impmann
Posted a lot
Overcoming stupidity is the greatest challenge left to mankind
Posts: 1,089
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Like which one to buy. Whats the economy (important)? What is the pcd? And how do you go about hitting them with the stick - any lowering springs around? And piccies for inspiration would be cool. Muchly ta.
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1964 Hillman Imp 1976 Hillman Imp 1967 Hillman Imp (And a few projects dotted around the country)
Just cos something is good for you doesn't mean its good for everyone - for example Marmite does not make good Dog Food.
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A guy I worked with had a 360 GLE 2.0 which was a fine car. Enough punch to make it a chuckle and RWD. IIRC they have the gearbox in the back axle so weight distribution is improved. Not quite Alfa handling though...
The 1.4 and 1.7 have a Renault engine and never had the reputation of reliability as good as the "traditional" big Volvos, but I'm sure they can't be all that bad.
Rear transaxle is supposed to be a little weak, so heavy tuning of the 2.0 and donuts will probably lead to you needing to find a scrappy with a decent supply of them...
Handling is wobbly as stock but the 2.0 has some form of uprated suspension, so better than the Renault powered versions.
Can't recall if there was a sporty version.
3 door, 5 door hatches and 4 door saloon with a bustle back boot bulge.
Not the regular Volvo PCD IIRC but can't say what, vague memory suggests its 4x100mm
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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The 1.4's can blow up with relative ease i seem to remember.......someone i know had THREE engines in his, but he did tend to cane it.....
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Had a 1.4 for a week (when it was only 6 year old)... ...the car I found (for me) the worst to drive evAr in all my motoring years. Also considering it was a 1.4 it was hoplessly uneconomical. I don't normally 'hate' a car and repsect that ALL cars have good and bad points but why on earth the 340/360 ever sold so well when new is beyond me. Sorry P.S. But now that they are older (and cheeper) they will probably be a good buy
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Mine left me cold, cost too much to run as a young student. maybe it needed a tune up or was too early for injection. it was a b reg 360 gle
Handling was boring, RWD was scary, but i did nowt to it. On a plus side it was real comfy, made me feel like a (bancrupt) King, and cruised nice on motorway. also extremely reliable, engine refused to die, solid and safe feeling.
Verdict. I don't want another but there is potential, see white drift 340!
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it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
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Nick
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,483
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idea stolen from rattely eddie.
this weeks car count "5"
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Hi Tim, We had a red 340 GL for a while - you might have seen it at the 04 National? It returned about 30-35mpg, (depending who was driving ) and handled alright. It felt incredlibly solid and heavy, could probably have done with power steering. Amazing in the snow, because it has a rear transaxle and hence close to 50/50 weight distribution. (To save the propshaft bearings I think you're supposed to stick your foot on the clutch instead of using neutral, because the propshaft is always turning at engine speed. Might be the other way around!) I wouldn't slag the car off, but I wouldn't rush out and buy another one either! Could be a lot of fun with decent suspension and seats... HTH Graham
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SteveP
Part of things
300 Maniac
Posts: 757
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300 series porn: Mine and a mates car in the car park at Rotorstock First of all lowering, lowering springs for the front are available from classicswede over at www.300mania.com/forum-uk with custom ratings and heights at very reasonable prices. Lowering blocks can be fitted between the rear leaf and axle and spax adjustable shocks are available for the rear, the fronts are in development with spax at the moment I believe. The 1.4 and 1.7 engines - despite their reputation, aren't unreliable atall - carb trouble here are the main issues. A mate of mine has a 340 1.4 with 182k miles, and the engine is very sweet. The GLT had lower and stiffer suspension - but not significant over the other model range. The transaxle isn't that weak, the gearbox based on the M47 as used in 200s/700s - it's the diff that is the 'relatively' weak part. However, that said - there's a guy in the UK pushing 300bhp+ in a 360 with a standard drivetrain. On the 340's the aluminium prop is the weakest part of the drive train, in the 360s (torque tube) the TT clamps are the weak spots. 4x100 PCD - very easy to get wheels for, 400 series rims fit nicely. Economy wise, the 2.0 Carb (GL/GLE/GLS) is very economical for its engine size (40mpg+ on motorway) and not alot slower than the GLT. The 1.4 is a very willing unit however, and more reliable than the 1.7 - with better gear ratios than the 360, they're pretty damn swift for a small engine. Heres the pic of the 300bhp+ car (2.3 turbo) in the UK, lots of work here
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Last Edit: Jun 1, 2006 17:59:59 GMT by SteveP
2003 - Volvo S60 D5 SE (Daily) 1989 - Volvo 360 GLT 1985 - Volvo 360 GLS
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RetroMat
Posted a lot
Column Shifting!
