Volvo S80 - Review - First Generation

Bought as a stop gap, this is a late 2005 Volvo S80 in SELux trim. With a a previous owner before me from new who clearly had a passion for its upkeep, it represents a good example of this increasingly rare executive model. I show the exterior and some of the history of this model and what it meant for Volvo before showing the interior and how this (designed in the mid-1990’s) has stood up over the years since.

[@baltvdb]

Always nice to see how life's treating you, though I do miss the long format boating videos ❤👍

[@TheCaptainsBlog]

I have mixed feelings as I do miss the boating videos sometimes and then remember the effort that went into them and how providing content was more important than me enjoying the break. You know a month ago I was on the Broads and spent 5 nights going no further than Ludham Bridge on the River Ant in one direction and Stalham in the other. Using the boat as a base and driving to places across North Norfolk for the day or deciding to do nothing more than go from How Hill to Neatishead for lunch then back to a wild mooring for a snooze and come evening have a Barbecue. All lovely but goodness me it would make boring content for a video and it’s why they slowly slipped away from being made.

[@patrickdawson3960]

I think it is good-looking, actually. It's beautiful, almost pristine. But I'm biased, love Volvos.

[@TheCaptainsBlog]

Thanks. Had a bunch done since filming and now new Power Steering pump, glow plugs, belt tensioner and serpentine belt going on.

[@davesandall4530]

The Captains back 🎉

[@MrRoadtrippa]

A lovely video on a great find car. Thanks Robin. 👍

[@jasondaniels1630]

i have a 2005 s80 2.5 awd i love it cost a shit ton in repairs. spent a good 5k on it. but the drive and the comofort is there.

[@TheCaptainsBlog]

Well the costs are clocking up with this one. Looks like next thing is a duel mass flywheel to cure the vibration at idle and especially in gear. All engine mounts replaced without much change. New thermostat and coolant sensor done, brake discs pads and fluid. Glow plugs. Power steering pump and reservoir. Oh and the radio backlighting for the knobs has stopped working so looking at either a used HU850 or a 9” Android head unit upgrade.

[@lawrie558]

Thank you for this new blog. The Captain's Blogs on Norfolk Broads Hire Boating has been a needed distraction and what followed is inspiring, so thank you for all of them. I wish you well

[@diogonascimento1720]

Bought also an s80, same generation, not in this pristine condition as yours for 2500 euros from my uncle. I just fell in love with this car, so confortable, has the D5 engine on it, good speakers and a lot of room, what else can i ask for? Just instaled now a bluetooth system to the original radio so i can plug in my phone to it.

[@nicko500s]

Hi Rob. good to see you back. Any plans for more boat reviews? Your review of Brinks Serenade was very helpful in making a decision to rent it a few years ago. It would be interesting to see a review of the most luxury craft available to hire if yards would allow you a few days aboard to do so. Have you been on the Thames and if so would you recommend it? Thanks for the informative and entertaining videos over the years.

[@TheCaptainsBlog]

My days of hire boating are well and truly behind me. Also, I had to pay to hire boats - no freebie’s for a few nights to do a review the most I got was some free fuel if things had gone a bit tits up and I’d filmed it.. I actually think the new ‘luxury’ craft are now just repeats of the same old. Same concepts, same flooring, same wood veneers, same works tops etc etc. you’ve got some amazing craft externally with some good new technology with hybrid drives and Lithium batteries etc but the boats themselves internally have not moved on in maybe 10 years now. Yet… Look at a wide beam canal boat. Just a small thing like not having a galley along one side - making an island with the hob/oven in that, what about some new flooring other than Holly & Teak and I think it is time air conditioning made an appearance on the top of line cruisers too.

[@MattDilley-nv1ed]

Great to see a new video, are you going to be doing any broads videos this year?

[@TheCaptainsBlog]

I have been afloat a few times this year but increasingly less and less and considering selling my share in Broad Ambition too. Shiela is not keen on boating as once was (she now is very much into Marathon running and trail/fell competitions) and when we go away it’s often for these events. Also, doing videos of boating means you think first ‘content’ not just enjoying the moment. I think as Russell ‘The Admiral’ Thompson has found in recent months, it’s nicer to just get on the water and have a break than worry about cameras and content dictating things.

[@letsgoroam-yb8uu]

be nice to see you back on the broads, but I do like a volvo, i set up my own channel after watching yours for years

[@StevesRepairs]

Thanks Robin, the Volvo looks like a rare and lovely bargain, I hope that you get your money back etc, for the Lexus without too much more problems. Take care and all the best. Stevie

[@paulbrake984]

If/when you want to sell your lovely s80, please let me know…. I would love to have a chance to own and cherish it

[@deanlanglois8185]

Are you doing any broards vlogs this year Robin?

[@Ice-Ryu-15AR]

Captain, will you be selling this Volvo in due course.

[@TheCaptainsBlog]

Not too sure, probably but might be a long term keeper as since buying it, these are quite rare to see and also few come up in this condition.

[@muckle8]

I disagree on an e class being better built than this Volvo , to my mind this beats all the German offerings .

[@TheCaptainsBlog]

I think you may be right and in retrospect I may have been a tad harsh on some of the fit and finish. Clearly a keeper because of the stuff done on it and yet to sort - big expense is going to be replacing the duel mass flywheel and the turbo vanes have begun to stick ever now and then so may need a recon turbo in time to come. Every time a garage tells me it’s not really worth spending on an old car it makes me double down and do it anyway.

[@julesleon482]

Y reg s80 t6. Just hit 62000 on the clock.its a flying tank.only let down is the TV being analogue and a waste of space .

[@planflykt]

It was not Renault who pulled out of the merger, it was Volvos stock holders that voted no for the merger. Nonetheless, the S80 is a nicely designed car.

[@TheCaptainsBlog]

I did ponder if you were correct - having got my information from whom I presumed was a trusted source being a well regarded car reviewer. Having read up on this, and especially an article from the Journal of Financial Economics from 1996, you’re correct. Thank you. Despite not being a car reviewer I know of nobody else who has done a review of a car in a single take without hesitation, referring to notes and in one take on the way to Tesco lol

[@shanehumberstone5262]

Looks a nice comfortable tender for your boat 😃