BHPian khan_sultan recently shared this with other enthusiasts: So, why buy a 12-year-old Volvo S60 T6 in 2024, especially when it’s got less than 3 years of “legal” life left in NCR? Well, let me first get that out of the way!Reason #1: I’d rather have a few heart-pounding, smile-inducing years with a car I love rather than spend a decade commuting in something that feels like a moving couch.Reason #2: Six-cylinder engines are becoming extinct. Also, life’s short and might as well enjoy.Reason #3: Bucket list car checked off; wallet only bruised – not broken!Why not a 328i?Great question! The 328i is a superb car in it’s own right, but there’s no six-cylinder option. And in my head, I already decided six cylinders or bust. Sometimes logic just has to take the back seat! Then why not a 6 cylinder BMW? Was a possibility, but just didn’t happen / stars didn’t align. So, why the S60 T6?It’s got six cylinders – check.It’s FAST – double check.Power & Torque – triple check.AWD – another brownie point.It’s sneaky. Remove the badges, and people will think it’s a boring Volvo!And it’s not your typical German road hog – not as common, which is a big plus in my book.What’s the Purpose? It’s not a daily driver or a grocery-getter. This is my weekend fun car – Mr. Hyde for late nights and weekend rides that bring out the mischievous grin. It’s all about pressing that accelerator in Sport mode and enjoying the action. Commuting from Point A to Point B? Na, this car is here for the thrills. The Great Hunt Spent two years scouring for the right one. Went and saw one in Mumbai – was abused and a hard pass. A promising one in Delhi? Sold before I could seal the deal. South India had a few, but the stars didn’t align. Then finally, I stumbled upon “the one”. Despite having four previous owners, this car has been like a hot potato nobody could hold onto! The first owner bailed within a year, the second stuck it out for a decade before calling it quits, and the last two – well, they barely had time to get comfortable before they handed it off. But here’s the bright side: they all poured in cash and effort to keep it in tip-top shape. The immediate previous owner had been meticulous with maintenance, so I inherited a quite a few parts and consumables. Plus, it came with fresh oils, belts, and wheel bearings – it’s like getting a care package with my new (to me) car! Test drove, signed, sealed, and delivered to my driveway in just 24 hours! Ready for round five with me! What’s to Love?I’ll spare you the snooze-fest of specs, features, and user manuals – trust me, you can find all that jazz with a quick forum search. Instead, here’s the fun part: the list of what I absolutely love about this car!Fast & Feisty: In Sport mode, it’s pure adrenaline. In Drive, it’s a perfect gentleman.Interior Quality: Simple, classy and those front seats? Absolute luxury.Safety Features: The safety and driver aid package (in working condition) still holds its own against today’s tech-savvy rides – even though this car is practically eligible for a “classic” badge at 12 years old.Understated Appeal: Looks like your neighborhood uncle’s car but drives like your guilty pleasure. No one in the apartment complex will have a clue about the adventures you’re up to when you’re out in this car!The MakeoverHeadlights: Restored with a little polish and elbow grease. Almost perfect!Alloys: Balanced, repaired & painted. Steering shudder – gone and the looks enhanced to level 5!Driver-Side Mirror: Replaced. Now I can actually see who’s trying to tail me.Brake Rotors: Resurfaced. A quick spin on the lathe, and now I can trust the braking feel again. Little Quirks (Or “Character Traits”) passed on to me: Well, let’s face it-when you’re talking about a 12-year-old car with multiple past owners, it’s not exactly going to be showroom fresh! I totally get that it’ll come with its own little quirks, maybe even a few mysteries under the hood. But as long as it keeps rolling along without flashing any major warning lights or pulling any dramatic stunts on the road, I’m good. I can handle a few surprises, as long as they’re more “slight rattle” and less “engine on strike” while I’ve got it! So, here’s my current list of known quirks… for now!Driver Aid Systems: ADAS and cruise control? Non-functional, thanks to a wrong windshield put up by one of the earlier owners. But hey, who needs driver aids when you’ve got the “driver” part sorted?Sensors and Electronics: Active Bendy headlights? Wonky. Washer fluid sensor? Thinks it’s always thirsty. Meh, these aren’t deal-breakers.Cosmetic Nuisance: The info screen is scuffed, and I’ll just pretend its “vintage” for now.Things to Watch