk used to huddle around them to listen to the news? Oh how warm and friendly it must have been in those days, we do so miss them.

    Huh, fat chance .............. c'mon guys, don't live in the past and rejoice in failure or inadequacies, I recall the excitement a large number of C70 owners expressed on here when they thought the L-C-T company would produce a one-touch module for the C70 as they had done for the Eos. It's called progress guys .....
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,891
    We're not saying it can't be better. But, for me, I guess I have a much higher tolerance for what I'd call "annoying" or a "pain."

    Also, ya gotta remember what it takes to make everyone happy. I'm sure folks at volvo spent days and nights thinking about how to make this work. And I'm sure someone said "let's make it one-touch." And then 5 people said "no. what happens if a freak rain happens while the top is lowering? we should be able to stop mid-way if we want." And then 3 lawyers chimed in and said "we should make sure people are stopped when they do this. We want a safety switch on the brake pedal." And on and on it went.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • erisamanerisaman Member Posts: 99
    No, Volvo, just as every other manufacturer, has to cater for the idiot, the person who lacks commonsense and who will automatically think that - "Hey, if it's one-touch then let's touch it and to hell with any kids who may stick their fingers in the mechanism".

    However, some of us do have commonsense and when we choose to add an extra feature, we automatically adopt the role of caretaker to ensure the roof is operated in safe conditions - it behoves us to do so.

    Check out the MB forums, the BM forums, they oft have these retrofit/after market modules and rave about them.

    In the UK, there are occasions when we are in slow moving traffic, and to be able to shut the roof as the rain gathers momentum can be a boon. Not everytime, not at 50 mph - just a crawling pace, as incorporated in the GM TwinTop as standard, just to have that little extra convenience.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 235,200
    I can just see someone backing out of their driveway as they have the top going up on auto... and then the body flexes as the rear wheels drop over the curb onto the pavement.... and.. stuck!!

    It's no sweat with our soft-top convertible, but with that hard-top? Is it really that hard to have your foot on the brake and your finger on a button at the same time? I guess a manual transmission would really be hell!! ;)

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  • erisamanerisaman Member Posts: 99
    How sad - if you don't know, why comment?
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 235,200
    I'm hoping for edification.... :surprise:

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  • yalilminxyalilminx Member Posts: 2
    Hi! I have been perusing the c70 bulletins as I try to decide whether to keep mine or let it loose... I purchased my pearl white black top & interior used in 06.. 27,000 mi. for $27,000.00. I love the car - but am a lil concerned that it may turn into a money pit now that I have just passed the warranty expiration. I believe I still owe 17,000 and have 40,000 miles on it! If I keep her- i am gonna fork out the cash for the ext. warranty (3,000.). I guess i need input as to the reliability for the next 25,000 miles?!
    Thanks! :blush:
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    If you are out of warranty, you can't get the Volvo VIP extended warranty.

    If you go aftermarket, make sure it cover the electrical system,turbo,and top.

    Mechanically, the C70 should be fine. The drivetrain is a very good one.
    Window regulators tend to be an issue and the the top can need occasional re-aligning.
  • yalilminxyalilminx Member Posts: 2
    Thank you so much!

    Westside Volvo in Cleveland is willing to extend my warranty - probably through them. I think I may go with AAA though- I am not too hot on dealership care and prefer to go to a local swedish specialist.

    Any more advice out there?
  • lp107jllp107jl Member Posts: 4
    I'm wondering whether anyone has experienced the following problems:

    1. When the convertible top is raised, the front passenger window goes up about 2/3s and then stops and goes down to the halfway position. I'd had this problem since my purchase in April 2006. The dealer has tried to solve this issue on numerous occasions; changing regulator, software reboots, etc. and nothing seems to work.

    2. I recall reading in the past that someone was able to get their dealer to adjust their Xenon headlights slightly upward to improve nightime visibility. My dealer informed me that these headlights are not adjustable in the U.S. Can someone confirm whether this is true - Volvomax, your input would be valuable here as Volvo North America informed me that I have to go to my dealer, who is the definitive authority!

    Thanks,
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    All headlights are mechanically adjustable.

