My wife wants a convertible and I am looking for objective comparisions between BMW 323iC and a Volvo C70 based on experience from Volvo owners who may have considered other brands. I like both cars but would appreciate input about known problems, recurring failures, preventive maintenance unique to this car, etc...We are looking at a 1999 or 2000 model. Thanks much.

 

I like Vovlo's quite a bit, but in this comparison I would take the BMW. From what I have heard Vovlo did not do that good of a job in building the C70 Convertible. I have nothing to base this on other than what I heard from a guy when I was thinking about buying one. They loved the C70 Coupe, but did not care for the ragtop. Actually went as far as to say you might as well buy a Chrysler Sebring. I also know that they do not put the high HP engines in the Convertible like they do in the Coupe. I know nothing about the BMW other than the fact that is rear wheel drive which may or may not be a factor in you decision.

Hopefully you will get some responses from people that own the C70 Convertible.

 

Hi i have had my volvo c70 converible a month now i have the 20 ltr GT and me and my wife love it. The BMW are like speed cameras they are everywhere so go for the volvo anyday,If you try and get one on a 2001 reg they have more safety features on,if you need to no anymore just ask. paul

 

Paul, I have both. I drive a BMW Hartge H-3 and also have a C-70 coupe. The BMW is an entirely different driving experience from the Volvo. The Volvo has the 2.3 high pressure turbo and has more power than one can imagine for a Volvo. It also has classic good looks that will not be superceded by the coming Volvo C-50. My BMW is the "ultimate driving machine" but just doesn't have the head turning appeal that the C-70 has. Yes, the C-70 does have its ****ling problems with the throttle body but is a real pleasure to drive. When driving the BMW you get more involved because of the manual transmission and the road handling abilities........but if I were to have but one automobile, it would be the C-70.

 

Can you get the 2.3 HP Turbo in the convertible? That's what I would want, but I didn't think it was available.

 

The coupe and convertable come with the same engine choises.There is 2 diffrent turbo engines avalible.

 

I prefered BMW 323iC it is so compatible for anyone. the tools of BMW 323iC are so amazing,it provide good safety so i like BMW 323iC and you should go for it.

 

On the official comparison tests, the c70 always comes out on top over the bmw.

 

on driveability the C 70 is probably more equivalent to the 5 series, plus it's a hardtop not ragtop like the bmw!


And agreed with above... if you drive a 3 series you'll look like everybody else on the road, just sayin

 

I have 98 Volvo C70 HPT coupe and my girlfriend has a 01 BMW 325ci coupe so I drive both quite frequently. Like the other comments in this post mentioned, they are two different vehicles which is true. The BMW is smooth as butter, transmission is seamless, steering is effortless and the cabin is extremely tight (your ears pop getting in- will be different for a softtop) The bimmer wants to drive fast and I find it difficult to drive slowly although it is not nearly as quick as my C70. The volvo is very fast but you wouldnt know unless you gun it. Normal around town driveability is very easy and its hard to tell that it is actually a very powerful car. I think that if you wanted a drop top, you will have to drive both and decided which one feels best because they are completely different creatures.

 

Agree with above. When I first passed a car on a 55 2 lane road that was going 50, I was doing 90 by the time I could pull back into the right lane. Incredible!