Looking to buy a C30, suggestions welcome.

Post by **shiloh51933** » 16 May 2018, 12:15

I'm a long time Volvo owner/enthusiast and I really like the 2010 Volvo C30 w/6speed manual shift. I presently own a 1998 V70XC and a 2004 XC70; I've owned another 1998 V70XC, 2000 V70XC/SE and a 1996 850GLT. I have a 1999 Honda Prelude w/factory 5speed manual shift and black leather interior, kind of rare to find a 5thgen Prelude with a 5speed M/T in a non ATTS model. Anyway I'm thinking of parting with my Lude and buying a Volvo C30 with a stick shift of course. From the research I've done thus far it looks like the 2010 C30 is a little nicer than the '07-'09,the earlier model is still gorgeous though. Suggestions and reviews of the C30 needed. thank you.

Post by **oragex** » 16 May 2018, 13:47

On P2 the clutches weren't as smooth as on a Honda plus all of them failed at the slave cylinder which is inside the transmission: engine drop - not sure if this was improved on P3. But all in all, keep in mind that Volvo cut costs quite a bit on the P3 platform, really not the same quality as the 2001-2009.

Post by **shiloh51933** » 16 May 2018, 17:22

oragex wrote: ↑16 May 2018, 13:47 On P2 the clutches weren't as smooth as on a Honda plus all of them failed at the slave cylinder which is inside the transmission: engine drop - not sure if this was improved on P3. But all in all, keep in mind that Volvo cut costs quite a bit on the P3 platform, really not the same quality as the 2001-2009.

From what I've read it appeared that 2010 & up were nicer looking and performed better. But your saying since they knew they were dumping the model they started cutting back cost on production. Sad to hear, i really like the dual exhaust exits out the back.

Post by **paulgraz** » 18 May 2018, 06:15

I own a 2008 C30, US spec, T5, 6-sp manual. Now over 180K miles. It's been a great car, but I just don't get why you think the facelift models "were nicer" or "performed better". There's really no difference. All they changed were the nose and tail pieces. Personally I prefer the look of the earlier cars, but they are all getting old now. If I somehow needed a new car today to replace my 08 C30, I'd find a 2013 just because it's the newest year available.

So here's the common trouble areas - windshield seal is a common failure. Sunroof drains tend to clog. Coolant overflow bottle tends to crack (easy to replace tho). Cabin air filter is a royal P.I.T.A. to replace (unless you're in the UK, as RHD is much easier)

At 182K I'm still on my original clutch, but I suspect that may need to be replaced before 200K.

I don't understand the comments about P2 and P3 - all C30s are on the P1 platform.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 20 May 2018, 21:47

Read up on the history of the C30 and what changed and why Volvo decided to dump it ... all written here on this forum (then decide!): https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/c30

Post by **shiloh51933** » 23 May 2018, 17:24

[quote=paulgraz post_id=471876 time=1526645711 user_id=45253]
I own a 2008 C30, US spec, T5, 6-sp manual. Now over 180K miles. It's been a great car, but I just don't get why you think the facelift models "were nicer" or "performed better". There's really no difference. All they changed were the nose and tail pieces. Personally I prefer the look of the earlier cars, but they are all getting old now. If I somehow needed a new car today to replace my 08 C30, I'd find a 2013 just because it's the newest year available.

So here's the common trouble areas - windshield seal is a common failure. Sunroof drains tend to clog. Coolant overflow bottle tends to crack (easy to replace tho). Cabin air filter is a royal P.I.T.A. to replace (unless you're in the UK, as RHD is much easier)

At 182K I'm still on my original clutch, but I suspect that may need to be replaced before 200K.

Thank you for your responses and I appreciate the heads up on trouble areas. To answer some of your responses concerning the later version. I'm into the fog lights that weren't offered in 2008 , the face lift was a bit sleeker and I really like the dual exit pipes. I know the engine in USDM was only offered as 2.5T but my understanding was later model had stiffer suspension with 10% better steering ratio and stiffer springs by no more than 30% for stiffer ride. I like every year C30, I like sporty hatch backs in general...like the VW GTI, Subaru WRX but I'm a Volvo guy. I figured I'd get the newest I could get for the right price.

GVandy · Post by **GVandy** » 01 Oct 2019, 13:07

Testing my luck with responding to an old thread, but thought I'd give it a try. Currently considering a 2010 C30. The car is a one-owner with all records and service well-kept. Current mileage is 59k. Saw someone post to stay away from the automatic version? It has the T5 in it and I've been eyeing them for awhile now and just came across this one and it's hard to pass up. I was also curious about the stereo capability. It has the bluetooth option for a phone to be connected, but I wondered if that allowed streaming of music or just phone calls? Any and all advice is much appreciated

Post by **matthew1** » 01 Oct 2019, 13:59

I wouldn't count on streaming music as-is. I've seen a fair share of 2010 owners reporting phone but no music.

There are products that plug into the AUX port that provide music streaming over Bluetooth however. I don't know any offhand, but I've read they exist.

<phone> - <Bluetooth wireless signal> - <mystery product> - <Volvo AUX port>

Post by **matthew1** » 01 Oct 2019, 14:01

I'm not a big fan of Bluetooth streaming, personally. Plugging in makes for a better signal that never drops out, probably better sound/higher bitrate, and charges the phone.