2002 S60 Need Advice: Keep or Sell?

james166 · Post by **james166** » 09 May 2015, 19:41

I've got a 2002 S60 non-turbo FWD with 95,000 miles; low mileage for the year. It's a third car amongst two people, so it's convenient to keep around but not a necessity. But I'm trying to decide whether to keep it or sell it, mainly based on potential future problems. Here's what I've done recently.
1. A big maintenance overhaul about 4 months ago. All four shocks/struts, battery, full exhaust (but not cat), thermostat, parking brake, brake lines, other small things.
2. Interior is good, driver's seat is fair but using leatherique its looking better. No rips or tears in the seats.
3. Transmission: had the 2-3 shift problem, did complete flush, software upgrade and B4 servo cover replaced. Shifts good now, especially once warmed up shifting is hardly noticeable.
4. Had a bunch of recent electrical problems (see my other post for details) recently; had the DIM rebuilt, replaced the CEM with a xemodex one. Problem seems to be solved. All accessories, A/C, etc. work fine.
5. Car has a remote start, and 4 snow tires mounted on separate rims.
My concerns for the future are 1) ETM issues and 2) more transmission problems. If a new transmission is likely to be in my future, I'd rather sell it and move on. Otherwise, I would not mind keeping it as it is a nice car and fun to drive. I'm hoping others who have owned this car with more miles could give me some insight as to what I'm in store for if I keep it.

Post by **abscate** » 10 May 2015, 02:29

ETM on the 2002 is not the trouble prone one on the P80 cars, don't sweat that.

The best way to prolong transmission life is a series of drain and fills, vs a flush.

I would say it's a keeper. Use synthetic oil and change every 5000-7500 miles depending on trip length.

Post by **oragex** » 10 May 2015, 04:47

How many miles is it going to do a year? If less than 10000 I would keep it. Seems you put some money in repairs, and you've done most of them (I did pretty much exactly the same thing with mine, which is same as yours).

As for the transmission, there are quite a few 2001-2002 with over 150K miles, so it might last long enough. The thing with the 2-3 up shifting kick (I have the same) is the main solenoids are clogged. Not a bad job and new parts are $200 off Ebay. Not a must to do job, it will last even with clogged solenoids.

I don't have issues with the throttle or the CEM in my year, other than that I did exactly your fixes (+ the PCV) and I think I've fixed pretty much everything on the car. I don't see the timing belt in your list. Also carefully check all pulleys - both for the timing belt and the serpentine belt, one by one by hand.

Edit: you have a remote start, that's a rarity on this vehicle because it's so hard to install. Wish so much I had one too

Post by **precopster** » 10 May 2015, 06:53

2002 non turbo still has ETM. Turbos had Bosch.

Don't sweat it yet at such low mileage about the ETM. The 36050564 replacement at Volvo dealers is pre-programmed with latest firmware for your car. If you update all Canbus software at the dealer the car will be ready for the replacement ETM off the shelf. Also you'll get later TCM software to help the transmission.

james166 · Post by **james166** » 10 May 2015, 17:33

Thanks for the replies. My timing belt was done 3 years ago at 72K miles. I expect to do about 5K miles in it per year, so in five years I'll have about 120K which still isn't that much. When I got the car three years ago, I had the undercar oil spray treatment done at the local body shop, so that should help keep the corrosion from getting too bad.
With a little luck I would hope to get 5 more years on the existing transmission. After all, its a Volvo, it should go for 120K at least!
The other reasons for keeping it are that it's much safer than most anything of its vintage, and if I did sell it I probably wouldn't get more than $5K for it.
The downside is that it's a bit tight in the driveway with three cars and I have to wiggle my Jaguar around it every time I take that car out.

Post by **oragex** » 10 May 2015, 18:08

Volvo is about the only import I see here in Canada that's basically never rusted. Unless the car was in a crash and poorly repainted, these things simply don't rust. The paint quality and the door metal thickness is simply something unique, very resistant to nicks. Even today's luxury brands don't have this metal sheet thickness. Swedish guys know a thing or two about winter

Post by **GBS** » 11 May 2015, 10:59

Sounds like a keeper to me, our 02 V70 has 195k and original transmission, I started taking better care of the car in general about 60k ago, before that the transmission received no service at all. There has been a slight delay reverse to drive that started around 60k ago but it's not got worse since I started doing drain and fill.

bigbrain · Post by **bigbrain** » 11 May 2015, 13:24

Ahhh...been here myself...my V70 D5 had done about 120k and I'd just sunk 2k into it on brake overhaul and replacement of the DMF. I decided to keep the car thinking the worst was behind me....it's now got 150k....and yes I've been sinking money into it ever since. I've lost count of the spend to be honest but these cars really do like attention...I reckon it's easily been another 2k! BUT....no other car drives like a V70 on the motorway....and it feels like a tank which is great as I live in London where people simply can't drive.

Post by **oragex** » 11 May 2015, 15:25

bigbrain wrote:Ahhh...been here myself...my V70 D5 had done about 120k and I'd just sunk 2k into it on brake overhaul and replacement of the DMF. I decided to keep the car thinking the worst was behind me....it's now got 150k....and yes I've been sinking money into it ever since. I've lost count of the spend to be honest but these cars really do like attention...I reckon it's easily been another 2k! BUT....no other car drives like a V70 on the motorway....and it feels like a tank which is great as I live in London where people simply can't drive.

Were you using aftermarket parts for the brake job? These cars indeed need attention after 100K miles, and even well before.

bigbrain · Post by **bigbrain** » 13 May 2015, 16:15

Had the brakes done at a local "volvo specialist"...they used genuine volvo parts...I think from memory the brakes and service came to 1.5k and the DMF was also 1.5k...so 3k (not 2k). I was using the car a lot as I was commuting so couldn't afford not to have a car that worked! When the BCM packed in and they wanted 1.5k to fix that too... I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands. I've since swapped an enormous list of parts...it seems every couple of weeks something new breaks on this car. I still love the way it drives but the costs are crazy!....one day the drivers footwell filled with water when it rained....I have never had a car that ever did that!