New Owner Introduction - '98 S70 T5

[bmdubya1198]

Yeah, I ended up doing the whole car for a touch under a grand using good Sachs components - the E39 was a super nice car but I had a clutch job and timing chain guide replacement (from the V8) looming so I sold the car. The T5 is quick, but it can't even come close to touching that 540i - that thing was frighteningly fast with the 6 speed.

I thought the oil cap leak was just a simple wear item and not PCV related? The gasket on mine is hard as a rock, I suspect that's why it's leaking oil. No blow-by at all through the dipstick tube. I do know eventually though that the PCV system will need to be done but mine seems quite healthy at the moment.

You know, I actually just scored 3 of the CD cartridges off eBay, so if you want one...I can give you a pretty good deal.

Oil cooler line rebuild will be happening this fall, once it's no longer crazy hot outside.

I hear ya on the heat... today felt great compared to what it's been. Low humidity and in the 80s... beautiful!
It might have just been a bad gasket. You should do a glove test to confirm that the PCV is good, that's the best test to determine if it's backed up.
He used Sachs too. Still need to do the rear suspension now, and it needs a rack because that's leaking like crazy. He has a 528i wagon, automatic though. Still a great car to drive! It's no 540, though. My cousin and I test drove one a couple months ago, and it was FAST!
Unfortunately the timing chain guides drop the value of M62 cars to nothing. Most enthusiasts won't pay more for $1,000 for an E38 or E39 that needs guides. I would still love a 540! A nice M Sport 6 speed would be fantastic!

[BackRoadSeeker]

My FSD's have ~75k miles on them and are still running strong, FWIW. Overall my most successful all-around suspension upgrade I've done on any of my cars - and I've fully overhauled the suspension on 5-6 vehicles now. With updates the handling gets very good for a highway cruiser. You'll never overcome the forward weight bias, but as a complete package, these are my favorite cars to spend time in on a road trip, even with a number of new and more expensive cars in my fleet. I would personally buy the bars as a set, but yes, the rear probably makes the bigger difference of the two.

Hope you can easily repair the center channel - just recently got my full dolby setup working in the V70 and it's amazing. Best stereo we have in any of our cars.

Hmm, maybe it was an issue with the BMW ones or something, dunno. I'll have to keep an eye out, I know Koni's go on sale pretty often but the TC's are still proooobably going to be my choice. I've got plenty of other places I'd rather spend the difference. They really are great highway bombers, the seats are some of the most comfortable ones I've ever had the pleasure of planting my butt into!

I'm hoping there's nothing too wrong...everything else is operating as it should, although I wish I had the Pro-Logic setting with FM radio like the SC-901. It already sounds great without the center channel.

I hear ya on the heat... today felt great compared to what it's been. Low humidity and in the 80s... beautiful!
It might have just been a bad gasket. You should do a glove test to confirm that the PCV is good, that's the best test to determine if it's backed up.
He used Sachs too. Still need to do the rear suspension now, and it needs a rack because that's leaking like crazy. He has a 528i wagon, automatic though. Still a great car to drive! It's no 540, though. My cousin and I test drove one a couple months ago, and it was FAST!
Unfortunately the timing chain guides drop the value of M62 cars to nothing. Most enthusiasts won't pay more for $1,000 for an E38 or E39 that needs guides. I would still love a 540! A nice M Sport 6 speed would be fantastic!

Yeah, I need to test that. I'm planning on a PCV overhaul sometime soon, likely hand-in-hand with vacuum line overhauling. You're lucky - the wagons have it easy with the rear. The sedans require the ENTIRE back parcel shelf to be removed...not hard, just tedious as hell.

My 540 was right under 130k when I sold it, so it still had plenty of life left on the original guides I suspect. PO was religious about oil changes and I replaced the tensioner as soon as I got the car - was whisper quiet on start-up. I did pretty well on my resale as mine was REMARKABLY clean.

Here's some pictures of the beast, just so I can reminisce.

[polskamafia mjl]

Really looking forward to hanging out on this board, seems much more professional and "noob-friendly" than the BMW places.

After browsing other car forums I appreciate how well organized MVS is. The different model forums are easy to navigate and most importantly all of the important stuff is located in one easy to search place: the repair database.

Welcome aboard!

[bmdubya1198]

My FSD's have ~75k miles on them and are still running strong, FWIW. Overall my most successful all-around suspension upgrade I've done on any of my cars - and I've fully overhauled the suspension on 5-6 vehicles now. With updates the handling gets very good for a highway cruiser. You'll never overcome the forward weight bias, but as a complete package, these are my favorite cars to spend time in on a road trip, even with a number of new and more expensive cars in my fleet. I would personally buy the bars as a set, but yes, the rear probably makes the bigger difference of the two.

Hope you can easily repair the center channel - just recently got my full dolby setup working in the V70 and it's amazing. Best stereo we have in any of our cars.

Hmm, maybe it was an issue with the BMW ones or something, dunno. I'll have to keep an eye out, I know Koni's go on sale pretty often but the TC's are still proooobably going to be my choice. I've got plenty of other places I'd rather spend the difference. They really are great highway bombers, the seats are some of the most comfortable ones I've ever had the pleasure of planting my butt into!

