Hi,

I am new to the Volvo world after two decades of owning BMWs. With our first baby on the way our needs have changed and suddenly a wagon makes perfect sense - (especially over an SUV or minivan!). After an unsuccessful 6 month search for a used 5 series Wagon (they are very hard to find!), I've decided that the newer Volvo wagons are also a great solution. I've been studying Volvos and think the 850 and V70 models are nearly perfect for our needs.

What I would like to know is general information about reliability. I have heard that the early 850 (1993) and the early V70 (1998) are both years to avoid. Is that your experience? Any information appreciated!

Thanks,

Craig

My 1998 V70-T5a is 3 years old with 47000 miles. I bought my wife a 1999 BMW 540i to let me have my Volvo (most days anyway). It's MY car.

I think that Volvo front seats are the among most comfortable in the world.

The only problems have been air leaks through the door handles and the turn signal bulb sockets burning out the bulb contact wires. A 3rd seat might be nice for toting a cub scout pack. The 2nd seat gets old after a couple hours for adults over 5'6". But, we have taken trips with another couple for days without anyone getting grouchy. I have seen used a 1998 V70-T5 in excellant condition for around $20,000. That would be a great buy.

Regards,

Art

which, sadly enough, BMW North America never saw fit to import.

I was considering a BMW wagon for my next car, for reasons I can't fathom, only the 2.5 liter is available in the wagon body in the US, not the 3.0 and for '02 cloth seats aren't available in North America, not even by special order. The 540iT is automatic only. Screw 'em, I'll buy another Volvo.

I have a '98 V70 T5M ...internal Volvo nomenclature, A=automatic, M=manual; up to and including '97, the first digit is the model, the second is the number of cylinders (usually) and the third is the number of doors. An 855A would be an 850 automatic wagon. After '98, S=sedan, C=coupe/convert, and V=...no, not "vagen" V="versitile". (They actually pay people to do this!)

I've had over 30 problems and recalls with my '98. Mostly minor and sometimes very minor stuff, it left me stranded exactly once, when the battery died. But it's an "unusual" car, and a lot of fun. The T5 is the 236 HP high-pressure turbo, and mine is the 5-speed manual, in the wagon body. It is an absolute hoot to smoke sports cars and sporty cars with a Volvo station wagon at the stoplight Grand Prix. One of life's little pleasures. The only options I have are the "cold weather package", which consists low speed traction control, headlight washers and heated seats, and the factory sports suspension. Cloth seats, and they've held up pretty well. I have 80,000 miles now, and the clutch is still OK, and the gearbox still shifts smoothly. Since my prior Saabs had transmission problems by this time I'm impressed.

Check out "Kino's Volvo Site", the 850 owner's survey in the February 1998 issue Road & Track, and the April "new car" issue of Consumer Reports. The first is on the internet, the last two are available at your library. Due diligence, know what you're getting into.

The "big" 850-SVC70 problem areas are the automatic transmission and the AC evaporator. I've "heard" that if the automatic is taken care of, with frequent fluid changes, it will live forever. No guarantees, though. I don't know what to tell you about the AC evaporators, except when it fails, consider a non-Volvo replacement.

Good luck in any case!

-Groundhog

'98 V70T5M, 80k, white/beige, IPD stabilizer bars (currently with loose bushings), Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, Dunlop SP 5000s, Valentine-1

As a former Bimmer owner, you might be one of the few around that would appreciate the 5 spd manual of the base version. Though it is only 168 hp, the manual allows for good acceleration and "sporty" driving without the worries of the auto tranny failures that seem to be not uncommon in the 850/V70 family. I get 28-29 mpg on the highway and 25-26 mixed driving with my '94 855M. The clutch is still original after 230,000 miles. The tranny still shifts very well. No worn syncro's. Best manual I've had.

The biggest (most costly) worries in these cars appear to be the A/C evaporators and auto trannies (certainly not all, but enough to be concerned)

As for the Turbos, one almost never hears of a failure. Not at all like the 80's vintage units that lasted about 100k.

All in all, you'll like the Volvo wagons. You're about to see what kind of re-sale value they command. Not pretty when you're the one shopping! At least up in the Northeast. Suspension won't be on par with the 5-series though, but you'll get over it!

PS- don't shy away from cloth interior, either. It looks like it holds up better than the leather. My '94 grey velour looks much better than many newer cars with leather.

good luck

Claude

'94 855M 230 k mi. (orig owner)

lots and lots of 2002's all thru the 70's and 80's!

Hey, just curious, how did you come to believe that an mid 80's turbo would last 100k? I have never owned one but from what I have seen on the other forum is people talking about their turbos lasting 250k doing good maintenence. I also have never heard of turbo failure on rwd .I am not by any means trying to start a war here, I just have heard differently.

Keep Brickin'!

