Xc 70 2003 advice

BenRiches · Post by **BenRiches** » 13 Jan 2013, 00:11

Hi, a 2003 xc 70 T with 320 000 km (198000 miles) has just come up for sale in my city (they usually cost around $9000- 13000 here in Australia)

This one is $3000 but needs the sway bar replaced and has an oil leak between the motor and gear box.

Is this worth looking at?

And anything else I should look out for if I go and look at it?

Thanks again

Ben

Post by **precopster** » 13 Jan 2013, 01:01

The RMS replacement cost should vary between $800 and $900 at an independant repairer. The sway bar should be available for under $250. Given there is not much else wrong you should be OK. '03s had an improved Bosch throttle body & much improved valve body for the transmission. What state are you in?

BenRiches · Post by **BenRiches** » 13 Jan 2013, 05:59

I am in WA, I did a little reading and it could also be a PVC fix which I have done my self on my NA 850

Might be worth a sway bar upgrade then

Ben

Japedo · Post by **Japedo** » 13 Jan 2013, 06:07

Make sure the transmission fluid is full, and looks ok.
Get a garage to inspect all aspects of the car on a hoist. 3000$ is quite a bit for a fwd with high millage. But the 2003's seem like good cars.
Can u do your own work on the car? Garages arnt cheap, high millage volvos are good value to folks who can do their own maintenance and repair.

Post by **precopster** » 13 Jan 2013, 06:59

You can do the RMS yourself by dropping the subframe and separating the engine/trans assembly but that is a job I'd leave to the guys with the right equipment.

Shift quality is very important and if you get a chance, check service history. These motors will last well into 4-5 hundred thousand kilometres. Oil usage may have begun to be a problem at this mileage due to dried up (leaking) valve stem seals. If you have a chance to start the engine after letting it sit for 60 mins after a good run or even a cold start to see if there is a high level of smoke from the exhaust that would be a good strategy as well.

BenRiches · Post by **BenRiches** » 13 Jan 2013, 07:23

I doubt I could do much work to the car but at less than half the normal price (inc repairs) it's hard to say no.

What will the smoke be able to tell me?
If the Trans oil is low/ burnt should I turn it down?

Yeah Australian garages are not too kind to euro cars, or any one for that matter haha

Japedo · Post by **Japedo** » 13 Jan 2013, 07:36

Transmission replacement runs 4 to 5 k in canada. I have 100 percent faith in the 5 cylinder white blocks, as well as the cars structure, body/interior/ and my favorite part is that they dont seem to rust out compared to american and japanese cars.

But everything has a weak point, and with volvos in my opinion its the transmissions. Probably because they are not made by volvo.

Have the transmission checked by a transmission shop maybe.

I baught a 2001 xc with a ba transmission years ago, but i tend to learn things the hard way... Also inquire when the timing belt was replaced.

BenRiches · Post by **BenRiches** » 13 Jan 2013, 18:25

From what I understand the transmission was no longer an issue after 2002 models

Post by **precopster** » 13 Jan 2013, 19:14

BenRiches wrote:From what I understand the transmission was no longer an issue after 2002 models

precopster wrote:'03s had an improved Bosch throttle body & much improved valve body for the transmission.