2000 - 2003 V70. Talk to me please
Discussion
Looking at a hack for 12 - 18 months and having had estates for a while, like the idea of a V70 as a sub 2K large car.
I have always had high regard for Volvo but reading on line, there is a huge problem with the auto box on these cars.
Can I have opinions please on this. I know the internet is great for talking up problems and keeping quiet about the good. What % of cars are suffering? I would be looking at a 90 - 130k miles car.
Anything else to know? Am I waisting my time even looking at these cars?
I have always had high regard for Volvo but reading on line, there is a huge problem with the auto box on these cars.
Can I have opinions please on this. I know the internet is great for talking up problems and keeping quiet about the good. What % of cars are suffering? I would be looking at a 90 - 130k miles car.
Anything else to know? Am I waisting my time even looking at these cars?
I don't think there is a HUGE problem with the auto boxes, but they do require maintenance, no matter how much Volvo state that the transmission is "sealed for life", if you find one that is shifting smoothly and behaving itself then check the state of the transmission fluid, if it is brown or smells burnt flush it out, use three or four tubs of the stuff, replace half, run it for 100 miles, flush half, run it 100 miles, rinse and repeat. It shouldn't prove any less reliable than any other manufacturers auto box of the time.
If you are really s
tting your self, fit a trans cooler.
Certainly not wasting your time, great, great cars - very versatile and sturdy providing they are shown a modicum of care. What engine in particular are you looking at?
If you are really s
tting your self, fit a trans cooler.Certainly not wasting your time, great, great cars - very versatile and sturdy providing they are shown a modicum of care. What engine in particular are you looking at?
The D5 is a better bet, trust me. The 2.4i can drink with the best of them, the D5 might not be the best when it comes to MPG around town but it'll still be better than the 2.4i and much, much better if you do longer runs, being a turbo diesel it'll be a much more flexible drive with all that lazy torque too.
If fuel economy isn't top of the list of priorities, I would seriously look at a T5, it might hit the wallet with fuel bills but you'll never be left wanting power wise if it's the low pressure turbo model (the older 2.3 with a high pressure turbo really needs 3k RPM on the dial to be making swift progress).
If fuel economy isn't top of the list of priorities, I would seriously look at a T5, it might hit the wallet with fuel bills but you'll never be left wanting power wise if it's the low pressure turbo model (the older 2.3 with a high pressure turbo really needs 3k RPM on the dial to be making swift progress).
2.4 petrols are more thirsty than a D5 - you'll average 25mpg with a 2.4
2.4 lpt is a nice engine. Or the lower powered 2.4d (i.e. not a D5) are generally more economic.
Check suspension for clonks and knocks, ABS problems (the modules suffer with dry solder issues and can cause a host of maladies from speedo failure to auto gearbox faults) - the plus side is they are easily and cheaply repaired.
Check for uneven tyre wear - they are devils for eating inner tyre edges when the geometry is set up wrong.
They can also seize rear calipers - check of poor pedal feel, manky or "blued" rear discs and pulling to one side when braking.
The golden rule is make sure it has had regular maintenance. Another tip, forget Volvo's suggestion of changing the cambelt every 60k or so and change it every 40k - they're not known for snapping belts but I have done customer's cars with cambelts looking very tired (and cracked) at just 50k
2.4 lpt is a nice engine. Or the lower powered 2.4d (i.e. not a D5) are generally more economic.
Check suspension for clonks and knocks, ABS problems (the modules suffer with dry solder issues and can cause a host of maladies from speedo failure to auto gearbox faults) - the plus side is they are easily and cheaply repaired.
Check for uneven tyre wear - they are devils for eating inner tyre edges when the geometry is set up wrong.
They can also seize rear calipers - check of poor pedal feel, manky or "blued" rear discs and pulling to one side when braking.
The golden rule is make sure it has had regular maintenance. Another tip, forget Volvo's suggestion of changing the cambelt every 60k or so and change it every 40k - they're not known for snapping belts but I have done customer's cars with cambelts looking very tired (and cracked) at just 50k
You will know if the gearbox has issues when you drive it,make sure its good and hot though.wiper motors front and particulary rear.check that cd is working,electric modules are expensive to replace for dasboard and windows,remember that many parts are coded by Volvo so second hand parts can't be used,ditto re tyres,wishbones are pretty weak and some of the aftermarket ones are stronger.i like the D5 good turn of speed expect it tails off over 80 so watch some overtaking situations,average about 40 to the gallon.ditto rear brakes and calipers in general.engines go on forever(D5) if properly maintained,a good comfortable mile gobbler all in all.
I drove the S/V 70's with the Police. The 850's and P1 cars with the earlier auto boxes gave no trouble whatsoever.
Every P2 auto car I can remember went through at least 2 boxes in their 150000 mile service life. We were advised by Volvo that we should do a transmission flush after a maximum of 60000 miles. |The Police didn't bother and just kept having new gearboxes under warranty. You have got to remember the abuse that the cars suffered with us. A good private service record with proof of a gearbox flush would be handy.
Every P2 auto car I can remember went through at least 2 boxes in their 150000 mile service life. We were advised by Volvo that we should do a transmission flush after a maximum of 60000 miles. |The Police didn't bother and just kept having new gearboxes under warranty. You have got to remember the abuse that the cars suffered with us. A good private service record with proof of a gearbox flush would be handy.
This looks like a thread that could help me. I'll be in the market for a large estate for an expanding family, and these seem to suit my needs and budget.
Big question for me though is which engine would give the least problems? I see these cars advertised with 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 litre engines, some are LPT, some are NA, some are the mutt's nuts, but I want the unburstable one. Won't be doing massive miles, will be mostly around town or gently cruising. Whichever it is, it'll be coming with an auto box - problems noted.
Big question for me though is which engine would give the least problems? I see these cars advertised with 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 litre engines, some are LPT, some are NA, some are the mutt's nuts, but I want the unburstable one. Won't be doing massive miles, will be mostly around town or gently cruising. Whichever it is, it'll be coming with an auto box - problems noted.
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