I find the suspenison too stiff on the T5. Are the struts/shocks and or springs different on the T5 vs. the regular V70? I'm sure the 17" 235 45 17 tires don't help either. Has anyone tried to soften the ride?

Volvo hasn't figured out how to offer a compliant ride without sacrificing handling. I have a V70 T5 with 17" Amaltheas and a BMW 540i with sport package and 18" wheels and can tell you that both the handling and ride are significantly worse for the V70. The 540i somehow magically soaks up surface irregularities while handling tight on corners. Suspension tuning is apparently not a Volvo forte.

HeartFixer

I'm not sure which year your are asking about. It is my understanding that the later V70's with a turbo engine (2.5T or T5) have a stiffer or sportier suspension than the non-turbo cars. Low profile tires like 17/235/45 run at the proper pressure will be much less forgiving of rough roads. And if your car has Pirelli P6 tires those will add to the sensation of harshness.

The cost of having a car feel as though it is cornering rails is that you will feel the bumps and holes.

The car is a 2001 V70 T5 with the optional 17" wheels and Pirelli P6 tires 235 45 17 . What is the deal with the Pirelli tires?? Are they harder than Michelin etc?

You'll be pleased to know that changing wheel size will entirely answer your complaint. I change from 17" Amaltheas to 16" steel rims for winter driving , and road feel is as different as night and day. Oddly, I look forward to changing out the wheels in winter, and then look forward to the 17s in spring. I run Nokian WRs all-seasons as snow tires (P6s in summer), and as good as they are, I can feel the taller sidewall give a bit when cornering very hard. In your case, I would change to 16" alloys full-time (keep the 17s for a while to be sure you like the change). You will be very, very pleased if you are looking for a less-harsh ride--like a new vehicle. New alloy rims aren't cheap, of course, but shopping for them is kind of fun. And you can be entirely confident of the result!! Enjoy.

Thanks for the advise. Sounds like you figured it out. The car is a 2001 with the Amaltheas 17" wheels and Perelli P6 tires 234 45 17's.

Is there anyone interested in the 17" wheels and tires?

Before you pitch the wheels, which are very good looking imho, try another tire. My tire guy said the P6's have great dry traction, but are the harshest ride out there. Something like a Michelin or Yokohama just might provide enough "give".

I will probably stay with the 17 " wheels on ht V70 Titanium but switch to someting that is a little more forgiving.

It's been an interesting winter in the nations capital(U.S.) which also happens to he the pothole capital of north america.

It is probably the wheels/tires that will make the biggest difference.
My wife has a 95 850 GLT wagon and I have a 98 S70 T5. The T5
suspensions is much more compliant then the 850's (so Volvo has
made them softer over time). Up to model year 98 the t5 and the
GLTs had the same basic suspension; only the tires were different.
So there are not a lot of part swapping options.

Perhaps a dealer could swap on a pair of 205/55 16's to try.
I bet that would be a big difference.

I have a '98 T5 with the then-optional factory sports suspension. Even with the sports suspension I found the ride too soft it's only been what I would even consider a little stiff with the addition of Bilstein HD struts and shocks.

Aren't the standard T5 wheels 16" now, and the 17" optional? Might suggest "touring" tires on 16" wheels if they'll clear the brakes.

-Punxsutawney Phil

'98 V70T5M, 135k mi., iPd stabilizer bars, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, Bilstein HD struts and shocks, Valentine-1, Mobil-1 always, e-code headlight lenses, Michelin Arctic Alpins

Yes the 17" wheels were optional on the 2001 V70 T5. They were already on the car in stock. As a result I didn't get a choice. Is anyone interested in the 17" wheels and tires?

I have the same tires (17" P6) and Almathea wheels (2001 V70T5). Love them, find the ride significantly better than my 96 850 Turbo w/Michelins.
BTW, I have 49,000 miles on them and need to replace the tires: Interested in them if you're serious (how many miles, etc?) $136 new @Tirerak.

Also: Curious as to how many miles others get w/these and other tires for this car. I do ~ 90% highway. Mileage was much worse with the Michelins.

The tires only have 6K miles from a couple of highway trips. Would you want the tires and rims? You can email me at rsbrink@earthlink.net

ok...why buy a t5 (which is a performance car) and try to soften the ride - which will negatively effect the handling...ok i know its not answering the question..but i gota ask....

ps..my 850 na rides very hard in my book....certainly FAR harder than my 940turbo which has sports suspension fitted...

Bought the T5 to get all the option packages and bigger brakes. The 17" optional wheels were on it so I ahd no choice. Now I wish I had 16" wheels with softer riding tires than the Pirelli P6 four seasons. 235 45 17's.