What mods are you planning?

[Pastor John]

As much as I like the XC as it is, I can't help but tinker with it.  Here's what I'm planning or looking into:

K&N air filter - on order, s/b here Monday
Tinted windows - Llumar 35% titanium, end of next week
Thule canoe & kayak accessories for roof rack
Car kit for Samsung I300 Palm/Cellphone
Volvo OEM rear spoiler if will work with canoe rack
Possible speaker upgrade with MB Quarts

... and exploring ipd software upgrade and exhaust (if they will make and market for lt pressure turbo).

What are you folks planning?

John

[coastal]

You guys and your kayaks... I have got to join you guys and get into this next summer. :biggrin:

Tint: for sure.

Ski holders for the Thule rectangular bars... still haven't gotten around to getting them yet, been too busy http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

I like the idea of upgrading to MB Quarts, always been my favorite speaker. Anyone else notice the reaer door speakers rattle sporatically? Probably a warranty issue as I've noticed it in a rental V70, the demo XC and mine.

Spoiler would be cool. Still thinking about it as I understand it's quite reasonably priced.

I'm going to wait a bit on the IPD ECU upgrade. BTW, Adam sent me their press release regarding their latest offering which includes the Cross COutnry. I'll post later this weekend with some more info I received from IPD.

On that note John, you sent me the tire calculator for Excel. I'll get that up over the weekend too... sorry its taken so long.. I've be swamped with work these past couple of weeks. Thanks for that! :o

[Art]

The thought of IPD's upgrade sounds tempting, but not sure how it will impact the XC's warranty.

I'll definitely be looking at new wheels once spring rolls around. Possibly 17" Sentinels.

I also like the idea of a rear spoiler, although I know for sure that it would be banging up against the yaks once it's installed.:sad:

A rear skid plate would really compliment the XC's front end.:)

Draw Tite Tow hitch - see Adam's slick install in an earlier post: http://www.v70xc.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard/topic.cgi?forum=1&topic=73 (http://www.v70xc.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard/topic.cgi?forum=1&topic=73)

Tint is right up there!:biggrin:

[Pastor John]

On my Bimmer the software upgrade, according to my dealer, would not affect warranty.

My bigger concern with chip reprogramming the XC would be whether the dealer would overwrite the code inadvertantly when he upgrades the software during routine service.

With Bimmers, there is such a following of folks that update their cars that dealers are on the lookout for chip reprogramming to make sure they don't trash an owner's modification.  I'm not sure that would be the case with Volvo since these types of mods are relatively rare for them.

In any case, I am eager to read more about the updates coming available for the XC.  Sounds like ipd produces a carefully researched and developed product.

[trysha]

It's my understanding that in the US it's illegal for them to invalidate a warranty by adding aftermarket parts.   If you report a problem with your car, the onus is on the dealer to prove that the aftermarket part caused the problem.

That doesn't help a lot of you.  

[gander]

Just picked up my 02 xc last week silver/graphite/cold weather/touring.
I had the windows tinted and Volvo rubber mats added at the dealer.
I mounted my Yakima racks with ski racks and when spring comes the bike racks will go on.
I'm planning on adding the rear skid plate as the departure angle/overhang seems a bit much for even moderate dirt roading.
I'd appreciate any info on aftermarket sources for any trick stuff for the XC

Thanks

[Art]

The folks over at IPD really sound like they know their business. After reading the press release, it was evident that plenty of development and testing has gone into their products. The numbers for the XC sound pretty decent too.

Congrats on the new wheels Gander! You'll find the rubber floor trays indispensible during the winter months along with those terrific heated seats. Let us know how you make out with the rear skid plate. I know that it's listed as an accessory on the Volvo's U.S. website, however for some odd reason, it is'nt listed at all on the Canadian site.

[coastal]

Congrats on the new ride too gander and welcome to the site! http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

You may want to call your dealer on the availablity of the VOR rear skid plate as an accessory. When I saw that VOR XC at my dealer today, they had all the features priced out separately.. and the rear skid was priced at &#36395.00 CAD. This leads me to beleive it's available as an accessory from the dealer.  

But first take a good look at the thickness... if it's as thin as the stock front plate I'm not too sure how much good it's going to do in protecting your rear end, they seem pretty thin to me. :o

Volvo does have a more burly engine protector available (I think it's 1/4" thick), but I haven't heard of a rear one being made available quite yet.

[Art]

Coastal,

Thanks for the quick response to my question concerning the availability of the rear skid plate. Seems like a lot of &#36&#36&#36 for just a cosmetic add on. Still, it would sort of balance out the overall look of the XC. I'll have to make a note of popping into the dealership more often. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[coastal]

No probs Art. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

I've got the forums set as my homepage so I'm constantly checking the board. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

I like the look of the rear skid plate too, just didn't want to lead gander to believe that the VOR rear skid would protect his butt. :biggrin:

To add, the one I saw has a notch cut out for the hitch which might not look so good if there's no hitch to cover the gap.

[gander]

Thanks for the welcome and all the comments on the skid plate. I will definately be checking out price, availibility and quality next trip to the dealer.

I don't plan any serious off road usage, but find plates protect sensitive parts during ski trips (Have you ever had a semi drop a hunk of ice in front of you at 60 plus mph and had no way to avoid it?)and summer excursions into the mountains exploring those BLM roads that are little more than tracks. I don't have alot of confidence in the departure angle and would like the rear skid to protect the pretty parts out back from the scrapes of the sharp uphills we encounter here in the Rockies.