05 V70 R

[Mark31]

Hi everyone, I'm new here and wanted your opinions.
I've been doing alot of research on Volvos and like what I see, I want to purchase one in the next few months. That being said. I found a 05 V70 R unfortunately it has a blown head gasket. What are your thoughts and what other things should I look out for. My hope was to pick it up cheap and fix it or should I just move on.
Thanks for your help.

[erikv11]

Those engines are prone to cracked cylinder linings. So be on the lookout for that, for sure.

Other expensive items to watch out for on any 05 R:
- front 4C struts (~$800 in parts for DIY job, easy like a typical strut job)
- rear 4C shocks (~$500 in parts for DIY job, huge PITA to access and swap)
- AWD system is commonly not working, fixes range from Haldex oil pump ($380 in parts, common) to angle gear ($more, common) to DEM module ($more, less common) or driveshaft (less common).

Otherwise it's like any aging 05 Volvo: various maintenance things to look for.

[scot850]

The P2 R has some issues that are less common with other P2's.

Engine wise they can score bores and crack bores. So I would be wary of buying one with a 'head gasket issue' unless you can verify or at least do a engine visual externally especially at the back for block cracks and a borescope on the engine bores for scoring.

You probably can't drive it so you can't easily check the AWD system, the 4-C shocks work and all the electronics unless you have a copy of Vida and can scan the car.

Personally I would walk away, actually run!

Neil.

[matthew1]

Welcome Mark. What are you looking for? A long term project to shine up and feel good about your wrenching?

A daily?

A low-cost fun car to fix and drive? (warning klaxon sound)

[jonesg]

if a car doesn't run its a partsmobile. $200 to 500.

[Mark31]

Welcome Mark. What are you looking for? A long term project to shine up and feel good about your wrenching?

A daily?

A low-cost fun car to fix and drive? (warning klaxon sound)

Hi Matthew, I am looking for something that I can put some money into and have a decent daily. I've settled on a V70 or XC70. I would like to lift it a bit and put some bigger tires on. I appreciate everyone's opinions and look forward to letting you guys know my progress.

[matthew1]

Mark, you could get lucky and find a P2 sample that is a blessed car. In that case you’ll get away with some money into it.

Then there is the non-blessed regular P2 which will cost more to get the same results. Then there’s the cursed car.

Sounds like you’ve turned a wrench before so I won’t go on and on about how to find a decent Volvo sample. My forum here has a lot of advice on that if you want to search.

Everybody’s philosophy is a little different on this, but mine starts with finding the right Volvo. It’s paramount. And even if you do all your homework, snake eyes can strike.

I will say the best single piece of advice I’ve ever read that slots in nicely with my Used Volvo Buying Doctrine is to buy it from a wealthy zip code. So simple, elegant, logical, and easy. Thank Abscate (moderator here) for that wisdom.

[scot850]

Service history, service history, service history!! This is the first thing I ask for unless I am looking for a project, then I go and look it over very carefully, but can not always guarantee everything is good and the owner has suddenly got amnesia.

As Matthew says, there are good cars, or even reasonable ones needing some catch up maintenance, but Volvo's are not alone in that.

If you can wrench a bit, then the guys here are great at helping advise and help with diagnosing issues and potential ways forward.

As long as we all remember the youngest P2 wagon is now 16 years old, most people never service the AWD system or trans, then you will find a good car but be careful. I wish you the best of luck, and the guys/ladies are here to help when needed!

Neil.

[abscate]

Mark, grab the VIN and ask Dave Brunsted in ITHACA if he ever serviced the car.

V70Rs tend to fall into the abused or pristine categories.