Hi all,
Been a long-time 855 Turbo owner and investigating the V70XC. Been reading the posts here and researched the previous posts on the site here. My biggest concern is the AWD system. The pre-2003 models used the viscous coupling, and the 2003-on used the Haldex electronic system. My question to all of you "experts" is this-which is more reliable? I get the iumpression there weas trouble with the viscous system disign(hence the design change). I am meticulous about caring for my vehicles and understand about thte tire rotaion principles and fluid changes, etc. Been looking at th 2002's due to $$$'s. Should I bag it and spend the extra bucks on a 2003? Thanks in advance for your input...

The 2001 and newer have the better drive system, are roomer and smoother than the earlier XCs.
--
Leon Ramseur in NC, 2001 V70XC, 2001 V70T5,1997 855 for sale, & 1990 745.

There is NO difference in the mechanical AWD system from '98s until '03s when Haldex was then used instead.

hi,
there have been no real mechanical failures do far with the new haldex system i would definitly go for it.
however the main advantage of the new electronic centre diff over the old viscous coupling is the performance. the old system took a lot of wheelspin from the front before the back would even start to have drive, where as the new systems reacts instantly and is variable in how much power is transferred at any point in time.

steve.

The older types were known to be fussy about tires and thus possibly problematic whereas the newer Haldex systems are not so fussy about tires and have been w/o problems so far. If you really want AWD, get the newer vehicle.