Late to the party. We have a 2013 C70. It is Not a sports car. It is a comfortable convertible that can be driven 200-300 miles with the top down without getting constantly buffeted, and enjoy the great sound system. Only has 55k miles. Hope to have it another 10 yrs. Thanks for the fair comparison and great video.
Being that it's a hardtop and front wheel drive, the C70 is much more practical as an everyday and year round car. I've driven one and it definitely doesn't feel like 227 HP. The car had plenty of get up and low end torque. If you're driving it like a normal person, with even the occasional spirited drive, it's not underpowered. The build quality is also great, and the safety is unmatched. I will go as far as to say it's the safest convertible out there.
Your right about those seats. My Volvo C70 is so comfortable and it rides like a small Cadillac. I gave my GT to my son and got one of these, Volvo makes a damn good car.
The thing you really didn't emphasize as much as I feel you should've- with a hard-top convertible, when it's closed, you have a normal car. Not a conestoga wagon for battling the elements on the trail to oregon. A quiet, weatherproof, fully "normal" 2 door car, that doesn't look too bad either.
My dad has a 2011 Volvo C70 and its one of my favorite cars to drive. The turbo 5 cylinder has an incredibly unique noise and it feels much faster than 227 hp.
I like the hard-top better. You won't have to worry about coming back to your car after a day of shopping in the mall, only to find your SOFT TOP cut wide open by someone who was trying to get inside to steal your stuff inside the car.
The c70 is (was) a perfect fit for size with the 3-series, and both have hard tops, as well. Aside from any level of luxury or handling, that's the proper comparison. BTW, don't be surprised if there's a Volvo convertible again in another year or two. Volvo hadn't gotten around to redesigning it, but watch for one that follows the s60 lead.
I'm 6ft tall and I fit in the back of the 1 series coupe/convertible pretty well with my equally tall brother in the front seat. Headroom is a little tight, do have to lean forward a little, but my real issue with sitting in the back is the centre console cubby hinge digs into your leg and after like 10 minutes, it becomes pretty unbearable.
It's funny that I'm facing this dilemma now too - I'm deciding between these two for a tertiary vehicle to compliment a truck and SUV, and I just can't settle on either. Both are for very different markets, despite the convertible top, and although I'm leaning towards the Bimmer, the Volvo seems to nail it with the hard-top. It's gonna be a tough decision.
Hardtop vs. soft top? Safety vs. death trap? No comparison. Style, grace, and elegance, hand down, C70. Roll the bmw over, and then the Volvo, and see who is able to walk away. ;-) 'Volvo. for life.' Volvo. for the two of us.
I've had both and the 1 series is my choice, still comfortable but much more fun to drive. And I like the 1 series short size over tge more common 3 series, being that it is lighter it has to be quicker and more sporty.
I think the C70 looks hell of a lot better and if I had $47k to spend on a fast car.. the 135 wouldn't be on my radar, bmw's are great cars though. It would be cool to see a lighter C70 in R spec and lightened, 325 hp and AWD would work well with this car
I think the 1 series would be ideal for a summer sat night blast. However every day usage i would choose the Volvo. Either way these guys need a mic sock to stop the wind.
@juliadennehy The 1-series has a rollover protection pretty similar to the previous generation of C70s, which is about the best you can possibly do with a soft-top. If you were actually driving on a serious road course where potential rollover is a problem, you wouldn't be driving a convertible of any kind, and would have a full roll-cage in the car anyway.
The 3 series is bigger and thus heavier so doesn’t handle as sharply as the 1 series convertible, so I’d buy the 135i. Interesting that here in the UK 1Ms are worth way more now than when new
I've got the C70 5 cylinder diesel (remap) 225Hp. Here in the UK fuel economy is important: 45mpg on long trips, 35mpg around town. It's also cheaper on the second hand market and represents great value. I'd have gone for the more powerful 3 series folding hard top but most of my friends drive BMW so I wanted something different.
How's the C70 going? I'm in you UK too, and will be looking for a convertible soon. The C70 T5 in SE Lux trim is leading so far, also considering a 3-series or A4. I have a BMW E53 X5 4.8iS at the mo, I'd wanted a V8 for a long time. The sound is amazing as I've deleted the rear back boxes, but it's nearing time for something else. I only commute 15 miles/day and had thought about a diesel, but am thinking MPG would be poor as mostly city driving?
