High mileage S80 T6: good deal, or run away screaming?

[slickdizzy]

Hello all, I normally don't get to the Volvo corners of the internet (I'm a BMW guy), but my father recently sold his truck and has asked me to help him find something more comfortable and easier on his back. While I have been trying to get him into an E39 5-series or E38 7-series, a few too many of them seem to be owned by sketchy eastern European guys who have no clue of the vehicle's service history...

Anyways, I found what is (seemingly) a real nice S80 T6 locally, linked here:
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/2811478321.html

I have spoken to the owner, the car has 210k miles, and he has receipts for a recent (5k ago) full timing belt/tensioner/water pump service, trans output shaft seal, TVVC solenoid, and new ignition coils, along with routine maintenance like a tune-up and thermostat. What I really worry about with the mileage is a) the turbos and b) the "lifetime fluid" transmission (same bullshit as BMW ZF automatics). I'm probably going to have a look at the car this weekend, what should I look out for? Outside of the worrying turbos and transmission, the car seems to have a great service history, and its sale in the suburbs instead of the big city lends a bit of credence to the thought that it may not have been beaten hard in its lifetime.

Any and all info you guys could give me would be much appreciated!

[jblackburn]

It's a T6. Run away as fast as you can.

Transmissions just explode for no reason whatsoever without warning.

[boosted5cyl]

If the car showed signs of lack of maintenance I would run, but since this seems to have been well cared for....

Turbos are not really a worry area, if the car appears to have been well maintained they should be fine. I pulled mine apart during a head rebuild and they were still well within spec, they had 186K on them at that stage and I'm not afraid to spool them up.

Pretty sure there is no mention of lifetime fluid for these trannies, in any case its not relevant because "lifetime" is a subjective term and you already know the scam surrounding it. They are a weak spot because the T6 puts out just about the max torque that it was designed for. I would say if the transmission has not been replaced then budget for a replacement during the ownership, depending on how long you plan owning it I guess. That said, an e38 or e39 with the same miles I would say the same thing, just in case.

Just like the e38 and e39, the S80 is a CANBUS car. Lot of funky electronics, so check everything that you can electrically and electronically.

Other than that, just check it over and test it like any other car. Check the PCV system for blockage, remove the dipstick when the motor is warm, there should be an ever so slight vacuum.

The ETM (Electric Throttle Module) sometimes fail, if the car has a yellow sticker on the underneath of the inlet manifold it should be fine, if not budget $500/ask seller to knock down price accordingly.

Price is too high for my comfort zone. The market might dictate otherwise, but judging from the edmunds TMV its overpriced. KBB values are good for an insurance claim, thats about it. Ive attached the TMV result, its a little on the low side considering that its a very comfortable, reasonably powerful sedan, but it gives you a bargaining chip.