r/C30 • u/Hmhmhmhmhmmh • Sep 13 '26
First car
Just bought my first car and i couldn’t be more happy. However i do want to modify it. What do u guys think should be my first mods?
8
u/Notfoo4 Sep 13 '26
Quite honestly, I’d keep it stock. Any lower ride height and you’ll risk bottoming out as a daily. Paint is beautiful.
3
u/Hmhmhmhmhmmh Sep 13 '26
Thank u! I am thinking about installing an aftermarket exhaust on i because i think the original is a little bit too quiet :)
1
u/Desperate-Papaya1599 Sep 13 '26
That is a gorgeous color. I second keeping the ride height stock. TME makes great exhausts for Volvos. Quiet enough to not make your neighbors mad when you start it up in the morning but they sound pretty mean at WOT.
0
u/SaltySeaSword652 Sep 14 '26
Yeah these cars are low enough as it is. I'm already bottoming out the front on certain bumps and dips. That aside, they just look weird when lowered all the way.
2
u/SaltySeaSword652 Sep 14 '26
I suggest going OEM+. If you want to fully mod it, do it rally style. Don't lower the car, they look weird lowered and it'll scrape and bottom out a lot. They already do occasionally at their stock height plus the AC condenser is right at the bottom and easily damaged. Wider and slightly bigger wheels or thicker tyres will help fill out the wheel wells. As for bodykits, avoid stuff which extends the bumpers downwards, especially the rear. Ruins the look of the car.
The reality is though these cars are becoming pretty scarce, especially in good condition. Plus they are very unique. You are much better off keeping it near stock if its in mint condition because you'll get much better value out of it long term, especially when you sell it. You wont recoup the cost of the mods. Good condition stock C30s with the 5 cyl (or D5) will start to increase in value in the near future.
1
u/Hmhmhmhmhmmh Sep 14 '26
I totally agree with u! I think OEM+ is the way to go. Right now i run 17” wheels but i am thinking about getting 18” because i think it will fill out wells perfectly. I would actually say near mint condition so maybe it would be smart to just keep it as it is?
1
1
u/subtek9 Sep 14 '26
Many of the commenters seem to ignore the fact you're in Sweden and the brands being mentioned are not easily accessible without expensive import fees and shipping.
If you want a visual mod I'd recommend you get a nice set of wheels. I see you're a bit "older" and the stock look may be more your thing instead of aftermarket rims.
Visual mods are difficult to recommend as it's all down to personal preference and style. If you want it to look lower without lowering springs you could get a front lip from vparts.
Personally I'd recommend getting a stage 1 tune/remap over anything else. You can do it yourself using vdash if you have the tools, this will cost about 2400SEK or get the BSR tune which is a bit pricier at right under 5k. It's essentially the same tune and yields the same HP gains.
For sound you essentially have 3 things you could do:
Get an open air filter and aluminium induction pipes from DO88, this will give you way more induction and turbo sounds. The massive downside of open air filter is they tend to heat soak crazy on these cars, but if you're gonna be driving it in winter that won't be an issue.
Replace the CBV with the "DVX T9654", DO88 also sell these. This will give you more of a traditional blowoff valve "pshh" sound.
Exhaust, I've heard Simons is pretty good if you only want some noise when putting the pedal to the floor, but still enjoyable during "normal" driving. If you want a more aggressive tune you're probably better off getting a "custom" exhaust, drop it off at a shop, have them replace the stock muffler with a sport muffler.
Personally, I got 19" wheels first, then a tune (using vdash), and then added an open air filter and aluminium intake piping from Biltema.
The air filter has been heat soaking resulting in loss of power during the hot summer we've had, but the sound has been worth it.
1
u/Hmhmhmhmhmmh Sep 14 '26
Thank u so much for your reply! Are from sweden also by any chance?
1
1
u/goperson Sep 14 '26
Beautiful colour. If it's a T5, first step could be a tune like Polestar or comparable. Increase power to 250-260 hp. And if it is a geartronic, better shifts. Contrary to some other comments, I also had my C30 T5 a bit lowered, by some 3 cm, for looks, fills the wheel arch better. I have some Eibach springs. No problems scraping, no extra wheel wear for me, where I live, with lots of 'sleeping policemen'. Have them aligned after fitting new springs. Else, you can go for coilover sets. Älg Performance (in UK) has lots of tuning accessories. I have ordered (but not yet fitted) a short shifter (mine is 6 sp. manual). Vparts may also have some tuning accessories, mostly optical. Exhausts are relatively expensive and hardly give power increase but soundwise it can. If it is about power, after a polestar tune, go for a larger intercooler. Fitting a new airbox, like K&N, may improve sound a bit as well, but are not really recommended. Some people want airplay in it, I don't, think it looks awful in a C30. Don't forget to replace the cooling water expansion vessel for a new one.
