C30 is about a year old now...

Post by **matthew1** » 12 May 2009, 13:47

I see a few of these on the dealer lot (Rickenbaugh, near my neighborhood), but not on the street. Anyone have one?

fcfanatic · Post by **fcfanatic** » 23 May 2009, 17:54

I Had one of these on loan whilst my car was being repaired.

It was one nice motor. I did not get to have a go of the more beatie version (2.3 ltr) but I have been really thinking of getting one next.

Thats why I'm here.

Trying to fond out whats hot or not Volvo

cjlomax · Post by **cjlomax** » 24 Jul 2009, 19:46

It's a nice little hatchback. I leased a few and I am also thinking about getting one, 2009 model, if I can get the dealer to come down from the 35K to about 22.

I might have to uload a few 240 turbo's to get it.

I like my little 240's but this one keeps calling my name.

Cheers all!

jbrown122 · Post by **jbrown122** » 07 Aug 2009, 16:02

I drove a C30 Tuesday and it was a good car.
Very fast engine (T5)
Loved the geartronic.
But the I don't care for the seats

They feel stiff, and they're not leather like most Volvo's.
The interior doesn't feel very warming, but I still could get used to it.
It seems like a fine car!

Bandit · Post by **Bandit** » 02 Sep 2009, 20:26

Well I own a 2008 model year version 2 ( which isn't made any more). The newer model R takes it's place. It's a Cosmic White with a Java Brown lower R body trim panels. I like the car except for it's weak air conditioning and mushy brakes.

Even though the car has the dynamic suspension, I'm currently working on lowering it with a set of H&R springs. There is just too much wheel gap from the body arches for this car. Also when pressed hard there is too much body lean and/or brake drive. It still handles well with it's 18" Artreus wheels which I think are great looking.

I'm also going to change the brake lines to DOT stainless steel and re-bleed the system in hopes of improving on the brakes a little. Definitely can't trust them in a track situation.

The thing that attracted me the most is the look of the car. It turns heads wherever I go and since there are so few on the road it commands some attention. At least it doesn't look like all the other Japanese hatches out there. It also has the DynAudio system which is one of the best sounding audio systems I've ever had in a car.

With a little work this could be a great car. I just hope it holds together with few problems.

Bandit

Tsquared · Post by **Tsquared** » 23 Dec 2009, 19:10

I have just ordered a Red 2011 C30 T5 w/ auto trans and cold weather package. I am shooting for a March 2010 delivery.

Bandit · Post by **Bandit** » 03 Jan 2010, 14:24

Well since my first input on this forum, I installed the H&R springs and stainless steel brake lines and had a chance to take it to a track school. The handling was just amazing. The car just gripped everywhere and seemed to give you a lot more confidence that it would handle anything you put in front of it.

I can't say the same for the brakes.

Initially they felt much better with the new brake lines, but after the second session I was beginning to feel the ugly problem of brake fade and poor pedal feel. In fact in this car if you go into a corner and brake real hard the pedal not only feels spongy but it actually draws away from your foot as if the car was trying to brake for you. Very scary.

It feels as if you're pushing the pedal past the seals in the brake master cylinder.

Absolutely no way to modulate the brakes effectively. I had to pump the brakes to get them to come back and when pressed hard in this condition, the ABS would kick in near the very end but that was because I was starting to turn into the corner. I have not been able to activate the ABS unit in this car while going straight. Only if you give it a little wheel turn during hard braking does the ABS kick in. Very strange. I'm not sure this is normal.

Otherwise I like the car. My next project is trying to figure out what is going on with the brakes. The first thing is change to a better set of Hawk HP+ pads.

Al

Post by **matthew1** » 06 Jan 2010, 14:46

Bandit wrote:Well since my first input on this forum, I installed the H&R springs and stainless steel brake lines and had a chance to take it to a track school. The handling was just amazing. The car just gripped everywhere and seemed to give you a lot more confidence that it would handle anything you put in front of it.

Good to hear. Did you put a strut brace in? Or do the R's come with one?

Bandit wrote:Initially they felt much better with the new brake lines, but after the second session I was beginning to feel the ugly problem of brake fade and poor pedal feel. In fact in this car if you go into a corner and brake real hard the pedal not only feels spongy but it actually draws away from your foot as if the car was trying to brake for you. Very scary. It feels as if you're pushing the pedal past the seals in the brake master cylinder.

Whoa. Sounds like the factory pads are just not up for the track. Let us know how the Hawk pads work. Here's to hoping the Volvo Brake Squeal Curse™ doesn't strike C30s.

Maybe rotor size too. You might need more surface to cool them during track use. Can you put bigger rotors on it?

What cars were you running with/keeping up with/beating at the track?

Al, overall, very interesting and thanks for the update.

Post by **tina** » 02 Mar 2010, 09:31

I want!

We love our S40, and the C30 is very cool looking. i just can't afford $20K+.

Is it true that the new Ford Focus is basically the same car as the C30/S40- but less luxury/cheaper? Is the engine built by the same maker?

ParkerKai · Post by **ParkerKai** » 06 Oct 2010, 13:45

Hi. I test drove one of these beasties and I really enjoyed driving it. The engine was extremely powerful with the turbo. The cloth seats were very comfortable for me. I prefer cloth because had some anatomical issues with a honda accord I purchased. Nice turning radius. Brakes very responsive but not overly so. It seemed roomier inside than it looked. I did not purchase at this time because a little expensive for me.
Melissa