My Volvo C30 T5

[genjy]

I made an on-going thread (albeit a bit longer) about my C30 "project" on another forum. I guess I will put a condensed version on GMI.

• 2008MY Volvo C30 T5 (turbocharged 2.5L DOHC 5-cylinder) with 6speed manual
• Version 1.0 with 17" Mestra wheels and Comfort suspension
• All black: black exterior with black interior with dark charcoal interior trims

This particular C30 was one of the very first ones sold in the Los Angeles area. I literally got it straight off the delivery truck at Rusnak Volvo in Pasadena, CA.

My C30 has no factory options. I chose it this way because I had decided to order and install the desired options myself as a mean to save a few bucks for various mods and to learn something new.



One day old:




Ordered and installed a pair of European-market OEM reflectors




Ordered and installed OEM cruise control



Ordered and installed a pair DDM 55watt 6000K H11 low-beam HIDs with message cancelers











Thanks for reading.

[igor]

nice - I like the reflectors ... and I see you really like the C1 chassis

how much do the Volvo parts cost .. esp the reflectors and the CC ... I still think it is odd that base Volvos do not have CC - base Mazda has CC ...

Igor

[genjy]

Originally Posted by igor

nice - I like the reflectors ... and I see you really like the C1 chassis

how much do the Volvo parts cost .. esp the reflectors and the CC ... I still think it is odd that base Volvos do not have CC - base Mazda has CC ...

Igor

Surprisingly inexpensive. A Boston Volvo dealership special ordered the reflectors for me, and they were only $40 total.

The cruise control piece was about $60. However, the CC required software upgrade, which set me back another $75 (software + labor). ~$140 is about the same as what the CC would have cost as a factory option.

But, since my C30 had no options, I didn't have to pay that ridiculous $300 customization charge. A factory CC would have added that $300 charge.

[T-Type]

If cost is a concern wouldn't it have been cheaper to order the car with the options installed?

[genjy]

Originally Posted by T-Type

If cost is a concern wouldn't it have been cheaper to order the car with the options installed?

It depends on the option. Some options cannot be installed after the car leaves the factory, like NAV and Dynamic suspension. And, some options like the bodykit and Dynaudio system are cheaper when they are in the Version 2.0 factory package.

For the less integrated options, it's a bit cheaper to order and install the options aftermarket. There are several Volvo dealerships that sell OEM parts for much less than MSRP. One can usually just order the discount parts and install them at home. Another bonus is that out of state dealerships can't charge state sales tax, and often the shipping charge is cheaper than the sales tax.

And as I briefly mentioned above, there's this $300 customization charge. If I ordered a factory option, say the $90 rear center armrest, that would trigger the $300 charge... and that would be $300 gone.

It would be more economical just to order the OEM armrest from a discount dealership for about $70, and then take about 10 minutes to install it.

And of course, not every option can be done this way, but it works well for me because my goal isn't to build a loaded C30 at home.

[vandy0419]

Originally Posted by T-Type

If cost is a concern wouldn't it have been cheaper to order the car with the options installed?

Are you pointing that at the cost of doing everything and then comparing it to ordering it with all those options and just financing it, that financing would have possibly been the better choice?

[Wolfn99]

I love that car! That rear end is incredible. If I had $30,000, I would seriously get one.

Nice choice.

[Htay7500]

this car is really neat. for some reason though, I haven't seen any around my area.

[j_granlund]

Nice car! Way to make me jealous.

[AndrewGS]

Does the US-spec. C30 come with a rear fog lamp?

[big swede]

On a side note how do you like the C30. I don't need a car right now but for some reason that is about the only car out right now that has me intrigued. Sweet car!!!

[genjy]

Thanks.

This car gets a lot of attention on the road because it's relatively rare and it really stands out.

This car has been out of a year and a half in Europe. Many European C30 owners still haven't seen another C30 in their areas. The rarity factor alone makes this car pretty fun to own.

Originally Posted by AndrewGS

Does the US-spec. C30 come with a rear fog lamp?

Yes, the red rear fog (there's only one) is next to the driver side turn signal. It's sort of hidden inside the light assembly.

Originally Posted by big swede

On a side note how do you like the C30. I don't need a car right now but for some reason that is about the only car out right now that has me intrigued. Sweet car!!!

It's really fun to drive. Lots of pep and torque, as well as passing power. I have tried to induce torque steering in 1st gear, but I haven't been able to successfully do so.

The suspension needs some tweaking. It's still a nimble car, though.

My car has 11k miles on the odometer right now. Not a single problem so far.

[2b2]

I love the C300, too

Have you heard about/seen the 'prancing moose' stickers, Genjy? (Swedespeed.com)

(keep the pix coming )

[GrandPrix08]

The C30 is my favorite Volvo. In fact, it was the C30 and Grand Prix I was looking at when I was shopping for a new car, but C30 turned out way too much to a level I can't afford, so I bought a Grand Prix which was and is my dream car since around 10 years or so.

Great car.

[mikmak]

Nice choice. Such a nice little car to start with. Sticking that stuff on yourself would certainly add to you own sense of ownership. Enjoy.