hello fellow brick nuts!

some of you may remember me posting about a possible 855 purchase a while back. well, I've been searching on and off--with the past months putting my turbo volvo dream aside--and now the volvo bug has bitten me hard again and I've resumed searching! I've decided that I will sell my pride and joy 1990 M-B 190E 2.6 (updated W202 front and a bunch of cosmetic updates) so that I can have some extra shiny pennies for a V70 instead of an 855. I still like the 850 boxiness, but I figured that a V70 is a better investment. it also looks a bit more "modern" yet still retaining the 855 boxiness. I don't like the second generation (2001+) V70--too bubbly. anyhow, I will be looking at a V70 T5 (auto) with 80k this week. all I know about this car is that it's in "mint condition" and is a one-owner car. it also has (all?) records. I've done a search but would still like to get some fresh insight. what should I look for?

1. I know the timing belt should be changed around 70-75k miles. if the car has not had its TB done after 80k miles, should I walk away?

2. is there any way I can physically check the turbo to see if it's in working order?

3. I know the T5 has a stiff suspension. so is there any way that I will know if the suspension is fine?

4. I hear that the early V70s have lots of little issues, mainly electrical. but looks like the 1998 is pretty much in my budget. very important question. is this a wise choice of car. I don't have kids or transport big loads. I just like volvo wagons and want a fast volvo wagon. I usually keep my cars for a long time and see this car as something that will grow to meet my needs (like when I have kids, hehe). so in a sense it's an investment. do I need to have kids to drive a wagon?

I don't know what else to ask, so please add anything that you feel is important. hmmm, if the car checks out fine by me, I plan to have a volvo tech check it out for a needed peace of mind.

btw, please tell me I'm not nuts because I've decided to let go of my garage princess M-B sedan instead of my 1989 240 wagon. do I really need two wagons? my friend thinks I'm sick for even wanting another volvo wagon. I tell him this will be my porsche (boxter) slayer. the T5 is the ultimate sleeper! thanks in advance!

I have my dealer put potential purchases through their certified car checklist. They charge one hour's labor, add an hour for a compression check. They give me a two page report.

If the car passes most of the first check, I have them put new plugs in while they are checking the compression. I like to look at the old plugs.
--
96 855R, 95 855,854, 90 744 Ti - 340,000 Volvo miles put on 7 bricks

1) Don't walk away because of the belt, just change it asap. If it fails you will bend some valves.

2) Yes, stand on the gas. Believe me, you will know if it's working. I have a 2.8 Z3 BMW and a '98 T5 and the T5 is faster from a rolling start. If the T5 had boost in first gear, it would be faster all around.

3) The answer from Rayn makes sense. I have those tires, plus winter tires and the ride is ok.

As for price... I paid $15K with 70,000 miles in late 2002, and you might want to check with kbb.com.

As Phil knows, I have had problems with getting mine aligned. I hit a 4x4 wood post and have not had it right since. If it shows any pull get the seller to agree to fix it before you accept it. (Mine pulls to the left, but as Phil says, it might just be because I took it to Paul Newman's place to get it fixed.)

Finally... the AC evaporator is a known problem on these cars. Is it low on juice? Is the compressor cycling? Is it cold? If it's too chilly a day for AC just turn on the defroster and that compressor better kick in. I think it's about $1300 to fix.

You will love it, but put Konis on it. The difference is night and day.

Best of luck...

webperson.com

I have a 1998 S70 T5M and here are my thoughts:

1. No. But it should be changed out asap. Look for a sticker on the
timing cover that indicates a change date. I've done two and it is
not too difficult for the do-it-yourselfer (note that there is a
mid-year change in 1998 to a slightly different belt that should be
done by a dealer). You can search on "1998 timing belt" for more.

2. You can remove the heat shield but that is a lot of work. I think
you should have a mechanic have a look at the car. The turbo can be
inspected while the car is up on a lift. Note that the turbo is
very reliable -- other things will break first. The most common
problem is a leaking gasket that costs a buck and takes about an
hour to replace.

3. The 70 series T5s are softer then the 855 GLTs. As long as it has
205/55 16 tires I think you will find the ride quite comfortable
(but not too muh of a performance compromise -- this is something
they got right).

4. My 1998 (Feb 1997 build date) had initial problems. It has not seen
a dealer in close to 3 years now. Once sorted out the 98 is not any
worse then any other year (my wife's 1995 855 and my 98 are about the
same in terms of the number of problems).

Look for records and look closely at the past couple of years. Based on
my experience (and remember, I am only one data point) it should be
trouble-free for the past couple of years.

See http://www.volvospeed.com/bay13.htm. Most of the things listed
there are the common problems.

At 80K you may need new brake pads and rotors. These are not too
expensive. Plan to spend $1000 to fix it up (fluids, pads, maybe
tires) and it should be good to go for another 50K miles.

is this a good price for an 80k-mile car in the california market? I checked edmunds and the blue book, but would like to hear it from real people.

Probably not unreasonable but I'd try to get the price down a little more. See the "private party" value in kbb and Edmunds.

I'd guess my 135k mile '98 T5 is worth about $8k as a trade. I've decided to keep it as my "winter beater" and maybe try for that blue 200k medallion. So it's worth more than $8k to me, but probably not anyone else.

After 135k I've had most of the known problems except for the air pump. Some several times. During the past 1 1/2 years I've replaced the ignition switch module, heater core, evaporator, the thermostat, struts, a seized brake caliper and the ABS/TRACS module. I'm on cabin temp sensor #4 now, sway bar end link set #3 etc. etc. My iPd rear bar actually broke(!), I have the replacement iPd bar but not installed it yet. The car still shifts like new, the engine uses no oil and the clutch is original.

I agree that the lighter '98-'00 is the "ultimate sleeper", especially with the manual transmission. Only the 6-speed manual "R" is faster, so I've heard. I wouldn't buy another one but I don't need another one since I already have this one!

-Punx

'98 V70 T5M, 135k mi. iPd stabilizer bar, Bilstein HD shocks and struts, Volvo strut tower brace and skidplate, Valentine-1, Michelin Artic Alpins.