posted by
someone claiming to be Rob K
on
Tue Dec 20 16:33 CST 2011 [ RELATED]
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Greetings, All!
I was once active on the RWD side years ago when I had a host of 240s. For the last 8 years I've changed jobs, moved house, buried parents, and pretty much not had to worry a bit about my two 855s, so I've neglected the 'board.
Now it's time for me to get back involved, I think. Of my two 850 wagons, one is a '95, with 190,000 miles. The other is a '96, with 180,000 miles. We got them both when they were around 100,000 miles, and they've been amazingly trouble-free. They're both 5 speeds, their bodies are sound, they both have recent clutches and seals, their a.c. is good, and so forth. However, I remember from my 240 days that I needed to carry a spare air mass meter, crank position sensor, resoldered relays, and so forth because I new that when they got this many miles on them, components will die.
Two weeks ago the '95 stranded my wife and required a tow to our local independent mechanic. Bad coil and bad cam position sensor (chicken/egg?). I asked my mechanic if it would make sense to simply invest maybe $3000 apiece and replace every critical component and sensor so I could rely upon these cars for 5 years to come: fuel pump, sensors, air mass meter, etc. He said, no -- just ride it out; if the sensors, etc., have lasted this long we're probably good. He went on to say that components today aren't made to the same quality level as they were 15 years ago when these cars were new. He said just to ride it out and replace items as they fail individually.
Today I asked the same question of my local general mechanic (the guy I go to for mounting new tires); he said essentially the same thing. He said today's aftermarket components, even dealer-supplied components, aren't as reliable and that I should just ride it out.
I've always been a preventive maintenance and preempt/replace early-type shadetree, and this advice from both mechanics baffles me. Has quality in the non-Toyoto and Honda world slipped that badly in the last decade?
What's the general consensus -- am I walking on thin ice thinking these cars will run another 5 years on their original components? Or should I ignore the advice of the mechanics and go ahead and replace sensors/fuel pumps/air mass meter, and so forth?
Your wisdom is appreciated.
Thanks!
Rob K
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Hi, having still one of my 850-94s with 250kkm, in recent years needed only one front bearing and cam position sensor about 100$ each I wouldn't complain.
The V70D5AWD-05 has taken 10x more for fixes and repair...one front bearing, oil cooler, 2x rear parking sensor.
br Tapsa
ps. the V70 is great fun in snow
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I'd agree that most replacement parts lately are inferior to original equipment. It's a shame and in some cases a sham.
If you are able, stick with standard maintenance issues and address failures as they come. If you've lost confidence in your car, sell it. It's a terrible feeling to wonder whether your family will make it to their destination, although it can be exhilarating if you make it when you thought you wouldn't!
Besides, changing parts just for the sake of changing parts will put you in the poor-house quickly. I have added 2 FWD Volvos (850 & S40) to the fleet recently and am astonished how expensive parts are for these cars compared to my trusty RWD models. Sheesh! 200 bucks for oil lines? 200 bucks for a heater core and appurtenant equip.? 400 - 500 for an exhaust system? Etc., etc. That has been disappointing.
--
Your car has brakes, not breaks
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You are right about the cost of parts overall. They ain't cheap!
One note regarding the exhaust systems. 850's have stainless steel exhaust systems that can outlive the car. Other than replacing the rear exhaust hanger, in 4 years of 850 ownership I have never touched the exhaust system on either of my 850's. OTOH - I was constantly replacing exhaust parts on my 240.
Plus I've never changed anything electrical other than bulbs. Unlike the 240....:)
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Interesting dilema. Yes, the electronics are getting older and the 'new' replacements are not as good as the original in some cases. But you have 2 basicly good cars.
The reason you used to carry spare parts for the 240, like I do for my 122, is to make sure I won't get stranded when something known to fail does, and parts are hard to find. In you last case, the coil was probably getting weak, but the CPS failed. The mechanic replaced both, which was a good thing.
Should you start throwing parts on your car? No. It won't make it any more reliable. Your cars aren't worth much on the resale market, but they will live for a very long time. When you can no longer rely on the car to get you from A to B, then look for a newer one.
Both of your cars are 'low mileage' and relatively cheap if you DIY. At least with your 1995, you can check the OBDII codes each time you change the oil. Note and delete any codes, they will be a warning for electrical parts failure. The O2 sensors, if original, are probably getting a little slower to respond and could be replaced - but that is optional and will not kill the engine.
All I ever carried in the trunk was the folding Torx tool and some spare brake light bulbs. I think I added a few fuses once. Oh, and a paperclip in case the fuel relay died.
The time to get 'rid' of your 850s is when you get tired of them. Or when the maintenance gets greater than $1,000/year.
Klaus
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My advice is free, so you got what you paid for...
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posted by
someone claiming to be Rob K
on
Wed Dec 21 16:51 CST 2011 [ RELATED]
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Thanks, Klaus, and everyone, for your advice!
I love these 885s and would hate to get rid of them. I can fit 8 hay bales inside, garbage cans full of manure for the garden, lumber, and so forth -- they really are incredible cars; in my mind probably the most comfortable, versatile, and efficient wagons ever made. I can't imagine what I could get to replace them.
What may end up happening 2 or 3 years down the road is we'll get a Toyota or Honda of some sort for the long trips to visit the grandkids where we can't afford a possible breakdown, and keep one of these 850 wagons around the house as the mule. But then the question will arise -- which one to keep, which one to let go, the '95 or '96? I love them both.
Thanks again!
Rob
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I'm also a member of the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" camp.
With their age and mileage it's possible some of the original components could go south. That's the risk you take when driving any old, high mileage car. That said, I know of 850's going 300 or 400k miles with proper maintenance. Yes, I believe it's possible to get another 5 years out of them. So far my 95 850 has been more reliable than my 90 240 that I sold at 20 years old, 300k and still running well...:)
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I'd be inclined to say if it ain't broke don't fix it.
I would say that if you are unsure of when was the last time the timing belt and pulleys were changed then its time to have those done.
I'm also a fan of fluid changes...coolant, brake fluid, power steering, etc.
If it were me I would wait until...and only if....a component fails that you start replacing. I took the plunge about a month ago, had a 98 XC70 with about 215k on it. Few things needed attention, AC Evap repair @ $800 or more, alternator and control arms needed help....few additional maintenance items. All in all I was looking at throwing $2100 give or take into it and could have been trouble free for years to come...but instead I picked up a used 07 S60. The XC was a beauty inside and out, little wear on anything. Driving 500+ miles a week I opted to go back to FWD and yield about 29 MPG on the highway as opposed to 23 ish I was getting.
Regarding your cars, even though 180k and 190k sound like a lot I'd stick it out and tend to the small things that come up...whilst abiding by all maintenance items as necessary. As you are familiar with the older red block motors I am sure you know you can rack up the miles on these cars....with proper maintenance that is (on the 5 cylinders). - Why do I say this? Well I am still wondering if my upgrade choice was the best idea. Don't get me wrong the S60 is way nicer, but, 2100k of repairs vs car payments for quite some time....well I guess its a choice. I will surely miss the AWD performance of the XC70 with its complimenting snow tires. On many of occasions I tried to get stuck and couldn't, it almost became a game.
Steve
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