2004 Volvo S60R - Buy or Scram?

cmayo1 · Post by **cmayo1** » 03 Mar 2026, 12:48

I am stuck. There's this pretty Black on Beige S60R with around 150K miles on it. It's an automatic (which I'm okay with; I've owned a manual) and has a boat load of things done to it. I've attached the entire list from the ad. The price he's asking for is too good to be true (under 5k). He's only owned it for a month, and wants to go back to something German. He says there's a small valve cover leak, the CEL comes on due to an exhaust swap, and that he has minimal records. Here's the things I'm worried about:

- Timing Belt done at 80k
- Still has the 4C suspension
- Valve Cover Leak
- Turbosmart CBV installed
- CEL on and off
- Minimal records

And that's about it... if you look at the list of things that's been done, it sounds like a dream, especially for the price point, but if he doesn't have the records I'm not sure what to believe. I had an S60R about 2 years ago, and I miss it. I'm okay with the automatic, as I'm quite short to drive a manual, and the car is already small as it is

I currently drive an ugly XC70 with 240k on it. I trust the car, it has never failed, and the amount of room I have is great, but 90k mile difference is quite substantial. Do I think It's going to quit anytime soon? No. Do I think some money is going to have to be dumped into her in the future? Yes. But I also have put so much into her already. Plus, I know it's problems, it's quirks, and it's upsides. Here's what I've had done:

- Entire exhaust system
- Front Wheel bearings
- Washer fluid sprayer
- Timing Belt
- Timing belt pulleys
- Serpentine belt
- Water Pump
- Spark plugs
- coil packs
- wiring harness
- brakes (front and rear )
- rotors
- pads
- bleed
- winter tires
- trunk struts
- tie rod ends (inner and outer)
- pcv system
- oil pan clean with new gasket
- new transmission fluid (with inline filter)
- regular oil changes
- aftermarket radio
- control arms
- radiator
- strut tower brace
- engine mounts (3/5)
- thermostat
- control arms

Here's what it needs
- Fuel Filler Neck
- Tail Light
- ABS Sensors
- Washer Fluid Box
- CV Axle

What do you think? Am I about to cross the finish line for the XC70 and just giving up? Should I buy the R and potentially flip it if I don't like it? Should I sell my current home and buy one with a 6 car garage w/ a lift so I can have every car I've ever wanted?

Cheers,
Christopher

Post by **MoVolvos** » 03 Mar 2026, 14:26

.
Fix everything on the XC so you have a finished reliable daily. Never know what you’ll run into with the S60R if you do decide to purchase.
.

cmayo1 · Post by **cmayo1** » 03 Mar 2026, 14:55

I think I'm on the same page as you. I already know what's been done, how well it's been done, and what parts I've used (and where I cut corners

). Curious, is posting Facebook Marketplace links frowned upon under this subsection of the forum? I figure I'd throw it on here in case anyone else is hunting.

Post by **matthew1** » 03 Mar 2026, 16:16

Post away. The devil you know is always better than the devil you don't. That said, sometimes there's a speed itch one needs to scratch, and for that he may trade reliability for handling. It's all in what you value most. There is no right answer. Meditate in the sun and your choice will come to you, grasshopper.

Post by **scot850** » 03 Mar 2026, 19:48

S60R with issues. Hm?? Run and keep running. If that timing belt was done more than 10 years ago it is well past due. Kind of points to the lack of past servicing records and wrong maintenance priorities like an IPD muffler over timing belt.

No cheap Volvos out there, especially 'R' models.

Neil.

Post by **jonesg** » 04 Mar 2026, 05:29

test drive, scan codes.
valve cover leak could be head gasket in disguise.

cmayo1 · Post by **cmayo1** » 04 Mar 2026, 06:44

matthew1 wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026, 16:16 Post away. The devil you know is always better than the devil you don't. That said, sometimes there's a speed itch one needs to scratch, and for that he may trade reliability for handling. It's all in what you value most. There is no right answer. Meditate in the sun and your choice will come to you, grasshopper.

You're right about the speed itch. My axles being shot means I can't enjoy accelerating over 2500RPM's. Scheduling a repair for that this week. Far cheaper than a whole 'nother car with more problems.

cmayo1 · Post by **cmayo1** » 04 Mar 2026, 06:45

scot850 wrote: ↑03 Mar 2026, 19:48 S60R with issues. Hm?? Run and keep running. If that timing belt was done more than 10 years ago it is well past due. Kind of points to the lack of past servicing records and wrong maintenance priorities like an IPD muffler over timing belt.

No cheap Volvos out there, especially 'R' models.

Neil.

Agreed. I did my timing belt less than 10k. Not a terrible job, but not in the mood to do it all over again, just for a few more horsies.

cmayo1 · Post by **cmayo1** » 04 Mar 2026, 06:46

Here's the FB Marketplace post if anyone was curious.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/it ... _type=post

He's in Union, CT. The first message to him and he offered me $3500. It felt too good to be true, and it just might be. At the same time, if you have the patience, you might be able to flip it if it's not as bad as it seems.

Post by **erikv11** » 04 Mar 2026, 12:29

As with any used car, if no records then it's a crap shoot.

If any of those suspension parts and the front axles were replaced with low quality parts, they may as well have not been fixed yet at all.

These P2 R's have an issue with cracked block sleeves, that is always the first suspicion if you one advertised for very cheap. If you're wiling to do an engine swap it can be okay ...