Ladies and Gents, I am currently looking to purchase a 98 Cross Country AWD for 19,950, all bells and whistles, 55,000 miles. It does have what's left of the 7 year/75,000 mile warranty, and the price is below book. However, I have "heard" of some fairly horrific stories with this year and make.

I love my current 95 850 GLT Wagon with 100,899 miles, but am looking for a step up.

Wonder if anyone can give me advice on buying the 98 XC, or running the other direction. Many thanks!

John 96 850 GLT Sedan, 95 850 GLT Wagon

FWIW,
I have a 98 XC and have had no problems to speak of.
I found about others' issues only after our purchase, so if
I had to do it again, I would probably spend the money on a
glt or a t5.

dan

I hear the warnings about "volvo AWD" a lot on this board, but I'm not sure it's peculiar to Volvo.

A few years before I bought my 2001 XC, I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee with the Quadra-Trak AWD system (viscous coupling). The viscous coupling failed and needed to be replaced (fortunately, it was still two months until the warranty ran out). My business partner got a Grand Cherokee with Quadra-Trak a few months before me. His viscous coupling failed within weeks of mine. Unfortunately for him, his was just out of warranty and they tried to get him for $1200. In both cases it is certainly possible the failure was due to tire differences (we both had to have *one* tire replaced).

I suspect that if you obey the rules, you won't have any problems (I don't want to hear *any* complaints from people who chose to change their wheel/tire combinations).

Given the technical realities, I don't understand why the manufacturers don't flat out state that you can't run old and new tires mixed without potentially causing severe damge to the drivetrain...

I'VE HAD A '98XC SINCE NEW----NOW HAS 98,000-------USUAL LIGHTS/SIGNALS PROBLEMS. NONE OF THE OTHER HOROR STORIES-----WATCH TIRES AS THEY TELL YOU TO.....GREAT CAR-----DESPITE THE BAD LUCK SOME OWNERS REPORT. CHECK THE PREVIOUS/CURRENT OWNERS RECORDS----IF THEY "CAN'T FIND THEM..." RUN AWAY---THEY MUST BE HIDIDNG SOMETHING. VOLVO OWNERS SAVE EVERY RECORD OF EACH OIL CHANGE AND WIPER BLADE REPLACEMENT.

GOOD LUCK---BOB.....'87 245 WAGON 235k (THEN TOTALLED---BROKE MY HEART.....) CURRENTLY OWN '89 245 WAGON 93K......THE 98 XC, JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, ACURA MDX, AND MY WIFE IS ORDERING NEW XC 90 THIS SPRING. WE LOVE VOLVOS

Hi John,

I've got a 98 XCV70 that I bought new that year. Short story; great car - I like it and find it very reliable.

Longer version; I had problems with signal lights and headlamps burning out for the first year until Volvo issued a recall notice and fixed that problem. Also, I had the ABS/Tracs unit replaced under warranty. I'm fairly anal about maintenance and do all the routine things myself - oil changes, body lubrication, fluid checks, filter replacements, etc. The car runs great and I average about 28 mpg on the highway and 20 mpg around town. I've also taken it on a few trips and it's an extremely comfortable long distance ride - handles nicely. Took it on a 3,000 trip last March through snow in the Sierra's and then across the Mojave and Anza Borreto deserts with a couple of ten mile sandy jeep routes. Car handled the snow and light off road stuff without any problems - nice to have the 4WD and good ground clearance. I like this car much better than the Toyota 4 Runner that I had prior to it. Good Luck.

If you realy dont NEED the AWD.....I would spend the money you will save on a nicer/newer FWD ONLY V70.
--
Steve F. in Hoboken, NJ

If Edmunds.com pricing is accurate, there is a $3500 price gap between the V70 GLT and the XC. Amazing!

$3500 would probably more than pay for EVERY repair that's been performed on my car both under warranty and out of warranty between 0-107,000 miles, plus the angle gear-bevel gear gizmo will never fail.

-bill d cat

Thats just what i am talking about. Unless one NEEDS a AWD Volvo.....I think the money is best spent on things they will need for real!
--
Steve F. in Hoboken, NJ

I would suggest you make sure two major repairs have been done because if you don't you will be spending $1000 in the near furture.

1. Tracs/ABS controller module replacement
2. Air pump replacement

My suggestion would be to not purchase the volvo. Although they are safe from a structural point of view the quality on the components is not great and I always seem to be having to do some $300 repair on something flakey....

