I've been around rear drive Volvos for more than 25 years. We've got a '90 745T w/ almost 300k and all original driveline components. We're finally are looking at a replacement. I've found a one owner, adult owned 2000 V70R and it's not silver, grey, or black so my wife approves. It's a dealer trade and they want a little under $9k for it. It's got 92,000 miles and looks immaculate. Supposedly it's had maintenance by the book or better. I've sent an e-mail to the original owner to find out more.

Can you tell me what to look for? Here's my list:
ETM history - I plan on doing a xeMoDex replacement if it has ANY symptoms
Bevel Gear lube history. I plan on doing the stud plug fix and AmsOil
AC performance including condition of the evaporator.
All the usual stuff: Belts, Brakes, Cooling System condition. Front suspension bushings, etc.
From what I've seen the price looks fair - your thoughts?
Is there any web site that has a list of "old school maintenance" like some of those found for BMWs? I was thinking of doing oil every 5,000 w/ filter and then brake fluid, coolant, trans/diff/BG box fluids every 30k (2 yrs) or so.
What kind of longevity can I expect out of front end components? Do they compare with the 740?
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D '90 745T 229k, '88 744GLE 129k, '96 328i, '73 911T 100k+

Or you can get a saffron '98 for 3750, but it lacks A/C. It claims its just an electrical issue, which might not be a huge deal to fix. The 98 lets you read off climate codes. Its also the last year before the ETM, so you won't have to send it off ever...

http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/1987177839.html


As to the 2000, getting on top of the Bevel gear is a very good way to prolong it. Your maintenance items look good too.


Most of the components last quite some time, however this assumes genuine OEM parts, if they're aftermarket they tend to fail pretty quick. I wonder if this is just the aftermarket makes parts that fit as opposed to testing and making sure they work. I wouldn't think they'd have quality issues in manufacturing so it seems like its design issues... Anyway, I'd get most of the parts from FCP or IPD as opposed to the dealer, just make sure they're genuine volvo parts...

Also, clean out the flame trap every year.

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If you're not driving it "like its stolen," are you really driving?

Turbos do not have a flame trap.

The 2004 does have the 3C ride, so that when passengers are in the car, the driver can select comfort rather than race. The 2004 also has Haldex rather than the mechanical AWD.

Klaus
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

We owned a 2000 V70 XC. I now own a 2001 V70 T5.

The bevel gear went out when my wife had to go 50 miles on the space saver. Friday nite away from home and away from a tire shops. I NEVER had a tire that could be fixed on this car. I always had to replace the set. For some reason I had more flats with that car than any other car I owned. At least it seemed that way. I liked the seats better in the 98-00 than the seats in the 01. The rake of the windshield has more slope on the 01 than the 98-00. Doesn't sound like much but I have hit my head on the roof rail trying to get in the car. I had a choice between the R model and the XC when I bought the XC. What I was worried about was more tickets for both me and the wife with the R as opposed to the XC. In some ways I wish I had bought the R model. I liked the interior and controls better in the XC than the T5 as well. In short, I liked the 00 XC more than the 01 T5 except for the gas mileage. T5 gets 27 to 30. I was lucky to get 24 on the road with the XC.

Sounds like a lot to me. I would go newer if I were you:

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/ctd/1989287880.html

I know, it costs $250 on Southweat to pick it up and another $200 to drive it home. But, look around! Use this:

http://craiglook.com/

best bet to find a V70R in the USA.

As for the 2000, yep, low miles. Not much BHP considering the 300bhp the 2004 has.

Yes, there is www.V70R.com
Site used to get a lot of hits until Volvo dropped the V70R.

Klaus
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

Appreciate all the input. I trolled CraigLook for months and found a few nice examples. I can't spend more than around $9k. The '01 and up body style is more than I want to spend (for a nice example). My parents had a '94 850 GLE and then a '98 S70 GLT and both were nice cars. I liked the form factor. My old college room mate has an '05? S60R 6 speed and it's a rocket! Just as quick as my 911 but not as nimble.

