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We have a beloved Volvo V50 estate that we picked up for a song almost exactly three years ago, and which has been an awesome motor. It's the relatively rare 2.4 petrol.
MOT time is upon us and the catalysts are shot - it seems replacing them will be circa £1k in parts, plus the labour etc etc I'm trying to get some quotes, but I know it's an expensive fix.
Other than that the car seems to be strong - we've put 30k happy miles on it in three years. In Volvo terms it's probably just run in now that it's nudging 150k miles.
What would the STW Volvo lovers do? Pay the money or accept that paying the same for an exhaust system as the whole car cost constitutes a fatal injury?
If that's the only thin that is obviously wrong with it, I'd say that the cats would be cheaper than buying a new car that reliable.
How handy are you with a spanner? The cataloytic converter failed on our old Beetle the other year. It cost about £140 from GSF car parts (currently got the usual 60% off). I swapped it out on the drive in about 1hr as it easily bolted together.
If you have the space and time, i'd at least jack it up and see how easy it is to fix and then make a call. Even if you buy the parts, you could take them back if you decide not to do i.
Better the devil you know.
If it's been solid and reliable and looks like it's going to remain so you would be daft to get rid. I take it this is buying direct from Volvo given the obscurity of the part?
Further update: Sadly it's a fatal injury.
The Catalyst alone was going to be £741 alone and is on back order to November... And then in terms of fitting it, there are corroded mounts etc so it would be a welding job. I have no space, tools or skills to do the work myself.
Three years brilliant motoring for a fraction over £1k. I'm happy with that and time to find the new banger 🙂
Ebay list cats for your car for £99 odd from Germany
Find a mobile mechanic and its job jobbed for maybe £250
No brainer . Unless there are multiple cats ( possible )
Did you go to Quik Fit of Volvo Mainstealer?
Welding isn't that big a job provided it's the mounts on the exhaust itself but the November lead time is the killer here.
I'm sure someone with the same type would take it as a donor, given the rarity there must be a fair few bits an enthusiast would scavenge so you should at least get something back for it.
EDIT: never saw the eBay link posted above!
I would see if you can get cheaper parts - I managed to get a catalyst for a lot less than that last time I needed, about £120 I think (type approved).
That said, if the mounts that need welding are on the body, I would get rid of it. There's no cheap fix for rust.
Have you thought about getting a custom exhaust place to fabricate you something?
For example:
http://www.profusioncustoms.com/volvo-v50-stainless-steel-exhaust/
we had similar dilemmas on the banger front with an old Saab 900.
In its last year with us, there was a steady drip drip of problems, nothing major until the final nail in coffin (or MOT) at our local garage. Stuff that had been left off the MOT at previous (indy Saab garage) came up and the list was pretty bad - a lot was corrosion or wear and tear, pretty fiddly to fix. So it might be the tip of the iceberg -- if possible, could they check over the rest of the car as if it was an MOT to get a longer term view?
just get a second hand one or a cheap new one and ask a small local garage to fit it.
Lol how much is a SONG ? It’s not listed on the money slang dictionary!
I replaced cat on my v50 it was £900 from Volvo and only couple hundred quid cheaper for aftermarket part(which can throw errors up)
I’d say get rid mine was an endless run of small issues all adding up 🙁
V70 owner here with the 2.4
The cat collapsed internally in mine- replaced with ECP mild steel cat and complete exhaust for <£300 - genuine volvo no longer available.
The body exhaust mounts on volvo's (certainly the V70) are bolt on brackets.
The old system came off without any swearing and new one went on without issue although I do have the luxury of a 4post ramp.
which can throw errors up
The nice but about VIDA/DICE is you can turn that off, easily. I've one of anyone wants to borrow.
I'd stick with what you know - try buying another car for £1k...
Saw this on another forum and was sorely tempted 🙂
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic66393.html?sid=ab2bec57d946d698149dc0b85cd0eaa9
Skandix for parts.
I'd also suggest looking at the custom build option as the owner of another uncommon car spec. Cat back system in stainless was cheaper than just supply of a pattern part back box. And they fit it for you. It was cheaper than buying another car by good margin.
At least you don't have the 2.0 diesel. Who thought it was a good idea to bury the oil filter behind the fuel filter/pump? That engine in the V50 drove me to get rid of it for its many failings,liked the rest of the car.
Edit to add: you can get custom with cat too, just wasn't required at time, often more compact sports cats that are easier to fit in.
I think its the company called Powerflow that make up stainess exhausts.. They did a great job on one of my previous cars.
If the rest of your Volvo is a known quantity, I would be keeping it rather than buying another unknown on Bangernomics...
https://www.powerflowexhausts.co.uk