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Thinking of purchasing a 2001 V70 T5 - What should I look out for? V70-XC70 2001

posted by  Hugh on  Tue Mar 22 10:40 CST 2016
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:47 CST 2014
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Hello All,

I am thinking of purchasing a 2001 V70 T5 wagon with a 5 speed from the original owner. The car has 80,000 miles on the odometer. I have not seen it firsthand because it is located in another state, but have seen pictures, and it appears the car has been well maintained inside and out.

I own two ’96 850 wagons (both manuals) and a 1999 XC, so I have some experience with wagons, but I have never owned a T5 wagon. I would appreciate any advice in terms of what to look for and what to avoid. Thank you to all who respond. I appreciate you help.

Hugh








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    Thinking of purchasing a 2001 V70 T5 - What should I look out for? V70-XC70 2001

    posted by  KlausC on  Tue Mar 22 15:13 CST 2016
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    last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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    With 80K, it should be a 1 owner. Check the maintenance records, look for electrical problems. The first year for the DIM (electronic instrument cluster) which fails and costs $400 to repair.

    Normally, I tell people to pass up any 2001-2002 Volvos due to transmission problems, but this is a stick.

    To verify it is really a T5 and not a low pressure turbo, the power comes on at around 3000 rpm and rockets the car to 5000 rpm.

    If it has leather seats, the right seat is usually power. All T5s came with ECC, meaning the temperature dials have temperature gradients.

    It should have had a timing belt replaced. 5 years ago.
    --
    Keeping it running is better than buying new








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      Thinking of purchasing a 2001 V70 T5 - What should I look out for? V70-XC70 2001

      posted by  Hugh on  Tue Mar 22 19:20 CST 2016
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      last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:47 CST 2014
      [RELATED]

      Klaus,

      Thank you. Some follow up questions:

      1) What does “DIM” stand for? I know you described it as the instrument cluster. When it fails do all the decimals go “blank” or the instrument panel no longer illuminates at night? Is this a recurring failure? i.e. even if you replace it, the unit will go back again in a few years.

      2) On this particular car does the timing belt have to be replaced every 10 years or “X” number of miles, which ever come first? What is the mileage interval?

      3) To confirm it is a T5, based upon the pictures of the car, on the rear door I see: “V70” and “T5” under that. It does have leather interior and the driver and passenger seats are electrically adjusted and the dashboard displays ECC dials. Would the VIN # also confirm it is a T5?

      Klaus as always, thank you for your advice.

      Hugh








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        Thinking of purchasing a 2001 V70 T5 - What should I look out for? V70-XC70 2001

        posted by  KlausC on  Tue Mar 22 20:20 CST 2016
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        last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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        Answers:

        1) DIM = instrument cluster computer. First, the tach goes haywire or to zero, then other things start to fail, like odo, then speedometer, then the CEL turns on because the engine computer can't figure out what is going wrong, and it snow balls from there. Beware, this is also the first year for the CEM = central electrical module, this is a buss controller that allows communication between all of the computers. Both of the computers die from heat, their respective heat sinks are not large enough to dissipate the heat. A company called Xemodex.com will repair both at a fraction of the dealer cost.

        2) Original belt was to be changed at 105K or 10 years. The maintenance manual calls for replacement belts to be changed at 70K intervals (why, I don't know) or 10 years. If the belt was changed, there should be a sticker on the computer box in the engine bay, listing date and mileage.

        3) Sounds like a real T5. It should have been factory ordered, picked up in Sweden. Very few manual trannies were shipped to the dealers to sell in the USA.

        Actually, sounds like a nice car... But if the Tbelt is original, ding the seller $850 for a new belt/tensioner/rollers.
        --
        Keeping it running is better than buying new








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          Thinking of purchasing a 2001 V70 T5 - What should I look out for? V70-XC70 2001

          posted by  Hugh on  Wed Mar 23 11:29 CST 2016
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          last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:47 CST 2014
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          Klaus,

          Thank you as always. Your comments about the DIM and CEM made me think of my short-lived 2002 S60 T5 that my “Bride” brought to an abrupt end. Prior to the crash ( I guess I should be thankful) I purchased a new control panel for the driver’s door that contained all the buttons for the windows and door locks but had not had it installed yet. It wasn’t a case of just installing this control panel, I had to bring the car into the dealer and have a technician “down load software” so the control panel would be able to “talk” to the central computer in the car. The parts dept. clerk told me I better “brace myself” for the add cost of getting any electronics fixed on this car, because most would require downloading software from the dealership. What a difference from my two 850 wagons. Fortunately, I was able to return the door control panel for a credit.

          Klaus any idea how much Xemodex.com charges to fix a DIM or CEM?

          Thank you again for enlightening me.

          Hugh








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            Thinking of purchasing a 2001 V70 T5 - What should I look out for? V70-XC70 2001

            posted by  KlausC on  Wed Mar 23 12:33 CST 2016
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            last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014
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            Xemodex charges about $400 each, no programming by a dealer needed. Xemodex also replaces all of the light bulbs in the DIM and ships it back with an extra 2 bulbs!
            --
            Keeping it running is better than buying new








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              Thinking of purchasing a 2001 V70 T5 - What should I look out for? V70-XC70 2001

              posted by  Hugh on  Wed Mar 23 12:45 CST 2016
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              last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:47 CST 2014
              [RELATED]

              Klaus,

              Thank you for sharing not only this information, but more importantly a resource. If I am successful in purchasing this car, when, not if, these components go bad, I won’t “be stuck”.

              Hugh







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