2003 Volvo V70 D5 Auto

[GrumpiusMaximus]

Tomorrow’s mission starts at 0655 at Exmouth train station.  I will arrive at my destination - assuming no cock-ups - at around 1300 and then hopefully drive home.

Haynes manual is being delivered today.  Taking a change of clothes and my toothbrush just in case it all goes to shit.

Estate.  23 years old.  213K miles.  Top spec.  Automatic.  Diesel.

[hairnet]

some kinda sverige?

[Rightnider]

E320 Cdi with flag mounts on the front wings?

[GrumpiusMaximus]

10 minutes ago, Rightnider said:

E320 Cdi with flag mounts on the front wings?

I’ve never been accused of diplomacy.

[High Jetter]

Chodspeed, hope all goes to plan

[stuboy]

lol.............................

[2flags]

Best of luck old chap!!

[GrumpiusMaximus]

And away we go.

PC:1

Everything a growing boy needs.

 

First conveyance, Brooks Adrenaline 25 GTS.

And I’m 25 minutes early.  Because sod waiting around to leave.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

And the train has arrived.  This is a branch line where the old units are out to pasture but the livery is attractive.  I do, however, miss the horrible Sprinters that frequented this line when I was a kid in the 90s.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

Definitely not getting off here.

I had forgotten how pretty this line is.  Haven’t been this way in years.

[Rightnider]

Good luck!

[GrumpiusMaximus]

Arrived at Exeter St. Davids.  Phase 2 complete.

Why the Hell do train stations have coffee shops with pretentious machines, when it’s likely that people are in a hurry?  I’m in no rush but I had to wait a full five minutes while somebody ordered a stupid, complicated coffee. The people that thought this was a good idea should be ejected into the Sun along with the people that order them.  All I wanted was a bottle of water…

PC remains at 1.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

A mighty steed indeed.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

Fastest I’ll be travelling all day.

[GrumpiusMaximus]

So far, so moderately OK.  Kings Cross achieved.  Pasty achieved.  Lunch boughterated and train apparently on time.

 

But from which of these exotic locations am I acquiring this vehicle?

[goosey]

5 hours ago, GrumpiusMaximus said:

And the train has arrived.  This is a branch line where the old units are out to pasture but the livery is attractive.  I do, however, miss the horrible Sprinters that frequented this line when I was a kid in the 90s.

Used to love the Sprinters when they used to absolutely scream their bollocks off pulling out the stations

[83C]

6 minutes ago, goosey said:

Used to love the Sprinters when they used to absolutely scream their bollocks off pulling out the stations

All thanks to the Voith T211r - they’re a two-stage hydraulic transmission with torque converter first stage to around 42-45mph in classes 150/153/155/156 (all variants of Sprinter with similar mechanicals) stepping up to a fluid coupling with lock-up direct drive to maximum speed (75mph). In layman’s terms this is why the engine (Cummins NT855) goes to near max revs almost immediately and stays there until it steps up, where the revs drop back down and then rise as speed increases.

[83C]

1 hour ago, GrumpiusMaximus said:

 

But from which of these exotic locations am I acquiring this vehicle?

 

21 hours ago, GrumpiusMaximus said:

I will arrive at my destination - assuming no cock-ups - at around 1300 and then hopefully drive home.

Cambridge?

[GrumpiusMaximus]

5 minutes ago, 83C said:

 

Cambridge?

Good guess but no.  Further North. Bloody fast train as it turns out.

And before anyone asks, even I’m not stupid enough to buy a car from Bradford.  And I’m pretty stupid.

[CaptainBoom]

Grantham, Doncaster, York, Edinburgh?

[GrumpiusMaximus]

5 minutes ago, CaptainBoom said:

Grantham, Doncaster, York, Edinburgh?

I’ve just gone past Grantham.  My stop is in a few minutes, the well-known holiday location of Newark.  Incidentally where my ex used to live before we moved in together.  Let’s hope this ends better!

[GrumpiusMaximus]

I’ve wanted a Volvo for 30 years.  Finally got one.

V70, 5 cylinder diesel, auto with 213K on the clock.  A little cosmetically challenged but feels absolutely solid.  Seller was a nice chap and I think he was happy after he’d had a few lowballers.  For £850 I think I did alright!

Now for the very long drive home.

 

[BorniteIdentity]

Ah, the separation dividend. 

May you make many happy memories with it. It looks smashing - I’d be chuffed to bits with that for the money. 

Keep smiling - and happy motoring. 

[GrumpiusMaximus]

So, initial thoughts.

It needs a bit of a clean and a service.  One side light bulb is out (but the seller popped into Halfords to get one on the way to meet me).

The air conditioning works.  Everything works. Cruise control, the lot.

Feels good to drive.  I haven’t driven an auto since 2017 and even then that was on holiday in the US but it’s not difficult.

Its cavernous and the seats are ace. Engine is what I hoped for.  It’s also got the rear facing seats for extra fun points.  Absolutely delighted.

[Rightnider]

Congrats, hope it serves you well!

Not a Volvo fan myself though. I’m Swedish, so I’ve seen enough Volvos for a lifetime. 😀

[bigfella2]

I thought you'd got a diesel estate car already, did you fancy a change?

[bangernomics]

Bloody hell that is value. And the seller sounds like a dream too.

[hairnet]

rookie mistake

any train more than an hour bring shit with you for exactly the reason you iterated

[GrumpiusMaximus]

On 13/06/2026 at 16:17, bigfella2 said:

I thought you'd got a diesel estate car already, did you fancy a change?

The Golf has a couple of minor issues that I need to get it through the next MOT.  Nothing major but a second car means I can SORN it when the time comes and fix it without worrying.

That doesn’t quite figure because this has its MOT due in August - but if I’m being totally honest I really wanted a big Volvo as I’ve wanted one since I was about 8, I don’t have to justify it to anyone and the price was right.

Diesel estates appear to be my ‘thing’.

@Rightnider I know what you mean.   Salthomen is absolutely packed with P2 V70s just like this one, which is a when it turned my head a bit about just how many survivors there are.  Göteborg is always going to have a lot of them but this is ‘peak car’ for me.

Gloucester services now achieved in perfect comfort.  Another hour and a half to go.

[CaptainBoom]

Ah, top waftage to you sir!  I recall reading on here that you are a liker of Swedish things and have visited a few times, I had my thoughts on your purchase being a Volvo or a Sierra Alpha Alpha Bravo.

My V40 was in most ways peak car for me, only the lack of boot lip and near-vertical hatch of the V70 could have made it better.  I always found the seats cossetting, like piloting a big armchair, the instrument binnacle almost minimalist, but easy to read and the endless cubby holes and pockets very handy for family life. Has the V70 got a 'map pocket' behind your knees in the drivers seat?  I always had a paperback stashed there for hospital visits or if I was early to something