I'm hoping there's nothing too wrong...everything else is operating as it should, although I wish I had the Pro-Logic setting with FM radio like the SC-901. It already sounds great without the center channel.

I hear ya on the heat... today felt great compared to what it's been. Low humidity and in the 80s... beautiful!
It might have just been a bad gasket. You should do a glove test to confirm that the PCV is good, that's the best test to determine if it's backed up.
He used Sachs too. Still need to do the rear suspension now, and it needs a rack because that's leaking like crazy. He has a 528i wagon, automatic though. Still a great car to drive! It's no 540, though. My cousin and I test drove one a couple months ago, and it was FAST!
Unfortunately the timing chain guides drop the value of M62 cars to nothing. Most enthusiasts won't pay more for $1,000 for an E38 or E39 that needs guides. I would still love a 540! A nice M Sport 6 speed would be fantastic!

Yeah, I need to test that. I'm planning on a PCV overhaul sometime soon, likely hand-in-hand with vacuum line overhauling. You're lucky - the wagons have it easy with the rear. The sedans require the ENTIRE back parcel shelf to be removed...not hard, just tedious as hell.

My 540 was right under 130k when I sold it, so it still had plenty of life left on the original guides I suspect. PO was religious about oil changes and I replaced the tensioner as soon as I got the car - was whisper quiet on start-up. I did pretty well on my resale as mine was REMARKABLY clean.

Here's some pictures of the beast, just so I can reminisce.

Nice, very clean! The wagon is definitely easier for rear suspension work. Only thing that can be annoying is the air self leveling suspension. Had a spring go out on me last year... car looked like it broke a hip.

[mecheng]

That BMW is gorgeous! Nothing like a clean E39, and you had the manual! They were so ahead of their time, truly class leading. I can't think of a better car that balanced luxury and sport. Audis handled like pigs and were unreliable, Mercedes were luxurious but not really sport same with Volvo to an extent.

I would have kept that car, new BMWs are full of electric driver aids and gizmos waiting to go kaboom when the warranty is done and they take away the driver feel. My friend has had no major issues with his but he could be too proud to admit the truth to be honest.

[zhenya]

I'm hoping there's nothing too wrong...everything else is operating as it should, although I wish I had the Pro-Logic setting with FM radio like the SC-901. It already sounds great without the center channel.

Does the 900 have a 3-channel setting? That's what the manual says to use for radio or non-digital sources. I thought the 901 merely had an updated cd changer mechanism but I suppose there could be other small differences.

[bmdubya1198]

The E39 is one of the best cars ever made. My family has had two of them, and I want to get one as soon as I have the money for a good one. Beautiful cars, and they really are the perfect balance between luxury and sport. No better bargain for a nice sport sedan, if you ask me.

[BackRoadSeeker]

That BMW is gorgeous! Nothing like a clean E39, and you had the manual! They were so ahead of their time, truly class leading. I can't think of a better car that balanced luxury and sport. Audis handled like pigs and were unreliable, Mercedes were luxurious but not really sport same with Volvo to an extent.

I would have kept that car, new BMWs are full of electric driver aids and gizmos waiting to go kaboom when the warranty is done and they take away the driver feel. My friend has had no major issues with his but he could be too proud to admit the truth to be honest.

It truly was an amazing car and the M-Sport suspension gave it the perfect ride and handling. I would have loved to keep it, but I had too many cars at the time (it was my fourth) and while pretty DIY friendly, parts ain't cheap for them. Don't think I don't kick myself for it though!! I'm likely not done with the E39 platform, my eventual goal is to own either an E39 M5 or E46 M3. I made the mistake of driving a friend's M5 after I bought my 540, good thing I didn't do it before or I would have been in debt!

New BMW's do nothing for me. My interest died with the E39/E46. The E60 and E90 tempted me briefly because of the N54 turbo engine, but when I learned they had no oil dipstick...nerp. I'm good.

Does the 900 have a 3-channel setting? That's what the manual says to use for radio or non-digital sources. I thought the 901 merely had an updated cd changer mechanism but I suppose there could be other small differences.

It does has the 3-channel setting but no Dolby processing with FM. AFAIK, the 901 added Dolby processing to FM. Might be mistaken though. I thought the 901 also had an equalizer hidden in some of the sub menus.

[zhenya]

It does has the 3-channel setting but no Dolby processing with FM. AFAIK, the 901 added Dolby processing to FM. Might be mistaken though. I thought the 901 also had an equalizer hidden in some of the sub menus.

Looks as if you are correct!

http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/200 ... 70_10c.htm

C - Effect channel volume*
First press the button in slightly to pop it out, then pull the button out completely and turn it to adjust the volume level from the rear speakers (Dolby Pro Logic only).

* The "Effect" button will work only during CD playback in Dolby mode.
* SC-900 - will not function in AM or FM Radio mode.
SC-901 - will not function in AM Radio mode.

I have the 901 but mostly use the 3-channel mode when listening to radio - but most of my radio listening is talk - centers the broadcaster's voice nicely.