Thinking about a P2 V70... experiences/what to look for?

[NorrisHermiston]

So I'm looking for a new daily, mostly a wagon. I've been looking for an e39 BMW 5 series wagon but haven't had much luck finding a decent one recently. I've always liked the look of the P2 V70/XC70's so I started searching those as well. I don't have any experience with them though. What all should I look out for if I check any out?

I know timing belt service, PCV, normal higher mileage car things, but is there anything else specific I should verify, look for, or anything specific to these? Are they relatively reliable if maintained? Most of the e39 wagons I've come across are closer to a project than a daily driver, and idk if I really need that at the moment.

I've heard the facelift 2005-07 are the ones to look for. Would a 2007 2.5T be better than a 2001 T5?
Anyone have any experience with both the P2 Volvos and e39 BMWs? How do they compare?

[cn90]

I have both, BMW E39 and S60.
Both are good cars.

The E39 is very nice on highway but it is RWD, and is an issue on heavy snow. In non-snow climate, it is great.
The S60 is FWD or AWD (Volvo AWD is not very well designed).

Best is to get a paper and pen and go through forums and make notes. Different cars have different esoteric issues.

Look for cars with 100K miles and well maintained.
Then slowly "rebuild" it to bring back to stage 0.
This should give you another 100K miles...

I am not crazy about "200K miles cars"...

[Krons]

I know timing belt service, PCV, normal higher mileage car things, but is there anything else specific I should verify, look for, or anything specific to these? Are they relatively reliable if maintained? Most of the e39 wagons I've come across are closer to a project than a daily driver, and idk if I really need that at the moment.

At 100k I would plan on changing all fluids, struts, lower control arms and engine mounts. Towards 150k while not essential subframe bushings can restore ride quality. All of these are straightforward DIY. CV shafts when they start to fail, typically 150-200k.

[vtl]

FWD V70 with basic 2.4 natural aspiration engine is gutless, but the most reliable among the P2 gang. When maintained, this engine goes to 0.4-0.5M. Automatic transmission needs a new valve body every 100k, until owner installs an external ATF cooler and starts doing drain&fills regularly.

AWD on later cars (with Haldex) is great, on par with Subaru. In snow states of Vermont and New Hampshire you see old Volvos everywhere. Not very reliable, though. My 20 y.o. is on fourth collar sleeve, third driveshaft, second angle gear, second Haldex electric pump.

AWD converted to FWD does not feel the same like factory FWD. Throttle response is still tuned for AWD, so expected bad steer torque.

Otherwise, you are looking to get a 20 y.o. car full of electronics.

[br0dy519]

Unfortunately the wagon is a dead/dying body type. Love living in a world where every single mfg has the exact same SUV.. boring.

I looked at the Audi Allroad a couple months back but the carbon buildup requiring walnut blasting scared me away.

[vtl]

Unfortunately the wagon is a dead/dying body type. Love living in a world where every single mfg has the exact same SUV.. boring.

I looked at the Audi Allroad a couple months back but the carbon buildup requiring walnut blasting scared me away.

Was on a kid's soccer game yesterday, looked around and saw my 05 to be the only wagon in the parking lot and the only car that is actually older than ~10 years. It still looks sexy (and pulls like a rocket, but shhhh!)

[scot850]

I'd avoid 01-02 cars with the earlier transmissions as Volvo used a weird program on the software control. This has likely been updated by now but it does scare owners away. A young guy I know has one with 250,000 miles on it and still running, but it has a replaced transmission for no other fault than a dumbass mechanic not knowing how to refill the trans and removing the wrong bolt wrecking the trans.

Regular drain and fills are the go-to in my opinion on any of the trans out there.

Unless you actually want an AWD, I would avoid them due to extra maintenance which most owners have ignored (Angle gear oil change, Haldex service, diff service). This does not mean they are bad, just if you have no maintenance history of any of this being done it can get expensive in catch up maintenance assuming it is not too late.

The low mileage cars are out there, but even then check what servicing as been done on them. Volvo recommend 50k mile trans flushes but NOT power flushes!

In any wagons the youngest is now 18 years old so you need to expect some possible flaky electrics but not typically bad. One of my friends just found a well maintained 06 V70 T5 with about 105k miles on it near Vancouver. He had to pay up for it as they sell really fast up here as Volvo owners realize or believe the P2 is the last 'good' Volvo made. Good ones with this mileage are selling easily for $8-10k US up here for wagons (V/XC70's). Even with lots of maintenance, on the 1000+ km run home he found the radio is on the fritz and the fuel flap does not lock.

I'd also avoid cars fitted with the 4C adjustable suspension. Up here the shocks are now around $1000 + tax each corner.

These cars can rack up large mileages when maintained well, as I have seen several for sale running well with over 300k miles on them.

I wish you good luck on the hunt!

Neil.