Just my opinion but I will not purchase another volvo...

Thanks for the replies. Are these $300.00 repairs something that is covered under warranty?

You already have almost the same ABS module and same air pump on your 850s. The air pump, as an emissions device is one of the things that is not covered under the VIP warranty. The ABS module should be.

It's the $4000 bevel gear-angle gear replacement on the AWDs that drives most people crazy. That and Volvo's failure to warn that the tires must all be identical and that the donut spare tire can't really be used as a spare, or else the angel gear will fail.

The FWD SV70 is just a minor restyle of the 850. Most components are the same.

-bill d cat

Bill, I just checked my VIP comprehensive plan and it lists parts that are not covered......but it dont say it dont cover the air pump???
--
Steve F. in Hoboken, NJ

At least that's what I thought I heard my dealer say to another customer. There have also been discussions here at Brickboard about the non-coverage of emissions devices under the VIP extended contract. Many manufacturers cover emissions devices up to 100k under the original warranty. Not Volvo.

http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/index.htm?id=461143

http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/index.htm?id=148250
http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/index.htm?id=419934

I looked at my old VIP contract ... right, it doesn't seem to say it doesn't cover the pump. It specifically excludes the cat, though. It does say it excludes "emissions control valves" and I think I read here that the mode of failure of the pump is that the check valve first fails. Perhaps that's the logic. That you should maintain your check valve or else your air pump will fail.

Mine, BTW, continues to noisily chug along in the sub-freezing temperatures at 107k miles. Since I've suffered all the usual failures I expect this one to happen, too.

-bill d cat

There should be a used XC-AWD FAQ (Jarrod???)

http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/index.htm?id=478368

About the vintage, 1998...I have a '98 FWD V70 and it has 107k on it now, and it still uses absolutely no oil. The manual transmission still shifts like new. That's impressive, IMO. I'm less impressed by the electrical components, but many that were destined to fail have already failed by 5 years.

If you have a couple of 850s you know exactly what you're in for. I'd look for a nice FWD model.

Phil D Cassandra

Use the search field (down to the right) and search
on "viscous coupling" and "angle gear" to get some info on
the area that causes the most concern.

Also, here is info from Volvo TSB on tire issues:

Vehicles involved:
AWD/XC

AWD Wheels/Tires, Information and function test

Background
This service bulletin contains information to ensure that the all-wheel drive (AWD) system is not damaged when servicing wheels and tires. It also contains information about checking the freewheel and viscous coupling for the all-wheel drive (AWD) system.

Wheels and Tires, Information and function test

Information about wheels and tires and function test

Note! To prevent deterioration in the function of the power transmission system on All-wheel drive (AWD) cars, it is important to follow the instructions below.

1
All Wheel Drive vehicles have special requirements for tires and wheels. It is very important that the tire replacement guidelines below are followed. Failure to do so can result in damage to the AWD components (angle gear, viscous coupling/freewheel unit).

Always drive on tires of identical brand, size, construction (radial), tread pattern, load-, speed-, traction-, temperature-, and treadwear rating.

Never drive on mixed tires, except for brief periods when the temporary spare tire is in use.

Always use properly inflated tires of correct dimensions. Tire size and inflation pressures are shown on the tire pressure label located inside the fuel filler door.

Caution! Failure to always drive on properly inflated, identical tires of correct dimensions may result in a circumference difference between tires on the front and rear axles. This will cause excessive tire wear and may damage the transmission and all wheel drive system.

2
Replacing the tires

When tire replacement is necessary, Volvo strongly recommends replacing all four tires at the same time with identical tires as explained above. Failure to do so can result in circumference differences that may damage the transmission and all wheel drive system.

If only one or two tires are replaced, the new tire(s) must be identical to the tires with which the car was built, and must be mounted on the FRONT AXLE ONLY! Failure to do this may damage the transmission and all wheel drive system.

3
Spare wheel Temporary spare

The temporary spare tire is for temporary, low-speed, short-distance use only Do not drive on the temporary spare at speeds above 50 mph (80km/h) or for distances greater than 50 miles (80 km) or transmission and all wheel drive system damage may result.

4
Snow chains all-wheel drive (AWD)

On all-wheel drive cars, (AWD), snow chains must only be mounted on the front wheels. Only snow chains intended for all-wheel drive (AWD) cars can be used. Never install snow chains on a temporary spare tire.