Just bought one of these, car is in good condition and an happy with the purchase.
I know how product forums generally operate (i.e. high volume of those with issues with the product), but even in that context this forum is pretty gloomy.
Is anyone who has one of these vehicles on this site actually happy/ satisfied with the vehicle?
2001 S80 - Anyone actually happy?
I have a 1999 S80 2.9 that I bought used about 5 years ago for my wife. It had 101,000 miles when I bought it and it has about 202,000 miles on it now. I still love the car and the way it drives. Even after 200k miles it feels solid on the road. The interior and trunk space are more than most SUV's can offer. We make lots of long trips with the car and it is by far the most comfortable car I've ever driven long distance. I've done 1000 miles in a day without any back pain.
As far as reliability goes I don't think it has had too many problems over the last 5 years. These cars can still be fairly cheap to maintain if you find a good independent mechanic or do the work yourself. Here are the problems I've had with the car:
1. Clunking in the front end. Turned out to be a couple of large o-ring spacers for the sub frame. I have a post on the board about fixing this. ($20 in parts)
2. One of the fuel injectors locked open and flooded the engine at 120k miles. ($160 injector from the dealer)
3. All of the o2 sensors needed to be replaced. I did this at 190,000 miles and all the sensors were original. I think they lasted well past their expected life. I found them very cheap on Amazon.com. (~$300 for all four)
4. The "J" hose at the charcoal (emissions) canister was cracked and I replaced it. (~$5. spliced with new hose bought from the parts store)
5. Heater core was leaking at 150k miles. Replaced with one from a junkyard. (~$100)
Those are the only major repairs it needed outside of routine maintenance. I don't think that is too bad for a car with 200k of use. Of course, I did the work myself which saved a lot on labor.
I would recommend frequent oil changes on these engines as they can develop sludge problems. I change the oil every 4000 to 5000 miles. If your car has not used synthetic oil in the past then I would stay on conventional oils. Also have the PCV oil trap cleaned out. I do this myself every year along with cleaning out the throttle body. I also flush the transmissions fluid and change the filter every 30,000 miles or so. The timing belts on these cars also need to be changed every 105k miles or so. There are how-to posts for most of these topics in this great forum.
I love the car and plan to keep it for many more years.
Enjoy it!
Omer Khan
'99 S80 2.9
'92 Nissan SE-R
'93 Range Rover Classic (under restoration)
As far as reliability goes I don't think it has had too many problems over the last 5 years. These cars can still be fairly cheap to maintain if you find a good independent mechanic or do the work yourself. Here are the problems I've had with the car:
1. Clunking in the front end. Turned out to be a couple of large o-ring spacers for the sub frame. I have a post on the board about fixing this. ($20 in parts)
2. One of the fuel injectors locked open and flooded the engine at 120k miles. ($160 injector from the dealer)
3. All of the o2 sensors needed to be replaced. I did this at 190,000 miles and all the sensors were original. I think they lasted well past their expected life. I found them very cheap on Amazon.com. (~$300 for all four)
4. The "J" hose at the charcoal (emissions) canister was cracked and I replaced it. (~$5. spliced with new hose bought from the parts store)
5. Heater core was leaking at 150k miles. Replaced with one from a junkyard. (~$100)
Those are the only major repairs it needed outside of routine maintenance. I don't think that is too bad for a car with 200k of use. Of course, I did the work myself which saved a lot on labor.
I would recommend frequent oil changes on these engines as they can develop sludge problems. I change the oil every 4000 to 5000 miles. If your car has not used synthetic oil in the past then I would stay on conventional oils. Also have the PCV oil trap cleaned out. I do this myself every year along with cleaning out the throttle body. I also flush the transmissions fluid and change the filter every 30,000 miles or so. The timing belts on these cars also need to be changed every 105k miles or so. There are how-to posts for most of these topics in this great forum.
I love the car and plan to keep it for many more years.
Enjoy it!
Omer Khan
'99 S80 2.9
'92 Nissan SE-R
'93 Range Rover Classic (under restoration)
-
dtropnevad05
- Posts: 78
- Joined: 11 January 2010
- Year and Model: S-80, 2001
- Location: NW Ohio UAS
Well we bought our Daughter a 2001 S-80 2.9 only had 43K at the time and we love the car just not real happy with how much they charge to get things repaired. I don't think there is any repair that does not come with a $300.00 min price tag. Thank goodness I'm a fairly good shade tree mechanic or I would have to sell it. 
Don
Don
-
dcarlson12
- Posts: 514
- Joined: 2 July 2008
- Year and Model: 1997 850 T5
- Location: Surrey, BC, Canada
- Been thanked: 2 times
Ours is a 99 S80 T6.
We are the third owners. Bought it in February of 2008 at 97,000 miles. It now has 127,000 miles.
I did the timing belt, tension and idlers and water pump at 100,000 miles i.e. a bit earlier than the 105,000 recommendation. Also did a 'flush' of the transmission as a preventive rather than curative measure.
Only 'major' expense was the replacement of the left front wheel hub/bearing assembly. Did the labour myself and the part was approx. CAD$300
Other than that there have been no major issues. (Knock on wood!) One issue I presently have is a small fuel leak somewhere one top of the fuel tank. I suspect it is where the fuel tank connects to the vapour canister but it is not a big deal. It is just a very small leak more in the nature of a fume leak than liquid but it is enough to set the CEL light because it allows air into the vapour capture system a too high a rate. Car drives very comfortably and is the only real 'luxury' car we have ever owned so we are hoping to keep for awhile and that the transmission does not bite the dust or other major component will fail. Am running Mobil 1 full synthetic.
