Picking up an 05 white/taupe XC70 today

[GiRaff3]

Hello everyone, this is my first post on the Volvo XC forums! I have owned a few Volvos over the last 6 years, mainly consisting of 3 S60Rs. With the wife back in school full time and my duties with the kids becoming greater, I decided it was time to hang up the 350+ hp, Brembos, and upgraded sway bars for something that was more appropriate for my family, while also keeping me in the Volvo family.

I have mostly hung out on Swedespeed, where I moderate the R forum and classifieds, but from time to time I can be found on Volvospeed or Turbobricks. I have been reading through some threads here and I can see there is a wealth of knowledge!

So, please consider me a complete noob with the XC. I have driven a couple, but it is still a different car in a lot of ways from what I am used to. Can you guys give me some tips?

What areas should I really keep an eye on? The R was really sensitive with the angle gear, 4C struts, etc.
What kind of fuel do you guys typically use? I ALWAYS put 93 octane in the R, but these cars utilize lighter pressure turbos.
I just spent a few $$ on accessories, such as sun glasses holder, rubber floor mats, tunnel mat, and a cargo tray. Are there other accessories that you guys believe are a MUST have? I plan to get the windows tinted soon, nothing crazy, and I purchased a GROM Audio adapter to give myself more audio options.

Thanks a lot, and if there is anything else useful you guys can think of, feel free to share! [thumbup]

[Astro14]

Nice ride!

Personally, I always run 93 in the T5. I have no idea what my wife puts in hers, likely 87...but I fill it with 93...it will run fine on 87, though the performance will be down just a bit as the AK sensor pulls back the timing...

If you search the threads, there are a couple of "what should I do with my XC?" discussions...and here's part of what I've said: change the oil every 7500 with ACEA A3/B3 (synthetic most likely...search for "oil rant"...), flush the trans every 30K, change filters regularly. Check the Angle gear every oil change. Rotate the tires every oil change. Flush the brake fluid every 2 years. Check the motor mounts and suspension bushings. Fix the little stuff before it creates cascading failures...

[bbbuzzy]

You'll probably want to follow this thread too:


http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17000

[GiRaff3]

Thanks for the replies!

I have seen the R project thread before, he is carving his own path :) I want to keep it simple, but there is a LOT of good info in there.

I will snoop around some more and learn what I can.

[JeremyXC70]

I picked up an 05 XC70 a month ago and have been super happy with it. You'll love the way it handle's the snow. My XC70's a base model but I picked it up with 41,000 miles on it. I still have a 2001 V70 with 168,000 I'm getting rid of soon. Enjoy the new ride!

[Xilikon]

Congratulations for the nice white XC70. You're lucky to find one in white because I'm trying to find that color without luck yet.

[GiRaff3]

I picked up an 05 XC70 a month ago and have been super happy with it. You'll love the way it handle's the snow. My XC70's a base model but I picked it up with 41,000 miles on it. I still have a 2001 V70 with 168,000 I'm getting rid of soon. Enjoy the new ride!

The drive home felt good. For having substantially less HP than the S60R I just sold, there is enough power to maneuver through traffic, which makes me happy. My S60R was a 6MT was amazing in the snow, and I expect nothing less from an XC. It is difficult for me to compare the 2, they are 2 different animals. The handling is not nearly as good as the R, but it was cheating by having a set of iPd track spec sways.

[GiRaff3]

Congratulations for the nice white XC70. You're lucky to find one in white because I'm trying to find that color without luck yet.

White has been my favorite car color for a long time. I found other XCs with less mileage, a couple of more options, different pricing...but I kept coming back to white. It is harder to find than most!

[GiRaff3]

and a pic...

http://i.imgur.com/c20qy.jpg

[Au_xc70_03]

and a pic...

http://i.imgur.com/c20qy.jpg

It looks clean and ready to be transformed.[thumbup]

[GiRaff3]

It looks clean and ready to be transformed.[thumbup]

Thanks! It has a couple of small flaws here and there, but clean overall. I found some good prices on cross bars and a roof basket. I am debating on the wheel situation...powder coat these? Get another set? I have a set of 18" OZ 35th anniversary in the garage, but that would be a bit counter productive considering I want to maximize durability/versatility...

[JRL]

Bob
I would go with 17s
The ride is almost the same, (I like it better, more secure) it looks 1000 times better and the handling is 100 times better.
Knowing you, you may want to spring for a set of IPD bars, it won't be an R but it will make it corner MUCH flatter and you will enjoy it a ton more.
No loss in ride comfort.
Talk with Adam, he has the same XC but it's 1/2 an R, best of both worlds

[GiRaff3]

Bob
I would go with 17s
The ride is almost the same, (I like it better, more secure) it looks 1000 times better and the handling is 100 times better.
Knowing you, you may want to spring for a set of IPD bars, it won't be an R but it will make it corner MUCH flatter and you will enjoy it a ton more.
No loss in ride comfort.
Talk with Adam, he has the same XC but it's 1/2 an R, best of both worlds

I would consider 17s, so long as I could put some thicker, higher profile tires on. Having an XC gives the benefit of being able to use bigger tires.

