'02 V70 XC AWD Pre-purchase Questions

[zombielinux]

I'm looking at buying a 2002 V70 XC. I've already been to see and test drive it once, and here's what I know so far.

• Its got 114,000 mi (183,000km) on the odometer.
• Its a one family car (grandparents owned it until around 100k miles, then passed to granddaughter).
• The grandparents serviced it at a dealer.
• The daughter takes it to a reputable mechanic.
• The tires are less than a year old.

Here's the rub, the owner says the left front wheel randomly locks up. When it does, she has to pull over, turn the car off, wait for a bit, then turn it back on and all is well.

This tells me a few things.

• Its not a caliper sticking (she says she had them replaced) because it wouldn't retract on its own if the car was off.
• Its not the master cylinder, because it would affect diagonal wheels at the same time, and this is isolated to only one.
• Its something electric/computerized, otherwise a car shutdown/reset wouldn't solve it.

Her mechanic says its the Brake Control Module. My guy says its the Brake Control Module (as described over the phone). And these fine forums seem to indicate the same. I'm inclined to believe three independent sources are correct, and the range for repair is $500-$1500.

Other things I already know I need to check/do:

• If the transmission was updated with P/N 30646691 regarding the Stop-Neutral shutdown.
• The auto-dimming rear view mirror needs to be replaced
• Oil/Filter/Blackstone Analysis (force of habit on any new car)
• Trans Fluid Check

That being said. Shes asking a fair price ($2000<$x<$3000).
I've got significant mechanical experience (MGs, Motorcycle restorations, engineering degree, etc.), but at the same point would need this to be wife-approved.
I'm pretty handy and have a plethora of tools.

What sort of problems can I expect to pop up in the next few years? And would this be a reliable vehicle to invest in? This would be my first Volvo.

My plan is for me to take the car to my Volvo guy tomorrow morning to have him do an inspection on it.

If you've got any other questions you would ask the seller or check on the car, please feel free to mention them.

[matthew1]

Besides front wheel lockup (odd problem, uncommon), your list is transmission, then Stage 0 items. List meaning both what to check before buying and what to do after.

Between $2k and $3k isn't bad, but be aware that if say you spend say $2500*, you'll have trouble getting that back out of it. That's my litmus test for a good deal: how quickly I can turn around and sell it for what I bought it for.

There are lots of these P2 XC70 (V70 XC actually until 2003 or 2004) models out there. 2001 and 2002 are notorious for transmission problems because of the stop-neutral software and the "sealed" transmissions. The transmission and fluid was not a service item, so if an owner had it serviced at the dealer its whole life, the fluid wasn't ever changed. Huge problem.

*I don't know about regional valuation differences for Georgia, but here that would be around average. I wouldn't pay that much for a 2002. At $1200 it would be a buy for me. There's just too many of them out there that people don't want. It keeps the resale value down.

[zombielinux]

Gotcha. Well we are also looking at an '06 (150k) that we are about to inspect, and a '98 ( supposedly 96k) after that. I don't think the '06 has the same Achilles heels as the '02 and I think the same for the '98. Am I about right?

[oragex]

As Matthew says, this model is about the most fragile Volvo out there. It may be a big gamble that can turn in something not worth repairing. But it can also be a good car, depends on your luck.

All these had problems with the throttle body. Very expensive repair, and no other options but to get a new one. Make sure it has already been replaced.

The AWD is almost surely about to go or already failed. Both the mechanical gear sleeve and the DEM module are very prone to fail. The DEM is extremely expensive to replace and may or may not be repairable by Xemodex. The car won't run when the DEM fails.

As for the locking wheel, it may be this https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/vie ... 0662a4d4ac

Then you are definitely in for a timing belt unless hopefully already replaced, and some front suspension refresh, spring seats, control arms

The rear view mirror is not a cheap repair, not sure if it can be replaced with a manual mirror - a much better option in my opinion.

[zombielinux]

Alright. So after talking with my better half, the '02 is off the table.

The '98 we saw was a complete heap. The ODO said 96K, but reading the ECU, it said 460K. It very much looked like the latter.

The '06 was in better shape. Its FWD only, has some cosmetic issues on the body (chips dings and light scrapes). The owner wants $4200 for 150K miles (which seems a bit steep IMHO)
Its main issues that I could see and that the owner mentioned:

• Passenger rear door doesn't open from the inside. Sounds to me like a broken internal plastic coupling or some such.
• Grease oozing from drivers axle. Looks to me like a replacement is in order.
• Slight pulsating from the brakes during hard breaking. Front Right pad seems more worn than front left. Rear seem fine. Maybe warped rotors? Maybe something to do with the axle?
• Sunroof doesn't tilt down by itself. Requires external force to close. Doesn't leak though. Maybe a non-issue.
• What appears to be the EGR tube is split. I'm guessing this is the ribbed metal flexible tube that goes from the exhaust manifold in the rear of the engine to the airbox inlet? I guess it was about 1.5" in diameter.

Any advice? or do we just skip all we've seen so far and be patient (which we can afford to be)

[matthew1]

Yes, be patient. There are many 2000s Volvos out there. Plenty of fish.

[oragex]

The '98 we saw was a complete heap. The ODO said 96K, but reading the ECU, it said 460K. It very much looked like the latter.

quite a rollback almost a time machine

The very best bet is something around 120 miles with a second owner that has done all repairs needed from 100k to 120k miles. Most of first owners sell it at 100k miles just before the car needs a timing belt (the water pump is not replaced before 200k miles) a new suspension and a couple of other things.

I'd skip on that 06. The tube to the airbox is only on non turbo models, brings hot air to the intake in winter. But the axle and sunroof things surely point out the owner didn't took care of the car. Granted it has plenty of other issues

[abscate]

That wheel locking up could be easily diagnosed by pulling the fuse for the ABS PUMP.

ILL take a low mileage car any day. If you have a budgetbof 5k for car plus repairs you can get into this. Cheaper than that means a year or two of looking, unless you are in TN

[precopster]

The 2002 V70 XCs have a Bosch throttle. Volvo kept the Magnetti Marelli unit during 2002 for non turbo models.

The 2002 XCs have newer engine sensors (cam sensor is on the intake cam and made by Denso and crank sensor is also updated and made by Denso)
Apart from a Bosch ECM and MAF Volvo pretty much is divorced from Bosch for engine management devices.


They also still have CVVT on exhaust only and still have a 2435cc capacity.

The 2003 and up had 2521cc capacity due to a longer stroke crankshaft and also have dual CVVT and have a small raise in ponies and a flatter torque curve.

2003s and upward have less transmission problems but can still be prone to electrical gremlins such as CEM (Central Module) and DIM (Dashboard display)

Whatever you choose the most fastidiously kept example with a great service history is always best, especially owners who religiously changed oil at less than the ridiculously high factory interval.

[zombielinux]

abscate, Why do you say if I'm in TN? I'm close enough that for the right car, it might be worth a drive.

Would you recommend staying away from the AWD models? I know they are more complex/expensive to fix, but they seem to be trending 1K less down here in GA.

Again, we can afford to be patient and pull the trigger on the right one.