Whitt Wilkins

probably should've kept my mouth shut on that Turbo remark, but I have seen a handful of older ones fail early. I believe it was the lack of intercooler on the older models coupled with people shutting them off before cooling them down. I do know of a fellow that has over 250k miles on his 740T with no failure, but he's also very meticulous with his cars and maintenance.

Thanks Claude,

I would appreciate the 5 speed, but this one is for my wife who has a horrible bumper-to-bumper commute over floating bridges to the vast suburban wasteland surrounding Seattle. Because of that, she wants an automatic which probably does make sense.

That's too bad about the auto's not holding up that well, I have always prefered manuals, and that is one of the reasons. I suppose one of the best ways around that (other than buying new which I won't do) is to find a low mileage, low-testosterone single owner example.

After what I've learned, a 1997 850 GLT with low mileage would be nearly perfect. The 190hp puts it even with a 525iT (wagon) which I am familiar with and really enjoy driving. My 535i (5 speed!) BMW, which I will keep has well over 200 hp, but I must admit, I rarely take advantage of it (it's just not that fun not having an autobahn handy) and I wouldn't mind the better fuel consumption.

I'm amazed to say that in Seattle, Volvos seem to depreciate surpisingly quickly. I think that is due to what a German friend (and huge Volvo fan)who just visited thinks is almost an over supply of them here. They seem to be the most common car here after Honda. It looks like I can get a fairly low mileage fully loaded 850 from 97 for under $17,000 US. Considering these cost around $34,000 only four years ago, that's pretty nasty depreciation, but all the better for me! Used Volvos are clearly a better value than used BMWs at least in Seattle.

By the way, where do you live that you have a '94 855M? In the US, for some reason, they decided the final digit should always be a "0" leaving nothing to indicate if the vehicle is a sedan or wagon. And what's the "M"? Certainly not a Volvo "M"otorsport version?

Thanks for all the information!

Craig

BMW 535i (e34) with 110,000 miles,

Former 1975 3.0si and 1969 2002 owner

looks like Ray answered your question re: 855M!

Wish we could get '97 T wagons around here for under 20K! I don;t think you'll find a better long term value if you tend to hold on to cars. The '97 should go and go. Parts are generally as easy to replace as on any other car (easier for lots of things)

Just be sure to look closely at the tranny fluid. Burnt dark smell....beware!

Probably a good precaution would be to negotiate a tranny fluid change with the car's purchase, if that's a possibility. And check to see when the last brake fluid change occured. The cars like that :-)

good luck

claude

In the past, the middle number of the Volvo model was often the

number of cylinders and the last number was number of doors. So

an 855 is an 800 series, 5 cylinder, 5 door (wagon). M means

manual transmission and A is auto (when specified). This is how

the earlier 100, 200, 700 series basically did it -- Volvo never

did it this way for the 800 series but many drivers and dealers

still use 855 to specify a wagon. (Although I think there are

760s with 4 cylinder engines, so it is not that straight forward).

With the 70 series they went with S for sedan and V for wagon

(versatile) and C for coupe.

I've had great experience with my 70 (a '98 sedan). The most persistent problems on a 98 V70 will probably have been fixed by now (recalls issued for some headlight and turn signal issues). Reviewers feel the 70 is a nicer ride but the newer engineering let a few gremlins into the process. But all cars (bimmers, too) have their lists of small issues. You won't go wrong with either a late 855 or the V70, all things on balance. Check for proper and consistent maintenance, look for a turbo, and make your best deal.

David

98 S70 T5SE / 92 940 GLE

Thanks David. I should have added that Consumer's Reports actually has the 98 V70 on their "Bad" list. In looking at their reliability through the years, the V70 does have a black mark for electrical. Perhaps that's what Volvo has taken care of in their recalls.

I have driven an 850 (168hp), and 850 Turbo (222hp), a V70(168hp?) and a V70 GLT(190hp)and have to say although the 222 (high pressure turbo) feels great, I feel more comfortable with the low pressure 190hp turbo. But that is mostly because I've always avoided turbos. Are they really pretty solid these days?

The turbos are pretty reliable -- not up to the reliabilty of

a claw hammer, but close. Your transmission is more likly to

be the problem area (or air conditioning).

The 70 series ride is much improved over the 800 series (unless

you like a really, really stiff ride). We have a 95 850 GLT wagon

and a 98 S70 T5M and the 70 series rides much better (but not too

soft). I've driven the low pressure turbo models for

an extended time and really liked that engine. The high pressure

turbo cars are a bit "high strung" (edgy, always wanting to take

off and accelerate) and the LPT felt more "calm" and refined. Ok,

weird way to describe it but I bet Volvo owners know what I mean.

There are a couple threads below on 98 models from another

possible buyer asking similar questions. Check those out for

advice on 98s.