    The new Xenon's shouldn't need to be adjusted but, people's tastes vary.
  • bobparisbobparis Member Posts: 28
    I am the person who posted about the Xenon headlights being aimed too low. I have read others on this board with the same problem. It took two trips to the dealer but they were able to adjust them upward. Volvomax is usually right-on but misses the mark here. It has nothing to do with someone's taste or preference. The purpose of a headlight is to illuminate the area in front of you. If the lamps are too low, nighttime driving is precarious and hazardous. I noticed the problem, along with my son and wife. It's not me (or my taste), but rather bad assembly at the factory. Considering how many posts I have read about this, and in light of Volvo's reputation for safety, I am surprised that they have not initiated an informal recall on this issue. Plus, I didn't appreciate spending hundreds of $ extra for Xenon lamps only to realize that they were the worst performing lights I have ever had UNTIL PROPERLY AIMED.
  • lp107jllp107jl Member Posts: 4
    Thanks bobparis and volvomax for your input. My car is with the dealer and I should be picking it up tomorrow. Volvomax, is my window problem unique to my vehicle?
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    I've spent plenty of time in the new C70,and I don't have an issue w/ the factory setting on the Xenons.
    It IS possible that your lights were mis aimed at the factory.
    I have yet to have a complain about the factory setting.
    Another issue, when you raise the lights above the factory setting, you increase the glare for on coming drivers.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    I haven't heard of a window issue like yours.
    Could be an issue w/ the pressure sensor.
    It's designed to roll the window down if it encounters an obstruction,like your fingers.
  • rnoldrnold Member Posts: 6
    Recently had timing belt replaced as well as new front rotors and pads. Noticed soon after a low rumble or grinding noise coming from front end as the car slows to a complete stop. Returned to dealer who did the work. They checked it out and found nothing wrong. Said maybe rotors needs to be seated. In time will quiet down. I want to know if this is a brake problem or any kind of transmission problem before it's too late. 1999 Volvo C70 coupe LPT 105K miles, auto trans.
    Thanks
  • rschleicherrschleicher Member Posts: 79
    I have the same issue with my bi-xenon headlights. They are just aimed a bit too low. Possibly the perception is exaggerated by the sharp cut-off of the beam. Since this is my first car with xenons, I thought at first that maybe it was just a matter of getting used to the sharp beam cut-off. But the distance down the road that is lit up is just too short. I constantly feel like I am going to "outrun" the headlights, in the sense that there isn't enough reaction time for the short length of road that is lit up.

    I made one attempt to have my dealer look at it, and they just said that they are fine. But they're not. Rather than argue with my dealer about it, I think I'm going to try the manual adjustment myself, per instructions seen on one of the other Volvo forums I look at. I'm going to do this incrementally, since I don't want to blind other drivers, etc.
  • bobparisbobparis Member Posts: 28
    I would not try to do this myself. I was told by the Service Manager at two different Volvo dealers that it is a "software" problem. Don't ask me how software can cure what I would assume to be a physical adjustment or physics problem. All I know is that it took two attempts and the lights were ultimately "adjusted" satisfactorily. Your description of "outrun" the headlights is extremely apt and is scary. Call up and speak to the Service Manager and if that does no good, call Volvo directly. Have Volvo correct it.
  • lp107jllp107jl Member Posts: 4
    When I went back to the dealer, the servgiceperson had marked the file that the lights were fine. When I spoke with the customer rep., he manually adjusted the lights himself using a socket wrench...he also agreed that they were aimed too low. I'm checking the revised angle to see whether they're sufficiently aimed high enough and not a distraction to oncoming cars. Anyone experiencing this problem needs to keep speaking to Volvo service until they make this adjustment.
  • stanwictstanwict Member Posts: 60
    Has anyone with the 18 inch wheels tried a tire other than the OE Pirelli PZero Rosso? Last fall I replaced two because my wife blew one out on our '07 C70 and the other was shot (about 15K on the car) and once again the two fronts need to be replaced (about 31K) and really all four should be. Best price I've found for the Pirelli's is $949 for four with shipping plus mounting and balancing. I'm just wondering if there is a cheaper alternative that works as well and maybe lasts a little longer....
  • bobparisbobparis Member Posts: 28
    My set of factory Pirelli PZero's (speed rated at approx 160 mph) lasted 17,500 miles and I hated the "ride." An independent tire store in my area that has been around for decades set me up with Hankook Ventus HR II 235/40R18 93H tires, speed rated at about 130 mph. The ride is better - and the steering wheel doesn't jerk as much in either direction due to potholes and other road conditions. The tires should last about 30,000 miles. Again, they are speed rated less than the factory tires but at an MPH that is still considerably faster than I will ever go - this was disclosed to me by the tire dealer prior to purchase. Apparently a Volvo dealer would not be able to fit a tire speed rated less than the factory tire. Just had them rotated at 10,000 miles yesterday and they are wearing fine. I showed them the page from the owner's manual where it states that Volvo does not recommend rotating the tires. They were flabergasted. The Volvo dealer, off the record, also advised rotating the tires. Good luck.
  • stanwictstanwict Member Posts: 60
    Thanks for the response. How is the road noise and rain driving with the Hankook's?
  • bobparisbobparis Member Posts: 28
    The tires are quieter. As far as rain driving is concerned, I don't have much experience since I am in southern California. With limited experience under such conditions, nothing was out of the ordinary on wet roads.
  • stanwictstanwict Member Posts: 60
    Last week I put four Hankook Ventus HR II tires on my car and have to say they are great so far. They are so much quieter, so much more comfortable and so much less expensive than the OEM Pirellis with no loss of performance as far as I can tell. My only gripe per say is they are not made in the USA.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Hold on a sec. You are driving a SWEDISH car and you are griping that the tires aren't made in the USA?!
  • tmarttmart Member Posts: 2,233
    Touche!!
  • volvo_drivervolvo_driver Member Posts: 34
    Hi Bob,

