So its not a Peugeot (again) but it shares one trait with the gti6 with its insane turning circle therefore its getting a project thread. Haha!

With the sudden sale of the impreza I had a bank holiday weekend to find a new car. Something big enough for my expanding family (no.2 arrives in June) but also quick enough to overtake and ideally hit the magical 30mpg average. I nearly bought 5 other cars but they sold before I got to them (mix of saab 95 aero HOT and T5 V70s) and in slight desperation finally bought an X reg Dark Blue V70 phase 2 T5 with the caramel leather interior and brown dash.

Its 130k miles have been fairly kind but its not the happiest barge at the moment. Finally been under it today to find a few things that need to be replaced.

* Front wishbone bushes (oil filled and f*cked)
* Upper engine mount bush (just f*cked)
* Exhaust downpipe fexi-pipe has a big hole in it
* Rear bushes aren't massively happy but they'll keep
* Dampers are properly buggered - the rears have holes rusted in.
* Auto dim mirror doesn't auto dim
* Gearbox shaft seal is weeping and box is very notchy
* CV boot split and probably was at its last MOT 3 weeks ago (grrrr...)

So its not only making jesus cry, but me too a tad. It is however fundamentally straight so a decent place to start. This will be a keeper for about 3 years.

Just bought most of the stuff to fix that, but have to source a downpipe and resist buying a full Ferrita system at around a grand. ASTs are on the cards again along with a rear ARB and a MTE remap from Don at Kalmar Union. Photos to follow.

Still 250BHp and 250lbft for £2k can't be sniffed at. Especially when you get 27mpg.

(Originally called 'crying jesus' edition)

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Anxiously awaiting pics lol

Is it a manual, or automatic?

Dave

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Team: Moonstone GTI-6™
Team: Working air-con™

this means trouble

Everything except the dampers and mirror ordered to sort it out. Been to see a local place about the exhaust and he rightly pointed out a dirty big hole in the centre box as well. After pricing up a few options its going to Kustom101 in Tewkesbury to have a turbo back stainless system with 100 cell cat, 3" downpipe and 2.5" cat back. Its a bit cheaper than Ferrita or Jetex, but will take longer to create from scratch. I can just see it turning into a nightmare if I keep replacing bits as they drop off.

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"crying jesus edition"

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306 rallye reproduction decals (full sets/individual decals) | 306 b-pillar textured vinyl weatherstrips
306 slam panel esso stickers | 306 yellow / orange / pension fund red side door badges
gti6 inlet manifold badges | 306 rear boot badges (p2/p3)
winner of Extraction of toys from prams with outstanding vigour award 2009 [source: gti6 owners club]

50-100 in 3rd currently takes just over 9 seconds (empty fuel tank)

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Update:

Yeah the stops are worn but its the dampers causing it. Replaced the balljoints, front wishbone bushes (powerflex), top engine mount and brake pads yesterday. Drives like a completely different car - can now boot it in second with no wheelspin in the dry and finally has a load of front end grip.

AST don't actually do units for the V70 so Curtis is creating them from scratch, converting the rear to coilover units (no self-levelling on mine). The exhaust flexi-pipe will be replaced early next week too so getting there

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On my two test roads i'm getting the same end of straight speeds as the impreza now. The new plod pads are great too

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I love my brick





I couldn't be arsed to move it out to take a photo of the front or clean it. Obviously. You know it really does just look like a dark blue volvo V70

And I would have taken photos of the parts going on, but they weren't that exciting either. Just have to wait for its first trackday and a few slidey-slidey ones

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Guess it must be SE spec and its got the mid-range 9 speaker stereo with HU803 unit with dolby. No sub, but still sounds awesome (really punchy bass). I was after black leather too, but I have to say its nice having a light interior for a change. Like it a lot more than I thought I was going to.

Its not great on fuel, but then I can't carry much speed due to the suspension and it really needs an alignment. Day to day A/B road will be about 28. Should easily get mid 30s at about 70mph without cruise control on. Will be better after the remap. Its got a lot of grip, especially if you kill the traction control. Steering feel isn't the best, but my dampers aren't helping.

The D5 is a very different beast and quite a bit more expensive to buy. Better on fuel, but as bad on tyres (decent ones are about £80 a corner on 17s). Quick though but do steer clear of Rica tuned ones. Their diesel stage 1 tune is supposed to be abysmal. MTE are the way forward.

Overall I really, really like it.

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How do you find the geartronic box?

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This is 19's i have for it

I went for 7.5" as the V70 has full lock problems with 8" wheels also going for a skinny 225 tyre
They cut into the wheel arches even with the factory nebulas
I also went for ET45 as the OE wheels are ET49 and this SHOULD improve it