@@DanReVanced It's going great! I love it. It's more powerful than most cars in the road but nothing compared to a v8. For me it is a good compromise between purchase price, performance, fuel economy and road tax (the petrol version is £615 I think) It doesn't have the presence of the 3 series but is considerably cheaper and just as reliable and well made.
E Elder Exactly. I bought a brand new C70 2.4i in 2007 and traded it in for a 325i 3.0 in 2009 because the C70 body is too heavy for the Ford C1 Focus drivetrain making it no fun to drive unfortunately. The BMW can't be compared to the Volvo, it's a different class, really. Only people who actually owned and drove a car for a couple of yrs can really judge a car imo.
Hey Roman, As an ENTHUSIAST, why would you want to pay more money to get the 335i, when you can get a smaller, faster, more nibler 1 series? PS... 135i coupe is the way to go...
I recently drove a 335i vert and a 135i vert. I drove both hard and the 135i was the one that brought a smile to my face. Very quick and easy to drive. The 335i "felt" much heavier. If you live where you have access to tight twisty roads where you can let the hammer down a little....the 135i won't disappoint!
Well that BMW didn't look like it was a true hard top convertible, sure the BMW is probably faster but Volvos are so under tuned from the factory and it is nearly impossible to get the full amount of torque from the Volvo in 1st and 2nd gear unless you get an ecu tune
...is it just me or does it seem strange that the BMW is said to be "ridiculously expensive at nearly $47k" yet the Volvo is supposed to be "extrememly affordable at nearly $47k"? lol
I don't think so buddy. It's a fast and great handling sports coupe. It's not a "girls car" (if that even exists) at all. Also, the M6 and M5 are pigfat as fuck. I would get a 1M or M3 any day of the week over those. But, we aren't talking about extremely expensive cars. We are talking about these two (in this price range) and the 135i whips the Volvo's ass. It's a better car in most ways. It's not just a badge, it's great performance and luxury that comes in most BMW's. The 135i is a great car.
BMW a V6?, Really.....are you sure? The last time I checked my wife's 135 it was a straight six... Porsche's a V6 really? I always thought they where opposed.
Your kidding, right? The C70 has 227hp and the Polestar tune bumps that up to 250. From Volvo's own site the coupe goes 0-60 in 7.4 sec with the Polestar 7.0 sec. Add the extra weight of the convertible reinforcement and you are probably looking at 7.5 at best. Add a tune to the 135i vert and your in the high 4's. Like I said the Volvo is slow and boring.
you guys reviewing these cars are dopes. people who are buying the 135i aren't buying it for the additional space for people sitting in the back seat! they're buying it for all of the reasons you mentioned. what a stupid comparison - a volvo vs. BMW??! there's no comparison!
people buy the 135 because they want a small car that just rips, yes for cruising there are better cars but for fun and excitement you can't get anything even close for the price that still German. for example you can get a fully loaded bmw 135i in canada for around the same price as the 2.0t audi a5 with a few options. however i would get the car as a hardtop because as a convertable to me it screams chick car
ok, yeah the 135 is 48k but its FULLY LOADED. EVERY OPTION IMAGINABLE if you get the 335 thats base. w/ leatherette. who the fuck wants fake leather in a bmw?
Many fake & Layer people have bmw ... usually people with bm ,s don't care anything else but its car letter seats... condition. . . Their bmw is more important than their ownfamlyyy
And the 135 is a total chick's car, want to talk about BMW talk about a real BMW, M5, M6+. 135's are just so people who want to live beyond their means can say "Oh I have a BMW"
If you think this twin turbo 300hp V6 is a girls car you better check between your legs because you definitely compensating for something you are lacking.
the C70 is NOT slow as hell plus the Polestar tune is available from dealer that significantly ups the torque delivery. The BMW 1 series UGLY, and BMW reliability sucks and their safety trails behind Volvo.
People have different needs. That's why someone would get a 135i over a 335i. Not everyone is obese in America, then again, Michigan is one of the fattest states so I can see why.
I would feel safer in the BMW. I would be scared of falling asleep in the Volvo. Boring ride. Couldn't feel the road. Slooow as hell and the turning radius sucked. My ex had one, she even prefered driving my MKV GTI. I have since bought the 135i and it is a beast. 0-60 in 4.7 seconds. Very nimble. A true drivers car.
