Well, I just got back from Roger Beasley Volvo in Austin with the new daily driver. She's in her new stable at the casa here in Boerne. No major hickup's....just the occasional "click" sound coming from the front end when I hit a bump. I'm suspecting worn tower bushings and/or cv joints? When I had it on the lift before I inked the deal, I didn't notice anything worn on the suspension. I also didn't hear these noises when I took it on a lengthy test drive....of course, no bumpy roads near the dealership (go figure).
Other than that, the car rides and handles tight..better than my iPD equipped 740GL. Wow, what a huge difference between the two! The T5 just feels so amazing in power and handling. The highway drive was awesome...the seats have to be the very best in the industry....I've never sat in anything so comfortable! Once I figure out where the noise is coming from...I'll be calling my friend Ken over at iPD to hook me up with some parts. I have an independent shop (within walking distance from my house) install the parts I provide as well as do the "big jobs". I just don't have the time.....but I think I want to change that...I really want to know how to work on these cars. It doesn't look all that complicated. I have tools and a lot of garage space.
At any rate...I'm keeping my finger's crossed that the T5 treats me as good as the trusty ol' 740 brick. I really love my redblock, but couldn't justify putting $4,500 + in it to make it perfect (1990 with 280K on the clock). I want to keep the car though....there's just something about that car that won't let me part with it! Torn drivers seat, clangy sounding engine when it's cold, and that little drip it leaves on the driveway makes it unique. It's always started and got me there and back. Just gotta' keep the wife from killing me with all these vehicles I have in the garage and driveway!

Grab the top of the strut tower under the hood & see if you can turn the shock in place. That's what's "clicking" on mine...if you can turn these, you need to replace the spring mounts; use the XC90 spring mounts as they are much more durable.

I can turn them...so I guess I need to buy a set (damn, I missed that on my inspection!). With 98K on the clock, I'm wondering if I should just redo the whole front end? Of course, I'm not too excicted about dropping a bunch of money into the car so soon after the purchase, but just curious how long the undercarriage is good for on these cars. Any advise is always greatly appreciated !

Mine's got ~165K on it, and I think everything is still original under there. I have replaced axles due to torn CV boots, and need to look into doing struts all around I'm sure, but it still handles better than anything else I've driven. When you jack it up to fix those seats just give everything a good tug/whack with a hammer and see what's what. Keep an eye on the your tire edges for wear.

Could you tell us the model year of your "new" S70 T5?
Is it manual or auto?
I agree that sway bar end links may be the source of your "clicks". They do require replacement periodically. If yours do, ask Ken at IPD about their Heavy Duty end links.
And ... if you think that your performance is exhilirating now ... ask Ken about a Stage One upgrade.

It's a 1998 S70 T5.
Totally blown away with it's performace! I think I like it as much as my Cayman!
Keeping my finger's crossed that it will be as reliable as the trusty ol' 740...

Klaus....did I hear you right about pushing it hard often to "keep it clean" ?
How hard is hard without wearing it out? Just curious.
I take my 987 Cayman just under redline on the weekends.....but that's how I was taught to drive it by Porsche mechanics and purists.

I got too many dang vehicles now!

What kills these engine is the short trip and under 2K rpms. Of course, synthetic oil helps keep things clean in the crankcase, but the combustion chambers get clogged with carbon is the engine is not "exercised" once in a while.
I dislike running engines to redline in 1st gear, but 2-5 is just fun and good for them. The tranny shouldn't be subjected to redline gearshifts too much, so I always kept the tranny switch in 's' for local errands and 'e' for the highway.
Any rpm above 2K will allow the valves to rotate and keep them clean. Always use 89 or 91 octane(preferred) and Volvo OEM spark plugs.

My garage holds 4 cars and is full. My wife refuses to have anything parked in the driveway or in the backyard :) so I am currently limited to my 220 as my Volvo ride.

Klaus
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Proud owner of a 1967 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.

Thanks for the infor Klaus!
My fleet now: 2007 Porsche Cayman
2008 Chevy Tahoe LT
2003 Chevrolet 2500HD Crew Cab Longbed
1990 Volvo 740GL
1998 Volvo S70 T5(Yay !!)
1982 Ford Bronco 4X4


I'm now the crazy man up the street with all the cars....instead of the infamous crazy cat lady !!

Unless you are attached emotionally, I would find a good home for the Bronco.

Have fun, and buy your understanding wife a really nice birthday present :)

Klaus
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Proud owner of a 1967 220S. If I had more room, I would have more Volvos.

"I'm now the crazy man up the street with all the cars....instead of the infamous crazy cat lady !!"

We've got 6 when everyone is home for the holidays or something...well...5 now...my dad called me up the other night to tell me he sold his '92 BMW 850 =(, but it's hilarious how much it annoys our next-door neighbor. Just to irk at him, last Christmas, he took his Jeep and parked it in the center strip of grass between our driveways then left it there while we went out-of-state for a week =D The neighbor then proceeded to grab our newspaper for the next month and throw it in the street.

Congrats on the new car.....the clicking from the suspension sounds like it could be your swar bar end links. Common problem....relatively cheap and easy to fix.
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92 245, 1965 122 Wagon, past:95 850 Turbo, 92 245, 88 245, 82 245 Turbo, 71 164e