1998 V70 T5 How to tell which subframe to buy?

[E Showell]

You wouldn't be doing this yourself, right? You have a 16 year old helper to go to the pick 'n pull with you to remove the used subframe and to help you with the reinstall. I think this could be a good learning experience for the young driver and a valuable life lesson about not taking what you have for granted. So, I'm definitely not in the "go find another T5 camp."

[cn90]

WyoVolvo,

Your 1998 S70 with 205K is about $800-$1000 in Blue Book value.

Any accident serious enough to knock out the subframe, tierods, axle, plus the side-swiping issues (any photos of the paint damage?) usually totals car of this vintage.

The shop should have looked at the BIG picture (the subframe is damaged) before changing tierods, axle etc.

Sure you can replace the subframe, as jimmy57 said, raise the engine a bit, a swap the subframe, you may want to replace the engine mounts too while there.

I am a fixer, but I have a practical side too. Once you put together the the amount of time, aggravation, money spent on repair (not cheap to replace tierods, axle at the shop, unless you DIY) together, you are not getting ahead financially than let's say finding another T5 with 110K or so (yes they do exist online). At 205K, your engine may develop exhaust seal leak etc. etc. In other words, at that mileage, a lot of problems "are waiting for you" LOL.

Remember junk yard usually pays $450 for this kind of car (they go by the tons).

You may want to put things down in perspective before spending more money fixing an accident car at this vintage.

[WyoVolvo]

I appreciate all the response and opinions. Luckily, no rush to decide.

My practical side told me to junk the car and find another. My son is off to college very soon, so no go on the help there. The side of me that spent time, money and energy on this car wants to fix 'one more thing' to realize the full value of the investment.

Fortunately, there isn't much emotional attachment so that's out of the equation. My fear with something like this is that I'll fix the frame and find another problem that was missed. Or, like the body shop and others said, I'll fix the frame and, with 205k miles, something big will go. Additionally, I get to buy someone else's used car.

One good thing is that I've been through this enough before to know that, no matter what, it'll keep costing me money. Especially as long as my kids are driving.

[E Showell]

You can also think of it as a disposable car for the kids to make mistakes with. I picked up a '99 S70 with 107K miles on it for $900 bucks, but I knew it had a few issues, that I've mostly dealt with over the past several months. If you can, look to stay with the '98 model year to avoid the expensive Electronic Throttle Module (ETM) issue ($500 repair for a one-and-done), potential for several trips to the pick and pull if you are just replacing the stock unit with another stock unit.

Edited for typos.

[JRL]

It's totally a waste of time and money
Even if you buy a great, used subframe for say $3-400, the labor involved will kill you.
This is a pretty big job for a shop to do ($$$ wise)

[WyoVolvo]

Yeah, the shop wanted $2600 to do the job.

Mine was meant to be disposable but was hoping it wouldn't be disposed of. My daughter is about to start driving and I've got to do this all over again.


"look to stay with the '98 model year to avoid the expensive Electronic Throttle Module (ETM) issue ($500 repair for a one-and-done), potential for several trips to the pick and pull if you are just replacing the stock unit with another stock unit."

I appreciate that advice as I'm back to searching for a replacement. We like our Subarus, too, but the front wheel drive Volvos are cheaper. Just harder to plug into diagnostics at the mechanic. I saw an '02 S60 for less than $2000. It'll take me a few months to shop around. I guess if I get another '98, I have a parts car now.

Thank!

[cn90]

If you want a good car for the kids and not too much hassles, stick to the 2.5T and go for 2004-2006 models (S60---> rear legroom if a bit tight, S80 better).

The computer issues are rare, and even if it happens, you can always use VIDA etc. I can help you with VIDA-DiCE later.

[WyoVolvo]

I'll look into that. Thanks. Although, 2004 -2006 might be more than I want to spend.
Looks like the VIDA-DICE is only about $100. May be a good investment.

[obayha]

I looked for another '98 when mine stopped doing the daily drive and the ones I found were not much better than the one I had. They are old cars, but I had a lot of new parts in mine, it was just the motor that gave out. The '99 I ended up with has been great so far. All the bad wrong with that year, had been fixed before I purchased it, so far so good. A few of the things will switch over, but not a lot. The '06 V70 has been pretty maintenance free, coming up on a TB soon. I understand the '04 may be having a little computer problems as they get older, could just be some models.
The 205,000 miles does put you on the borderline of fix or forget.
Just another persons .02 worth.
Shane