What did you do to your P2 Volvo today?

[vtl]

... bought 4 new Continental WinterContact TS 870 tyres 205/55/16..

Summer tires for Scotland....?

Extra deep grooves for even better hydroplaning resistance!

[P80GLT]

@ Blackbart

Believe it or not yes, Mid March until mid October on Summer then winter tyres the remainder of the time. Winter tyres are beneficial when temperatures are below 7°C (44.6°F) and Scotland's temperatures are never that high October to March. I did try Michelin CrossClimate and they were terrible, I hit standing water on the motorway when doing 70mph and the car aquaplaned all 3 lanes before coming back under control. I've heard CrossClimate II are better but I'm finished with Michelin after my butt clenching episode

[Krons]

My S60 came with newer CrossClimate 2s and I’ve found them to be very good. Best all season tire I have had in the snow and cold. That said I’ve heard recent stories of their customer support that would never have me spending their premium prices.

Dedicated winter tires are so good, a shame here in the US they’ve never caught on. My only complaint is the extra space they take up in the garage.

[yanga001]

Swapped the cloth a pillar trim pieces for some nice plastic ones from a 02 xc70. Reused the old clips which came out in one piece. I like the new look and no more headliner droop. Added bonus is i have the window clip again

[Krons]

Swapped the cloth a pillar trim pieces for some nice plastic ones from a 02 xc70. Reused the old clips which came out in one piece. I like the new look and no more headliner droop. Added bonus is i have the window clip again

Did this on my 08 S60 (peeling fabric), the plastic a-pillars take plastic compatible paint really well too.

On my 05 XC90 had to resort to buying new, my upholstery skills not so good…

[P80GLT]

Wheels are back from EK Blast and Powder Coating and looking good. All waxed and tyres dressed ready to store until autumn

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[Krons]

Those look beautiful. Unfortunately here it seems cost prohibitive, nearly same cost as buying new (aftermarket) wheels or like new used.

[P80GLT]

Thanks Krons, if I hadn't got the wheels for less than the cost of two pints of beer (yes really) I wouldn't have went down this route. My total cost was less that it would have cost me for 4 winter tyres if I had bought them in another 4 months time. Nobody buys winter tyres in the middle of summer so there are some bargains to be had with a bit of a haggle.

[mtd240]

Replaced front and rear hydraulic engine mounts on the 07 XC70. Wasn’t too difficult — remove upper torque rod, remove lower transmission mount, loosen upper bolts on hydraulic mounts, jack up the engine (I did it at the trans), remove lower bolts on hydraulic mounts, and reverse!

Old mounts were compressed 3mm or so. Not as bad as they looked when on the car, so that’s a bit of a downer, but I guess replacing at 165k wasn’t a total waste

[BlackBart]

Today I drove her to the coffee shop. That’s all.

I may have to change her name from Black Betty to faded grey-black Betty. Just doesn’t have the same ring to it.