Volvo V70

[88760RICH]

We are considering purchasing a V70. Would appreciate any suggestions/warnings as to areas of concern. We have seen multiple ads for automatic transmission problems from 180K-200K miles. Is that to be expected?
Any feedback on turbo vs. non-turbo models?
Any feedback on All Wheel Drive?
What is the "R" model? Is it desirable, problematic?
We currently own a red block, 4 cyl. turbo, rear wheel drive. Can we expect the same durability/dependability from the 5 cyl. front wheel drive?

Thank you!

[Ozark Lee]

The transmissions are more of an issue on the early P2 cars but I think the 2000 non turbo had the problem child 5 speed automatic as well. The P80 turbos all had the 4 speed which isn't particularly problematic. The turbos have more places to leak oil but the turbo itself really isn't an issue. The '99+ cars have an electronic throttle module that has been the source of a great deal of grief but most of the really bad modules have already failed or been replaced with the upgraded Xemodex sensors.

The white block 5 cylinder is a very robust engine but it is an interference engine whereas most of the red blocks were not. If you break the timing belt on a red block you just replace the belt and soldier on but a broken timing belt on a white block is very destructive. They can usually be fixed after a broken timing belt but it is about the same cost as replacing the engine with a good used one to repair it.

The R engine is the same as the high pressure turbo but it has some tweaks to the ECU and the exhaust that give it more power. The R cars also have some cosmetic touches that the standard cars don't have and they are accordingly more sought after and more expensive.

Although the block is pretty much the same the '98 is very different than the '99 and 2000 models. The '98 still has the 850 style throttle body engine whereas the '99 and '00 models have a totally different engine management system and it has the electronic throttle module, coil packs instead of a distributor, variable vale timing (at least on the high and low pressure turbos), and vastly different diagnostics. The anti theft is also very different from '98 to the later cars.

The simplest car to deal with in the 70 series is a '98.

...Lee

[j-dawg]

A common piece of advice on this board is: if you're not able or inclined to do the work yourself, the cost of purchase will be a small fraction of your total cost of ownership. The major maintenance items aren't bad, but good parts and labor add up, and these cars can nickel-and-dime you if you're picky.

As with any car, preventative maintenance will stave off the worst, but the consequences of not performing said maintenance are particularly severe for 850/S70 cars. Clogged PCVs, aged timing belts, neglected heater cores and coolant hoses, etc are all single-point failures that can damage the engine to various degrees. Watch out for minor maintenance items that turn into headaches on turbo and AWD cars - FWD non-turbo cars are definitely the easiest to live with.

Ancillary engine components, interiors, and suspension parts are all easy to work on for the most part, and they aren't really trouble spots.

AWD cars are often turned into FWD cars by removing the rear driveshaft when it starts causing problems, but you get left with all the access issues for maintenance items that the AWD car has.

The V70s don't rust like the 240/740s did. You'll be hard-pressed to find any major corrosion on one if you go out looking.

[88760RICH]

Thank you both for the great information, however, I need clarification on what is meant by P2 and P80?
I am not opposed to doing all of the work myself.
Noticing in some ads for the V70's that have mileage above 170,000 they are referencing "transmission trouble". Is this standard for this type of mileage?
Regarding the 1998 vs. 1999 and newer throttle module, am I correct in assuming that a 1999 and newer vehicle would be a better choice if I upgraded to Xemodex sensors (is this the throttle body)?
Thanks again! Your time responding and information are truly appreciated.

[scot850]

My recommendation would be unless you really need an AWD steer well away from them. A lot of parts are unique to the AWD models. As I am finding out (I own an AWD 2000 'R') some parts are year specific, and in the case of the 2000 'R' are unique to the 'R'. Several parts are now obsolete also.

I would suggest looking at a 4 speed auto, and if you want a bit of go, go for a turbo FWD car. The ETM that is a problem on a 99-00 model is fairly expensive to repair, not sure of Xemodex prices now, but in the $500 range, and if you are fairly handy with tools not too hard to replace. There are other differences, between 98 and 99-00 models but not many, mostly in the engine. Bodies are the same.

P80 is the fist generation V/S70's from 97-00 model years, and P2 ran from 01-07 in wagons and 01-09 in S60 sedans.

5 speed transmissions were not only fitted to non-turbos, they were fitted to some late 00 year V70 XC's and the 'R' model.

Transmissions issues can happen as with any car, but the key is maintenance. Many have never had the transmission oil changed as Volvo led people to believe it is a sealed for life unit. This is not the case. Do some further reading on the subject here. There are 2 views. Drain and fill the trans for maybe 3 engine oil changes, and then maybe every 50,000 miles after that (my opinion) or, do the drain and flush removing the upper transmission cooler pipe from the radiator and about 12 quarts of ATF. Either way is fine. Just NEVER have it pressure flushed. This is where many of the issues come from as it loosens gum inside the transmission along with any metal debris from where and gets it into the valve bodies causing failures. I have lost count of how many times I have heard of this happening.

I have owned fewer P80 models and 850's than several guys on here, but if I were to consider another it would be a V70 T5 turbo with a 4 speed trans. These have good tuning potential and enough poke when standard to be fun. Parts are easier and more plentiful for FWD cars at PnP to help keep costs down.

Look for a car with some credible service history and you will have a good car.

Neil.

[matthew1]

Thank you both for the great information, however, I need clarification on what is meant by P2 and P80?

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/volvo- ... ossary#p80
and P2 is on there

[j-dawg]

I'm biased, but I think the ETM problems are made out to be way more of a showstopper than they are. You can pay that $500 for the Xemodex unit and be done with it literally forever.

I've read about other electrical issues that can crop up on the newer cars; I haven't experienced them, but I could believe it. My own time with the car has given me no problems specific to 99+ cars, except that stupid banjo bolt under the intake manifold. Lots of little changes mean some parts are not as readily available in the Pick-n-Pull as they are for an 850 or 98 S70, but you can always dig 'em up online.

As they all get older, the '98s are probably marginally easier to care for, but the major strong and weak points don't change. If it came down to a well-kept '99 or a '98 not owned by a Volvo nerd, the choice would be pretty clear to me. I had that choice and have not regretted going for the former.

[abscate]

In southern CA AWD is a needless complication. A manual transmission would be a headache unless you can drive against flow most of the time.

P80 refers to the 1990s square looking chassis
P2 is the next generation curvier body starting in 2001-2?

I would avoid the automatic transmission in the 2001 model in your area.

In SoCal, these cars will not rust until 3015

The 1999-2001 models have the electronic throttle body that replaces a lot of parts, but gives you a 500-1000 bill when it goes. I actually do prefer that over cap rotor and coil ignition on the earlier cars. The cost of ownership isn't that different over a 100k interval but it sucks when you buy a used car and then have to pay the next big interval.

AC evaporators go on the P80 cars but not the P2 cars. 1000 bill to replace which is all stupid labor. You can do this yourself for 100 buck part plus a long weekend

[tryingbe]

We currently own a red block, 4 cyl. turbo, rear wheel drive. Can we expect the same durability/dependability from the 5 cyl. front wheel drive?

No, you can not. It takes a special someone to kill a redblock and redblock parts are cheap! People kill their whiteblock engine every week on here.

If you want the a vehicle with durability and dependability of a redblock, get one with the redblock.

Yes, 850/x70 drives nicer, but they will cost more to maintain, break down more often and slightly harder to work on.

A good 940 wagon can be had for less than $2000.

[rspi]