Porsche restorers I know say to buy a car in the best shape you can afford, that way you'll have less to sort out. I once had a VW GTI VR6 that I bought at a "bargain" price and it took me 18 months to thoroughly sort it - so it was no bargain after all. This V70R looks like it will need minimal sorting.

I agree with the post about tires. That's been the most expensive part of owning our 740 Turbo Wagon. It's got the pretty 5 blade 16 inch wheels and hence ride on 55 series performance tires. I've spent about $2,800 in rubber during 13 years of ownership. This V70R will be similar. I have two sets of tires & rims (summer & winter) so rotation isn't an issue. I'll need to budget for a set of winter tires & wheels for the new car. I'm a skier so snow traction is important.

I'm hoping to get better mileage than the current 740 on the highway. It gets about 23.5 - 24.5 mpg. I've heard of V70R owners getting as high as 29 mpg.

It's intersting to note the '90 740 wagon weighs 3,100 lbs and has 165 bhp while the '00 V70R has 238 bhp and weighs 3,850 lbs. Weight to Power ratios are pretty close so performance will be only slightly better in the V70.

I'll post back if I purchase this V70R. It looks like a real "creampuff"
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D '90 745T 229k, '88 744GLE 129k, '96 328i, '73 911T 100k+

I have a 98 R with 185K miles. No tranny problems, no bevel gear problemes, yet. Both have been flushed. The viscous coupling warms up on the straight aways, so there is a shudder at slow speed 90 degree turns. The 2000 should not have the VC problem.

I have gotten 28mph at 75mph with the car loaded. 25mpg hwy with a roof top carrier. I never get stuck in the snow or ice, and I run all season tires.

It is the most comfortable car I have ever driven. Non-stop from the Twin Cities to Delaware, OH is 12.5 hours and I feel like dancing when I get there.

Klaus
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

Glad to hear about your '98 R. I just renegged on the really nice '00 V70R and found an '01 V70 T5 for about $1,500 less money that's 1.5 hours closer to my home. I have a hold on that and will go check it out in about 10 days.

The V70R was in the Dayton Ohio area and was posted on AutoTrader. One owner and according to the dealer a really unbelievable car. It was Green which is unusual and had the brown / beige leather / alcanterra. Really lovely looking.

The mileage on both cars is around 95,000. Both appear to have been maintained by the book. I suppose I'll need to do the xeMoDex ETM if I keep the car. Records show the half axle was done less than 3,000 miles back.

What swayed me was your comment on looking for a newer car. I was surprised by the number of '01 V70s out there - and the prices were all over the map. Saw one with 238k - that's encouraging. I was also attracted by the improved fuel efficiency of the '01 T5 over the '00 V70R.

What is the issue with the transmissions on the '01 cars? I hear there's a part for $20 from FCP Groton that fixes it.

Thanks

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D '90 745T 229k, '88 744GLE 129k, '96 328i, '73 911T 100k+

Well, I did some more research on the 'net. I'm really spooked by a few things regarding the '01 V70's:
1) The transmissions seem incredibly weak. Some owners report doing flushes and still having to replace an Auto Trans at less than 80k. What gives? Any telltale signs of what to look for?
2) The ETM seems like a nightmare. It's coded to the chassis management computer. Seems like if you buy a V70 or S60 and intend to keep it, you might as well figure a new xeMoDex ETM into the purchase price. True? I hear xeMoDex now factory codes the ETM as long as you provide them a VIN.
3) Are all sensors hard coded to the chassis computer and if replaced does the car have to be dragged to the dealer to have the new sensor "introduced" to the computer to make it work? Is there a laptop app I can buy with a cable like the VW/Audi VAG tool that works with the Volvo computer?
4) Are the front ends unlike old RWD Volvos? Do they require new bushings at say 80,000 - 100,000 mile intervals like a BMW 3 series?