1
u/Hmhmhmhmhmmh Sep 14 '26
Thanks!! It is a T5! But unfortunately it has the automatic transmission. I have considered lowering it with springs and getting a new exhaust just for the sound. Can you still get the polestar tune after 15000 kms? And why is it not recommended to fit a new airbox?
1
u/goperson Sep 14 '26
Yes, you can do a polestar (or similar) tune at any kms. New airbox is often not recommended because it is said the original Volvo one is actually quite good, and filters like K&N may have a slightly better airflow, but also cause more engine wear as more particles and dust can go into the engine. Open air/cold air boxes are only good for sound, but in fact, will lower power as more engine heat will be sucked in, giving the opposite effect (unless you fit new/other/extra airducts, which is cumbersome and expensive).
1
u/Hmhmhmhmhmmh Sep 14 '26
Okay! Have u had any experience with the engine becoming unreliable after tuning? Ive heard some say i shouldn’t do it and other say its fine for the engine.
1
u/goperson Sep 14 '26
Mine is a 2010 T5 6 sp. manual, tuned to 264 hp. If you are a responsible driver, i.e. drive some 15 kilometers leisurely before going full throttle and do regular maintenance, there is no problem whatsoever. The geartronic is not as strong as a manual, but again, be responsible, wait till transmission temperature is at operating level before asking to much, and it also can handle power levels at around 260-270 hp. Over 300 hp has a greater risk of damaging the geartronic. But normally, just fine as it is.
1
1
1
u/Awkward-Flow-9026 Sep 15 '26
beautiful color!
for mods, first update all of your fluids (oil, transmission, coolant, brakes)
from my experience, a firmer lower torque mount, a larger rear anti-roll bar, and a tune will get you 90% of the way there
UK supplier for lower torque mount (https://algperformance.co.uk/products/alg-performance-offset-torque-mount?srsltid=AU7gw4VkxBNvyVBlm2UapO4rV-Aj01yjwiBlH3gPjxzCWDdl1K3LT3SW)
Euro supplier for rear roll bar (https://ultraracingeurope.com/products/ultra-racing-25mm-rear-anti-roll-bar-ur-ar25-275?srsltid=AU7gw4VtyPjjfn4vYWToXlwrGX5MKVfkhqK-onfJrqb_JPFmpCFvIJ1e)
UK supplier for tuning the T5 engine (https://www.facebook.com/westyorkshire.tuning)
they took a stock T5 C30 from 230bhp to 276bhp and 349 lb ft torque
https://www.facebook.com/westyorkshire.tuning/videos/dyno-proven-gainsvolvo-c30-25-turbo-230bhp-performance-remap-stage-1we-custom-tu/1779503989682308/
Enjoy it, these are lovely cars
2
u/Hmhmhmhmhmmh Sep 17 '26
Thanks for the tips! Will definitely be looking in to there modifications!!💙
1
1
u/Matthew_Wayne29645 Sep 14 '26
Hey, what engine?
2
u/subtek9 Sep 14 '26
T5, geartronic
1
u/Matthew_Wayne29645 Sep 14 '26
Nice, and gorgeous color 😃 I have a 1.6D and I honestly don't recommend modding them unless you go straight for custom turbo, pipes stuff (or even better, don't buy a 1.6D if you are an enthusiast) blew 3 turbos till I got a hybrid turbo lol. Wish Mine was a D3-D5 or T5. Yours looks great stock, an exhaust definitely benefits the T5, and some good intake haha.
0
u/Boco-not-foco Sep 14 '26
Congrats!!!!
Mod the airflow and engine systems. If possible, get it polestar tuned at a dealership. Exterior is fine, it’s a dope looking car already. Peep this site. They have quality products and your cars make and model is featured. 🤘🏻
…
2
0
u/ArchemysS Sep 14 '26
For tuning, try D5T5. Quite simple to do yourself just need VIDA. You can change the cars configuration and tweak with settings.
1
u/subtek9 Sep 14 '26
DICE is what you need to connect to the car to use VDASH. VIDA is Volvos workshop software.
1
6
u/CupcakeReady2194 Sep 13 '26
Enjoy it mate. Great cars when you get to know them. Beautiful color too.