Couple quick questions about an R I want to buy

s10lowrider1994 · Post by **s10lowrider1994** » 26 May 2019, 13:35

Have a few quick questions about a car I want to purchase. It’s an 04 v70r and appears to be well taken care of. My current car is a p80 so I don’t have much knowledge of the p2 cars. Anyway this one is said to need a front axle (seller says new one was bad out of the box), and it needs an abs module. Seller has original that needs repair, and used module that’s installed but not mated. We’re not opposed to fixing the issues, just curious what we’re in for cost wise to do it right?

Post by **abscate** » 26 May 2019, 14:36

Someone is using cheap parts. If it’s a flip, avoid it.

One tell tale is when title is either new or third party.

See title before car.

s10lowrider1994 · Post by **s10lowrider1994** » 26 May 2019, 14:42

I don’t think this is a flip. He’s got a bunch of paperwork with it. Seems to be an enthusiast. He’s even got the old parts to come with it. It also even comes with the Vida/dice. My main concern is to make sure that the abs module and the axel sounded legit as far as needed repairs? Or if any of that could be systems of something else.

Post by **oragex** » 26 May 2019, 16:21

How many miles one it ? If memory helps, the ABS module is rather hard to match (software) between cars, and the Volvo dealer doesn't touch unless you buy new$$$ from them. Perhaps the reason he's selling it. So probably you will need luck to find another used ABS module that matches the car, or to send the original old one to Xemodex for repair (a $500 ding)

Keep in mind, these 2004 had the CEM water issue, that may cause troubles sometimes mistaken for ABS or other module. The CEM can also be fixed by CEM (another $500 ding)

For the axle thing, I'd make sure it's not an excuse for other problems such as transmission issues (either auto or man). A drive test is needed. Test the aut transmission well warmed up, the manual pay att to clutch feeling and brake fluid level inside the reservoir (engine out job)

If the angle gear wasn't already fixed, the AWD is probably no longer working

Do a PCV test (Youtube)

Needless to say, these cars need money to keep running.

s10lowrider1994 · Post by **s10lowrider1994** » 26 May 2019, 16:37

It’s at 180k, sending the abs module out for a rebuild isn’t a big deal to me, just wanted to make sure it was something that was doable. The axle is what made me a little leery, but I suppose if it’s aftermarket junk it’s very possible that it was bad. What should I ask in regards to the angle gear?

Post by **abscate** » 27 May 2019, 04:11

Mattymoo doesn’t do the P2 ABS rebuild so source that carefully.

It’s my anecdote that the R cars either seem to be loved or trashed, since they are the performance model.

Selling needing work is a bad sign, especially if you “ can’t drive it with the bad axle but it ran great when parked”

Or , my favourite,

Runs great, but doesn’t have a battery so must be towed.

MDK · Post by **MDK** » 27 May 2019, 04:15

Hey S10 man... so I've read your post... this is my opinion. I hope you have 3-5 thousand dollars of disposable income lying around because your gonna need it...180,000 miles with the few problems you decribed to me .. it's a parts car. I'm not saying that you shouldn't buy it... but why does the other guy have so many receipts? Why does he want to sell it anyway if it's so great? If you're getting this thing for a thousand bucks and can do a lot of the work your self... it's plausible. You need a seasoned Volvo tech to go through it before you buy it. If you want to go fast... get a Mustang GT.

Post by **matthew1** » 27 May 2019, 09:42

If the axle is clicking, it’s just another normal, dead axle. Nothing sinister. 180 means it’s tired. You’ve got to want to do work on her.

Post by **June** » 27 May 2019, 10:05

abscate wrote: ↑26 May 2019, 14:36 Someone is using cheap parts. If it’s a flip, avoid it.

One tell tale is when title is either new or third party.

title before car.

Absolutely agree with Abscate and add to his comments: being AWD a extended test drive is a requirement!!!!! No long test drive = no buy... unless you are a Volvo mechanic. I would not buy a used car of any make until the main dealer for that brand gave it a once over. That hour of labor might save your bacon! June

Post by **abscate** » 27 May 2019, 14:31

Slowrider...( take it easy....

)

It’s an 04 v70r and appears to be well taken care of

Here’s the trap with Volvo.

It is a premium , luxury brand.

Infinitii, Lexii, and Acurae are rebadged nissans, Toyotaae, and Hondae, respectively. The premium fit/ finish on a Volvo will always make it look like a million bucks cleaned up.

The evil costly things lurk under the hood and drivetrain are masked by the high quality finish.