Posts: 3,444
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My mates got this 360 hidden away in one of his many garages i didn't realize there were so many shades of beige/brown and gold until i sat in this car ;D
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Last Edit: Jun 1, 2006 18:57:35 GMT by RetroMat
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My first car was a 345 1.4. Never had a problem reliability wise. I think it would hit 84mph top whack and I couldnt get any more than 28mpg out of it. Brakes were very good. Handling was wobbly. Standard suspension was very soft weight distribution is good with the gearbox at the back but its not well balanced and with standard suspension if the back end slides it keeps on going. Seem to be prone for developing a rear end shimmy but I never found out what was causing it on mine.
I would like to try out a modified one but I would never have another standard one.
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Miller
Part of things
Posts: 87
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My first car was a 340, a 1985 1.7 GL to be exact, when I was 15 as a field car. To be honest its probably not one that would be worth judging the viability of it as a road car such was the condition (I once jacked it up to change a wheel when the car collapsed down on me as the jacking point gave way and the jack went through the carpet!). I can remeber it not being too bad to drive and it felt pretty fast as it wallowed around the back roads and being rear wheel drive it was a great life in a damp field. Eventually died when me and my friend decided to have a game of chicken with the Volvo and his old Cavalier - didn't hurt to bad either so safety is in line with Volvo's reputation - happy days.
My familly also ran a couple, a 85' 260 GLE if memory serves and a 1980 343 DL, both were pretty impresive although the later car seemed to suffer from the rot more than the earlier one did which was still pretty mint when it was sold at the grand age of 23 years. The 2 litre 360s could be made into a decent street sleeper if they werent so damn heavy!
Thanks, Jon
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Last Edit: Jun 1, 2006 20:12:30 GMT by Miller
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SteveP
Part of things
300 Maniac
Posts: 757
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I think it would hit 84mph top whack Ouch.. i suspect something wrong there - my mate at uni had a 340 1.4 4 speed and that would do 100mph near the redline with 4 of us onboard. Suspension is indeed sloppy, but the level of grip is impressive. But with simply stiffening the standard setup seems to work well. The 360's are generally less tail happy than the 340, due to having more weight upfront - so I can't vouch for them too much Also, they're not as heavy as you think - a 5 door specced up 360 weighs 1150kg, remember - this is more like a Sierra sized car (although certainly not internally!) than an Escort/Astra, which really isn't that heavy considering the thick panels.
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Last Edit: Jun 1, 2006 20:13:45 GMT by SteveP
2003 - Volvo S60 D5 SE (Daily) 1989 - Volvo 360 GLT 1985 - Volvo 360 GLS
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I've got nothing useful to add but I'm feeling the Volvo love
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Peugeot 307sw - Suzuki SV650S - MX5.
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Miller
Part of things
Posts: 87
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Also, they're not as heavy as you think - a 5 door specced up 360 weighs 1150kg, remember - this is more like a Sierra sized car (although certainly not internally!) than an Escort/Astra, which really isn't that heavy considering the thick panels. Lol, it felt pretty heavy when it came crashing down on my leg. They are underated cars in my opinion (I loved that 343 and the whine the CVT gearbox made) I mean, carb problems on the renualt engines were prominent but if looked after they did their job and did it well, and they do have a certain charm to them. Definatly future retro I reckon.
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SteveP
Part of things
300 Maniac
Posts: 757
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I really wouldn't mind a nice early 343 CVT at the mo - I got bored and did a photoshop a while ago, as you can tell I'm a bit of a 300-geek/fan?
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2003 - Volvo S60 D5 SE (Daily) 1989 - Volvo 360 GLT 1985 - Volvo 360 GLS
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