Got 3 grand. Should i buy an S60?

[don logan1]

Had a look at insurance for a S60 D5, seems to be just about affordable for me.

I want one.


I've had a flick through reviews and seen this page:

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volvo/s60-200...

The only really concerning thing i read was the chance of swirl flaps breaking off and getting chewed up by the engine:


'D5 Inlet manifold swirl flaps prone to breaking off at any time from 3 years old.'


and this bit:

'On early D5s (up to 2004) a rubber core plug can pop out into the bellhousing, depositing the engine oil on the clutch of manuals (a £750 repair job). Obviously thousands more if the engine seizes as a result.'

Would anyone be put off of buying one due to these issues? Any idea if the swirl flaps can be removed and blanked off like on BMW's?

Am i right to walk away if any of the recalls listed on that page haven't been done?

Am i likely to get a 2004 onwards model with FSH for 3 grand?



Cheers for the help.

[don logan1]

And are the autoboxes reliable, or should i try for a manual?

[y2blade]

I love mine...have a read here (thread I started before buying)

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[don logan1]

Yeah, read all that after i posted the last message. All 14 pages of it!

What gearbox is in yours and how do you get on with it? Also, what did you pay? I'm hoping to get something half decent for 3 grand.

Cheers.

[don logan1]

Having a look at this on sunday as it's near me:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VOLVO-S60-D5-SE-53-REG-D...


I asked about the service history and was told that it had had all scheduled services from a Volvo specialist. I asked whether it had had any large or major components replaced and he looked through the history and mentioned a drivers side lower control arm and an engine mount. He ran through a few other things but nothing that sounded major.

Any opinions?

Thanks.

[Busa mav]

don logan1 said:

he looked through the history and mentioned a drivers side lower control arm and an engine mount. He ran through a few other things but nothing that sounded major.

Any opinions?

Thanks.

both normal items for the S60 and V70 , not expensive either.

[don logan1]

Cheers. I'm mildly concerned about it having an autobox. Has anyone had any trouble with these. The car does appear to have been well maintained.

Thanks.

[rb5er]

Great cars but dont get an auto, they are nowhere near as strong as the old auto boxes and if it gives you problems the repair bill will be in the thousands.

[don logan1]

Also seen this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-VOLVO-S60-D5-SE-2-4...

Will find about about the history. For that age and mileage is it imporatant to have had the cam belt, DMF, slave cylinder and clutch replaced?

Thanks.

[y2blade]

don logan1 said:

Also seen this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-VOLVO-S60-D5-SE-2-4...

Will find about about the history. For that age and mileage is it imporatant to have had the cam belt, DMF, slave cylinder and clutch replaced?

Thanks.

Yes
That mileage is not high btw, Volvo are built to be driven and run over 200k easy

The Clutch slave cylinder can and does go pop at anything from 75k-175k

Edited by y2blade on Friday 24th February 09:08

[Super Slo Mo]

don logan1 said:

Also seen this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-VOLVO-S60-D5-SE-2-4...

Will find about about the history. For that age and mileage is it imporatant to have had the cam belt, DMF, slave cylinder and clutch replaced?

Thanks.

The cam belt hopefully will have been done already, the interval is 90,000 miles (I think), mine has a sticker in the lower left corner of the engine bay (looking from the front) telling me that it was done at 110,000 miles, which is a bit high really. Mine (V70, but arguably the same thing) is coming up to it's second belt change interval.

I have no idea if the clutch/DMF etc has been replaced, I doubt it given how poorly maintained it seems to have been before I got it.

They are tough things though, if looked after, the dealer I got mine from had one on the forecourt with 225,000 on the clock! Mine has 174,000 on it, and runs really well, although it's cost me a lot in the first 12 months of ownership to get it into a reasonable mechanical condition. Average MPG has been just over 40, slow motorway miles at 70 can get that up to about 43. Running costs excluding depreciation are currently standing me at 27 pence per mile.

Actually, one thing to watch out for, and budget accordingly, is a replacement intercooler. They're not that strong, and seem to require replacing at anything after 80,000 miles, less if it's been chipped.

[don logan1]

Just rang that one on ebay and it's gone.

I have however, spotted this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=270919136...

Just spoken to him and he said that it's just had general servicing items like oil and filter changes, good condition etc. Nothing about cam belt and it's due as said in earlier post, nothing about DMF/clutch/slave.

Considering all this, what do you reckon of the £3000 Buy it Now price? He said he might take an offer when i go to view it.

Thanks.

[Super Slo Mo]

don logan1 said:

Just rang that one on ebay and it's gone.

I have however, spotted this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=270919136...

Just spoken to him and he said that it's just had general servicing items like oil and filter changes, good condition etc. Nothing about cam belt and it's due as said in earlier post, nothing about DMF/clutch/slave.

Considering all this, what do you reckon of the £3000 Buy it Now price? He said he might take an offer when i go to view it.

Thanks.

All I get is a 'listing removed' page. So, er..... dunno

[don logan1]

Oops, here you go:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...

[Super Slo Mo]

Looks nice. Assuming what he's said is true, he's owned it pretty much since new. Might not have driven it with any 'enthusiasm' either, which probably isn't a bad thing.

I'm guessing it's a six speed (have only skimmed the ad)? Mine's the earlier 5 speed.

It sounds like it's got the perfect history, 1 owner who's looked after it. I'd go and take a look, check out the history, hopefully he won't have skimped on anything, and has got reasonable tyres on it.

In terms of upcoming costs, budget for the aforementioned Cam belt, and I'd also get a proper 4 wheel alignment check done. Mine was out when I got it, and having it corrected made a massive difference in terms of handling and ride quality (bizarrely).

Good luck.

[y2blade]

Super Slo Mo said:

Might not have driven it with any 'enthusiasm' either, which probably isn't a bad thing.
.

Personally i'd rather one that has been allowed to breath and rev-free every now and then.
It does them good to be driven properly every once in a while.

They sound good when thrumming along too.

[don logan1]

92000 on an eight year old diesel isn't that low though is it?

[y2blade]

don logan1 said:

92000 on an eight year old diesel isn't that low though is it?

You are new to Volvo arent you.

By that i mean once you've owned a few you'll realise 100k is NOTHING to these cars.

[Super Slo Mo]

What he said.^^^

[Super Slo Mo]

y2blade said:

Personally i'd rather one that has been allowed to breath and rev-free every now and then.
It does them good to be driven properly every once in a while.

They sound good when thrumming along too.

I would tend to agree, but aren't entirely sure, hence the comment. In the past I've tried 'low mileage, one lady owner' type stuff, and found the car basically has a heart attack when I start pounding it up and down the motorways. It always takes (for me) a transition period before the car settles down, and gets used it. However, my V70 seems to have had 145,000 miles of town driving, and it took about a year (and 25k) before it's got to the stage where it seems truly happy.

I have to actively stop myself booting it around town, they really do sound good, not just by diesel standards.

Edited by Super Slo Mo on Friday 24th February 13:13