Thinking of an S60
Discussion
Hi, I'm going to be buying a car in a week or two and the S60 is very much on the list. I'll be using the car on the commute to replace the scooter I was knocked off a few weeks ago. My commute is about 30% rural a and b road at 70mph and 70%stop start city traffic. Its about 14 miles door to door so just under 30 per day. I'm not bothered about driving dynamics or speed as I have something else for that. My main priority is comfort.
Ideally I'd like an auto because of the frequency of jams on my commute. My concern is reliability, I've heard there are problems with the geartronic Volvo use and my budget is £7000 so would I be right in the age here the problems surface at the price?
Any help appreciated.
Ideally I'd like an auto because of the frequency of jams on my commute. My concern is reliability, I've heard there are problems with the geartronic Volvo use and my budget is £7000 so would I be right in the age here the problems surface at the price?
Any help appreciated.
It's a problem that mainly affects 2001/2002 cars, so at that £7000 budget you should be alright. Most of the early teething troubles got fixed gradually so many of the common maladies - wayward door locks, expiring dashboards, dodgy electronic throttles - won't affect the later cars.
One thing which did get introduced on the later cars is a propensity for water ingress to the ABS control unit on 2005/2006 models. Watch for warning lights!
There's a common early warning sign of autobox problems on the S60, as well. Get the gearbox up to temperature, then do a few parking shifts; going from drive to reverse with short, slow movements in between. If going into Drive starts taking a while or feels like a two step process (an engagement and creep followed by a second, stronger engagement and creep, sometimes with a noticeable bump or audible clunk) then it's on its way out... some last for years like this, some don't, but they all go eventually.
One thing which did get introduced on the later cars is a propensity for water ingress to the ABS control unit on 2005/2006 models. Watch for warning lights!
There's a common early warning sign of autobox problems on the S60, as well. Get the gearbox up to temperature, then do a few parking shifts; going from drive to reverse with short, slow movements in between. If going into Drive starts taking a while or feels like a two step process (an engagement and creep followed by a second, stronger engagement and creep, sometimes with a noticeable bump or audible clunk) then it's on its way out... some last for years like this, some don't, but they all go eventually.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-VOLVO-S60-T-SE-AUTO...
I came into this forum to ask for advice on a particular S60 (link above) and as the OP is looking for a similar car then I thought I'd post up the link.
Can any Volvo enthusiasts spot any options from the pics? I presume Dolby, the wheels, leather and autobox all options?
I came into this forum to ask for advice on a particular S60 (link above) and as the OP is looking for a similar car then I thought I'd post up the link.
Can any Volvo enthusiasts spot any options from the pics? I presume Dolby, the wheels, leather and autobox all options?
Timberwolf said:
It's a problem that mainly affects 2001/2002 cars, so at that £7000 budget you should be alright. Most of the early teething troubles got fixed gradually so many of the common maladies - wayward door locks, expiring dashboards, dodgy electronic throttles - won't affect the later cars.
One thing which did get introduced on the later cars is a propensity for water ingress to the ABS control unit on 2005/2006 models. Watch for warning lights!
There's a common early warning sign of autobox problems on the S60, as well. Get the gearbox up to temperature, then do a few parking shifts; going from drive to reverse with short, slow movements in between. If going into Drive starts taking a while or feels like a two step process (an engagement and creep followed by a second, stronger engagement and creep, sometimes with a noticeable bump or audible clunk) then it's on its way out... some last for years like this, some don't, but they all go eventually.
That's really good news, thank you. I was hoping they'd become more reliable as production moved on. I'll have a look some then try the parking shifts to see what they're like. One thing which did get introduced on the later cars is a propensity for water ingress to the ABS control unit on 2005/2006 models. Watch for warning lights!
There's a common early warning sign of autobox problems on the S60, as well. Get the gearbox up to temperature, then do a few parking shifts; going from drive to reverse with short, slow movements in between. If going into Drive starts taking a while or feels like a two step process (an engagement and creep followed by a second, stronger engagement and creep, sometimes with a noticeable bump or audible clunk) then it's on its way out... some last for years like this, some don't, but they all go eventually.
texasjohn said:
Can any Volvo enthusiasts spot any options from the pics? I presume Dolby, the wheels, leather and autobox all options?
It looks like standard SE spec (which includes one of the Dolby Pro Logic systems) plus winter pack (heated seats, floor mats and headlamp wash system) and the smoker's pack (as standard they come with 12V outlets rather than cigarette lighters). Folding mirrors may be an option, they weren't standard on the earlier SEs.Plus the autobox, of course. Not sure about wheels on that model year. Parking sensors would have been an option I think, although they could be aftermarket.
Just a thought after looking at potential cars; do the changes to d5 cars post 2006 is make a big difference? They appear to have more power and quite a lot more torque. Did the auto box change too? Are the changes for the better? I'm swaying more towards a D5 because of the jobs the car will be given would suite a diesel.
sebdangerfield said:
Just a thought after looking at potential cars; do the changes to d5 cars post 2006 is make a big difference? They appear to have more power and quite a lot more torque. Did the auto box change too? Are the changes for the better? I'm swaying more towards a D5 because of the jobs the car will be given would suite a diesel.
Look at a thread started by y2blade, loads of information about the models\years of the d5 in that one.http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
texasjohn said:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-VOLVO-S60-T-SE-AUTO...
I came into this forum to ask for advice on a particular S60 (link above) and as the OP is looking for a similar car then I thought I'd post up the link.
Can any Volvo enthusiasts spot any options from the pics? I presume Dolby, the wheels, leather and autobox all options?
A 2.0 with an auto in whats a very heavy car, o dear.I came into this forum to ask for advice on a particular S60 (link above) and as the OP is looking for a similar car then I thought I'd post up the link.
Can any Volvo enthusiasts spot any options from the pics? I presume Dolby, the wheels, leather and autobox all options?
Id drive one before you commit, as i have and was disappointed.
I think the d5 suits that car better.
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