Out ForLow Clearance: potholes, broken tarmac, and speed bumps are all potential arch-enemies.Expensive Tires: 18-inch beauties look good but fear potholes like vampires fear daylight.No Spare Tire: Don’t ask. Just don’t.No Android Auto: I’ll slap an aftermarket screen on the dash if needed.Volvo Service: Sadly, they’d rather be happy changing oils in new age Volvo’s rather than tinker with a T6.Spare Parts: Getting parts is like a treasure hunt where the treasure is overpriced and may or may not exist!Driving ExperienceIn a word: addictive. This car loves the open road, taking the long route, and accelerating like there’s no tomorrow. The suspension is firm and thanks to low profile tyres one can feel all road imperfections at all times. The steering is delightfully weighty, and doing Zero to 100 in Sports mode again and again? Yes, please! Thanks to AWD, this thing launches like a rocket-no wheel spin, no drama, just pure “hold on to your hat” acceleration. It hooks up so well, you’d think it’s glued to the road! However, with over 60% of its weight up front, this one’s a real nose-diver! Future Plans Arranging money to buy a petrol bunk or an oil field, Reading up on everything Volvo, VIDA, DiCE, VDASH, p3tools (I’m on the way to becoming a full-on Volvo nerd now). DIY diagnostic & mod tools so I can give it the TLC it deserves So that’s the story! From here on out, it’s all about enjoying the ride, getting hands dirty with few mods and tunes, embracing the quirks, and relishing every mile with my undercover speed demon. Here’s the lowdown on what I am learning on tuning a Volvo (using only software tools and no hardware changes). First off, Volvo’s got a bit of a possessive streak: most of their car modules come with security codes / numbers that are hardcoded to the car’s ECU (Engine Control Unit) and CEM (Central Electronic Module) like a stubborn tattoo. The ECU and CEM constantly check if all the parts match up, and if you try to slip in a new replacement from aftermarket or from a donor car, they throw a fit. So, if you think replacing LCD screen of the infotainment module or some other part is as simple as plug-and-play, think again. Unless it’s an “authorized module” from Volvo, the car’s going to sulk. Rumor has it that in the EU, the service center folks won’t even look at your car until it’s “as factory fresh as a newborn” from an ECU/CEM perspective. They’re like, “Nope, take it back, remove the mods, and only then we’ll talk!”. Now, Volvo says this is all about preventing theft, blocking fake parts, and adding a little security. But it’s also a cunning way to keep you coming back to their service centers and paying for their pricey parts and labour. But there are ways to outwit this setup. Just prepare to dive into a world of terms that sound like the names of alien gadgets: VIDA, vDASH, DICE, SuperJ2534, P3Tools, ModUnlock can be your new best friends. Here are some of good resources to get one started on this wild ride:D5T5VolvoDiagMatthews Volvo SiteSVDNSSwedespeedand, here’s a glossary of the magic wands you’ll need: VIDA (Vehicle Information & Diagnostics for Aftersales): Think of it as the Rosetta Stone of Volvo diagnostics, letting you read your car’s secrets. It gives you access to your car’s inner thoughts (at least until 2014 models, after which it’s gone full cloud mode). DICE (Diagnostic Communication Equipment): This is like a “phone cable” for your car; you plug it into the OBD port on one end, and your laptop on the other, so VIDA and your Volvo can gossip. These things are tough to find and even knockoffs cost a pretty penny. SuperJ2534 / Mongoose Cable: This is like DICE’s more affordable, reliable cousin, if you can dodge the knockoffs. It’ll get you hooked up to VIDA and keep things running smoothly. vDASH: This Czech-based tool can charm your Volvo’s ECM and CEM into dropping some of their security. They offer remote remaps too (think Polestar tuning without the steep bill) and lots of other online services. p3Tools: This one’s all about tweaking car features and unlocking the CEM pin, perfect if you’re ready to unleash hidden abilities in your Volvo. CEM Pin Unlocking: And yes, for the main event – unlocking the CEM pin. This takes about 8-12 hours of babying your car: you’ll need to keep the battery charged, keep the car online, and probably tuck it in with a warm blanket. Once the CEM and ECM pins are free, you’re finally ready to tune. So, if you’re feeling brave (or just deeply stubborn), the Volvo universe is yours to tweak – just prepare for a few surprises on the way! Continue reading BHPian khan_sultan’s experience tuning his S60 for more insights and information.