    I need to replace the tires on my C70 and I have been following your post regarding the Hankook Ventus HR II H405 235/40R18 93H. Like you, I live in Los Angeles and have an '06/'07 C70 T5 with 18" wheels.

    I originally went today to repair a flat and then discovered that all 4 of my Pirellis are in need of replacement - not surprisingly since I have 27,500 miles on the car. Guess I fared better with my Pirellis - but I am probably long overdue for replacement.

    I specifically requested the above tire and the tire shop told me that my car required a 95V and that the Hankook 93H sidewall would not support the weight of the car. Is this accurate? I'd love to hear your input - especially since you seem to have had a good experience with the Hankook tires. May I ask where you purchased your tires?

    Many thanks.
  • henkbwhenkbw Member Posts: 22
    Hi Volvo driver,

    The 95 and 93 numbers are the load indexes: they stand for the maximum weight that tire can withstand. The H and V are the speed indexes: yes, the maximum allowed speed for that tire (see: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=35).
    Normally a tire comes in a lot of combinations of sizes, load- and speed-indexes. If there is no 95V combination you can go for a higher load and speed index.

    Good luck
  • volvo_drivervolvo_driver Member Posts: 34
    Thanks for the info and to all for the info within the thread.

    After a lot of my own research, I ended up purchasing and mounting four new Yokohama S.drive 235/40R18 95Y tires. So far, I can tell a noticeable difference in the way the car handles.
  • leonsnaveleonsnave Member Posts: 2
    It's not your tires. I've had the same problem, put on new top of the line Bridgestones and no change. Volvo admits they have a "slight vibration problem" but no fix offered. My 2004 C70 now shimmy's at 26 and 52 and occasionally when starting out. Have you had any success in resolving this problem?
  • jeepwmnzjeepwmnz Member Posts: 12
    Fortunately, I was within the warranty time frame and filed a Lemon claim and was paid by them. It was a terrible problem. My new C70 is fine.
  • leonsnaveleonsnave Member Posts: 2
    Glad to hear it. Mine was represented to be a "tire" problem when bought used with 12000 miles. Just found out it was not tires but a problem Volvo has known about all along.
  • stanwictstanwict Member Posts: 60
    You have a valid point! Who knows what I was thinking....

    Anyways, I had to do the unthinkable and drive my C70 in the snow because my winter car let me down (our '99 VW Cabrio with 218,000 miles broke down for the first time ever - what a terrible car ;) ). The Hankook's did great in the snow! As soon as the Cabrio is back on the road I'll wash up the C70 and put it back to bed. Good to know if I’m in a pinch the Volvo can make it around on the Hankooks which wasn’t an option at all with the Pirelli’s.
  • rschleicherrschleicher Member Posts: 79
    I know this is entering late, but when I am due for replacement of my Pirelli P-Zero Rosso's, one of the options I'm going to be looking at is the P-Zero Nero, which is available as an all-season tire, and not just a "summer" tirre. It also has a significantly better tread-wear rating than the Rosso's, and costs less. Presumably you give up a bit in grip, but the Rosso's are probably over-kill for a car like the C70. Heck, they are original equipment for some Ferrari models.