Driving home today, I was thinking sways would make a big difference. I wonder how XC sways compare to stock V70R sways, as far as diameter is concerned.

[Sweet Lew]

Driving home today, I was thinking sways would make a big difference. I wonder how XC sways compare to stock V70R sways, as far as diameter is concerned.

Funny you should say that. There's a thread for that:

http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18943&highlight=Sway+bars

:P

You might want to consider these too:

http://www.ipdusa.com/products/5037/115037-ipd-strut-bar-mount-conversion-kit

[JRL]

I would consider 17s, so long as I could put some thicker, higher profile tires on. Having an XC gives the benefit of being able to use bigger tires.
.


I'll check the (stock) size tires on the Adventure series that I'm delivering tomorrow and let you know the stock 17" tire size
While it has new Pirelli Scorpions on it :mad: it's light years over stock 16s
You don't need to over tire it, these feel just about right as a good compromise tire size for handling and ride

[n00bkiller944]

I have 17 inch Pegs on mine at still run a 55 profile tire (AWESOME!) Like JRL said, it looks 1000000 times better and handles better too. I finally got tired of the floating corning and sprung for a set of IPD Sways so those will be going on ASAP. Diameter is 25mm front and 23mm rear if that answers your question. Besides that looks like you got a great car and it is awesome to see you over here!!!

How many miles are on your XC?

[GiRaff3]

I have 17 inch Pegs on mine at still run a 55 profile tire (AWESOME!) Like JRL said, it looks 1000000 times better and handles better too. I finally got tired of the floating corning and sprung for a set of IPD Sways so those will be going on ASAP. Diameter is 25mm front and 23mm rear if that answers your question. Besides that looks like you got a great car and it is awesome to see you over here!!!

How many miles are on your XC?

Pegs are timeless and look awesome, but EVERYONE and their uncle has a set on every type of Volvo known to man. It is not that I do not like them, but they are so common that I am a bit burnt out on them.

I still need to do some searching about V70R sways. I am not looking to do anything drastic, just tighten in up a little. My indy is awesome, he installed my last set of sways for $145, you can't beat that with a stick!

She has 85k.

[JRL]

Trust me (and all of us that have them) you really want sway bars and at least 17's [thumbup]
Just those two mods alone will make it so much nicer to drive you'll be very happy with it.
It's not drastic it just becomes a real nice, more responsive and more stable vehicle to drive, and not a numb floater.

The 07 Adventure I'm delivering in an hour (finally)!
http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww329/JRL1194/2007%20XC70%20WILLOW%20GREEN/2007XC70ADVENTURENEWRIGHTFRONT.jpg

[Sweet Lew]

Pegs are timeless and look awesome, but EVERYONE and their uncle has a set on every type of Volvo known to man. It is not that I do not like them, but they are so common that I am a bit burnt out on them.


I'm running 17 x7 Neptunes from an XC90. You just need to get hub rings.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v211/sweetlew9/WinterMode.jpg

[06ORXC]

Love the white paint on xc:)

I agree, IPD swaybars are a functional improvement.[thumbup]

so are 235/50r18 on 18x8 wheels:D

http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww175/bartek1018/IMGP4348.jpg

[GiRaff3]

Thanks for all of the input everyone :) I am sold on getting a set of 17s with 55 series tires. Sway bars are going to have to wait a bit.

[Huzer21]

17", 55 series and R sways on mine. Love the difference! Congrats on the new ride. Oh, and I like your choice of color.

[GiRaff3]

17", 55 series and R sways on mine. Love the difference! Congrats on the new ride. Oh, and I like your choice of color.

Do you know what size V70R sways are in comparison to the stock XC ones?

[06ORXC]

I'm not sure exact sizes but they are bigger them xc and smaller then ipd.

[GiRaff3]

I'm not sure exact sizes but they are bigger them xc and smaller then ipd.

Used S60R and V70R sways are typically dirt cheap, if not free, if you are willing to pay shipping.

[JRL]

I threw mine out recently, didn't occur to me they could be used on an XC.
(&^&*@*^

[GiRaff3]

I threw mine out recently, didn't occur to me they could be used on an XC.
(&^&*@*^

Completely understandable, not many people would want them. I have my stock S60R sways hanging in my garage...I doubt they will get any use.