We are the third owners. Bought it in February of 2008 at 97,000 miles. It now has 127,000 miles.
I did the timing belt, tension and idlers and water pump at 100,000 miles i.e. a bit earlier than the 105,000 recommendation. Also did a 'flush' of the transmission as a preventive rather than curative measure.
Only 'major' expense was the replacement of the left front wheel hub/bearing assembly. Did the labour myself and the part was approx. CAD$300
Other than that there have been no major issues. (Knock on wood!) One issue I presently have is a small fuel leak somewhere one top of the fuel tank. I suspect it is where the fuel tank connects to the vapour canister but it is not a big deal. It is just a very small leak more in the nature of a fume leak than liquid but it is enough to set the CEL light because it allows air into the vapour capture system a too high a rate. Car drives very comfortably and is the only real 'luxury' car we have ever owned so we are hoping to keep for awhile and that the transmission does not bite the dust or other major component will fail. Am running Mobil 1 full synthetic.
I bought my 2000 s80 2.9L a few years back with 219K - got a great deal due to the mileage and scary ABS codes pending. It now has 289K and gets me everywhere I need to go in comfort. I have had some repairs, but considering the mileage, I think it has been quite reliable. Repairs have included replacements of the upper torque mount (2), strut mount, coil, siren module, CVVT valve, a rear window regulator, a driver door lock module, an ABS module (rebuild), and a front axle assembly. I have also flushed the tranny, cleaned the ETM, and installed sport springs, upgraded the struts and shocks, and of course put tires on it, replaced bulbs, and done oil changes.
It is perhaps what I have not had to do that has amazed me most. I still have the brake pads and rotors that were on there when I purchased it (no telling how many miles were on them prior). A dealer told me that the timing belt was done at 100K, but I have elected not to do it again and just inspect it regularly - so far so good. Never any problems with the tranny at all. Doesn't burn or leak oil, and engine continues to run strong with mileage 20-25 mpg (regular gas). The only persistent problem has been the CVVT code that won't clear despite replacement of the CVVT valve, but it doesn't noticeably affect the engine's performance.
If I had to rely on the (now defunct) dealer, I would have an entirely different view. Their charges were exorbitant, made worse by their incompetence (I have a horror story). I've been able to do all my own work (other than coding keys and remotes), and get good deals on parts from e-Bay and internet sellers. A copy of VADIS and the BSR diagnostic tool (to read and clear codes for all the modules) have been great investments. I have been so pleased, I am now looking to give the car to my teenage son and get another S80 (00-04) with a bit lower mileage!
It is perhaps what I have not had to do that has amazed me most. I still have the brake pads and rotors that were on there when I purchased it (no telling how many miles were on them prior). A dealer told me that the timing belt was done at 100K, but I have elected not to do it again and just inspect it regularly - so far so good. Never any problems with the tranny at all. Doesn't burn or leak oil, and engine continues to run strong with mileage 20-25 mpg (regular gas). The only persistent problem has been the CVVT code that won't clear despite replacement of the CVVT valve, but it doesn't noticeably affect the engine's performance.
If I had to rely on the (now defunct) dealer, I would have an entirely different view. Their charges were exorbitant, made worse by their incompetence (I have a horror story). I've been able to do all my own work (other than coding keys and remotes), and get good deals on parts from e-Bay and internet sellers. A copy of VADIS and the BSR diagnostic tool (to read and clear codes for all the modules) have been great investments. I have been so pleased, I am now looking to give the car to my teenage son and get another S80 (00-04) with a bit lower mileage!
-
537playing
- Posts: 261
- Joined: 15 June 2007
- Year and Model: 2005 S60
- Location: New York
- Has thanked: 1 time
- Been thanked: 5 times
dcarlson12 wrote:Ours is a 99 S80 T6.
We are the third owners. Bought it in February of 2008 at 97,000 miles. It now has 127,000 miles.
I did the timing belt, tension and idlers and water pump at 100,000 miles i.e. a bit earlier than the 105,000 recommendation. Also did a 'flush' of the transmission as a preventive rather than curative measure.
Only 'major' expense was the replacement of the left front wheel hub/bearing assembly. Did the labour myself and the part was approx. CAD$300
Other than that there have been no major issues. (Knock on wood!) One issue I presently have is a small fuel leak somewhere one top of the fuel tank. I suspect it is where the fuel tank connects to the vapour canister but it is not a big deal. It is just a very small leak more in the nature of a fume leak than liquid but it is enough to set the CEL light because it allows air into the vapour capture system a too high a rate. Car drives very comfortably and is the only real 'luxury' car we have ever owned so we are hoping to keep for awhile and that the transmission does not bite the dust or other major component will fail. Am running Mobil 1 full synthetic.
Give a call to your dealer regarding the gas fumes. Volvo just announced a recall. I'm sure your fuel pump, which is causing the smell/leak, is covered.
-
dcarlson12
- Posts: 514
- Joined: 2 July 2008
- Year and Model: 1997 850 T5
- Location: Surrey, BC, Canada
- Been thanked: 2 times
Aren't they supposed to call or notify owners by mail if there is a recall issued? I hate dealing with the dealer...
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post