Hi everyone,

I'm seriously considering buying a 2000 S70 SE. It's being sold for about $13,000 and has 30,000 miles on it. My concerns are twofold: one is the question of unreliability of some Volvo models, and the second is the reputation of high costs for fixing any problems that may arise. So, can anyone help me out and comment on validity of these two issues? Can most of the mechanical issues I read about in these forums be addressed by my regular mechanic or do most problems need to be addressed by the much more costly and less helpful dealerships?

Thanks so much for any help.

We have a 1999 S70 with 110,000 mile on it. The ETM went at about 98,000. Really nothing else,but for a cracked dash (the plastic near the windshield). Just replaced original battery.

I have a 2000 S70 SE with approx 85k miles on it. The only major problem I had with it was the ETM acting up at 69.9k which was replaced under warranty. At that time the warranty was 7y/70k. Just a week ago I got a notice from Volvo stating they increased the warranty period. I think it's now 10y/200k. I also had a loose speaker connection in the driver's door which was taken care of under warranty too. Twice during the 5 1/2 years I've owned the car, the dash lights would come on by themselves for a fraction of a second.

I have a 1997 S70. Needed to replace the AC evaporator (expensive at A$1500), ABS unit (A$560), Master widow switch module (A$300). Excellent running gear - no problems with engine, transmission, suspension, steering etc in 150,000 km. Very reliable - just hop in turn the ignition and off you go. Has never broken down. Good mileage at 10 L for 100 km city driving. Very comfortable seats.

Bad points - Wimpy air conditioning system as with other Volvo models (I have had an 850 and a 240 before), squeaks and rattles as the body is not very stiff, again common to other Volvo models.

Sunroof stuck open in long term parking lot of Newark International airport, upper engine mount/torque arm bushing, 3 power door locks, AC leaks including evaporator, cabin temp sensor x3, seat belt mechanism replaced, thermostat, radiator, heater core, then 1 1/2 years later, leaking again at the hose gaskets, warped rear rotors, seized both front brake calipers at different times, ABS module, parking brake shoes in rear drums de-laminated, on fourth battery, struts and shocks, stabilizer bar end links three times, ball joints, tie rod, rear window washer leak - repaired and leaking again, turbo oil return line "O" ring, oil filler cap gasket leak x4, drip rail moldings peeling, windshield wiper skipping - since car was new, seat belt door panel damage, coolant reservoir cap cracked, glove box latch, rocking driver's seat, seat foam and bottom upholstery, trip computer switch ("DISC" reading), AGAIN!!!! ignition switch complete failure, loose tailgate panel, 1 stereo speaker, SC816 stereo radio main unit. PS reservoir cap leaks and Volvo's only available replacement cap won't fit the reservoir! Last summer my AC simultaneously sprang a leak while the compressor took a dump. Now there are about 2 pieces in the AC system that haven’t been replaced.

Lately: tie rod end, ball joint and the push nuts that hold the heat shield over the muffler up rusted through, dropping the heat shield onto the muffler. Also the sunroof now occasionally leaks.

My wife said “Wow, this car sure has a lot of squeaks and rattles (after I spent 2 weekends trying to track ‘em down!) (She drives a Honda Odyssey now. Her SECOND. We just replaced Oddy #1 to give it to daughter #1, the musician)

Plus, probably, a bunch of other stuff I don't remember.

Clutch is original, now slipping just a bit, and the 5-speed transmission still shifts like new. Engine still uses no oil. Still LOVE the car! I MUST be a masochist! (Or I must be be stubborn enough to want to take one car, just once in my life, up to 200,000 miles!)

Is all this stuff abnormal? I mean, do I have any confidence that a BMW or Audi or Mercedes would be better?

Over 166,000 miles, probably not.

But you really, Really, REALLY need to find a tame indy Volvo shop. The dealers are bad enough when the car is under warranty.


-BTC

'98 V70 T5 5-speed, 166k mi, front IPD stabilizer bar, rear factory HD bar, Bilstein HD, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, e-codes, V-1, Mobil-1 since new

"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair." -- Douglas Noel Adams (1952-2001)

I have a 1999 (bought in Oct. 1998) Volvo S70 with a 5 speed manual.

The car now has 140,000 miles on it. It has been virtually trouble free knock on wood.

- 1 set of brake pads
- Replaced shocks with Bilstine (for better performance)
- One ETM replaced (900 bucks but I am supposed to get reimbursed)
- One AC Evaporator. local indy did it for 600

That is it in 140,000 miles other than timing belt change at 100K, a few serpantine belts changes and fluid changes, oil, filter, coolent, manual tranny oil etc. (I am a nut)

The car spends its life in NH, harsh winters etc.

Best of luck

Of course dealers charge an arm and a leg. That's why some companies have insurance policies they sell. You should be able to get one to cover the car up to 100K miles. Well worth it if you rely on a dealer.
Most "fixes" can be DIY or trusty independent, with the exception of the ETM which is now covered by the factory. The A/C evaporator is quite expensive to replace, and it will be replaced sometime. No Volvo is as expensive as my wife's A4Q2.8, which just got a bill over $3300.

Klaus
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(V♂LV♂s 1975 164, 1995 854T, 1998 V70R)

I agree...with 30K miles, I would definitely go for it...just try to get the guy to come down on his price some. At that few miles, you may still be under original factory warranty for awhile, or has time expired? Remember that the timing belt should be changed early for time sake...don't wait until 100K miles, like is recommended...this car is way under-driven for being 5 years old.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.

I have a 00 S70 GLT SE and mine has 76k on it. I have only had a few problems with it other than normal maintenance. the problems were EtM at 56k and then the master window switch has gone out twice. My question is besides the SE whells what is different about a SE. I have a 95 BMW 540I with 80k and the transmision has developed a problem, I was qouted 4K for a transmision. I really apreciate BMW and their policy on lifetime fill on transmision and rear end fluid. So, the S70 has been very reliable to me and not very expensive to maintain.

Thanks
Dennis

00 S70 GLT SE 76k
95 855 Turbo 150k
95 BMW 540I 80k

Dennis,

The SE has electronic climate control, leather, sunroof, etc. (all the goodies). The GLT SE is turbo, but the regular SE is N/A.

Joe S. - Volvo Master Technician

2000 S70 AWD, 1981 242 Turbo w/intercooler

Hello, Does it also have nivomatic shocks also like the old se's 940 and 240 era cars. I wa just wondering because the ride has become very stiff lately. I bought the car with 36k miles on it and it has never been the smoothest ride, but lately it has gotten realy bad. when i first got it I thought it was because of the low profile tires. I fit does have the nivomatic shocks, wich I have heard are very expensive to replace. can I replace the m with just regular shocks.
Thanks
Dennis

Nivovatic or self-adjusting shocks are found only on AWD in this series. The S70 SE is only FWD, so the answer is "no," it does not have nivomatic shocks.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon. My cars have been running so well lately they've got me worried.

Dunno know about the S70 (as opposed to the V70), but Nivomats were very definitely available as an option on the 2WD V70 when I ordered my car.

(When the salesperson asked if I wanted to order them, I was horrified at the thought, and reflexively clutched my wallet!)

A factory HD suspension was also an option in '98 (but not '99), and I ordered that, but my car ain't got no Nivomats!

-BTC

'98 V70 T5 5-speed, 166k mi, front IPD stabilizer bar, rear factory HD bar, Bilstein HD, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, e-codes, V-1, Mobil-1 since new, Michelin X-Ice on steelies

"The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair." -- Douglas Noel Adams (1952-2001)