I have owned
this remarkable car for over 7 years, having bought it at 18k miles and taken
it up to the current 82k. I am a Volvo enthusiast, and my previous cars include
V70 D5, C70 T5 and V50 T5. Fellow enthusiasts will understand how rare this C30
is, with the legendary 2.4 litre D5 turbo diesel engine, 6-speed manual
transmission, top-spec SE Lux trim and sunroof.
In this
version, the D5 engine provides 180 BHP and 400NM of torque! Overtaking is
effortless. It is quick off the lights, a great motorway cruiser and rewards
you with a gorgeous 5-pot burble.
The SE Lux
spec is generous and provides heated leather seats (the driver’s seat is
electric with memory function), cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, auto
dimming mirror with electric compass, climate control (nice and cold), xenon
headlights, folding mirrors and upgraded audio system with 6-disc CD player and
aux in port. The C30 is also surprisingly practical, with split folding rear
seats.
I had a top
tier Parrot MKi9200 Bluetooth handsfree kit professionally installed so I could
take calls and stream music from my phone.
The sunroof
works as it should and the problematic front drainage channels have been
replaced with wider pipes.
The bodywork
is in good order - not perfect, but minor supermarket carpark blemishes are
only apparent upon close inspection. The ‘Orinoco blue’ paint is rare and
stunning. The interior is also in good order. I installed the rare ‘Nordic Oak’
wooden centre console, but I will provide the original aluminium trim so it can
be swapped back if required. The car will come with its original carpet mats
and rear boot cover. I also have other accessories that can be negotiated
separately, including genuine Volvo roof bars and rubber mats.
I had the
alloy wheels refurbished in dark grey and they are still in lovely condition. I
have a fifth alloy wheel in the same colour that you are welcome to have, but
it is slightly buckled and loses air slowly. Other than the wheels and Parrot,
the car is completely stock with no daft modifications. I have both original
keys and the Volvo owner’s manual and service book.
I am the
third owner. The second owner was the next-door neighbour to the first owner
and only kept it for 18 months.
The car has an
18,000-mile service interval and has been serviced regularly as follows. I
always use Shell Helix oil and Mann filters:
26/09/2008 at 6 miles
02/11/2009 at 2,497 miles
15/04/2011 at 4,705 miles
21/11/2012 at 6,839 miles
13/11/2013 at 7,986 miles
22/12/2016 at 8,837 miles
04/02/2019 at 18,289 miles
14/11/2019 at 27,026 miles
20/11/2020 at 33,717 miles
03/11/2021 at 42,093 miles
19/11/2022 at 51,980 miles
03/06/2024 at 62,176 miles
17/01/2026 at
78,774 miles
There is
nothing worrying in the MOT history and the current MOT expires on 28th
November. The CV boot and discoloured bulb advisories from the last MOT were
both rectified.
Recent
maintenance work includes:
27/07/2026 New battery
22/05/2026 NSF inner and OSF outer CV
boots
31/05/2026 Avon ZV7 front tyres (still
like new)
03/05/2026 Bosch Aero twin wipers
14/03/2026 Avon ZV7 rear tyres
28/01/2026 Crankshaft pulley and aux
belt (£200)
18/03/2025 Cambelt, water pump and
clutch master cylinder (£830)
14/11/2024 Headlight level sensor
(£160)
14/11/2024 CV boots and NSF lower
suspension arm ball joint (£320)
02/08/2024 Front discs, pads and wheel
alignment (£270)
21/11/2023 Coil spring and rear brake
pads (£300)
12/01/2023 SRS control unit replaced
by Volvo specialist (£925!)
21/04/2022
A/C condenser and both aux belts replaced (£580)
The service
history will be supplied in a folder in chronological order.
The car has a
frankly ridiculous ‘Cat N’ (non-structural) category marker, which was incurred
in December 2023 whilst stationary when an elderly lady braked too late and
struck the rear bumper. I replaced the bumper and crash bar myself using parts
from a T5 and carried on enjoying the car. You can see the minor cosmetic
damage sustained in the final photo. It seems the insurance industry is quick
to write off older cars these days.
I have
enjoyed every mile with this car and the only reason we are parting company is
the Bristol clean air charge, which is forcing me into a Euro 6 car. You will
simply not find another low mileage, manual C30 D5 SE Lux with a sunroof in
this colour. I think the asking price of £4,500 is realistic and I’m in no
hurry to sell. I would love the car to go to a fellow Volvo enthusiast.
Be quick to
avoid missing out on this rare opportunity. I am located in Nailsea near