Are these issues (other than the ETM) really prevalent in the '01 cars or are they just getting a bad rap by a few disgruntled owners that have fallen prey to "lax" factory maintenance that's intended to sell cars?

I agree with you completely that the factory maintenance procedures are rubbish and are designed to sell more cars in the long run. I firmly believe in old school maintenance as well as using proven synthetic lubricants. If I got an '01 V70 I plan on running AmsOil lubricants just like our present 740. It just completed another 1,000 mile road trip with 296k on the clock!

Please let me know what you think.

Thanks!
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D '90 745T 229k, '88 744GLE 129k, '96 328i, '73 911T 100k+

2001 is the first year for the new P2 volvos and there were a few bugs, to say the least.

Here is an other 2000 XC to look at, I cannot believe the prices around Cleveland. And do not get hung up on low mileage cars, I would rather buy one with 110K than 90K because the Tbelt is due at 105K.

http://www.rrmotorsohio.com/newandusedcars/611/677064/c32d7859-dae2-4d74-94ea-b5aa38715572/2000-Volvo-V70.aspx

The difference between AWD and FWD mpg is about 1-2mpg, the low pressure turbo still delivers about 200bhp which is enough to merge onto the highway without worrys.

Klaus
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

Thanks for the link but no AWD for me. FWD is fine - I always run 4 snows. I think I'll look for a '98 - '00 V70 T5 or a REALLY well sorted '01.

What can I do about iPod connectivity? I undertand there are "black boxes" that plug into the connector for the remote CD changer. Wife won't tolerate a car without an iPod.

Thx,
Doug
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D '90 745T 229k, '88 744GLE 129k, '96 328i, '73 911T 100k+

I presonally think the cd changer connector adapter things are way too expensive. For about the same money you can get a whole new deck that has bluetooth headset and A2DP capability, possibly satellite radio (or ready anyway, a usb port, a regular AUX-in /AND/ the ipod connectivity (in various flavours - audio only, ipod deck control, steering wheel controls integration, etc).

Look at a new modern deck that has the features you want. You'll spend less money and it won't sound so muddy like the SC-816.

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1998 V70 AWD->FWD Turbo 200k+

There was actually an aux input device designed to work with the 98-00 stock radios. They were not FM, but rather, plugged into the CD changer connector, and offered a standard headphone jack for input, which would allow for iPod connection. You would switch the radio to the CD changer mode and play away.

I have one of these devices that was recently retired because I replaced the deck in my V70. If you're interested, shoot me an email.

You might be looking to replace the radio then, IPODs cannot connect well to old radios. There are some FM frequency things to make it work, but that is a poor solution. An aftermarket double DIN radio might be your best option.

If you want a T5, reconsider the 2000 R. Better interior leather, harder springs, and just 16 bolts away from a T5. Then when you are ready to sell it, reconnect the prop shaft with the 16 bolts.

Klaus
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

By the book maintenance is a bunch of junk, in my opinion. The tranny needs flushing, the brake and PS lines need flushing - neither are on the book.

The 5 speed auto can get dirty and plug up one of the solenoids, so clean is better. But the 5 speed uses 3309 synthetic fluid, cheaper at Toyota.

The T5 does get better mpg because there is no AWD. The ABS is better in the 01+ cars, but when it fails - get it repaired, not replaced.

The 2001 is the new model, lots of electronic bugs that were not tested well at the factory. The engine is bullet proof if you use synthetic, not a blend or fossil fuel. Synthetic oil changes at 7500 mile intervals.

The timing belt/tensioner are due at 105K. The cabin filter once/year, like the engine air filter.

Keep the rpms over 2000 to let the valves rotate, and have fun with it!

Klaus
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Always willing to listen, just not able to take direction.

You're going to Love the upgrade! You can also search for a T5 (almost the same specs and maybe a little better on gas) Budget a little extra for growing pains. Have Fun!
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'97 855na, Mobil 1, K&N, various IPD's and eBay's