    That said, I am pretty happy with the Rosso's although at just over 7k miles it is too soon to say how much wear I'll get out of them.
  • luvhandleluvhandle Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2004 C70 with 62K miles. The ride on smooth surfaces is good. The ride on regular city streets with bumps, holes etc. is absolutely terrible. The entire car shudders at the slightest irregularity in the road surface. This is affecting the body integrity - new rattles in the doors etc. I know I need new tires. The car pulls to the left, especially with fast acceleration; I plan on an alignment and new tires in the upcoming two weeks.

    I am going to be commuting 200 miles a day to work soon. Not all of the roads are totally smooth. I'm concerned about this and don't want to damage the car.

    Other than new tires and an alignment, is there ANYTHING else that can be done to make this car ride like something close to normal? My girlfriend has a Toyota Camry that costs about half as much as the C70. It has independent suspension that actually works. I really want to keep this car but I'm fed up with the ride. I've noticed that Hanook tires are recommended by others on this group. ANY suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

    I don't trust the dealership on these issues.
  • tomhewtomhew Member Posts: 3
    I also have a 2004 C70 and when I bought it (used) the dealer had 2. The first one that I tested sounded like yours. Awful, loose front, rattled, just awful. It had 36,000 miles on it. The one that I bought has only 27K on it and its tight, handles good (except turning radius) and is generally very nice to drive. I'd find a good "private" shop that specializes in Volvos and have them make a recommendation. Good Luck!
  • tomhewtomhew Member Posts: 3
    I have 3 good & 1 not so good spoked wheels & tires for sale for a 2004 C70. I hit a pot hole and damaged one of the wheels so I replaced all 4 with new tires. I live in the Allentown PA area and I'm willing to consider a reasonable offer.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,891
    I agree with Tomhew. You gotta take it to a shop where they can put it on a lift and inspect all of your bushings, endlinks, mounts, etc.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Can't compare a Camry and a C70 in the ride category.
    the C70 suspension is tuned very differently. shock and spring rates are much stiffer on the C70.
    Best advice would be to go to a 16" wheel/tire combo.
    No matter what, it will never ride like a Camry.
  • dug2dug2 Member Posts: 2
    I just purchased a used 99 C70 with 79000 miles. A beautiful car and I am discovering that it has an engine lope at times (seems like a bucking feeling) it does not do it all the time. Has anyone else had this problem and what was the fix? :confuse:

    Dug in Wisconsin
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,891
    does it do it while driving? when? accelerating? cruising at set speed? sitting at a traffic light? downhill? uphill? between shifts?

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • dug2dug2 Member Posts: 2
    Mainly while cruising at various speeds. It can go a long way without doing it. Also it sounds like it is doing it at idle, I can see the tach move (100 rpm)
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,891
    Well, I experienced a couple of similar problems with my S70 T5. From the time of purchase (30k miles) to when I sold it (115k miles), it had a random stumble at idle while sitting at traffic lights. Dealer could never figure it out, although they did experience it, and it never caused a problem (ie, never stalled).

    At one time, I did have it happen while cruising, as you describe. The dealer diagnosed that as what they called "a cracked plastic elbow inside the intake manifold." Cost me a couple hundred bucks to have them fix it. I had hoped it would also fix the idle stumble, but it didn't.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • s27s27 Member Posts: 1
    Three words.....ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY. Could need to be cleaned.Have had this same problem with my C70 3 times. A design problem that Volvo lost a class action lawsuit, having to pay for and/or service the part. Much on the net I'm sure. Google it. Your car may even qualify for free service if I remember correctly. Just a guess. :)
  • stanwictstanwict Member Posts: 60
    Hit a pot hole and blew out a Hankook this morning. :-( No way the Continental ContiComfortKit was going to get me going again. Called roadside service and had the car towed to the dealer. It's going to take three to five days for them to get a replacement tire.

    I've got more than 13K miles on the Hankook's and I'm still very happy with them. This is the first time I’ve had a problem and it stink not having a spare! Now I'm thinking about getting a spare rim and tire which I'd keep at home. If I had one this morning my wife could have thrown it and a jack in the car and I would have been on my way for about the same money the dealer just quoted me for the tire, replacement TPS and Continental ContiComfortKit Replacement kit.
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