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I bought the 1998 5 speed manual S70, and I love it!
It has 97,000 miles original owner all records. New Michelin tires, brakes and battery and checked out perfect in the pre-purchase inspection. Zippy and nice handling, and even the color - which I did not originally like - is growing on me! Plus it is a Canadian car so I will have less hassle registering it in Ontario since it's in km and has daytime running lights etc.
The only thing that I found was the tilt steering lever is snapped off... see in my photo album. I can live without tilt, but would that be easy to fix myself?
Here are some photos:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/signal2noyes/album?.dir=/897d
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posted by
someone claiming to be cn
on
Tue Mar 15 05:09 CST 2005 [ RELATED]
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Tina,
Another useful website besides Volvospeed is (they ahve alot of 850 info). Download the info and save it:
http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/
RE: Manual transmission and steep hills....
I learned this from "professional" driver (trucker and racer).
On a steep hill with manual trans car. Two options:
1. The "boring way".... Pull the hand brake, start 1st gear, slowly release clutch and move forward and release the handbrake...EVERYONE knows this; so it is boring.
2. The "interesting way":
Heel of right foot on the brake pedal, Toes on Gas Pedal.
It is a delicate balance between the heel and toe to provide the necessary force to brake and YET enough gas pedal to go. Once the car moves forward, release the brake force by lifting the heel slowly.
It takes some practice BUT you will master it.
cn
1998 V70 automatic (not fun to drive)
1983 BMW 75i 5spd 145K...a fun machine
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Hi Tina,
Congrats on your new car! Glad to hear you found something you really like.
For tires, I run with Bridgestone Potenza's
Best gas available in Canada (for turbo's) is Sunoco Ultra 94.
Depending on where you end up relocating in Ontario, I may be able to help recommending a service shop that wont gouge you.
As for you tilt steering, I would suggest that if you do the vast majority of driving this car that you get it set where you like it and forget repairing the lever. Removal of the shroud around the steering column is fairly simple and you should be able to unlock and relock the lever with a pair if vise grips or pliers. Set it and forget it.
Armie
--
'94 850 154000kms '86 760GLE 272000kms
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posted by
someone claiming to be cn
on
Mon Mar 14 15:20 CST 2005 [ RELATED]
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Besides routine maintenance, I have done the following:
-thermostat
-Auto trans fluid change (in your case I would advise a manual transmission fluid flush)
-driver's side window switch combo ($150...... dealer's item)
- headlight switch repair x 2 (finally used plumbing glue to put the switch back together....works great).
If you low on budget...TIRES...I have been using Firestone Lemans
http://www.mastercare-usa.com/tires/catalog/lemans-touring.jsp
* $45/each
* MUCH BETTER than original Michelin MXV!!!!
So go with Lemans....I have put 30K miles on them and going strong...also better traction in the winter.
* Battery...go with Costco or Sam's Club. It is the same mfg that makes batteries for Interstate, Diehard etc. (The co. is based in Washington State, they put different labels for different companies).
Price for Costco battery is about $45.00
Enjoy the trip back to Canada.....I came from Montreal and really miss that city
cn
1998 V70 auto
next car will be manual trans
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Hehe well when you are trying to parallel park on steep hills or stuck in traffic, you will be thankful for the automatic :)
Actually I meant it already has new tires, battery and brakes before purchase so hopefully I won't have to replace those items for a while.
I put Kumho Ecstas (sp?) on my 850 and they turned out to be excellent, if ugly, tires. I got them a little over a year ago and they show very little wear, great traction in the rain and a nice smooth ride. But I will certainly consider your suggestion when it comes time to replace the Micehlins. THey are actually a year old but they had not driven the car much in the past year after buying a new one so the tires are still very new.
Tomorrow I am calling the local Volvo dealer that did all the servicing on the car to find out if trans fluid was changed recently... the invoice records say "5k maintainence performed" and things like that but don't always list specifics unless parts were replaced, I am sure they have that in their computer or can tell me what their standard service intervals include.
Ah Montreal, I have visited many times and what a lovely city. I will be moving to SW Ontario depending on where I get my job offer... not in Toronto though - I am not a big city type, lived there for 6 months and enjoyed it as a temporary thing but I want to live in the country.
Now, to hook up the iPod mini to the stereo! OK, I will clean the PCV first (but that is not as fun!)
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Way to go Tina!
Now, clean the flame trap (PCV) right away. Go to Target and get some automotive carpet cleaner (Oxyclean) to clean the mats. Atmosclear from the hardware store will eliminate any odors.
The tilt is a DIY, but the clamshell plastic around the backside of the steering wheel is hard to remove. The torx screws need a 4-6in extension to get out.
I hope you got a good price, cloth seats don't need heaters like leather does, besides, cloth lasts longer without cracking. And the car is already to take back to Canada! What luck!
Have fun with this one. It even has a trunk to hide stuff in.
Klaus
--
98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 75 164E(173K mi)
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Oh I have the torx and extensions, maybe I can fix that tilt lever. Since my fiance and I share the car and are very different heights, it might be nice to have.
The seats are heated after all! I also prefer cloth, holds up better over time and doesn't have that cold flesh feel.
Also the dealer confirms that the owners had ALL required service done, current miles are 97,000 and the timing belt, PCV, filters etc were done at 63,000 miles. Dealer says the tensioner was not changed at that time but they don't normally chage it with the first timing belt replacement. He noted that the owners had been very diligent about keeping up the service (yay).
He notes that the serpentine belt is due for replacing and I think I'll have that done or do it myself, and take a look at the PCV myself.
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Thanks Klaus,
Is there an online guide for S70s like there is for the 850b at Volvospeed? I cleaned my flame trap and EGR according to their instructions so i am sure I can clean the PCV on this one if it's the same or similar. Got to get familiar with the new engine!
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The S70 is just a newer 850, with better ergonomics. The engines are the same for most of the DIY projects. Don't throw out any 850 manuals.
No more trying to get the bumpers black!
Save some money for an OBDII code reader. If you ever have a need to take out the instrument panel, remove the bulb for the "service" light. Saves the need for someone to use a special tool to reset it. Besides, you know how to keep it maintained.
Klaus
--
98 V70Rawd(101Kmi), 95 854T(85K mi), 75 164E(173K mi)
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