[n00bkiller944]

Completely understandable, not many people would want them. I have my stock S60R sways hanging in my garage...I doubt they will get any use.

Your front one should work just fine for your XC I would think? All you would need to find is a rear one!

[Volvoholic]

Trust me (and all of us that have them) you really want sway bars and at least 17's [thumbup]
Just those two mods alone will make it so much nicer to drive you'll be very happy with it.
It's not drastic it just becomes a real nice, more responsive and more stable vehicle to drive, and not a numb floater.

The 07 Adventure I'm delivering in an hour (finally)!
http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww329/JRL1194/2007%20XC70%20WILLOW%20GREEN/2007XC70ADVENTURENEWRIGHTFRONT.jpg

JRL, where were you last July when I was looking for THIS EXACT XC70?!?!?! [cussing] you have no idea how hard I looked too, we went 2 hours away to look at one but it was a pos that was thrashed in 3.5 years/17,000 miles and some sand in the coolant sighh...

[JRL]

Bob
If you PM me your VIN I can get you the original Volvo warranty sheet for your car with any warranty and Volvo service history, all factory options etc.
Also your car is probably OAK leather not Taupe but that would be on the sheet too.

[GiRaff3]

Your front one should work just fine for your XC I would think? All you would need to find is a rear one!

Someone on SS has a set of V70R sways and springs, he PM'd me. We are negotiating. I was hoping he would want them gone, but after he figures out shipping, I am going to send him a few $$.

I really do not know if I want to do springs, but it seems so simple and will lower it to a nice level with 55 series tires.

[JRL]

Sort of defeats the purpose of an XC IMO

[GiRaff3]

Sort of defeats the purpose of an XC IMO

Yes, that is exactly what I am thinking. I will not lower :o

[n00bkiller944]

Yes, that is exactly what I am thinking. I will not lower :o

That is the same battle I have had for the longest time with my XC. I think it looks great at the stock ride height and have finally decided to leave it that way!

[ifnt420]

Yes, that is exactly what I am thinking. I will not lower :o

I would not recommend installing the VR springs onto the XC, unless you are going to do the VR struts/shocks as well.

I tried it on mine and it rode like a 80's Caddy with blown shocks. [nonono]

[GiRaff3]

I would not recommend installing the VR springs onto the XC, unless you are going to do the VR struts/shocks as well.

I tried it on mine and it rode like a 80's Caddy with blown shocks. [nonono]

That makes sense, the spring rate is much different between a P2 with normal struts, and then those with 4C. I am bailing on lowering my XC, I want to maintain the height.

[Ocean Racer]

Learning from experience, DO NOT put R springs in the XC.

At best, have springs made or get a set of S60AWD springs ONLY

[Huzer21]

Do you know what size V70R sways are in comparison to the stock XC ones?

V70R: 23.5/22
XC: 19/14 (That said, mine's an 01. I don't know if sizes changed through later model years)

I snapped a pic of the rear bars, Didn't stop to do one of the fronts. here's the difference with the rear:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/TifosiF1/sways-1.jpg

[Ocean Racer]

V70R: 23.5/22
XC: 19/14 (That said, mine's an 01. I don't know if sizes changed through later model years)

I snapped a pic of the rear bars, Didn't stop to do one of the fronts. here's the difference with the rear:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/TifosiF1/sways-1.jpg

Great reference! [thumbup]

[Xilikon]

Great info, keep them coming... I have my eye set on a 07 silver XC70 without the dreaded 4C (a rarity around here, most have 4C) with 91,000 km (only 57,000 miles). I would put 55 tires on 17" wheels and R sways as well.

[GiRaff3]

V70R: 23.5/22
XC: 19/14 (That said, mine's an 01. I don't know if sizes changed through later model years)

I snapped a pic of the rear bars, Didn't stop to do one of the fronts. here's the difference with the rear:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/TifosiF1/sways-1.jpg

8mm is a pretty big difference! Thanks for the pic!

[n00bkiller944]

I threw mine out recently, didn't occur to me they could be used on an XC.
(&^&*@*^

Thats a shame especially since you have an XC now!

[JRL]

Tell me about it.
I guess I'll double check the garage attic but I'm 99.9999999% sure I threw out all the bars and springs I had up there about 4 months ago :mad:

I also threw out a perfectly good stock V70R exhaust system
It was too big to keep around here
(Selling the house so I have to clean up all this stuff, I still have a monsterous amount of parts here)

I'll trade a set of Comets for a nice set of 17s for this XC


V70R: 23.5/22
XC: 19/14 (That said, mine's an 01. I don't know if sizes changed through later model years)



They must have, the later cars handle MUCH better